Stop by and visit us at Bickford of West Des Moines

Sip on your favorite drink on the porch at Bickford of West Des Moines

Snooze in your favorite chair in the living room at Bickford of West Des Moines

Have fun with themed and holiday meals in the private dining room at Bickford of West Des Moines

Enjoy homestyle food with made-from-scratch recipes in our dining room at Bickford of West Des Moines

Intimate enough to entertain your closest family; you can even host your next get together in the bistro at Bickford of West Des Moines

Enjoy a good book in the sitting area at Bickford of West Des Moines

Enjoy the view of the outdoors from the sunroom at Bickford of West Des Moines

With an easy access design, our whirlpool allows you to enjoy a warm bath safely and comfortably at Bickford of West Des Moines

Receive personalized, at-home treatment from our stylist in the salon at Bickford of West Des Moines

Get a new lease on life with a cozy apartment at Bickford of West Des Moines

Residents can enjoy furniture covered in cozy fabrics in the Mary B’s living room at Bickford of West Des Moines

Bickford of West Des Moines

Assisted Living & Montessori Memory Care

4.2

105 reviews

Phone:
515-400-3321

5050 Hawthorne Dr,
West Des Moines, IA 50265

A Limited‑Time Opportunity: 25% Off Select Apartments

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Your loved one deserves to live the best life possible

Watch your loved one thrive in an environment that feels like home

Navigating the aging journey is difficult.

We understand what’s at stake here: it’s not just someone, it’s your loved one.

Meanwhile, it’s on you to make the difficult decisions.

There's a Higher Path for our seniors

The Senior's Journey

There are two paths that seniors take as they age: the lower path and the higher path

Senior care today is reactive, expensive, and siloed. It’s a sick-care system, not a health-care system (designed to keep seniors healthy). Most of us have accepted this status quo because it feels too big and complex to change. Not us. We’re taking the road less traveled and championing a higher standard of senior care.

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Our family of caregivers will do whatever it takes to care for your loved one

Meet West Des Moines' Leadership Team

Ayla Rachel Repp

Executive Director
Brittany Clarke

Family Advocate
Elizabeth Lyon

Health & Wellness Director

To better understand the love that drives us, watch our Caregiver’s Manifesto

Services at West Des Moines

Assisted Living

Personalized help with the activities of daily life, such as meals, grooming, and medication management.

Montessori Memory Care

A research-backed approach empowering seniors with dementia to live a meaningful life.

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Happenings

If you think there’s not much going on in a senior living community, you’ve never been to Bickford.

Halle Velde

Oct 28, 2026

We got creative today with a pumpkin painting class! Our residents enjoyed some time expressing their creativity, letting their imaginations flow, and adding their own personal touch to some fall pumpkins. It was a fun way to spend time together, enjoy a little friendly creativity, and bring some extra fall spirit into our day! #BickfordOfWestDesMoines #IowaSeniorLiving #ActivitiesMatter

Halle Velde

Oct 27, 2026

Even if we’re a day late, we’re wishing our Executive Director Ayla the HAPPIEST of birthdays! We had a special celebration with everyone coming together to celebrate, complete with a wonderful spread prepared by our Kitchen Manager featuring chicken salad, taco dip, and, of course, cake! We sang “Happy Birthday” and enjoyed some great time together making the day extra special. We are so incredibly lucky to have her! No matter what the day brings, she always seems to have a smile on her face, and her radiant personality makes her such a joy to be around. She has a way of bringing warmth and positivity into any situation, and we are so grateful for everything she brings to our Bickford family! Help us wish her the happiest of birthdays! We hope this next year brings her as much happiness as she brings to those around her! #IowaSeniorLiving #BickfordSeniorLiving #BirthdayCelebration #LifeAtBickford

Halle Velde

Oct 26, 2026

We made sucker spiders today to get ready for any trick-or-treaters who may stop by! These little spiders turned out SO cute, and there were lots of smiles all around! Everyone had fun watching them come to life as we added their little eyes. It’s amazing how one little detail can bring them all together! We’re ready for some Halloween fun! #BickfordOfWestDesMoines #IowaSeniorLiving #ActivitiesMatter #HalloweenFun

Ayla Rachel Repp

Oct 22, 2026

We are so lucky to celebrate two of our BLT (branch leadership team) members this week! Elizabeth the Health and Wellness Director has been with us for 18 years!! What an amazing asset she is to the West Des Moines Branch- her dedication is something to admire. Halle is celebrating 1 year as the Montessori Engagement Coordinator- her energy is infectious and she brings so much joy to our residents and those around her. We are so lucky to have you on the team Thank you both- we love you!

Halle Velde

Oct 21, 2026

We enjoyed a beautiful country drive out to Saylorville Lake and Dam to take in all the gorgeous fall colors! The trees were showing off, and we even stopped to watch the water rushing out of the dam. It was so loud we could hear it right from the bus! It was a beautiful day to get out, enjoy the scenery, and take in a little bit of Iowa’s fall beauty. #IowaSeniorLiving #ActivitiesMatter #FallColors #CountryDrive

Elizabeth Lyon

Oct 21, 2026

At Bickford, we embrace Montessori-inspired practices that encourage purpose, connection, and meaningful engagement for our residents. Today was a wonderful example of that in action as SieJean had Mary Lou helping her throughout the day. Mary Lou took pride in lending a hand, and her smile said it all! Opportunities like these help our residents feel valued, empowered, and connected while doing things that bring them joy and a sense of purpose. It's moments like these that remind us that everyone has something meaningful to contribute, and at Bickford, we celebrate those contributions every day. #higherpath #bickfordwestdesmoines

Halle Velde

Oct 20, 2026

We had a wonderful time visiting Center Grove Orchard this week! Our residents enjoyed touring the farm, exploring the store, and picking up some delicious apple cider donuts and apple butter to enjoy. It was a fun-filled outing with lots to see, explore, and enjoy together! #BickfordOfWestDesMoines #IowaSeniorLiving #ActivitiesMatter

Halle Velde

Oct 15, 2026

Our Baking Club filled the dining room with the most amazing smell today! We made banana bread muffins, and they turned out SO good! There’s just something special about baking together, enjoying a homemade treat, and making sweet memories along the way. Safe to say, our residents approved of today’s recipe! #BickfordOfWestDesMoines #IowaSeniorLiving #ActivitiesMatter #BakingClub

Halle Velde

Oct 14, 2026

Today is Family History Day, and we spent some time putting our thoughts into words! Our residents wrote letters to family members, with some planning to send their letters and others choosing to keep them as a way to hold onto special thoughts and memories. It was a sweet activity that gave everyone a chance to reflect, share their feelings, and feel a little closer to the people they love. We enjoyed seeing everyone take part! #BickfordSeniorLiving #IowaSeniorLiving #ActivitiesMatter

Elizabeth Lyon

Oct 7, 2026

Today was a wonderful day at Bickford Senior Living of West Des Moines as we successfully completed our annual flu clinic. The halls were filled with smiles, laughter, and a shared commitment to staying healthy throughout the season. Preventive care is one of the most powerful ways we can protect ourselves and those around us. By taking proactive steps like receiving a flu vaccine, our residents and team members are choosing wellness, safety, and peace of mind. At Bickford, we believe that prevention is living the higher path. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make today's clinic a success. Together, we're building a healthier community, one smile at a time. #higherpath #bickfordseniorliving

Real Residents
Real Reviews

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We value transparency. We get feedback every month. Here’s what’s really going on at Bickford of West Des Moines.

4.2

overall score based on 105 reviews

Sep 1, 2026

I am a little concerned that some of her personal belongings have disappeared. One ring with emeralds and diamonds, her kindle, and now her electric razor. And, she keeps ending up with clothing and bedding that does not belong to her.
Aug 1, 2026

Would like to see some way that the residents didn't have to sit for such long periods at the dining tables, waiting for their food at mealtimes.
Aug 1, 2026

Staff is generally efficient & pleasant in assisting residents. Activities consistently scheduled keep residents engaged & occupied. Develop social interaction & enjoy laughter amongst one another. Good line up of activities & music entertainment. Personal grooming could improve...comb my mother's hair before leaving the apartment...(name removed) continue to step up & provide quality care for my mother. (name removed) as well ????????
Jul 1, 2026

My mother is happier, healthier since moving to Bickford. As her son, this makes me happy. She is obviously be taken better care of. The administration staff keeps us informed and we as a family get to see all the activities she has opportunity to be involved in through the FP post and Administration emails. Thanks for making mom's life better.
Jul 1, 2026

Would be a 5 but some housekeeping issues on dirty bedding, sheets.
May 1, 2026

Staff is generally connected & concerned for residents. (name removed) does a fantastic job keeping residents engaged in activities. (name removed) consistently assists residents & ensures quality care. (name removed) has kept family members updated w/weekly emails & photos. Care givers need improvement on Sundays, checking on residents needs & ensure some attend church service @ 11 am. On 4/26 no one came for my mom, I happened to be visiting so I took her. (name removed) w/St Francis noted the care givers as well don't bring residents to service consistently. (names removed) do a superb job w/my mother, (name removed) . Weekend meals are lackluster, per my mother. Pork especially, is very dry to taste. Thank you!
May 1, 2026

I have really appreciated nurse (name removed) and the staff as Mom/(name removed) deals with more pain in her back and hips, and an adjustment to changes in prescription for it. She is less confident in her balance and her dementia is progressing. Thanks for all that you do to remind her of daily opportunities for activities. She still enjoys participating when she's up to it.
Apr 1, 2026

Sometimes on Sundays, it seems as if you are understaffed. There have been a couple of times I was there and my mom pressed her watch button for help.... either nobody came at all, or they took a very long time to get to her. Also, this past Sunday, I tried to call the office and got no answer until I called the third time. Most of the time everyone is wonderful to her, even though she can be pretty grumpy and I cooperative at times. Thank you for all you do!