BrightStar of Central Iowa

Pros

• Dani is credited with noticing a health issue and alerting the family, which led to dad being taken to emergency and admitted for further evaluation, with staff commended for their kindness and concern.
• Holley is described as doing outstanding home care, keeping the house clean, doing laundry and dishes, and always going above and beyond with a positive attitude.
• BrightStar Care is praised for flexibility and responsiveness, with good communication from management and staff and a nurse on staff to handle more complex health matters.
• Mandi is praised for providing thorough assistance with cleaning, laundry, errands, and personal care, with BrightStar's reliable scheduling and communication.
• Elena's energy is appreciated, making the toddler happy while mom could work.
• Clients note long-term care with BrightStar for over two years, describing the caregivers as caring and helpful.
• The Des Moines BrightStar Care reviewer gives an enthusiastic 11 out of 10 rating.
• Brittany is highlighted as easy to work with, professional, and responsive, delivering excellent care.
• Sara, an outreach coordinator, is praised for making transitions smooth and ensuring clients receive the exact services they need.
• BrightStar staff are described as prompt, professional, flexible, and compassionate, and highly recommended as an in-home care provider.
• BrightStar Care of Des Moines is highly recommended for caring and professional staff focused on clients' well-being.
• The BrightStar team is described as kind, caring, and professional, with outstanding response times.

Cons

• The reviewer stated that the first nurse didn't have what she needed to draw blood or change the IV dressing, pulled out the IV, caused a leak, and pain.
• The reviewer noted that the second nurse again lacked necessary supplies to draw blood and struggled to change the dressing.
• The reviewer said the second nurse gave up and only patched around the dressing, leaving ongoing discomfort.
• The reviewer expressed frustration and nervousness about the situation and planned to call the hospital first thing in the morning.
• The reviewer reported frustration with getting reliable transportation to doctor appointments and errands.

Review

BrightStar Care of Des Moines has earned a broad spectrum of feedback from families and individuals who rely on their in-home care services. Across dozens of notes, the thread is clear: the company's caregivers, aides, nurses, and office staff are capable, compassionate, and deeply invested in making life easier for people who need support at home. The stories span everyday housekeeping and daily routines to medical and personal care, transportation, and longer-term arrangements intended to keep loved ones safely at home. The collection of remarks paints a portrait of a company that can be a dependable lifeline, even as it also reveals areas where families want sharper readiness and more consistent supplies.

Not every experience has been perfect, however. In one set of recent incidents, two different at-home nurses arrived unprepared, lacking the supplies and tools needed to perform basic tasks like drawing blood and changing an IV dressing. In both cases, the caregivers were unable to complete the intended care, and one nurse even ended up pulling the IV out, causing it to leak and inflict pain. The patient described feeling frustrated and anxious, and reported that the situation required a trip to Mercy Hospital to fix the issue. This reflects a real safety concern: when a visit is planned to address delicate medical needs at home, preparedness and proper equipment are non-negotiable. The account ends with a clear intention to call the hospital first thing in the morning, underscoring how important it is for families to have reliable, well-equipped care teams.

Amid the challenges, there are standout moments that illustrate the potential impact of attentive, proactive care. One reviewer recounted a family experience where a caregiver named Dani noticed a health issue in her care recipient while she was in the home. Dani's vigilance prompted a timely emergency department evaluation and an admission for further assessment, with the caregiver and the rest of the staff commended for their kindness and concern. That story emphasizes the difference a watchful, compassionate caregiver can make - detecting problems early, communicating clearly with families, and coordinating with medical teams to get a loved one the attention they need.

Several reviewers sing the praises of specific BrightStar caregivers who consistently go above and beyond. Holley is repeatedly described as someone who keeps a household running smoothly - cleaning regularly, handling laundry, doing dishes, making beds, and even looking after the family cat. Her positive attitude and readiness to ask if there's anything else she can do are highlighted as part of why her clients feel assured and cared for when she finishes for the night. These kinds of ongoing, dependable tasks demonstrate the value of a caregiver who can be trusted to manage the daily rhythm of a home, freeing clients and their families from worry about routine needs.

Beyond individual caregivers, the feedback highlights BrightStar's broader strengths: flexibility, open communication, and a readiness to adapt to changing needs. Several notes describe a multi-year relationship with BrightStar where management and staff communicate well and make adjustments to accommodate a family's evolving circumstances. The presence of a nurse on staff to help with more complex health matters is repeatedly cited as a reassuring feature, offering a bridge between home care and medical oversight. The testimonials emphasize that having a reliable, capable team in the home fosters a sense of security and continuity, especially when medical or mobility challenges arise.

Daily, hands-on assistance is another recurring theme. A caregiver named Mandi is described as providing five mornings per week of help with tasks that demand bending and twisting - things like cleaning, laundry, bed changes, and helping the client get out of bed in the morning, particularly in the context of a fused lumbar spine and limited mobility. Mandi's routine arrangement, including prompt communication about replacements when a regular caregiver is unavailable, is presented as an example of the reliability families value. The overall experience with BrightStar in these cases is described as fantastic, underscoring how regular, predictable visits can significantly improve quality of life for someone managing chronic pain or mobility limitations.

For families with younger dependents or parents who need to balance work with caregiving, BrightStar is also celebrated for delivering dependable backup care and supportive energy. One note specifically celebrates Elena's vibrant energy with a toddler, noting the child had an absolute ball while the parent could work, illustrating how BrightStar can support intact family life by providing trustworthy, joyful engagement for children. The same thread of reliable, flexible support extends to broader caregiving needs, including transportation to appointments and errands, which some reviewers found difficult to secure elsewhere but felt BrightStar handled with care and professionalism.

The breadth of BrightStar's services is a common thread in the praise. Reviewers describe providers who handle cooking, cleaning, laundry, errands, and even shopping, with a sense of reliability that allows clients to stay in their own homes. In addition to direct care, several notes commend the office team, including outreach coordinators and on-site managers, for staying on top of scheduling, ensuring smooth transitions, and making sure each client receives the exact services they need. The overall tone is one of gratitude for a company that can mobilize a strong network of people to support a home-based life.

Several highly specific testimonials underscore the depth of care many clients feel. People like Christy, Linn Ann, Nichole, Bev, Ieshia, Jasmine, and Augustine are named as caregivers who regularly provide cooking, housekeeping, medication reminders, and companionship. For many clients, these relationships are more than service - they are lifelines that enable independence and comfort in familiar surroundings. One reviewer even notes their pride in BrightStar staff's unified approach to care, describing a team that includes both direct care workers and leaders who guide the care strategy to focus on client well-being. In one striking endorsement, a former nurse and director describes having worked for BrightStar for years and continues to recommend the company based on personal and observed experience with a grandmother in need of care, highlighting how deeply the BrightStar model can resonate with professionals who know the field.

Taken together, the reviews portray BrightStar Care of Des Moines as a company capable of delivering a wide range of home-based services with warmth and professionalism, while also facing real challenges that remind families to stay vigilant about equipment, preparedness, and continuity of care. The stories honor the people who truly make a difference - the caregivers who show up, listen, and go the extra mile, and the managers who strive to keep everything running smoothly. For families navigating the complexities of in-home care, these reflections offer a nuanced picture: BrightStar can be a sustaining partner - when staffed thoughtfully, coordinated effectively, and equipped appropriately - bringing independence, safety, and peace of mind to homes that depend on it.

This part of Ankeny, Iowa, offers a convenient location with various amenities nearby. Within short distances, you can find healthcare facilities such as physicians' offices and pharmacies for easy access to medical care. There are also a variety of dining options ranging from fast food to Mexican cuisine. For recreation, there are parks within a few miles where you can enjoy outdoor activities. Additionally, if you enjoy going to the movies or attending church services, there are theaters and a place of worship nearby. Overall, this area provides a mix of essential services and entertainment options for seniors looking for a vibrant community in which to live.

Physicians

• Acute Care (0.1 miles)
• Iowa Health Physicians & Clinics (0.3 miles)
• Skin Solutions Dermatology, A Forefront Dermatology Practice (0.6 miles)
• Capital Orthopaedics (1 miles)
• Iowa Orthopedics (1 miles)
• Iowa Orthopedic - Kurt A Smith Do (1 miles)
• DMOS Orthopaedic Centers (1.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Sonic Drive-In (0.1 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.2 miles)
• Cabaret Bar & Patio (0.6 miles)
• Yankee Clipper (1.2 miles)
• Arby's (1.3 miles)
• Cazador Mexican Restaurant (1.3 miles)
• Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant (1.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Mercy Pharmacies (1 miles)
• UnityPoint Health - Des Moines: Ankeny Medical Park Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Merwin Ltc Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Target Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.5 miles)
• Starbucks (2.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.8 miles)
• Starbucks (3 miles)
• Main Street Cafe & Bakery (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (9.3 miles)

Parks

• Georgetown Park (0.8 miles)
• Terra Park (7.9 miles)
• Lions Park (9.7 miles)

Theaters

• B&B Theater And B-Roll (2.3 miles)
• B&B Theatres Ankeny 12 & B-Roll Bowling (3 miles)
• Cinemark Altoona And Xd (8.2 miles)
• Flix Brewhouse Des Moines (9.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saylorville Baptist Church (4.9 miles)