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Home Care In West Des Moines, IA

Home Care West Des Moines, IA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in West Des Moines, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care West Des Moines, IA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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“Tracey Gray helped me in the biggest way today! She saved my day and I am so thankful for her choice to help me! Thank you! #CertPrint #AlwaysBestCare”

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TESTIMONIALS

“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care and support they provided to my father. Highly recommended to all!”

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“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all the support your caregivers have provided to my mother. She was very pleased with the care she received. I confidently recommend Always Best Care to all.”

Michael H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable Caregivers who helped me to take care of my loved one for several years. They are highly trained and managed well the daily routines and activities like bathing and dressing. Caregivers of always best care is dependable and passionate to their work. I am satisfied and so glad that I chose their service. Highly recommend whoever needs their caregiving service!”

Melanie S.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in West Des Moines, IA?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care West Des Moines, IA

Types of Elderly Care in West Des Moines, IA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care West Des Moines, IA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers West Des Moines, IA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care West Des Moines, IA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care West Des Moines, IA

Benefits of Home Care in West Des Moines, IA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in West Des Moines, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care West Des Moines, IA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your IA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care West Des Moines, IA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in West Des Moines, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care West Des Moines, IA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers West Des Moines, IA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Home Care West Des Moines, IA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care West Des Moines, IA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in West Des Moines, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care West Des Moines, IA

Latest News in West Des Moines, IA

Psychiatric nurse charged with incompetence, unethical conduct

The Iowa Board of Nursing has charged a central Iowa psychiatric nurse with incompetence and unethical conduct in the practice of nursing.Advanced registered nurse practitioner Judith A. Gonzales, 68, of West Des Moines is charged with professional incompetency and engaging in a form of unethical behavior specifically related to an act that causes physical, emotional or financial injury to a patient or client.The board has also charged Gonzales with engaging in a separate form of unethical conduct specifically related to prescr...

The Iowa Board of Nursing has charged a central Iowa psychiatric nurse with incompetence and unethical conduct in the practice of nursing.

Advanced registered nurse practitioner Judith A. Gonzales, 68, of West Des Moines is charged with professional incompetency and engaging in a form of unethical behavior specifically related to an act that causes physical, emotional or financial injury to a patient or client.

The board has also charged Gonzales with engaging in a separate form of unethical conduct specifically related to prescribing, dispensing, administering, or distributing drugs in a manner that is harmful or detrimental to the public.

A fourth charge alleges Gonzales committed a form of unethical conduct that is tied to a wide range of alleged offenses that can include sexual contact with, or sexual comments to, a patient; participating in a sexual, emotional, social or business relationship with a patient; or repeatedly divulging personal information to a patient for nontherapeutic purposes.

GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.

The board has not disclosed any of the underlying allegations that gave rise to the charges or indicated when or where the alleged offenses took place. The charges were imposed in January but were made public only this week. Board records indicate the investigation into Gonzales’ conduct was initiated in 2023.

Gonzales was first issued an Iowa licensed practical nurses’ license in 1976, and she is currently certified as a psychiatric/mental health advanced registered nurse practitioner, according to board records.

A hearing on the charges is scheduled for April 11, 2025.

Gonzales could not be reached for comment.

She has been affiliated with Heartland Christian Counseling of central Iowa, although, since March 1, some of that organization’s medical providers, including Gonzales, have begun working for a new entity called Precision Psychiatry. Company officials said Gonzales is currently on a sabbatical of undetermined length.

Other nursing board actions:

Other Iowa-licensed nurses subject to recent action by the Board of Nursing include:

— Nancy Buttry, 53, who was charged in April 2024 with excessive use of drugs in a manner that might impair a licensee’s ability to practice nursing with reasonable skill and safety. In July 2024, the board dismissed the charges citing a lack of evidence. Also in 2024, the board initiated a separate investigation into Buttry and, five weeks ago, it charged Buttry with violating her contract with the Iowa Nurse Assistance Program, which helps nurses with substance abuse issues, while practicing nursing in Iowa. Court records indicate that in 2023, Buttry was living in Harlan and working for the Heritage House Senior Living facility in Atlantic.

— Kimberly Claeys, 56, of Delmar, a registered nurse who was charged by the board with committing an act that might adversely affect a patient and with engaging in conduct that was contradictory to professional decorum. The board alleged that Claeys, while working as a staff nurse in the medical surgical unit of a clinic or hospital in DeWitt, was fired for unprofessionalism and failing to meet nursing standards. The board alleged that while working at the DeWitt location, Claeys demonstrated a lack of skill in basic nursing, medication administration and intravenous lines. She was also accused of failing to follow safety protocols and with using rude or offensive language in speaking to patients. The board recently suspended Claeys’ license pending completion of a fitness-for-duty evaluation and additional educational training. Following the reinstatement of her license, it will be placed on probationary status for two years.

— Katia Petlitchka Shallcross, 38, who surrendered her Iowa nursing license in 2017 after being convicted of keeping a drug house, an offense tied to the alleged sale of a small amount of marijuana to an undercover officer while Shallcross was living in Fort Madison. The board recently agreed to reinstate Shallcross’ license subject to 12 months of probation, during which time she must submit to chemical screening.

— Melissa Bronemann, 37, of Monticello, who in October 2024 was charged with failing to assess, accurately document, evaluate, or report the status of a patient, and with falsifying records or knowingly permitting the use of falsified information in those records. The board alleged that Bronemann, while working at an unspecified assisted living facility from September 2022 to March 2023, failed to properly assess patients, failed to administer medications, failed to report the status of patients, and made documentation errors that affected her patients’ welfare. To settle the matter, the board recently agreed to drop the charge related to falsified records and Bronemann agreed to complete a fitness-for-duty evaluation and a nursing refresher course. Her license will be placed on probation for two years.

— Avis Pruismann, 39, of Williams, who is currently charged by the board with engaging in behavior that constitutes unethical conduct or a practice harmful to the public by being involved in the unauthorized possession or use of a controlled substance. She is also charged with being unable to practice nursing with reasonable skill and safety by reason of mental or physical condition. A hearing on the charges is scheduled for April 11, 2025.

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Iowa lawmakers push for study as they consider adding fourth public university

DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau) - Iowa lawmakers are looking at building a university in western Iowa. A bill in the House aims to study the possibility of a four year university in Pottawattamie County.At a subcommittee meeting for the bill, Rep. Robert Henderson (R-Sioux City) voiced support for the idea to give students in western Iowa an option closer to home, where Iowa State is up to three hours ...

DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau) - Iowa lawmakers are looking at building a university in western Iowa. A bill in the House aims to study the possibility of a four year university in Pottawattamie County.

At a subcommittee meeting for the bill, Rep. Robert Henderson (R-Sioux City) voiced support for the idea to give students in western Iowa an option closer to home, where Iowa State is up to three hours away.

“However, much closer to many of them are the University of Nebraska as well as South Dakota State or University of South Dakota, which by the way, offers in-state tuition to Iowans,” he said.

DOCUMENT: HSB 277

Rep. Mary Madison (D-West Des Moines) said a study won’t hurt but questioned if Iowa needs four state Universities.

“I do concern myself about the need, to make sure that there’s a need for it…..but I’m happy that you’re doing a study before you make decisions about that," she said.

Iowa lawmakers have actually studied this issue before. Back in 1967, the state legislature approved $34 million in funding to construct the University of Western Iowa. Potential sites included Harlan, Denison, Atlantic, and Carroll. Legislators canceled the project in 1970 due to the state’s poor budget.

By comparison, Missouri has 13 public universities but the state also has about double Iowa’s population.

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Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Media-owned stations in Iowa. Email him at [email protected]; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV on X/Twitter @ConnerReports, and on TikTok @ConnerReports.

Copyright 2025 WOWT. All rights reserved.

Best Internet Providers in West Des Moines, Iowa

What is the best internet provider in West Des Moines?Covering almost 98% of households in West Des Moines, according to the latest data from the Federal Communications Commission, Mediacom has the widest coverage and some of the best broadband internet plans in the city...

What is the best internet provider in West Des Moines?

Covering almost 98% of households in West Des Moines, according to the latest data from the Federal Communications Commission, Mediacom has the widest coverage and some of the best broadband internet plans in the city. With speeds of up to 1,000 megabits per second and affordable pricing, Mediacom is CNET's top pick for the best internet service provider in West Des Moines. This cable internet provider offers download speeds between 100 megabits per second to 1,000Mbps. Some areas can expect faster speeds, depending on your location. Plans start at just $20 for the 250Mbps plan and go up to $85 a month.

On the flashy side, Google Fiber's swift multi-gigabit plans may knock you off your feet. Its symmetrical speeds reach up to 8,000Mbps in some areas. Residents with the most coverage will be along Valley Junction and the neighboring areas near Ashworth Park and Western Hills Greenway. Google Fiber won't win any prizes for having the cheapest plan -- the lowest monthly price is $70 for its 1-gigabit plan -- but you can expect excellent value. The cost per Mbps of its gigabit plan is a really cheap 7 cents per Mbps, but its most expensive tier (the 8 Gig plan at $150 per month) is an outstanding 2 cents per Mbps, one of the best rates you'll find anywhere in the country.

Besides Mediacom, if you’re looking for more affordable plans, one of the cheapest plans in West Des Moines is US Cellular’s $60-a-month fixed wireless plan for 300Mbps in download speeds. However, expect additional fees and possible equipment installation charges included in your plans. T-Mobile and Verizon are also available as alternatives if the above options don't service your location. The prices of plans offered by both providers are quite similar, and you can get a further discount by pairing them with an eligible mobile plan.

Best internet in West Des Moines, Iowa

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

How to find internet deals and promotions in West Des Moines

The best internet deals and top promotions in West Des Moines depend on what discounts are available during a given time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.

West Des Moines internet providers, such as Mediacom and T-Mobile Home Internet, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, however, including CenturyLink and Google Fiber, run the same standard pricing year-round.

For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

What's a good internet speed?

Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines -- and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in West Des Moines

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from FCC.gov.

But it doesn’t end there. We use the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports. (Disclaimer: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)

To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

West Des Moines internet provider FAQs

Holmes Murphy announces plans to expand into West Des Moines’ Arcadia building

Holmes Murphy & Associates has signed a lease and will expand into the newly renovated Arcadia building in West Des Moines.The move was necessary to accommodate the insurance broker’s growth, and it will occupy about 75,000 square feet in the building at 7000 Vista Drive, joining ITA Group as a tenant.Holmes Murphy can no longer sustain its “substantial growth” in its Waukee office, and the expansion into the Arcadia building will allow the company to continue to “recruit and retain the best employee...

Holmes Murphy & Associates has signed a lease and will expand into the newly renovated Arcadia building in West Des Moines.

The move was necessary to accommodate the insurance broker’s growth, and it will occupy about 75,000 square feet in the building at 7000 Vista Drive, joining ITA Group as a tenant.

Holmes Murphy can no longer sustain its “substantial growth” in its Waukee office, and the expansion into the Arcadia building will allow the company to continue to “recruit and retain the best employees in the business,” Holmes Murphy CEO Dan Keough said in a news release.

“We knew we needed to strategically think about the next step for our future,” he said. “We explored all options and ultimately made the decision to lease a second space in the Des Moines metro.”

The 270,000-square-foot Arcadia building was built in 1993 and was home to Wells Fargo’s credit card servicing division until 2023. R&R Realty Group renovated the four-story building, changing the color of its exterior, installing a giant video board inside the front entrance and transforming a parking lot on the building’s south side into a park-like setting that features walking trails, pickleball courts, a putting green and gathering spaces. R&R also contracted with New Horizon Academy to provide on-site day care.

“The building has amenities and features that fit our culture and unique aesthetic vibe, areas to collaborate and connect, additional meeting and training rooms, and added room for employees to work more efficiently and effectively without space constraints,” Keough said in the release.

HMA Group Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Holmes Murphy, was awarded $413,900 in tax credits through the High Quality Jobs program from the Iowa Economic Development Authority in December for the expansion.

The company will relocate 100 employees from its Waukee office to the newly renovated West Des Moines site.

The expansion will allow Holmes Murphy to create 212 jobs that pay a qualifying wage of $36.80 per hour.

The project is estimated to cost $10.6 million.

Holmes Murphy’s office at 2727 Grand Prairie Parkway in Waukee will remain its headquarters, and the expansion into the Arcadia building will help guide the company’s growth for several years, Keough said.

“We are simply growing at a pace that exceeds our ability to match it within the space we have now,” he said. “Having an additional location will allow for our Waukee headquarters to be used in the manner in which we had always intended — to be open and spacious and to have several collaboration areas in which our employees can truly connect and do their best work.”

Tom Stewart, a spokesman for the company and president of PLUS Holmes Murphy, said the company expects to run out of room at its Waukee office, where it employs about 550 people, by 2028 and needed “some cushion” as it plans for the future.

“This gives us time to figure out what we really want to do from a footprint in Waukee,” he said. “It allows us to provide the best employee experience possible.”

The company employs about 1,200 people across 16 offices, not including the Arcadia building.

The move is all part of the company’s long-term growth vision, Stewart said.

Holmes Murphy owns 5 acres of land adjacent to its Waukee office, and that could come into play as the company develops its strategy for growth, he said.

“We’re going into our 2030 planning sessions, so we’ll be talking about what we want to do. Do we want everybody under one roof like we have here in Waukee? Do we mind having multiple locations? That’s what we’re talking about right now,” he said.

Stewart would not specify the length of lease Holmes Murphy signed with R&R Realty but said “depending on our growth and the people we’re sending over there, we could see staying there a very long time.”

Holmes Murphy plans to move some of its staff into the Arcadia building this fall.

Until then, the company is working with a contractor and R&R on tenant improvements, Stewart said.

He said the Arcadia building location — just 3 miles from the company’s Waukee office — and its amenities made it a smart choice for Holmes Murphy.

“We’re so proud of our Waukee space that we wanted anyone being relocated to Arcadia to feel like it was as good, if not better, than our Waukee space,” Stewart said.

Valley West Mall now up for sale

As of Friday, there are 43 businesses and restaurants listed on the mall's directory.WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — 50 years after its grand opening, the once-bustling Valley West Mall in West Des Moines is officially for sale, according to commercial real estate agency ...

As of Friday, there are 43 businesses and restaurants listed on the mall's directory.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — 50 years after its grand opening, the once-bustling Valley West Mall in West Des Moines is officially for sale, according to commercial real estate agency CBRE.

Located at 1551 Valley West Drive, the two-story shopping center has been operating since 1975 and sits on nearly 58 acres of land.

The Polk County Assessor's Office says the building and land are valued at a combined $19,500,100. CBRE plans to sell the entire parcel to one developer, with the option to split into outlots or smaller pieces.

"CBRE is looking forward to finding the right developer who is excited about the rare opportunity for an infill development of this magnitude in the heart of the greater Des Moines metro,” said Todd Millang of CBRE. “We have a strong list of retailers interested in the site, but we believe it will become a multi-use development once all the pieces of the puzzle are put together. It will be great to see how this project will reshape this already strong corridor in our market.”

Valley West Mall has been largely vacant for years, especially after a Polk County judge ordered the foreclosure of the shopping center in late 2022.

However, some businesses haven't given up on the mall. As of Friday, there are 43 businesses and restaurants listed on the mall's directory, including Cherry Picked, a local specialty goods store.

Cherry Picked owner Steph Jessen told Local 5 that business owners in the mall have been given until the end of the month to vacate their space.

"I've been looking everywhere, just trying to find the right fit. Do I go back to a small space or do I stay in a big space? What can I afford?" she said. "I will be liquidating everything and hopefully have enough money to seed my next venture."

The mall once had three large department stores, including Von Maur and Younkers. Now, only JCPenney remains.

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