Des Moines Senior AdvisorIowa Jewish Senior Life Center, at 900 Polk Boulevard in Des Moines (Polk County), is a nursing facility certified for Medicare and Medicaid with 46 certified beds and Iowa nursing facility license 770384. Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center holds a CMS overall rating of 4 out of 5 in Care Compare data dated October 1, 2026.
How does CMS rate Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center in Des Moines, Iowa?
Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center holds a CMS overall rating of 4 out of 5, with 3 stars for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 3 for quality measures on CMS's five-star scale.
| CMS / DIAL measure | Value |
|---|---|
| CMS overall stars | 4 of 5 |
| Health inspections (CMS stars) | 3 of 5 |
| Staffing (CMS stars) | 5 of 5 |
| Quality measures (CMS stars) | 3 of 5 |
| Certified beds and average daily census | 46 beds, 39.5 residents a day |
| Name as CMS lists it | Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center |
| Ownership (CMS) | Non profit - Corporation |
| Chain affiliation (CMS) | No chain listed |
| Medicare/Medicaid certification since | January 1, 1967 |
| Iowa license (DIAL) | 770384; 46 licensed beds; Current through 05/18/2027 |
| State fines since January 2023 (DIAL) | 1, totaling $0 after adjustment |
Its average census of about 40 residents fills roughly 86% of certified beds, below the 89% typical of certified homes in the six-county metro.
What does Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center's inspection history look like?
The latest standard health inspection CMS has on file for Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center took place April 2, 2026 and produced 5 health deficiencies: 5 from the routine survey and 0 from complaint visits.
The earlier survey, dated March 13, 2025, found 7 deficiencies; separate infection-control reviews produced 0 citations. Measured against a metro median of 6, the latest result is typical or better for the area.
Within CMS's three-year penalty window it lists no federal fines and 0 payment denials.
Iowa's own Assessed Fines Report adds 1 state fine since January 2023: April 18, 2024, $0 issued. A suspended state fine usually means CMS imposed its own penalty for the same findings.
Is Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center well staffed?
Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center averages 4.53 hours of nursing time per resident each day (higher than the metro median of 4.01); RN time accounts for 0.92 hours (higher than the metro median of 0.64).
On weekends, total nurse staffing falls to or stays at 4.07 hours per resident-day. Nursing staff turnover is 40.4%, lower than the metro median of 47.2%; RN turnover is 44.4%. CMS counts 0 administrator departures during its measurement period.
How does Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center stack up against nearby homes?
Its 46 certified beds make it smaller than the Polk County median of 76 licensed nursing facility beds. The nearest other certified home is Wesley on Grand in Des Moines, about 1.1 miles away as the crow flies, with a CMS rating of 4 of 5.
| Facility | Miles away | Units or beds | CMS overall rating | Last CMS health inspection | Deficiencies cited |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wesley on Grand 3520 Grand Avenue, 50312 | 1.1 | 80 | 4 of 5 | June 12, 2025 | 2 |
| Scottish Rite Park Health Care Center 2909 Woodland Avenue, 50312 | 1.3 | 51 | 5 of 5 | August 13, 2026 | 2 |
| Calvin Community 4210 Hickman Road, 50310 | 1.5 | 59 | 4 of 5 | December 18, 2025 | 8 |
| Ramsey Village 1611 27th Street, 50310 | 1.8 | 78 | 2 of 5 | August 28, 2025 | 12 |
| Pine Acres Rehabilitation and Care Center LLC 1501 Office Park Road, 50265 | 2.1 | 140 | Not rated by CMS | June 3, 2026 | 35 |
Where is Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center, and what shares its campus?
Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center is in the Downtown, Drake & the West Side part of Des Moines, and Broadlawns Medical Center is the closest general hospital on DIAL's roster, about 2.7 miles away by straight line.
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center follows at roughly 2.7 miles. These are straight-line distances, not drive times.
Which tour questions matter most at Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center?
Let the CMS figures set the agenda: ask to read the full statement of deficiencies from April 2, 2026, even though the count (5 deficiencies) is not high for the area.
- Turnover of 40.4% is at or under the metro median; ask which charge nurses have worked nights the longest.
- Ask what led to the federal or state fines listed above and whether the underlying problem is closed.
- Occupancy is about 86%; ask which halls have open beds and why.
- CMS lists a resident council; ask when it meets and whether family members may attend.
- If Medicaid may pay later, confirm Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center accepts Iowa Medicaid for long stays and which managed care plans it contracts with.
