BrightStar of Central Iowa in Ankeny, IA

Pros

• The staff showed kindness and concern, with Dani recognizing a health issue and ensuring Dad was taken to emergency for evaluation.
• Holley provides outstanding cleaning and caregiving, always going above and beyond with a positive attitude.
• BrightStar has been flexible and responsive, with strong communication from management and staff.
• Mandi is wonderful at assisting with cleaning, laundry, errands, and daily tasks, and BrightStar coordinates replacements when needed.
• Elena's energy makes in-home care engaging and enjoyable.
• The BrightStar team has delivered care for years with very good results, and its best staff are caring helpers.
• Brittany is easy to work with, professional, and responsive, providing excellent care.
• Sara, the outreach coordinator, helps transitions run smoothly and ensures clients receive the exact services they need.
• Christy consistently keeps the home clean and safe and goes the extra mile.
• Lidia is a reliable helper who completes chores efficiently.

Cons

• The reviewer describes two home nurse visits as a "shit show" due to missing supplies, causing pain from an IV leak.
• The first nurse didn't have what was needed to draw blood or change the IV dressing, leading to an IV issue and discomfort.
• The second nurse again lacked necessary supplies, struggled to change the dressing, and reportedly gave up by patching around it.
• The reviewer states they are very frustrated and nervous about the situation.
• The family is described as "beyond disappointed" with BrightStar Care after care aides dropped their dad two days in a row, arrived late or not at all, and one aide quit after relief did not show.
• An aide allegedly refused to change soiled sheets, claiming she is a caregiver, not a house cleaner.
• They say their dependent dad was left barely sitting in a recliner and not helped to eat or drink, and they are done with Brightstar.

Review

BrightStar of Central Iowa is best suited for families who want robust, at-home support with medical oversight, and who value caregivers who are personable, reliable, and willing to tailor help to daily life. The model shines when a loved one can stay in their own home while receiving a mix of practical help - cleaning, laundry, errands, meal prep, and getting in and out of bed - with the reassurance that a nurse is available to handle more complex health matters. Across the strongest praise, the consistent thread is a team that shows warmth, attentiveness, and a willingness to go the extra mile to ease daily burdens. When the care plan works as intended, families gain measurable peace of mind: care that feels like a trusted, long-term partnership rather than a series of one-off visits.

That clear fit, however, is not universal. Alternatives should be considered for families prioritizing unbroken staffing stability or requiring near-perfect safety and consistency. Several reviews flag episodes where care was disrupted by late arrivals, missed visits, or gaps in coverage, and a few instances describe serious safety missteps - such as injuries during safe transfer attempts or aides who were unwilling or unable to complete essential tasks. In such cases, the risk of gaps in daily care or unsafe handling of equipment rises, which can undermine the very stability families rely on. For households needing 24/7, around-the-clock coverage with a single, highly consistent caregiver, a facility-based option or a larger agency with a deeper bench may deliver steadier 24/7 reliability.

The strongest pros here - compassionate staff, flexibility, and proactive management - tend to offset the main drawbacks when the team is fully staffed and well coordinated. Families repeatedly praise aides who clean, do laundry, and help with transfers, all while maintaining a positive, can-do attitude. The presence of a nurse on staff to address health matters adds real value for seniors with evolving medical needs, and management is noted for good communication and willingness to adapt services to changing requests. Quick replacements when a regular caregiver is unavailable also help preserve continuity of care, and several accounts highlight a care team that remembers personal details - pets, routines, and preferences - so the home feels supported rather than burdened.

To maximize outcomes, prospective clients should enter with clear expectations and safeguards. Request a defined care plan that names a primary caregiver plus backups, and verify how back-ups are mobilized when a shift falls through. Inquire about the clinical team's availability and the exact scope of nursing oversight, particularly for wound care, meds management, or post-hospital transitions. Ask for concrete policies on visit windows, arrival times, and what happens if a caregiver cannot make a scheduled shift. It is essential to confirm training in basic safety transfers and use of lifting devices, and to establish a reliable line of communication with the office for rapid incident reporting and problem resolution.

BrightStar excels most in environments where the home setting is the priority and the family can partner with a responsive, well-coordinated team. The breadth of services - household tasks, errands, companionship, and medical oversight - makes it a practical choice for keeping loved ones at home and engaged, rather than moving to a higher level of care prematurely. Yet the reality remains that home care can hinge on daily caregiver availability and safety protocols. When those elements falter, the advantages thin and concerns rise. Families should treat BrightStar as a strong option with clear contingencies: a detailed care plan, committed supervision, and a robust backup strategy.

Bottom line: BrightStar of Central Iowa is a practical, capable choice for families prioritizing at-home living with compassionate caregivers and accessible clinical support. It delivers meaningful value in daily living and health oversight, but it is not immune to staffing gaps or safety missteps. If unwavering 24/7 consistency or the lowest possible risk of caregiver turnover is non-negotiable, consider alternatives or institutions with deeper staffing redundancy and stricter safety safeguards. Before committing, secure a thorough intake, arrange to meet a clinical supervisor, and insist on a formal, rotating back-up plan and measurable response times. With those safeguards in place, BrightStar can be a trusted partner in aging in place.

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)