Right at Home - Des Moines, IA in West Des Moines, IA

Pros

• Right at Home is consistently dependable and caring, always there when needed.
• The staff are incredible - compassionate, courteous, and professional.
• Right at Home provides real help after surgery and is highly recommended.
• They can provide 24/7 care and flexible respite as needed.
• Right at Home caregivers connect with clients and go above and beyond.
• They help families keep loved ones at home and out of nursing facilities.
• The office and caregivers are friendly, responsive, and accommodating.
• Right at Home offers consistent caregivers who build trust and companionship.
• They can handle complex care needs with excellent coordination and communication.
• They provide timely, short-notice support and reliable service.

Cons

• One reviewer noted that Right at Home's follow-through and communication could be improved, with delays in returning calls.
• Another reviewer observed that some caregivers sometimes did very little of the agreed care plan.
• An account stated that the operation manager was often out of the office and did not return calls.
• There were reports of difficulty maintaining a steady supply of workers.
• Some reviewers mentioned minor communication issues affecting responsiveness.

Review

Right at Home Des Moines is best suited for families who want a trusted, in-home care partner to keep a loved one living independently. The service excels when personal care, companionship, light housekeeping, meal assistance, and respite are needed, whether after surgery or during progressive memory-loss scenarios. The Des Moines/West Des Moines operation demonstrates reliable scheduling, quick response to requests, and caregivers who build real connections with clients. A key strength is the ability to deliver consistent care at home - allowing spouses, siblings, or adult children to take a break without fearing a lapse in safety or dignity. For many households, that combination of dependability and warmth makes home-based living practical rather than optional.

Alternatives exist for situations requiring more intensive medical oversight or structured community living. When 24/7 skilled nursing, ongoing complex medical management, or highly controlled memory-care programming is essential, a licensed facility or a different home-health option with stronger medical staffing may be more appropriate. Some families may prefer an assisted living community that provides built-in supervision and social programs, or a dedicated memory-care environment if the home care plan demands constant monitoring. In these cases, Right at Home serves best as a complementary solution or a bridging option while transitioning to a facility, rather than as a sole long-term solution for severe medical needs.

On the upside, the key advantages cluster around dependable, compassionate care, and flexible, responsive service. Caregivers are repeatedly described as kind, patient, and capable, with timely arrivals and steady coverage. Long-term relationships with a single caregiver or a small caregiving team foster trust and comfort, which supports both independence and safety. The ability to tailor schedules, cover weekends, or arrange 24/7 care for short blocks - such as during weekends away or post-surgery recovery - offers real relief for families. Office staff are often praised for clear communication, helpful billing, and problem-solving when plans shift, including coordination with long-term care insurance to simplify invoicing and documentation. These advantages translate into fewer hospital trips and more stability at home.

Still, a few consistent themes emerge that require cautious planning. Communication gaps and delays appear in some reviews, and caregiver supply can be uneven, leading to last-minute changes or the need to re-match caregivers who understand evolving needs. A minority of feedback points to caregivers who did not fully execute the agreed-upon care plan, underscoring the importance of proactive supervision and explicit care directives. Occasional notes about leadership availability or responsiveness - such as instances where calls were not returned promptly - signal that a reliable point person is essential. These caveats are real, but they tend to be manageable with upfront planning and a clear escalation path.

Despite the caveats, the positives tend to offset the drawbacks for households prioritizing home-based living. The combination of companionship, consistency, and the ability to adjust care as needs change reduces caregiver burnout and preserves dignity for aging loved ones. The capacity to stay home - with familiar routines and ongoing social contact - helps maintain mood and cognitive engagement, particularly for those with dementia when the team demonstrates empathy, patience, and specialized approaches. The agency's willingness to adapt to shifting schedules, keep prices stable, and respond to insurance-related billing is a practical plus that reduces stress during transitions. In many cases, these factors create a reliable, trusted partnership rather than a transactional service.

For families pursuing Right at Home, a disciplined onboarding approach yields the strongest results. Begin with a thorough in-home assessment, then request a consistent caregiver or small team, and set up a clear back-up plan for absences. Establish explicit care goals, daily routines, and safety checklists, and insist on written care plans with milestone reviews. Confirm pricing, billing cycles, and LTC insurance processes upfront to avoid drift. If medical complexity or round-the-clock supervision grows, be prepared to pivot toward a facility or a higher-level home-health option. When aligned, Right at Home delivers dependable, compassionate home care that keeps loved ones safe, engaged, and meaningfully supported in their own home.

This part of West Des Moines, Iowa, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to settle in the area. With several places of worship within close proximity, individuals can easily access spiritual support and community involvement. Additionally, there are multiple physicians' offices nearby, including specialists in retina care, sleep disorders, oral surgery, and orthodontics. For healthcare needs, Iowa Methodist Medical Center and Mercy Medical Center West Lake are both easily accessible. Dining options range from popular chains like Olive Garden and Chick-Fil-A to local favorites like The Keg Stand and Cracker Barrel. Parks such as Kawanis Park and Valley View Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS are conveniently located for medication needs. Overall, this area offers a well-rounded environment for seniors seeking a mix of healthcare facilities, dining options, recreational activities, and community resources.

Places of Worship

• Shepherd Of The Valley (0.5 miles)
• Covenant Presbyterian Church (1.3 miles)
• Living Faith Lutheran Church (3.2 miles)

Physicians

• Iowa Retina Consultants (0.5 miles)
• Iowa Health Physicians - Dr Stahl (0.6 miles)
• Iowa Sleep (0.7 miles)
• Family Orthodontics Iowa (0.7 miles)
• Eyton Young MD (1.2 miles)
• Iowa Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, PC (1.3 miles)
• Chest Infectious Diseases & Critical Care Associates PC (1.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Iowa Methodist Medical Center (0.6 miles)
• Mercy Medical Center West Lake (1.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Olive Garden (0.8 miles)
• The Keg Stand (0.8 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (0.9 miles)
• McDonald's (1 miles)
• Valley West Mall (1.1 miles)
• Burger King (1.1 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (1.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (2.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.8 miles)
• St Kilda Collective (3.1 miles)

Parks

• Kawanis Park (1.6 miles)
• Valley View Park (3.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Outcomes Pharmaceutical Health Care (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Onnen Co. (2.4 miles)

Theaters

• Century Theatre (2.3 miles)