Des Moines Senior AdvisorOn With Life, at 715 SW Ankeny Road in Ankeny (Polk County), is a nursing facility certified for Medicare and Medicaid with 28 certified beds and Iowa nursing facility license 770700. On With Life holds a CMS overall rating of 4 out of 5 in Care Compare data dated October 1, 2026.
How does CMS rate On With Life in Ankeny, Iowa?
On With Life holds a CMS overall rating of 4 out of 5, with 4 stars for health inspections, no for staffing and no for quality measures on CMS's five-star scale.
| CMS / DIAL measure | Value |
|---|---|
| CMS overall stars | 4 of 5 |
| Health inspections (CMS stars) | 4 of 5 |
| Staffing (CMS stars) | None published |
| Quality measures (CMS stars) | None published |
| Certified beds and average daily census | 28 beds, 24.6 residents a day |
| Name as CMS lists it | On With Life |
| Ownership (CMS) | Non profit - Corporation |
| Chain affiliation (CMS) | No chain listed |
| Medicare/Medicaid certification since | August 20, 1991 |
| Iowa license (DIAL) | 770700; 28 licensed beds; Current through 08/06/2027 |
| State fines since January 2023 (DIAL) | 1, totaling $3,900 after adjustment |
Its average census of about 25 residents fills roughly 88% of certified beds, below the 89% typical of certified homes in the six-county metro.
What does On With Life's inspection history look like?
CMS dates On With Life's newest standard survey to September 4, 2025; that cycle counts 1 health deficiency, split 0 routine and 1 from complaints.
For comparison, October 10, 2024's survey recorded 1 deficiency, with 0 more citations from infection-control checks; the latest-cycle median among Des Moines-area certified homes is 6, so this home's newest count is not out of line.
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: June 11, 2026, $6,000 issued. A suspended state fine usually means CMS imposed its own penalty for the same findings.
How much nursing time do residents at On With Life get?
This CMS data release has no reported staffing hours for On With Life.
CMS reports no turnover figure.
How does On With Life stack up against nearby homes?
Its 28 certified beds make it smaller than the Polk County median of 76 licensed nursing facility beds. The nearest other certified home is Sunny View Care Center in Ankeny, about 1.6 miles away as the crow flies, with a CMS rating of 2 of 5.
| Facility | Miles away | Units or beds | CMS overall rating | Last CMS health inspection | Deficiencies cited |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunny View Care Center 410 NW Ash Drive, 50023 | 1.6 | 94 | 2 of 5 | January 14, 2026 | 9 |
| The Bridges at Ankeny 3510 Northwest Abilene Road, 50023 | 1.6 | 100 | 2 of 5 | March 17, 2026 | 8 |
| Mill Pond 1201 SE Mill Pond Court, 50021 | 2.3 | 60 | 5 of 5 | March 19, 2026 | 3 |
| Bishop Drumm Retirement Center 5837 Winwood Drive, 50131 | 5.1 | 150 | 1 of 5 | July 21, 2025 | 26 |
| ChildServe Habilitation Center 5900 Pioneer Parkway, 50131 Serves adults with disabilities or mental illness | 5.3 | 74 | 5 of 5 | June 18, 2026 | 3 |
What is near On With Life in Ankeny?
On With Life is in Ankeny, Polk County, and UnityPoint Health Des Moines Iowa Lutheran is the closest general hospital on DIAL's roster, about 6.3 miles away by straight line.
Broadlawns Medical Center follows at roughly 6.6 miles. These are straight-line distances, not drive times.
Which tour questions matter most at On With Life?
Use the federal record as a checklist: ask to read the full statement of deficiencies from September 4, 2025, even though the count (1 deficiency) is not high for the area.
- Ask what led to the federal or state fines listed above and whether the underlying problem is closed.
- Occupancy is about 88%; ask which halls have open beds and why.
- CMS lists a both council; ask when it meets and whether family members may attend.
- If Medicaid may pay later, confirm On With Life accepts Iowa Medicaid for long stays and which managed care plans it contracts with.
