Fountain West Health Center

    1501 Office Park Rd, West Des Moines, IA 50265
    • Assisted Living
    • Skilled Nursing

    Attentive staff and close oversight

    I toured the community and met with the director - I appreciated their philosophy of care with no separate memory unit and residents located alongside the nursing area for close oversight. Staff were attentive and informative, making it a very strong option.

    Loved one of resident
    Jul 2026

    Schedule a Tour

    Date of Tour
    Time Window
    Tour Type

    You selected in-person tour on in the

    Reviews

    3.00·(4)

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      1.0
    • Staff

      1.0
    • Meals

      3.0
    • Amenities

      3.0
    • Value

      3.0

    Pros

    • Directorial engagement during admissions
    • Opportunity for in-person facility tours
    • Articulated philosophy of care
    • Access to on-site nursing area

    Cons

    • Absence of a dedicated memory-care unit
    • Chronic staffing shortages
    • Gaps in resident safety and fall-prevention practices
    • Delays in staff responsiveness to resident needs
    • Inconsistent clinical oversight in memory-care settings

    Summary of reviews

    The reviews present a mixed picture of care quality at Fountain West Health Center. Positive interactions with management during the placement process are noted — families described meeting with the director, being given a tour, and hearing an articulated philosophy of care. At the same time, reviewers raised operational concerns that bear on day‑to‑day care: chronic staffing shortages and related delays in responsiveness were the most consistent themes, and some accounts described an uptick in resident injuries that reviewers linked to safety and supervision gaps.

    Staffing and clinical care appear to be the central operational issue. The combination of limited staffing and an absence of a separate memory‑care unit creates tension between the needs of residents requiring higher supervision and the facility’s general nursing population. Reviewers indicated that supervision and transfer/fall‑prevention practices may be inconsistent, and that these inconsistencies have contributed to safety incidents. Families considering the facility should ask for current staffing ratios, details of fall‑prevention protocols, and how clinical oversight is organized for residents with cognitive impairment.

    There is limited information in the reviews about dining and activities. Neither consistent strengths nor systematic weaknesses in meal quality, menu variety, recreational programming, or social engagement were described in detail. Prospective residents and their families should request sample menus, activity calendars, and opportunities to observe an activities session during a visit.

    Regarding facilities and environment, the absence of a dedicated memory‑care unit and the placement of memory‑care residents within the nursing area are notable features that influence daily operations. That arrangement may provide closer access to nursing staff but also appears to create staffing and supervision challenges when resident acuity is mixed. Cleanliness, room condition, and common‑area maintenance were not described in depth in the summaries provided; visiting in person to assess the physical environment is advisable.

    Management responsiveness shows some strengths: reviewers were able to meet with leadership and received tours, and the facility has a stated philosophy of care. However, leadership engagement at admission does not appear to fully mitigate operational deficits flagged by families, particularly around staffing and safety. Overall, the pattern in these summaries suggests a facility with accessible administrative contact and an articulated care philosophy, but with persistent workforce and safety challenges that prospective families should probe further through direct questions about staffing levels, supervision practices, incident tracking, and protocols for residents with memory‑care needs.

    Reviews written on Mirador

    We have no reviews to show about Fountain West Health Center.

    Help other families by writing a review about your experience with this community.

    Location

    Map showing location of Fountain West Health Center

    Fountain West Health Center is located at 1501 Office Park Rd, West Des Moines, IA, 50265.

    About Fountain West Health Center

    Fountain West Health Center sits on seven acres in a quiet part of West Des Moines and gives seniors a mix of skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, and rehabilitation services all under one roof. The place serves people aged 55 and older and has private and secure courtyards, indoor lounges, and charming outdoor spots, like a patio and gazebo, where folks can relax or visit with friends. The staff stays around all day and night and helps with everything from moving between beds and wheelchairs, managing diabetes, personal care, and incontinence, to making sure residents get the medicine and therapy they need. The health center offers special care for dementia and Alzheimer's, hospice care, and support for those needing short-term rehab or long-term skilled nursing. Residents who need therapy can get speech, physical, and occupational sessions on site, and there are daily programs from music and exercise to baking, ladies' and men's luncheons, fun outings, and even things like religious services and movie nights.

    The facility lends a hand with laundry and housekeeping, so residents have more time for activities or rest. There's help for those with non-ambulatory needs, including standby assistance for transfers, plus diabetic support and blood sugar monitoring. Fountain West features furnished suites, including studios, one-bedroom apartments, semi-private rooms, and two-bedroom units, with restaurant-style dining serving one or two prepared meals each day, all tailored to dietary needs. The center also provides transportation for those who need to get to appointments or off-site devotional services. Care at Fountain West comes from a range of healthcare professionals, including nurses and medical specialists, and the community is locally owned and managed with a longstanding reputation for quality and accredited service standards. The staff offers personal care and keeps up with training. There are plans for telemedicine, and they already use some technology to watch over residents' well-being. Pine Acres Rehab & Care Center and the Iowa Center for Assisted Living link into resources for assisted living and home care services. Information about care levels, fees, and living options can be found online at www.fountainwest.net for people who want to learn more.

    People often ask...

    Fountain West Health Center offers assisted living and skilled nursing.

    The full address for this community is 1501 Office Park Rd, West Des Moines, IA 50265.

    No, Fountain West Health Center does not offer respite care. Respite care in assisted living communities provides temporary, short-term relief for primary caregivers by offering professional care for their loved ones. It allows individuals to stay in an assisted living community for a limited time, giving caregivers a break while ensuring residents receive necessary support and assistance with daily activities.

    Disclaimer

    Mirador Living is not affiliated with the owner or operator(s) of Fountain West Health Center. The information above has not been verified or approved by the owner or operator. For exact information, please contact Fountain West Health Center directly. There is no cost for this service. We are compensated by the community you select.

    Are you an owner or operator of this community?

    Claim this listing to receive messages from prospective customers and manage your community page.

    Nearby Communities

    Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

    1. 126 facilities$5,899/mo
    2. 96 facilities$5,611/mo
    3. 107 facilities$5,755/mo
    4. 90 facilities$6,135/mo
    5. 62 facilities$5,421/mo
    6. 67 facilities$5,993/mo
    7. 22 facilities$6,127/mo
    8. 23 facilities$6,015/mo
    9. 93 facilities$5,840/mo
    10. 43 facilities$7,021/mo
    11. 22 facilities$6,097/mo
    12. 50 facilities$6,494/mo
    © 2026 Mirador Living