Union Park Health Services
Retirement Living
2401 E. 8th Street, Des Moines, IA 50316
Union Park Health Services is located in the heart of old-town Des Moines, next to the Union Park Carousel.
Operated by 5 Star Quality Care, which runs 103 communities in our directory.
Union Park Health Services is licensed for 70 beds, about typical for the area, where senior care communities in Des Moines average about 70 beds.
Medicare rates this community 1 out of 5 stars overall, a score based on health inspections, staffing levels and quality measures. Communities in Des Moines average about 2.5 stars. The individual scores differ noticeably: 3 stars for staffing against 1 star for health inspections, so it is worth reading both before deciding. Its most recent standard health inspection was in December 2025 and recorded 19 deficiencies.
Residents receive about 3.5 hours of nursing care per day on average, including 0.9 hours from a registered nurse. Nursing staff turnover over the past year was about 70%, which is high and can affect continuity of care.
The community is located in POLK County, IA.
Inspection record
In its last three standard inspections and any complaint visits, federal inspectors cited 66 problems at Union Park Health Services. 3 findings involved harm to a resident, including 2 that put residents in immediate danger. 31 came from investigating complaints by residents or families.
In the last three years Medicare fined this home twice, a total of $36,875.
Findings from the most recent inspection cycle
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Put residents in immediate danger, one or a few residents
Resident Rights
Ensure the transfer/discharge meets the resident's needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge.
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Put residents in immediate danger, widespread
Nutrition and Dietary
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, a pattern
Nutrition and Dietary
Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, a pattern
Nutrition and Dietary
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, a pattern
Administration
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, a pattern
Infection Control
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Resident Assessment and Care Planning
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Show 11 more
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Resident Assessment and Care Planning
PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Resident Assessment and Care Planning
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Pharmacy Service
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Infection Control
Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Resident Rights
Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Nursing and Physician Services
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Administration
Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, widespread
Administration
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, a pattern
Infection Control
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
A citation on its own does not mean poor care, and most are corrected within weeks. What matters most is how serious the findings were and whether the same problems keep coming back. When you visit, it is fair to ask the administrator what inspectors found and what has changed since.
Union Park Health Services offers nursing home care and independent living.
Facility details
- Organization type for-profit corporation
- Beds / units 70
- Nursing hours per resident/day 3.5
- Annual staff turnover 70%
- Last health inspection December 2025
Resident & family reviews
No one has shared a review of Union Park Health Services yet. If you or someone you love has lived here, what you saw could help another family make this decision with more confidence.