Nursing HomeMedicaid Top Rated

On With Life

Strong Medicare quality ratings; families often praise highly skilled and dedicated rehabilitation therapists. Still worth an in-person visit.

715 Sw Ankeny Road, Ankeny, IA 50023|28 beds|Licensed & Active

5/5

Medicare

Inspection

Google rating

4.8/5

based on 153 Google reviews

(515) 965-1339 Directions Website

Street View

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What this means for your family

On With Life is widely recognized for its exceptional rehabilitation therapy and compassionate staff, making it a top-tier choice for brain injury and stroke recovery. While the clinical care is highly praised, families should be proactive in managing personal belongings and ensure they have a direct point of contact for administrative matters to avoid potential communication delays.

Google Reviews

153 reviews on Google

“On With Life is highly regarded for its specialized rehabilitation services, particularly for patients recovering from strokes and traumatic brain injuries. Reviewers consistently praise the facility's dedicated, professional staff and the effectiveness of their therapy programs, though a few individuals have noted frustrations regarding administrative communication and occasional security concerns regarding personal belongings.”

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details

Strengths

Highly skilled and dedicated rehabilitation therapists
Compassionate and attentive nursing staff
State-of-the-art facilities and clean environment
Effective, personalized recovery programs

Concerns

Poor administrative communication and follow-through (mentioned by 2 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

Distribution · 155 analyzed

139

How They Respond to Reviews

5%response rate

This facility rarely responds to reviews.

Questions for Your Tour

1With such a high rating for your rehabilitation therapists, how do you tailor recovery programs to meet each resident's specific physical goals?
2We noticed how much people praise the cleanliness of your facilities; how do you maintain that standard in the resident living areas?
3How does the nursing team communicate important updates or changes in care to family members to ensure we are always in the loop?
4Could you tell us about the daily activities and social opportunities available to help residents stay engaged with one another?
5In the event of a medical emergency during the night, what is the protocol for notifying the family and providing immediate care?
6Since you have a smaller, intimate community of 28 residents, how does that size help in providing more personalized attention to each person's needs?

Personalized based on this facility's data

Key Review Excerpts

“I refer to On With Life as Hogwarts, because it is a magical building full of magical people! Before I was blessed enough to come to O.W.L. Dr.s thought it probable that I never talk/walk again. Now I live independent Downtown and have a perfect (for me) part-time job!”

Rehab patient · 2022★★★★★

“The therapists are so creative with rehab activities, I've been able to fish indoors and outdoors. They will find just the right things to help you physically and mentally. Bonus...the food is way above average!!!”

Inpatient and outpatient patient · 2021★★★★★

“Would have given 5 stars. The Therapists are top notch. Keep an eye out on your belongings in your room. My brother had his watch stolen from his room”

Long-term resident's family · 2024★★★★☆

Source: 153 Google reviews

Quality Measures

Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 13 measures

Better Than Avg

measures

Worse Than Avg

measures

Mixed Results

measures

Long-Stay Residents

🔒

Residents who were physically restrained

↓ Lower is better

This Facility25.9%

Worse than Avg

Here

25.9%

0.1%

0.2%

Polk

0.3%

🩹

Residents with pressure sores (bedsores)

↓ Lower is better

This Facility21.5%

Worse than Avg

Here

21.5%

4.9%

4.3%

Polk

4.5%

🛏️

Residents needing more daily help over time

↓ Lower is better

This Facility4.3%

Better than Avg

Here

4.3%

14.4%

17.6%

Polk

13.9%

😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better

This Facility0.0%

Better than Avg

Here

0.0%

12.1%

4.1%

Polk

3.4%

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

⚖️

Residents who lost too much weight

↓ Lower is better

This Facility14.8%

Worse than Avg

Here

14.8%

5.3%

4.9%

Polk

5.6%

🚿

Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse

↓ Lower is better

This Facility17.8%

Better than Avg

Here

17.8%

19.4%

25.9%

Polk

19.9%

Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)

💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better

This Facility97.1%

Better than Avg

Here

97.1%

81.8%

84.0%

Polk

90.8%

💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better

This Facility87.2%

Better than Avg

Here

87.2%

79.7%

73.3%

Polk

83.1%

💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better

This Facility1.7%

Mixed vs Avgs

Here

1.7%

1.6%

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

0deficiencies

Well below state avg (6.2)

Clean record — no deficiencies

On With Life shows a near-clean inspection record with only 3 minor deficiencies across 2 surveys, all corrected by the facility. The issues involved fire safety systems and smoke barriers, along with one infection control deficiency. No complaints were filed by families, and all problems were addressed with correction dates provided, suggesting responsive management when issues arise.

Oct 10, 2024Routine2 findings

0345Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.

0880Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Oct 12, 2023Routine1 finding

0372Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.

State Inspection History

State Inspections

Source: Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing

10total

1deficiencies

Sep 4, 2025InspectionNo deficiencies

Clean