Retirement
Des Moines and central Iowa have a growing number of opportunities for retirees. Numerous senior communities are growing up around the metro area, and many activities and programs are available for retirees. The weather limits the population of retirees somewhat, especially in the winter, when some older residents depart for warmer climes, but Des Moines’s wide array of cultural and recreational activities keeps some in the area year-round.
Many seniors take advantage of Des Moines’s superb cultural offerings, including the symphony, theater companies, and opera in nearby Indianola, as well as the area’s wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities, notably the many miles of walking and cycling trails that wind through the city, suburbs, and surrounding towns. The city’s compact size and relatively short travel times to shopping and other amenities also make Des Moines an attractive option for seniors.
1. Aging Resources of Central Iowa
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (515) 255-1310 or (800) 747-53
Address: 5835 Grand Ave.
Description: A good place to start for retirees is Aging Resources of Central Iowa, a nonprofit clearinghouse of information of interest to seniors, including links to government agencies and organizations like AARP, as well as adult day care and other providers of health, nutrition (including home-delivered meals), recreation, transportation, and other services. They also have information on community activities and can provide confidential assessments to retirees who are interested in exploring their options for independent living, including referrals to home-based and community services for seniors.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Retirement
Address: 1914 Carpenter Ave.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Retirement
Address: 1914 Carpenter Ave.
4. Senior College
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (515) 244-0361
Address: 1200 Grand Ave.
Description: A cooperative effort involving local businesses and several area colleges and universities, Senior College offers a long list of short-term courses throughout the year. Classes cover a wide variety of subjects, including history, science, religion, foreign language, and art. Classes generally meet for a few hours one day a week for a few weeks and take place at locations around Des Moines, including college classrooms, churches, and senior living centers. Some classes are held at locations central to the class topic, such as the Des Moines Playhouse and Des Moines Botanical Center, and there are also one-day excursions to museums and other sites in Des Moines. Fees are charged for tuition and class materials.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Retirement
Address: 4520 Hickman Rd.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Retirement
Address: 13731 Hickman Rd.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Retirement
Address: 9225 Cascade Ave.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Retirement
Address: 2909 Woodland Ave.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Retirement
Address: 2571 Guthrie Ave.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Retirement
Address: 3520 Grand Ave.