13 Continuing Care Retirement Communities in Polk County, Iowa
13 of the 30 Medicare-certified nursing homes in Polk County, Iowa (43%) are CCRC, and all are listed below. 6 of the 13 graded homes earn an A and 1 earn a D or F. Nurse staff turnover runs 38.2%, 11.9 points lower than the 50.1% across all homes there. Deerfield Health Care Center in Urbandale grades highest at A (100 out of 100).
How CCRC homes in Polk County, Iowa compare
This group set against every nursing home in Polk County, Iowa, from the current CMS release.
Nursing hours per resident per day
4.42
All homes in Polk County, Iowa: 4.22
Better than the local average
Nurse staff turnover
38.2%
All homes in Polk County, Iowa: 50.1%
Better than the local average
Average ElderGrade score
84.3/100
All homes in Polk County, Iowa: 75.8/100
Better than the local average
Grade spread
A
B
6 grade A, 6 grade B, 1 grade D,
The best-graded CCRC home in Polk County, Iowa is
Deerfield Health Care Center
in Urbandale, IA, grade A, 100/100.
Deerfield Health Care Center is a 30-bed nonprofit home in Urbandale, church-affiliated, and the numbers behind it are unusually steady. Nurse staffing runs 5.31 hours per resident day, roughly 38% above the national average, and weekends hold within about 2% of weekday coverage, a gap that sinks plenty of homes. Staff turnover sits at 25.8% against a national average of 45.8%, which matters because aides who stay know the residents. The inspection record shows three deficiencies, none at harm or jeopardy level and none abuse-related, with the most recent survey completed March 27, 2025. At 30 beds, this is a small enough building that consistent staffing and low turnover show up directly in daily care.
Scottish Rite Park runs on unusually steady staffing for a 51-bed nonprofit home in Des Moines. Nurses provide 5.15 hours per resident day, roughly a third more than the national average, and only 14% of staff left last year, against a national rate near 46%. Weekend coverage dips about 12% from weekday levels, which is worth asking about, but the bigger caution sits in the inspection record: nine deficiencies, three serious enough to involve harm or jeopardy, and six fines totaling $60,726. The most recent state visit was June 2025, so the record is current. Strong care numbers paired with real compliance problems, that mix is what a B reflects.
Edgewater runs on a nonprofit model with 40 certified beds in West Des Moines, and the staffing numbers are the story here: 4.70 nurse hours per resident day, roughly 22% above the national average. Weekend coverage dips about 15% below its own weekday level, so care thins out on Saturdays and Sundays even though the overall floor is high. Annual turnover sits at 44%, essentially matching the national rate. The current record shows 10 deficiencies, none at the harm or jeopardy level and none abuse-related, with the most recent inspection completed June 19, 2025. Quality measures score strongly; health inspections are the softer spot.
Prairie Vista Village runs on 4.47 nurse hours per resident day, roughly 16% above the national average, and its weekend staffing holds about 16% below its own weekday level, a dip worth asking about if your family visits mainly on Saturdays and Sundays. Staff turnover sits at 37.3%, better than the 45.8% national figure, which matters for whether your parent sees the same faces month to month. Five deficiencies on the current record, none at harm or jeopardy level and none abuse-related, with the last inspection in May 2025. It's a for-profit LLC with 46 beds, small enough that you can reasonably expect the administrator to know your mother's name.
Calvin Community in Des Moines runs on a nonprofit model with 59 certified beds, and the staffing numbers are its strongest suit: 4.19 nurse hours per resident day, roughly 8% above the national average, with a 5/5 CMS staffing star. Weekend coverage dips about 11% below its own weekday level, which is worth knowing if your visits fall on Saturdays or Sundays. Turnover sits at 31.3% against a national average of 45.8%, meaning workers tend to stay longer here than at most homes. The tradeoff is a 3/5 inspection star with 12 deficiencies on record, though none involved harm or abuse, and one fine totaling $4,233. The last inspection was in December 2025, so the record is recent.
Mill-Pond runs on 4.58 nurse hours per resident day, roughly 19% above the national average, and that staffing shows up in the five-star rating CMS gives it for workforce. Weekend coverage dips about 9% below its own weekday level, so ask how that plays out on a Sunday. Staff turnover sits at 37.1%, better than the 45.8% national figure. The current record lists 10 deficiencies, none at the harm or jeopardy level, though 3 are abuse-related, worth asking about directly. The last inspection was March 2026, and the health inspection and quality measure ratings both came in at 4 out of 5.
Brio Of Johnston runs a for-profit limited liability operation with 36 certified beds in Polk County, and its nurse staffing sits at 4.57 hours per resident day, roughly 18% above the national average. That margin narrows on weekends, when coverage drops about 10% below the home's own weekday pace. Staff turnover lands at 55.1%, nearly ten points above the national figure, which means the people delivering that care are cycling through faster than average. Twelve deficiencies sit on the current record, one serious enough to involve harm or jeopardy, with a single fine of $6,923 and an inspection dated April 2026. The staffing and quality measure ratings hold at 4 stars each; inspection results sit lower at 3.
Wesley On Grand runs on a solid staffing base: 3.94 nurse hours per resident day, a bit above the national average of 3.86. Weekend coverage dips about 5% from weekday levels, and turnover sits at 44.7%, marginally better than the 45.8% national figure. The inspection record is clean where it matters, four deficiencies total, none causing harm or jeopardy, none abuse-related, with the most recent survey in June 2025. Quality measures land mid-range. It's a nonprofit home with 80 beds whose strongest asset is a spotless harm-level record and dependable weekday staffing; the trade-offs are thinner weekend coverage and a quality-measure score that won't impress anyone.
Kennybrook Village sits in Grimes with 40 certified beds and an individual for-profit owner. The nurse staffing number is the standout: 4.54 hours per resident day, roughly 18% above the national average, which is why CMS gives it 4 stars on staffing. Weekend coverage drops about 12% from weekday levels, so ask how that plays out on Saturdays. Turnover runs 49.1%, a bit above the national 45.8%, not alarming, but worth knowing. Twelve deficiencies are on record, none at harm or jeopardy level and none abuse-related, and the last inspection was January 2026. Inspection and quality measures both sit at 3 stars.
Valley View Village is a nonprofit home in Des Moines with 79 beds, and its staffing is genuinely its strong point, 4.46 nurse hours per resident day, about 16% above the national average. Weekend coverage dips roughly 9% below weekday levels, which is common but worth knowing if you're visiting on a Saturday. The harder numbers sit elsewhere: staff turnover of 50% runs above the 45.8% national average, and the current record carries 23 deficiencies, including two at the harm or jeopardy level. The last inspection was in May 2025, and one fine totaling $9,110 has been levied. Consistent nursing hours are a real plus, but the inspection history and turnover suggest asking pointed questions about consistency of care.
Trinity Center At Luther Park runs on a nonprofit model with 120 certified beds in Des Moines, and its staffing numbers land close to the national average, 3.83 nurse hours per resident day against 3.86 nationally, though weekends dip roughly 10% below its own weekday coverage. What stands out more is retention: 26.3% turnover versus a national average of 45.8%, meaning workers here tend to stay. The trouble sits in inspections. Thirteen deficiencies are on record, including one at the harm level and two tied to abuse, plus a single fine of $162,205. The most recent inspection was December 23, 2025. Families weighing this home should ask directly about those abuse-related findings and what changed since.
Ramsey Village runs a nonprofit home of 78 beds in Des Moines, and its staffing is the strongest part of the picture: 4.05 nurse hours per resident day, roughly 5% above the national average. The catch is consistency, weekend coverage drops about 11% below weekday levels, and turnover sits at 47.1%, just above the national figure. The inspection record is where families should slow down. Thirty-one deficiencies are on file, including one at the harm level and two tied to abuse, and the last inspection was August 2025. A 2/5 health inspection rating alongside that count tells you the day-to-day care environment has drawn repeated federal scrutiny, even while direct care hours look adequate on paper.
Bishop Drumm is run by a church-affiliated nonprofit, and its staffing numbers tell two stories. Nurse hours sit at 3.64 per resident day, about 6% under the national average, and weekends drop roughly 13% below its own weekday coverage. Turnover is the bright spot: 34.9% against a national 45.8%, which suggests people stay. But the inspection record is where this home falls apart, 77 deficiencies, 9 of them at harm or jeopardy level, four fines totaling $258,177, and a place in CMS's Special Focus Facility program, reserved for the country's most troubled homes. A July 2025 inspection is recent, so the picture isn't stale.
Frequently asked questions
How many CCRC nursing homes are there in Polk County, Iowa?
There are 13 CCRC Medicare-certified nursing homes in Polk County, Iowa, 43% of the 30 nursing homes there.
Are CCRC nursing homes better staffed?
In Polk County, Iowa they average 4.42 total nursing hours per resident per day, against 4.22 for all nursing homes in Polk County, Iowa, a difference of +0.2 hours. Staff turnover averages 38.2% against 50.1%.
Which CCRC nursing home grades best in Polk County, Iowa?