Arbor Springs-West Des Moines

(515) 223-1135

www.arborsprings.org

Arbor Springs is a community devoted entirely to the care of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. We are different. We provide a holistic program in a uniquely designed home-like setting.

At Arbor Springs, we offer care for early to end stages of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias all under one roof.

Designed By Families...For Families
Two families with roots deep in the Midwest and extensive experience in elder care have formed a collaboration to create Arbor Springs.

The vision for Arbor Springs began with the Wurth family of Wichita, Kansas. The family has been involved in long-term health care since Chuck Wurth, Sr. opened Mid-America Health Centers in rural Kansas in 1969. Today they own and/or manage nine facilities. Sons Chuck Jr., Paul, and David have joined the company in recent years.

Recognizing the gaps in care for persons with memory loss, the Wurths went to work re-designing dementia care, creating a revised mission and concept for a dementia-specific care facility.

In 2001, Hawkeye Care Centers, Inc. joined with the Wurths to build Arbor Springs. Owned by Mike Hamm, Hawkeye Care Centers is an Iowa-based company that has operated five long-term care facilities since 1976. Together, as Arbor Springs, Inc., the families have planned, designed, and built the first stand-alone facility for dementia care in Iowa.

A Model Facility
Located in a residential area, a hallmark of the Arbor Springs facility is an award-winning design that offers residents the comfort, safety, and security of an environment similar to their own home.

The Arbor Springs state-of-the-art facility design is comprised of two symmetrical communities. The communities are arranged in six attractive neighborhoods. Each neighborhood is home to nine or 10 residents and all residents have private bedrooms and baths with memory box room markers to easily identify their home. Bedrooms are arranged in a non-linear fashion and open onto a large living room, with access to a warm country kitchen and outdoor courtyard.

The common area that connects the two communities is Main Street. A thoroughfare that includes a sidewalk cafe, wellness center, community room and hair care salon, Main Street serves several functions. It is home to reception and administrative offices, and meeting rooms. It enables residents to engage in activities one nor