1501 Office Park Road, West Des Moines, IA 50265
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Heritage Court Costs & Pricing
Heritage Court offers competitive pricing for its residents, particularly when compared to both Polk County and the broader state of Iowa. The costs for a studio apartment at Heritage Court are $2,910 per month, which is notably lower than the average rates in Polk County at $3,533 and slightly below the state average of $3,613. However, for a one-bedroom unit, Heritage Court's price of $4,170 exceeds both the county rate of $2,528 and the state average of $2,862. This pricing structure suggests that while Heritage Court may provide more attractive options for studio living, it positions itself differently within the market for larger one-bedroom accommodations. Overall, prospective residents might find appealing value in studio offerings but should carefully consider their budgetary needs when evaluating one-bedroom units at this location.
| Floor plans | Heritage Court | Polk County | Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,910 | $3,533 | $3,609 |
| 1 Bedroom | $4,170 | $2,528 | $2,863 |
Overall Review of Heritage Court
Pros
The staff at Fountain West was wonderful.- They fixed her hair, manicured her nails, and treated her with great respect.
- She was just as happy as possible living there.
- The facility had wonderful nurses, a great food and meal program, and proactive administrative staff.
- The full-time staff were caring and compassionate from the kitchen and laundry to nursing and administration.
- The family would strongly recommend Fountain West for other families.
- The staff showed love and care that the family greatly appreciated during the time she was there.
Cons
The facility is described as the absolute worst nursing facility on this planet.- The staff are constantly short-staffed, leading to inadequate care for residents.
- The food is described as cold, inedible, and not fit for consumption.
- Residents are neglected for hours on end.
- Attendants are described as aggressively rough when handling residents.
- The building should be torn down and reconstructed.
- There are reports of health issues, including scabies and dehydration, linked to the facility’s care.
Review
Heritage Court is best suited for families seeking a practical, person‑centered environment in which residents are treated with warmth by front‑line staff, meals are solid, and administrative staff are visibly involved in daily operations. This setting works for seniors who don’t require relentless, high‑acuity medical oversight around the clock but still want dependable daily support, humane interaction, and a reasonable routine. It is not the right fit for families whose top priority is flawless cleanliness, flawless safety metrics, and constant, intensive medical attention.
Those evaluating alternatives should take to heart the patterns evident in comparable West Des Moines facilities: praise for caring, personable staff and a responsive administration alongside serious warnings about staffing gaps, inconsistent care, and hygiene concerns. Reviews show a real split, some residents and families commend the kindness and attention they received, while others report extended wait times, lapses in basic care, and unsettling conditions. This mix signals that consistency and accountability can vary, and that reputations can mask uneven daily experiences.
The strongest pros, compassionate nurses and aides, a tolerable dining program, and administrators who step in to help, can offset some day‑to‑day frictions when staffing is steady and supervision is strong. When caregivers know residents well, small gestures, haircare, nails, a familiar routine, matter a lot and can dramatically elevate quality of life. Conversely, the most significant cons, persistent understaffing, scented or neglected spaces, and reports of inadequate supervision during evenings and weekends, tend to nullify many of those positives. In practical terms, the good moments are real but not guaranteed; the risk of inconsistency is the core caution.
Families should enter a Heritage Court visit with a focused checklist. Probe staffing levels by shift, ask about response times to call bells, and observe whether aides appear rushed or engaged. Inspect common areas for cleanliness and odor, and scrutinize residents’ rooms, are mattresses comfortable, is dignity preserved in care, and is there a functional system for daily cares? Inquire about activity variety beyond routine bingo, measure how often administration intervenes to support frontline staff, and listen for ongoing maintenance or cleaning requests that have not been addressed. The aim is to separate moments of genuine care from the drift of understaffed days.
With these realities in mind, Heritage Court makes the most sense for families who prize a welcoming, people‑focused culture and can tolerate some variability in day‑to‑day operations. If a resident requires robust, consistently available clinical oversight, meticulous housekeeping, and a spotless safety record, alternatives should be seriously considered. For those who want a warm environment with engaged staff and respect for residents, but who are prepared to monitor operations closely and advocate actively, Heritage Court can deliver meaningful value, provided tours, conversations with current residents, and careful questions about staffing, maintenance, and activity programming are prioritized.
The bottom line is practical and clear: Heritage Court can satisfy families that value interpersonal warmth and dependable daily routines, while demanding a willingness to supervise and verify quality on an ongoing basis. Arrangements should include a careful onboarding period, transparent discussions about staffing schedules, and a plan to monitor cleanliness and safety closely. Prospective families are encouraged to compare Heritage Court against a small set of nearby options, visiting at different times, speaking frankly with staff and residents, and documenting concrete expectations for response times, activity offerings, and environmental standards. This approach ensures the decision aligns with both the resident’s needs and the family’s capacity to supervise care over time.
56 resident community capacity
Assisted Living
Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)
Independent Living
Skilled Nursing Facility
Activities off-site
Air-conditioning
Beautician on-site
Cable or satellite TV
Computer center
Devotional services off-site
Dining room
Fitness room
Fully furnished
Gaming room
Garden
Housekeeping services
Indoor common areas
Kitchenette
Move-in coordination
Outdoor common areas
Private bathrooms
Respite or short term stays offered
Restaurant-style dining
Small library
Telephone
Wellness center
Wheelchair accessible showers
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available
Des Moines International (5 miles away)
Community operated transportation
12-16 hour nursing
24-hour call system
Ambulatory care
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers
Diabetes diet
Diabetic care
High acuity care
Incontinence care
Medication management
Mental wellness program
Special dietary restrictions
Concierge services
Planned day trips
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