Adult day services in Des Moines and central Iowa

What are adult day services in Iowa?

Daytime programs certified by DIAL under Iowa Code chapter 231D that provide supervision, meals, activities and help with daily tasks, and may provide licensed nursing or therapy for up to four hours a day per participant.

DIAL certifies 4 adult day services programs in the six counties: Dahl Adult Day Services (Des Moines), Grace Estates LLC (West Des Moines), New Horizons Center (Ankeny), Willowbrook Adult Day Service (Newton).

Who benefits from adult day services?

Older adults who are safe at night but should not be alone all day, including many people with early or moderate dementia, and the family caregivers who need time to work or rest.

Regular attendance often improves sleep, mood and appetite.

What does adult day care cost in Iowa?

CareScout's 2025 Iowa median is $19,370 a year at five days a week, about $74.50 a day; the Elderly Waiver covers adult day care for eligible members, and PACE participants attend PACE's center.

Most families start with two or three days a week.

What should we ask an adult day program?

Ask about hours, transportation, nursing on site, dementia care, activities, meals, the staff-to-participant ratio and what happens if a participant becomes ill during the day.

Visit for a trial day before committing, and ask how the program communicates with families about each day: a short note or call at pickup helps catch changes early.

How does adult day fit with other care in the Des Moines area?

It often anchors a plan that keeps a parent at home: adult day services during the workday, family in the evenings, and a few hours of private help or Elderly Waiver services on the days in between.

Many programs serve people with moderate dementia and help with toileting, medications and meals. PACE participants receive day center care through the Immanuel Pathways center in Windsor Heights. When adult day no longer covers the hardest hours, usually evenings and nights, that is often the signal to look at assisted living or a dementia-specific program.

Where is adult day services available across the Des Moines metro?

This is how DIAL's roster spreads adult day services across Polk, Dallas, Warren, Jasper, Madison and Guthrie counties.