Wesley on Grand

04/05/2026

Happy Easter from all of us at Wesley on Grand!

We hope you had a wonderful day filled with family, friends, and special moments.

To our incredible team members who go above and beyond to make Easter meaningful for those we serve—thank you. Your compassion and dedication do not go unnoticed, and you are truly appreciated. 💛

04/05/2026

Rejoice - He is risen! On behalf of everyone at WesleyLife, we wish you a blessed, hope-filled Easter Sunday. Please enjoy this greeting that our president and CEO, Rob Kretzinger, sent to team members last week.

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Easter offers us something we all need: a quiet invitation to slow down and notice what matters. I don’t know about you, but as spring approaches, I want to be outdoors. On my walks, I notice signs of renewal all around me, and I’m reminded that each day is a new chance to make a difference.

A Scripture verse that comes to mind when I think about this season is from Isaiah 43:19: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” It’s a reminder that growth and possibility are always unfolding, even in moments when they can be easy to miss.

Across WesleyLife, we see growth and possibility lived out every day. They can be present in small acts of kindness, in moments of reassurance, and in the trust placed in us by those we serve. Each interaction carries an invitation to live life with a greater sense of meaning, to lean into hope, and to pursue joy. That is both the privilege of this work and the responsibility we share.

As I prepare to retire in a little less than two months’ time, I’m thinking of my own renewal as I seek God’s plan for my next chapter. The fact that I’m able to prepare a “second act” is a testimony to what we do as a health and well-being organization; in previous generations, retirement was a time of rest. I’m looking forward to a little of that, sure … but mostly, I feel overwhelming gratitude for the health that will allow me to continue to make some kind of impact, and to be present and active with my wife, our children, and our six grandchildren.

I’ll leave you with this: The earlier we work on our health and well-being, the better. Please fill your body with good food, move naturally, connect regularly with those you care about, and partner with your health care provider on ways you can maximize your one precious life.

Whether or not an Easter celebration is a tradition for you, I wish you in the days ahead some time to rest, to spend time with the people who mean something to you, and to reflect on the difference you make. Your presence matters. Your work matters. And the impact you have reaches farther than you may ever know.

On behalf of our leadership team, thank you for all you bring to WesleyLife and to one another.

04/03/2026

03/30/2026

Last week’s specials at Vita at Wesley on Grand were incredible! If you haven’t had the chance to stop in and dine with us yet, we’d love to have you—you won’t be disappointed.

Vita is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5:00–7:30 PM—perfect for a relaxed and delicious evening out.

Be sure to follow Vita at Wesley on Grand on Facebook to stay up to date on our weekly prix fixe menu and any seasonal offerings. There’s always something new and delicious to enjoy!

03/30/2026

03/28/2026

More evidence that everything in life is about the connections and relationships we form:

Last night, members of the WesleyLife team attended a Turkish dinner hosted by the Des Moines Area Community College Culinary Arts program at the Iowa Culinary Institute. We are proud of our strategic partnership with the DMACC program, and our team members enjoyed a wonderful evening.

The experience was especially meaningful for Maureen Onyeziri, our director of organizational learning. Maureen writes:

"Meeting this woman was the highlight of my evening. Her name is Gloria Mariette Okpara, from Nigeria. She’s Igbo (my tribe). During chef introductions, I heard her name and immediately knew her country and tribe.

"While they were walking away after introductions, I said 'Thank you for the amazing dinner' and 'Well done' in my native Igbo language, and she immediately came over to hug me! She also met me on my way out at the end of the night and said how pleased she was to hear someone else speak Igbo to her in Iowa. She called it a rare experience since she moved here, and it made her heart swell."

We are happy Maureen and Gloria were able to connect in such a real and organic way. A big "thank you" to Krista Adams and her culinary team for facilitating unique opportunities not only for the residents we serve, but for the team members who execute and support the serving!

03/26/2026

✨ What’s the difference between Assisted Living and Enhanced Living?

At Wesley on Grand, we know that care is not one-size-fits-all—and sometimes, a little extra support can make all the difference.

Our Enhanced Living is designed for individuals who need more assistance than traditional assisted living provides, but don’t require long-term care. With a higher staff-to-resident ratio and more personalized attention, residents receive the support they need while maintaining comfort and connection.

💙 Enhanced Living offers:
• More hands-on, individualized care
• A smaller, close-knit environment
• Continued access to all campus life and activities
• Peace of mind for families

We currently have openings available, and we would love to help you explore whether Enhanced Living is the right fit for you or your loved one.

📞 Reach out to Amy Bassett at 515-271-6505 to learn more or schedule a tour.

03/22/2026

Discover the cost of senior living, factors that impact it, and the true value these communities provide.

03/18/2026

We had so much fun at Wesley on Grand celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a festive Pub Crawl for our residents! 🍀

Our amazing team set up themed tables with delicious food and drinks, bringing a little Irish cheer to every stop. It was such a joy to see everyone enjoying the experience and celebrating together.

Grateful for a team that goes all in to create meaningful, fun moments for our residents. 💚

03/14/2026

A trip to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden was just what we needed to ward off the winter blues! 🌿🌸
The warmth, sunshine, and beautiful flowers were a welcome change of pace and the perfect reminder that spring is just around the corner. A wonderful day spent enjoying nature and good company.

03/09/2026

Wesley on Grand recently hosted a blood drive with the American Red Cross, and our community truly showed up to help save lives.

Our goal was 19 donations with 23 scheduled appointments, and we were grateful to have 31 heroes register to donate, including 12 new donors. In total, we collected 19 whole blood donations and 6 Power Red donations, for a total of 25 units of blood that could potentially help save up to 75 lives.

Thank you to the Red Cross for partnering with us and helping make this donation drive possible. Giving back to the community and helping restock blood banks is so important, and we are honored to play a small part in helping others. 🩸❤️