Independence Village Of Waukee

Carol Elise

I am very impressed with IV! The apartments are spacious and I can’t say enough great things regarding all of the staff! It’s a great place to live as there are also many activities for people to partake in each and every day!

bunnys1970

Really great facility, glad my family member was a part of it. Staff went above and beyond to care for and love residents and my family. Didn’t participate in many activities but there are tons of things to do.

D Kay

The staff genuinely cares for the residents. Daily, weekly & special activities keep the residents engaged in life and with each other. My parent’s apt. is spacious and they appreciate weekly housekeeping. Our family is grateful for our parent’s safety and well-being. Perks include location, cleanliness, healthy meals, heated garage, library, exercise room, theater, mail delivery, & a greeter at the front entrance.

Provider Response

Reviewer RC#0722b

We liked the people who were touring us at Independence Village Of Waukee. We liked it the best because it seemed like it had the most activity going on. They included people across the street in townhomes, so there seemed to be some younger people joining in the activities. My aunt was just a little confused as to how to get to it, and we wanted her to feel comfortable in her neighborhood. The rooms were very nice, but they did not have a first floor available and they did not have a pool. The staff was very welcoming and answered all our questions. They were very good.

Provider Response

Susan

We like Independence Village Of Waukee. The woman that talked to us and toured us around, her grandmother is there. We met the grandmother, and it was a nice situation. We saw one room that was kind of being used as a storage room because they're full. And then the staff asked her Grammy if we could see her, so we did that, and they were very nice. There were some people doing activities, but not a lot. They have a courtyard and an exercise room, and they do movies. The menu looks really good. The person that taught us was very nice, and she knew everyone. We went to a little café part of it, and people were having a snack. It was wine Wednesday or something, so people were getting ready to have a little bit of wine.

CraigHam

Rooms are nice and this facility is priced well for a very popular location in the western suburbs of Des Moines. The lobby atrium is very nice. There are walking paths outside the village, but there isn't much outdoor area for relaxation other than on a bench outside the main entrance. Internet service is not great for the outer most apartments and there is no over-the-air antenna service so that residents can enjoy local channels. The staff is always very helpful. Activity staff goes above and beyond to bring the fun. There is a good variety of activities, but some days seem to offer up more "fun" than others. Not much to do on the weekends due to the lack of staff. The only complaint I've heard from my father and others is around the food. Some days the meals are good, and some days they are not so good.

Provider Response

Nicole

Independence Village of Waukee was a very nice facility. The staff seemed very nice as well. They have individual apartments, which were very nice. It was out of our price range though. My mother-in-law needs Medicaid right away, and it takes a couple of years before they're able to accept Medicaid. It's a big place, so I didn't see as much interaction with everyone, but they all seemed very friendly and nice. They had salon services and a library. They had many different amenities. They had snacks available. The dining area was almost set up like a restaurant.

Laurie

We like Independence Village of Waukee because it's smaller and the hallways aren't as long, and the meals have been great. My uncle and aunt are in two different wings. My aunt is in assisted and my uncle is in skilled, so unfortunately, they're not together in the same apartment. They had told us that my aunt will need memory care soon and that's in a different building across the street. She can't walk over anytime she wants to see her husband in skilled nursing because it's not all under the same roof. That would be my only negative part. We were told everything was under one roof and it's not. Someone has got to put her snow boots, snow coat, and gloves on this winter, and walk her across the street to see her husband. It's a little misleading that it's all under one roof when it's not. One of the other great things is my aunt made friends very, very quickly, and she never has to dine alone. However, I've been trying to get through the director and I've left four messages and she hasn't called me back yet. I've had several meals there, and they're delicious and filling. There are lots of options. My aunt has been very, very pleased with the food. The place is fairly clean. They've been in once to clean her apartment. The activities are on the opposite hall and she's just at that stage where she loses her sense of direction. She hasn't attended any activities yet, but it's only been a few weeks. The aides have been wonderful. We're paying for two separate apartments, so it's extraordinarily expensive for a couple that are in two different wings.

Provider Response

Sue Egger

My mom has lived in independence village for 8 years and she has loved every minute of it. From the amazing activities offered by a wonderful staff to the wide variety of food she gets served every day. The facility is beautiful and well maintained. The best part is the relationships she has made with both staff and the other residents. Independence village comes highly recommended from us!

McInally

Independence Village is outstanding in every way, but the sense of community really stands out. The staff is exceptionally helpful, caring, and creative—they always seem to be willing to go above and beyond on behalf of their residents. This creates a warm, friendly, and safe community where it’s easy for residents to make new friends, to join in a wide variety of activities, and to live healthy and fulfilling lives. The facilities are spacious and well-maintained and the staff are highly responsive to any needs the residents have for their individual apartments, as well as the common spaces. Communication with families is excellent; we always feel like we know what’s going on and that we’re welcome to visit as much as we like. We have enjoyed meals, games, and other activities with our Mom and her friends. We hoped that the move to Independence Village would be a positive experience and it has exceeded our expectations in every way thanks to first-rate facilities, a kind and accessible staff, and a warm and caring community.

Carrie Jill

Everyone was so kind & easy to work with....from the admissions coordinator to the nursing staff to the Maintenance team...and, of course, the other residents! The facility itself is top-notch. My Uncle was so proud to call it home when he lived there! He didn't want to move, but financially, it was in his best interest, although it was a tough decision for him to make. The Assisted Living apartment he lived in was simple, spacious & beautiful. He loved being able to stay in his apartment and have his alone time or go mingle with others in the commons area. And he loved venturing out to various places in Waukee on his scooter, especially since the facility was so close to the bike trail that he used to ride on when he rode a bicycle. He really liked interacting with the staff, too, because they became like family to him. The admissions coordinator even gave him a flower bouquet with a "Welcome Home" card in it when he moved in & that made him feel so very special...it still warms my heart when I think of what that small but kind gesture meant to my Uncle.

Mike Blair

What I like most of all about Independence Village of Waukee is it's caring staff. They really go out of their way to please the residents. They are so kind to them. The food can vary in quality but most of the time it is excellent. They also have different choices. I have made meals based off their recipes. The Village may not be as fancy as some of the more expensive places but the kindness and caring that the staff shows to the residents makes up for it.

Danny

Independence Village of Waukee was a nice place. It looked new, but I know it wasn't. They took real good care of it. The staff was helpful. The room was nice sized. It had a room for a bed, a TV, a table and chairs, a recliner, and a small dresser. It had a nice large bathroom with a shower and all the helpful things they have in the shower for older people. They had a salon and a nice, good-sized dining room. They had a place for the residents to get involved like folding laundry and stuff like that. They have a restaurant bar-type thing in there with snacks and treats. There's a nice small area for them to sit in on couches and recliners to watch TV. They can have a TV in their own room, too.

Art J.

We have been extremely pleased with the friendly and caring staff. We visit our friend several times a week and the care is excellent. Room and laundry are kept clean and neat. Our friend is happier than she has been in years. There are a number of activities to engage residence and keep them active. Overall we highly recommend you consider this facility for your loved ones.

Eric

I went to the Independence Village of Waukee. It's kind of a one-stop-shop. They kind of had a main building, and they had independent living or condos around it. I looked at the assisted living part. There's a courtyard type thing. I guess they have activities outdoors too. There's a grill there. They have activities and meals. The room is nice.

Martha

My tour at Independence Village of Waukee was a positive experience. The marketing person that took us around was very, very knowledgeable, and answered all the questions. I had family with me as well. I wasn't just by myself, and she could field any kind of question. The facility had many positive things about it, and it was very acceptable. It had a lot of new upgrades. It's very clean and very attractive. The hallways were big, and lighting was great. The apartments were not not necessarily upgraded with all new appliances and everything, but the ones that I looked at were very clean. The ones that were ready for occupancy had probably been painted, and maybe in some instances the carpet might have been new. It was very move-in ready. I had a very good experience.

Edgar

My mother's going into a skilled unit at Independence Village of Waukee today. They're very friendly. The place is well equipped. I see a lot of interaction with the clients, and they do little celebrations and things to keep them active. They were very cautious. We had to wear face masks when we toured and it's only the two of us. She will have a one-bedroom. The whole place was very clean. They showed us the exercise area, the therapy area, the skilled care area, and the visiting area. They had a little outdoor area that they could go out and it was paved and it looked nice.

Shane L

Our mom is so happy here. The rooms and facility are nice, modernized, and accomodating. The staff has always been friendly and helpful. Communication is very frequent and transparent. Any special requests have been handled quickly. Mom likes the food, the staff, and the other residents. IVoW handled the COVID situation very well. We couldn't be happier with our decision to have our mom be a part of this community.

Ellen Drum

Mom moved from IV Assisted Living to Memory care late last year. She was very well cared for in AL, but the isolation was unhealthy for her. Since moving to Memory Care, she has improved both mentally and physically. We attribute that to the attention and care the staff has given her since we have not been able to ourselves due to the pandemic. We have had to completely trust the staff in Memory Care and they have shown mom and her family all the care and kindness that I believe they would show to their own family. Mom is now involved in activities and she socializes at mealtime. When AL recommended that mom move to Memory Care, we were hesitant that she needed the extra care. We are thankful that they made the recommendation as we are certain now that it helped save her life. The care and respect that both AL and Memory Care have provided mom is priceless to us. Every step of the way, they have kept all of moms family involved in her activities, mental well being and her health. We rest much easier knowing that the nursing staff and all the caregivers truly care about mom. I highly recommend Independence Village to anyone looking for a safe, secure and nurturing environment for themselves or a loved one.

AustinVB

Independence Village of Waukee is conveniently located off Hickman Rd. When you drive up to the building, you witness a well kept lawn and a beautiful building. Inside does not disappoint either. The building is very clean, the food is always made from scratch. But the staff are what makes this community stand out. They genuinely care about our loved one. I would recommend Independence Village Waukee to anyone looking for a one of a kind senior living community.

Lori L

My mother moved in Oct 2020 during Covid. It was very difficult not to be able to visit. But the administration did a great job on keeping us updated. Everyone has been so kind to my mother and she is very happy. Her apartment is very nice. She adores her care givers. She says the food is good and loves having meals in the dining room.

Lynn Cowden

A massive failure on all levels by new ownership and management. Parents have been literally in full lockdown in their room for 24hrs a day for the past year. Food was delivered in plastic containers and was late and cold. Absolutely zero amenities took place which is why parents moved there. They are so frustrated and angry they are moving out. Problem continues in that they cant keep staff. Last year has been a complete waste of money.

Provider Response

Kay struble

One of the most important things is the staff at Independence Village; they are so helpful, friendly and kind with the residents. Communication is also very important, and the staff is always willing to listen and respond to any questions or comments from resident or their family. If there is any kind of an issue or problem they were diligently to get it solved. As a family member of a resident I feel very comfortable and quite welcome when I come into the facility. Also independence village is spotlessly clean. The hallways are bright and cheerful. My brother’s room is filled with natural light and is very spacious. We appreciate the washer and dryer. The facility has many wonderful activities and opportunities for the residents to gather socially in many different ways. They provide so many opportunities for ways to keep residents stimulated and active. I like to say that when I “get old” I’m going to move to Independence Village.

Linda

We chose Independence Village of Waukee for my sister. The people there were awesome. They came in on a weekend when we were in an emergency situation and had to find a place, and they have done nothing but bend over backwards to help us. They are awesome. She said the food is really great. They brought us a treat when we interviewed with them. The staff was really good. She's on a low-salt diet, and their food is all low-salt. They do a lot of things, but she hasn't participated in anything yet. Some places we looked at were too big, some places were too small, but this was just right. It was expensive, but we got a good deal compared to others.

A Ruth

This has become a very nice place to live. Thanks to the entire staff who goes to any length to make my living here pleasant. Everyone always has a smile and seems to enjoy their job and their willingness to help is a joy. The lighting in the apartment could be better.

Joelle

My mom is currently living in Independence Village of Waukee. It's been OK. She would tell you that the food is lousy, but I don't know 'cause I've not been in there. She went there after COVID, and she tells me the food is not good. I think the staff that are there are good, but they are understaffed. It's within 10 miles of a hospital. They have activities, and they just hired an activities director. They're getting better from mediocre.

Provider Response

Shelli O

Everyone at Independence Village is so friendly and kind. They truly care about residents and their well-being - even greet my Dad (and me) by first name. Independence Village offers many opportunities for residents to remain active and be as social as they want to be. My Dad enjoys using equipment in the exercise room, playing pool and socializing with others during lunch, Coffee/Donut Hour, Happy Hour or other organized events. Some of his friends enjoy flicks in the movie room, taking exercise classes, playing cards or participating in other activities. Residents gather for lunch in the dining area and are offered choices. I’ve been my Dad’s lunch guest several times. The food has been plentiful and tasted good each time. Independence Village has been a great fit for my Dad and given me peace of mind.

DDS99

The staff in Waukee are consistently above and beyond expectations. They were extremely helpful and flexible with our last-minute move-in during COVID.

Bill's Family

The staff here is excellent and they really take a personal interest and personal level of care and attention to the residents.

PT

I was impressed. I had the opportunity to take lots of pictures. I took pictures of the lobby, the little group area for informal visiting, the movie theater area, as well as an apartment. The staff was very gracious. They showed me places like a movie theater or an area where they do puzzles and where they gather for visiting. They told me that some of the usual activities had to be discontinued because of the COVID. It was a very lovely place.

Connie

It was really nice. We liked it very much. However, it's far out from where our doctors and hospitals are. We have bad winters here and I do the driving, and I don't want to have to struggle too far to get to our doctors. It's fairly new, so it's really nice and clean. They walked through several rooms with us and they told us all about it. They told us how much it's going to cost and what things they could offer. It was very good. The room was very nice. It's new, so everything was clean, bright, and pretty. The staff were very nice. We liked everything about it, but we're debating whether or not we would want to travel the distance from that place to our doctors and hospital.

Marion

It was very good ... except for the food; it was not very good at all. The apartments were nice. It was a very nice facility. The personnel were very nice and very helpful. They provided cleaning services, which were excellent. They did not have an outdoor facility, a swimming pool, or jacuzzi. They had underground parking, which was very nice. The location was good. It was close to some restaurants and a shopping area. The staff was very good. The food was very bad, sometimes it was not even thoroughly cooked.

Bob

It was a nice facility. We got to look at a small one-bedroom, but there's not enough storage space inside of it, and nothing in the bathroom area whatsoever. The staff member did a pretty good job and answered the questions we had. The two-bedrooms were all occupied. It was comfortable and clean. We enjoyed the meal, and the chef came out and talked to us. It was a good and well-presented meal. They talked to us about the activities and the transportation services.

rjess

Excellent facilities...many activities for residents...friendly and helpful staff...warm and friendly atmosphere...lots of resident get-togethers for fun and fellowship

Theresa

The reason we ended up going to here is that both assisted and the independent living's arrangements were exactly the same. Also, it didn't feel as much like a hospital. The assisted living is sort of like apartment living, but with the same services that the other community was offering. My father-in-law was really struggling with moving into any kind of community, and so this is a better fit for him. They have posted everywhere the different meals that they have. They have three meals a day. They offer a great variety of healthy food. My father-in-law is in there for congestive heart failure, but the food is healthy and edible. We are always seeing people in the game room playing pool. Also, there are lots of opportunities for buses to take the residents out to grocery stores or shopping centers. They have lots of different sitting areas. They have a full movie room where they watch movies and/or play sports. The community is very active. There are lots of residents always walking around.

Provider Response

Linda100131050

My dad was in their nursing home. I felt that he got a lot of attention. They were very attentive to his needs. He did do well. He had therapy and what was needed to regain strength, and they did take care of him on one-on-one. They also communicated to the family any special things that were going on or the needs that he had or what. One time his blood sugar got really low, and they called me after the incident and told me what was going on. They communicated well with the family. It was almost like across the board that they are very concerned and take care of the people. The staff was always happy. You didn't walk in and felt like you were getting in their way. They were always very happy. I do recommend the facility. I feel that they are concerned health care providers. It is a nice facility. The area that I was in was very clean.

Susan95119050

It was too far out from where mom wanted to be. Everyone was very nice. I was a little disappointed that we had to wait an hour after we came in with an appointment. The rooms were nice, clean, and comparable in size. They have pretty much everything everybody has like exercise, church, movies, cards. and Wii bowling.