AmeriCare Alliance Central in Des Moines, IA

Pros

• Interesting location
• Awesome staff focused on caring for the community of individuals with intellectual disabilities
• Wonderfully friendly and engaging staff
• This company is compassionate and really takes time to give their clients the best experience!
• Their staff is very friendly and professional!

Cons

• The organization does not treat its clients appropriately.
• A staff member made derogatory remarks about people with special needs, including about a specific person with a disability.
• This behavior is not consistent with what one would expect from a Christian organization.
• The reviewer would be cautious about using this organization.
• The reviewer was not impressed during any of their visits.
• Some reviewers allege that the organization is lying.

Review

AmeriCare Alliance Central in Des Moines is best suited for families seeking a community that prioritizes compassionate, hands-on support for adults with intellectual disabilities. The core strength is the staff in daily contact - described as awesome, wonderfully friendly, and engaging - whose focus is on building relationships and ensuring a positive experience for residents. For families who value a warm, person-centered approach over clinical distance, this site offers an environment where caregivers are seen as partners in daily life rather than merely service providers. The location's feel and routine-oriented ambiance can be particularly reassuring for individuals who thrive on familiar faces and steady, attentive care.

However, attention should be paid to the caveats. A portion of the feedback raises serious concerns about how residents are treated and how staff conduct themselves. One account described staff making derogatory comments about people with disabilities, and questioned whether the operation truly embodies the Christian values it asserts. Another reviewer used strong language to challenge honesty from the facility. These instances are not minor missteps; they strike at trust, safety, and the fundamental expectation that staff uphold respect for residents. Families considering this community should weigh these reports heavily and probe for concrete assurances about boundaries, training, and accountability.

On balance, the positive reviews consistently highlight a compassionate culture and a dedication to giving clients the best possible experience. The same staff reliability that earns praise also plays a decisive role in outcomes, offering daily reassurance to residents and families alike. The "interesting location" tag and the tangible warmth of the staff are features that often translate into longer-term satisfaction, increased engagement, and fewer behavioral crises when caregivers know residents well. These pros - genuine care, patience, and personalized attention - can offset the sense of risk raised by a few negative anecdotes, but only if backed by visible, ongoing governance.

Yet the main drawbacks are not trivial. Allegations of disrespectful remarks and inconsistent behavior undermine trust and raise a question about organizational standards. For families, this translates into potential volatility in resident experience and the possibility that concerns go unaddressed. The tension between a claimed Christian mission and observed conduct matters deeply for guardians seeking a values-aligned setting. If a family cannot verify that staff are consistently respectful, culturally competent, and accountable, the risk of repeat incidents remains a live concern. Prospective residents would be prudent to request specifics on supervision, incident reporting, and staff development before committing.

For decision-making, the following due-diligence steps help clarify fit. Request recent staff training curricula, anti-harassment protocols, and explicit consequences for mistreatment. Ask to speak with multiple caregivers, supervisors, and residents to gauge consistency. Review how complaints are handled and resolved, including response times and outcomes. Compare AmeriCare Alliance Central against alternatives in the same market by assessing staff stability, program variety, and opportunities for meaningful engagement. The mixed ratings - high praise from most, but notable outliers - signal that outcomes may hinge on individual unit leadership and caregiver teams rather than the facility as a whole.

In sum, AmeriCare Alliance Central is a solid option for families prioritizing a warm, hands-on, person-centered care experience for adults with intellectual disabilities, particularly when staff warmth and consistency are present. The standout strength is the quality of day-to-day interactions and the sense of community fostered by engaged caregivers. The main caveat is the potential for disrespectful conduct and misalignment with stated values, which can erode trust if not decisively addressed. For families, the prudent path is to demand transparency, verify governance, and, if satisfied, proceed with a trial period and regular check-ins to safeguard the resident's well-being.

This part of Des Moines, Iowa, offers a convenient and accessible location for seniors looking to live in a bustling neighborhood with easy access to necessary amenities. With multiple pharmacies, restaurants, physicians' offices, hospitals, cafes, and even a theater within a few miles radius, residents can easily meet their daily needs and enjoy entertainment options without having to travel far. The presence of reputable healthcare providers and hospitals such as Mercy Franklin Center and Methodist Outpatient Surgery ensures that seniors have access to quality medical care in close proximity. Additionally, the nearby parks like Lions Park and Terra Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and leisure activities. Overall, this area presents an attractive option for senior living with its range of services and facilities nearby.

Pharmacies

• Medicap Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• MedPharm Iowa (2.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Christophers (0.4 miles)
• The Dam Pub (0.4 miles)
• Maria's Mexican Food (1 miles)
• McAlister's Deli (1.2 miles)
• Louie's Wine Dive (1.4 miles)
• Jersey Mike's (1.4 miles)
• McDonald's (1.6 miles)

Physicians

• Des Moines Pediatrics (0.5 miles)
• United Community Services Franklin Family Practice (0.6 miles)
• Iowa Skin Clinic M M Baig MD (0.6 miles)
• Eyemart Optical Outlet - North Des Moines (1.2 miles)
• Woodard Hearing Centers (1.3 miles)
• Central Iowa Neurology PC (1.3 miles)
• Woodard Hearing Centers (1.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Mercy Franklin Center (0.6 miles)
• Spay Clinics (1.6 miles)
• Methodist Outpatient Surgery (3.2 miles)
• North 3 - IMMC (3.2 miles)
• Blank Children's Hospital NICU (3.2 miles)
• UnityPoint Health - Iowa Methodist Medical Center - Emergency Department (3.2 miles)
• Methodist Hospital North 6 (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.5 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (2.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.8 miles)
• St Kilda Collective (3.4 miles)
• Starbucks (3.8 miles)

Theaters

• Flix Brewhouse Des Moines (1.4 miles)

Parks

• Lions Park (2.2 miles)
• Terra Park (3.1 miles)