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Nursing HomeMedicaid

Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center

Strong Medicare quality ratings; families often praise attentive and professional nursing staff. Still worth an in-person visit.

900 Polk Boulevard, Waveland Park · Des Moines, IA 5031246 bedsLicensed & Active
4/5
Medicare
Inspection
Quality
Staffing
Google rating
4.1/5

based on 12 Google reviews

5
4
3
2
1
Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center Nursing Home in Des Moines, IA — Street View
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What this means for your family

The facility is highly regarded for its physical therapy and rehab outcomes, making it a strong candidate for short-term recovery. However, given recent reports of administrative turnover and staffing concerns, I recommend scheduling a tour to observe current staff-to-resident interactions and asking specifically about how management handles family concerns.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

12 reviews on Google
The Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center receives polarized feedback, with long-term families and rehab patients praising the attentive care and physical therapy, while recent reviews highlight concerns regarding management changes and staffing levels. While the facility is noted for its clean environment and engaging events, some visitors have reported a decline in quality and responsiveness under recent administration.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food9.0Staff6.0Clean8.0Activities9.0Meds3.0MemoryN/AComms4.0Value3.0

Strengths

  • Attentive and professional nursing staff
  • Effective physical therapy services
  • Clean and well-maintained environment
  • Engaging community events and activities

Concerns

  • Understaffing and decreased quality of care (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
  • Unresponsive or unprofessional administration (mentioned by 2 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

2345.02017(1)5.02018(2)5.02020(1)2.02021(1)5.02023(1)4.02024(4)3.72025(3)

Distribution · 13 analyzed

5
10
4
0
3
0
2
1
1
2

How They Respond to Reviews

33%response rate

This facility responds to some reviews.

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1Given the recent feedback regarding communication, what is the best way for family members to stay updated on their loved one's daily well-being and care plan?
  • 2I noticed the facility has a strong reputation for physical therapy; how do you integrate these services into the daily schedule for residents?
  • 3With a capacity of 46 residents, how does the team ensure consistent, personalized attention for each individual throughout the day?
  • 4Could you walk me through your current process for medication management to ensure accuracy and timely administration?
  • 5I see that you engage with some online feedback; what is your philosophy on maintaining an open dialogue with families regarding their concerns?
  • 6What specific protocols are in place to handle medical emergencies, and how quickly are family members typically notified in those situations?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

With the attentive care, comfortable room, delicious food, and superb physical therapy, I was able to heal quickly. I left pain free and on my own legs.

Rehab patient · 2024★★★★★

She was very happy there and loved her caretakers. She viewed them as family. Many patients have family members who are very involved in their lives and those people also develop friendships and support each other.

Long-term resident's family · 2017★★★★★

Staffing has decreased, administration will belittle you in front of residents, supplies have gotten cheaper. It's become all about the money. Instead of the people.

Visitor/Family member · 2024☆☆☆☆
Source: 12 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026
RN Hours
0.79hrs
OK
Registered nurses for medical care
Total Nursing
4.06hrs
99%
All nurses + aides combined
Staff Turnover
56%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)
RN Turnover
60%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)

Total nursing hours are below minimum, though RN coverage is adequate. This may mean fewer aides for daily tasks like bathing and mobility.

Quality Measures

Quality Measures

Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures

Medicare Rating
3/ 5
Better Than Avg

7

measures

Worse Than Avg

7

measures

Mixed Results

3

measures

Long-Stay Residents
💊

Residents on antipsychotic medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility42.3%
Worse than Avg
Here
42.3%
US
15.4%
IA
19.4%
Polk
10.7%
😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better
This Facility1.5%
Better than Avg
Here
1.5%
US
12.1%
IA
4.1%
Polk
3.4%

Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.

💉

Residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility86.8%
Worse than Avg
Here
86.8%
US
95.5%
IA
95.2%
Polk
96.5%
🛏️

Residents needing more daily help over time

↓ Lower is better
This Facility21.1%
Worse than Avg
Here
21.1%
US
14.4%
IA
17.6%
Polk
13.6%
💊

Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility26.3%
Worse than Avg
Here
26.3%
US
19.5%
IA
20.7%
Polk
20.8%
🚿

Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility24.6%
Mixed vs Avgs
Here
24.6%
US
19.4%
IA
25.9%
Polk
19.8%
Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility91.2%
Better than Avg
Here
91.2%
US
79.7%
IA
73.3%
Polk
83.0%
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility90.7%
Better than Avg
Here
90.7%
US
81.8%
IA
84.0%
Polk
90.7%
💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better
This Facility2.6%
Worse than Avg
Here
2.6%
US
1.6%
IA
2.0%
Polk
1.5%
Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

5deficiencies
8penalties
Near state avg (6.2)
2 complaint-triggered
$56,807 in fines

Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center shows recurring safety and care issues, with families filing complaints about medication errors and care standards. The facility consistently struggles with fire safety systems, infection control, and care planning across all three surveys. While all deficiencies have correction dates, the pattern of repeated problems in critical areas like safety systems and care delivery suggests ongoing operational challenges that families should investigate during visits.

Mar 13, 2025Routine
8
0347Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Properly provide smoke detection systems in areas open to corridors.

0353Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

0812Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

0374Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.

0656Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

0684Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

0880Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

0623Minimal · PatternCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.

Apr 18, 2024Routine
9
0039Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

Conduct testing and exercise requirements.

0353Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

0761Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.

0222Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Egress Deficiencies

Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.

0225Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Egress Deficiencies

Have stairways and smokeproof enclosures used as exits that meet safety requirements.

0293Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Egress Deficiencies

Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs.

0311Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Have an enclosure around a vertical opening shaft.

0347Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Properly provide smoke detection systems in areas open to corridors.

0880Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Apr 18, 2024Complaint
2
0658Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

0760Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.

Feb 9, 2023Routine
11
0343Potential for harm · Widespread

Smoke Deficiencies

Have a fire alarm with audible and visual signals that transmits the alarm automatically to notify emergency forces in event of fire.

0353Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

0711Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.

0712Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

0761Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.

0914Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.

0918Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.

0921Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.

0926Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Ensure that personnel concerned with handling of medical gases and cylinders are trained on the risk.

0803Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.

0641Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

Federal Penalties

Fine

Aug 7, 2023

$4,587

Fine

Jul 17, 2023

$13,762

Fine

Jun 26, 2023

$4,587

Fine

Jun 20, 2023

$4,587

Fine

Jun 12, 2023

$4,587

Fine

Jun 5, 2023

$4,587

Fine

May 30, 2023

$4,235

Fine

May 23, 2023

$3,882

State Inspection History

State Inspections

Source: Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing

10total
15deficiencies
Apr 2, 2026Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 5, State violations: 0

Mar 10, 2026Complaint
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Aug 13, 2025Complaint
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Apr 1, 2025Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Mar 13, 2025Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 5, State violations: 0

Nov 26, 2024Other
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

May 13, 2024Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Apr 18, 2024Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 3, State violations: 0

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center

Organization Type

nonprofit

Ownership & Management

Key personnel

Bernstein, GloriaManaging Control - Governing BodyMeyer, AngelaOfficer / DirectorMock, BeataOfficer / DirectorBernstein, GloriaOfficer / DirectorOxley, PollyOfficer / Director
Source: Medicare provider data

Contact

Get in Touch

Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.

References & Resources

EveryPlace is a research directory. Facility information is compiled from public sources — Medicare.gov, state licensing portals, Google Places, and publicly available street-level imagery. Listings do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or advertisement, and we do not accept payment for placement. Families should verify all details directly with the facility and the original sources linked above before making any care decisions. See our Research Policy for our editorial standards, correction process, and image-removal policy.

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