Courtyards at Rock Creek

Pros

• The staff at Rock Creek Senior Living are kind and consistently go above and beyond in caring for residents.
• The Memory Care unit is cheerful and easy to navigate, with a beautiful central garden that allows residents to enjoy outside time.
• Hannah, the Memory Care director, is incredible with residents, engaging them in activities and helping them enjoy movies.
• Karissa and Kanisha exemplify outstanding care, with Karissa rearranging her day to assist and Kanisha learning German phrases to connect with a resident.
• Rock Creek Senior Living is praised as a best-in-class facility, with a beautiful environment and staff who take pride in their work.
• Move-in experiences are smooth and compassionate, with families noting the staff's efforts to ease transitions.
• Dining and activities are varied and engaging, including restaurant-style meals, art, music, outings, and family-friendly events.
• Families consistently report improved mood and security for their loved ones, with smiles and a sparkle returning after joining Rock Creek.

Cons

• Rooms were small and offered little.
• One reviewer arrived to a locked building and observed a staff member walk away, describing the staff as rude.

Review

Rock Creek Senior Living in Ankeny stands out as a place where care, kindness, and daily life come together in a way that families deeply notice and value. The experiences shared across many stories center on improvements in well-being after moving in, the unwavering warmth of the staff, and a sense of security that families feel both for their loved ones and for themselves. In one poignant chapter, a father who passed away in hospice at Rock Creek was cared for by a team that truly went above and beyond, providing support that extended to the family as well. Across the board, the sentiment echoes: the staff are not just competent; they are remarkable in their compassion and dedication.

The Memory Care unit at Rock Creek is repeatedly highlighted for its thoughtful design and its uplifting environment. It was specifically built for those dealing with memory loss, featuring a cheerful, easy-to-navigate layout and a large garden area that invites residents outside to enjoy fresh air and sunshine. The leadership in Memory Care, led by Hannah, is described as incredible with the residents. Her approach goes beyond routine care, incorporating meaningful engagement through fun activities and meaningful moments - even sitting with residents to watch TV and help them understand what's happening in a movie. The goal, consistently expressed by families, is to make life worth living for residents, and Rock Creek Memory Care is frequently cited as a standout among facilities visited in the area.

Several stories highlight staff members who have gone above and beyond to connect with residents on a personal level. Karissa and Kanisha are two standout caregivers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication. Karissa is noted for dropping everything to assist a mother who requested care on an unscheduled day, illustrating the flexibility and commitment of the team. Kanisha has shown creativity in how she approaches care, including taking the time to learn German words to connect with a mother who is originally from Germany, which family members found especially heartwarming. These examples reflect a broader culture of patience, adaptability, and genuine respect for each individual's needs and background, helping residents who may be resistant to care feel more comfortable and engaged.

Transitioning a loved one into Rock Creek is described as a well-supported process that brings relief to families. One mother moved first from Independent Living to Assisted Living and then to Memory Care, and her family reported that the move was made easier by a compassionate team that kept communication open and focused on the resident's well-being. The staff at the front desk also set a welcoming tone; for instance, Jordan's warm and helpful greetings help new families feel at home from the first moment. Families note that their loved ones adapt and begin to enjoy life more quickly, with one mother in particular expressing how much she likes Rock Creek and how friendly everyone is to her.

Activities and dining are a major piece of the Rock Creek experience, contributing to the sense of a lively, engaged community. Residents participate in a broad array of events designed to nourish both mind and body - singing, rhythm-based activities like drumming on exercise balls, beach ball games, and arts and crafts are common. The facility also emphasizes social opportunities with visits from young volunteers, bus outings, and a restaurant-style dinner menu. The sense that "there's always something going on" is a recurring motif that families credit with keeping residents active, connected, and happy. The dining experience - paired with attentive care - helps residents feel they are living in a place that values quality and enjoyment.

The staff's dedication is echoed by the many individual acknowledgments from families. People praise the leadership and teamwork across departments, from Holly and Tiffany in care coordination to the kitchen and environmental teams, and to the front desk staff who greet each day with warmth. The care teams, including nurses' aides and other caregivers, receive frequent commendations for their professionalism, reliability, and the genuine care they show for every resident. Families also acknowledge the value of the dementia caregiver information provided by Hannah prior to move-in, which helped ease concerns and prepared them for what to expect. Tours with Ashley Zinnel are described as informative and reassuring, with her calm demeanor and honest guidance helping families navigate the decision-making process with confidence.

There are a few notes that temper the overwhelmingly positive tone. Some reviews mention rooms that feel small and a few moments where a visitor encountered rude behavior when the building appeared to be locked or not immediately accessible. While these instances are not representative of the overall experience described by most families, they do remind us that even in highly regarded communities, there is always room for improvement and attentiveness to every guest's experience. Still, these points are far outweighed by the many stories of heartfelt care, accessible services, and a homey atmosphere that families repeatedly describe as "amazing" or "like family."

Overall, Rock Creek Senior Living emerges as a warm, well-regarded community in Ankeny where residents are treated with dignity, safety, and a sustained commitment to meaningful living. The combination of a purpose-built Memory Care environment, a diverse and engaging activity calendar, generous dining options, and a team of compassionate, capable professionals creates a place that families feel confident recommending to others. Between standout leaders like Hannah, the thoughtful approach to individual needs, and the daily acts of kindness shared by staff, Rock Creek's reputation as a caring, high-quality senior living community shines through in every story.

Parks

• Georgetown Park (1.4 miles)
• Terra Park (7.9 miles)
• Jester Park Nature Center (8.4 miles)
• Lions Park (9.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• UnityPoint Health - Des Moines: Ankeny Medical Park Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Mercy Pharmacies (3.1 miles)
• Merwin Ltc Pharmacy (4.3 miles)
• Target Pharmacy (4.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Cabaret Bar & Patio (1.9 miles)
• Taco Bell (2 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (2.2 miles)
• Yankee Clipper (2.6 miles)
• Arby's (3.4 miles)
• Cazador Mexican Restaurant (3.5 miles)
• Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant (3.5 miles)

Physicians

• Skin Solutions Dermatology, A Forefront Dermatology Practice (1.9 miles)
• DMOS Orthopaedic Centers (2 miles)
• Acute Care (2.1 miles)
• Iowa Health Physicians & Clinics (2.3 miles)
• Capital Orthopaedics (3.1 miles)
• Iowa Orthopedics (3.1 miles)
• Iowa Orthopedic - Kurt A Smith Do (3.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• Starbucks (4 miles)
• Main Street Cafe & Bakery (4 miles)
• Starbucks (4.4 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks (9.7 miles)

Theaters

• B&B Theater And B-Roll (3.3 miles)
• B&B Theatres Ankeny 12 & B-Roll Bowling (4.7 miles)
• Flix Brewhouse Des Moines (9.7 miles)
• Cinemark Altoona And Xd (10.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saylorville Baptist Church (5.9 miles)