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Karen Acres Health Care Center in Urbandale, IA

Karen Acres Health Care Center is a nursing home community in Urbandale, IA.

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Karen Acres Health Care Center in Urbandale, IA

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Karen Acres Health Care Center Karen Acres Health Care Center Karen Acres Health Care Center Karen Acres Health Care Center

3605 Elm Dr, Urbandale, IA 50322

To contact a resident: (515) 276-4969

For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318

4 from 36 reviews
5 stars
27
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 stars
9

Seniors.FYI Elite Community Awards

Top 5% Senior Living Community in 2025

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Overall Review of Karen Acres Health Care Center

common 26 reviews mention this

Caring staff and close communication

Staff responsiveness is a recurring theme across reviews.

Many reviews describe staff as caring, helpful, and attentive day to day, including taking time to talk with residents and families. Several families say communication was strong, with staff keeping them informed about what was going on. A few reviews also raise concerns about disrespectful behavior from specific staff, but those are less common than positive experiences.

differentiator 6 reviews mention this

Small, home-like, person-centered

The small size supports a more personal feel.

Residents and families repeatedly connect the smaller setting to more individual attention and a home-like atmosphere. Reviews mention care that feels less “assembly line” and more tailored to the resident. Several also describe family-oriented interactions and an environment where residents can gather together while still having quieter spaces.

common 7 reviews mention this

Clean spaces and upkeep concerns

Cleanliness comes up positively, alongside some upkeep complaints.

Multiple reviews praise clean, well-cared-for spaces and say facilities are organized. At the same time, some reviewers point to needing updates, noting the building’s age and describing outdated equipment or kitchen conditions. A few mentions fall between the two—acknowledging the building is older without making it the main issue.

common 3 reviews mention this

Food gets mixed but positive nods

Food is mentioned often enough to matter to families.

Some residents are described as doing well with the meals, and one review specifically notes staff accommodating food requests. Another family says their loved one seems fine with the food. A separate negative review calls the kitchen “horrible,” which is the main downside mentioned about food.

caveat 4 reviews mention this

Facility updates and equipment are questioned

Some reviews question modernization and facility condition.

While many describe the community positively, several reviewers raise concerns about the facility needing remodeling or more modern equipment. One review also points to kitchen conditions, and another notes the building’s age. These caveats appear alongside positive comments about cleanliness and home-like feel, so experiences vary by what families focused on most.

How we summarize

Counts show how many written reviews mention each theme; a review can touch several themes, and only frequently mentioned themes are displayed.

Features

Types of Care

  • Skilled Nursing Facility Skilled Nursing Facility

Transportation

  • Des Moines International (7 miles away) Des Moines International (7 miles away)

Nearby Places of Interest

This part of Urbandale, Iowa is a convenient and well-equipped neighborhood for seniors looking to settle in a peaceful and accessible location. With pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS in close proximity, access to healthcare services is readily available. Physicians such as Christian Eye Clinic and Mercy Urbandale Medical Clinic are nearby for medical care needs. Enjoy outdoor activities at Lions Park or grab a bite to eat at local restaurants like Teds Coney Island West or Viva Mexican Restaurant. For entertainment, Flix Brewhouse Des Moines offers a unique movie-watching experience. Nearby hospitals include Mercy Franklin Center and Iowa Methodist Medical Center for peace of mind when it comes to healthcare emergencies. Places of worship like Covenant Presbyterian Church are also within reach for spiritual fulfillment. Overall, this area provides essential amenities and services for comfortable senior living in Urbandale.

Pharmacies

  • Walgreens (0.6 miles)
  • CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
  • Walgreens (1.3 miles)
  • CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
  • Onnen Co. (1.7 miles)
  • National Pharmaceutical Returns (2 miles)
  • MedPharm Iowa (2 miles)

Physicians

  • Christian Eye Clinic (0.6 miles)
  • Urbandale Family Physicians (0.8 miles)
  • Woodard Hearing Centers (1.1 miles)
  • Mercy Urbandale Medical Clinic (1.2 miles)
  • Vision Eye Clinic (1.4 miles)
  • Eyemart Optical Outlet - North Des Moines (1.4 miles)
  • Iowa Arthritis & Osteoporosis Center (1.6 miles)

Parks

  • Lions Park (0.6 miles)
  • Terra Park (2.5 miles)
  • Kawanis Park (3.8 miles)

Cafes

  • Panera Bread (0.8 miles)
  • Starbucks (1.3 miles)
  • Starbucks (2.1 miles)
  • Starbucks (2.5 miles)
  • St Kilda Collective (3.8 miles)

Restaurants

  • Teds Coney Island West (0.9 miles)
  • Viva Mexican Restaurant (1.2 miles)
  • McAlister's Deli (1.2 miles)
  • Jersey Mike's (1.5 miles)
  • Culver's (1.6 miles)
  • Maria's Mexican Food (1.6 miles)
  • McDonald's (2 miles)

Theaters

  • Flix Brewhouse Des Moines (1.2 miles)

Hospitals

  • Mercy Franklin Center (2.4 miles)
  • Spay Clinics (3.1 miles)
  • Iowa Methodist Medical Center (3.5 miles)
  • Mercy Medical Center West Lake (4 miles)

Places of Worship

  • Covenant Presbyterian Church (3.1 miles)
  • Shepherd Of The Valley (3.5 miles)

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