WesleyLife

03/14/2026

Earlier this week, The Village, A WesleyLife Community celebrated International Women's Day. Here's what the leaders there had to say about the day, and about the inspiring women they showcased in these photos.

"The Village such a special place to call home and be part of. From our inspiring residents to our passionate team members, the women of The Village bring strength, wisdom, compassion, and connection to our community every single day. They support one another, contribute in meaningful ways, and share kindness, laughter, and pride that make our community stronger."

Learn more about The Village - and its $49.5 million redevelopment, currently underway! Visit https://hubs.li/Q046NZsm0 to schedule your private tour of this community that means so much to so many.

03/14/2026

Purpose isn’t something you find once — it’s something you build through daily actions and choices. 🌟 Discover simple strategies to stay curious, connected, and fulfilled throughout retirement in our latest article. https://hubs.li/Q045h8ry0

Discover how to find purpose in retirement, with six practical steps you can implement to make this phase of life more connected and fulfilling.

03/13/2026

For decades, many people have assumed the goal of aging is simple: Stay in your home as long as possible. But the more relevant question is: HOW do you want to live as you grow older?

In a recent Forbes article, leadership expert Jann Freed explores why some older adults are choosing community living earlier — not out of necessity, but as a proactive choice for connection, activity, and peace of mind.

The story includes perspective from our own Rob Kretzinger, WesleyLife's president and CEO, who shares why making the move sooner can open the door to more opportunities for engagement, friendships, and purpose.

Read the article here:
https://hubs.li/Q046F5Yj0

03/12/2026

Sparkling kitchens. Thoughtful ingredients. Food made with care.

We are proud of the restaurants across our communities for healthy living, and the team at Circa 59 at Halcyon House-A WesleyLife Community in Washington, Iowa, recently illustrated why that is.

Circa 59 passed its annual health inspection with zero violations — a reflection of the care the team puts into cleanliness, food safety, and the quality of what is served each day.

That commitment shows up in the details:
• Fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, never canned
• Salad dressings, gravies, sauces, and many condiments made from scratch
• Quality, farm-raised meats sourced from an Iowa meat locker
• Hand-breaded shrimp, chicken, and pork tenderloins
• A professional baker preparing oatmeal dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls, and desserts in-house

Circa 59 is one more reminder that great dining is an important part of daily life in our communities. If you're near Halcyon House, stop by Circa 59, open seven days a week. Good food (and good company!) are always on the menu.

03/11/2026

WesleyLife Meals on Wheels' consistent goal is to impact food insecurity in Central Iowa by reaching as many older adults and military veterans as possible who could benefit from daily meal delivery and well-being checks. To that end, our executive director of community nutrition, Shannon Draayer, met with officials from the city of Bondurant, including city administrator Marketa Oliver, this week to discuss ways to better reach residents. Shannon and the team toured Bondurant's new Emergency Services building and took the opportunity to snap a photo!

03/11/2026

Edgewater-A WesleyLife Active Life Community in West Des Moines was proud to host tonight’s unveiling of the newest issue of dsm Magazine!

Welcoming neighbors and community partners onto campus is always a joy. The evening offered a chance to share the welcoming spirit of Edgewater, celebrate the latest issue of dsm, and connect with so many familiar faces from across the Des Moines community.

03/10/2026

Future health care leaders got a behind-the-scenes look at WesleyLife on Friday.

We welcomed 11 students from Drake University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences who are part of a career exploration course focused on non-clinical roles in health care.

During their visit, students learned about WesleyLife’s mission and heard from team members across several areas of the organization: People & Culture, Information Solutions, Operations, Finance and Accounting, Marketing and Communications, Philanthropy, and Meals on Wheels.

They also toured our WesleyLife Meals on Wheels campus, including our hydroponic farm, to see firsthand how many different roles come together to support the health and well-being of older adults.

What a great opportunity to connect with students who are beginning to explore careers in this field! A big “thank you” to Drake for its ongoing partnership.

03/08/2026

The women of WesleyLife shape our communities every day — as team members, volunteers, neighbors, caregivers, and the thousands of women we are privileged to serve across Iowa.

In honor of International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who make up more than three-quarters of our team members and whose compassion, strength, and leadership help others live with independence, health, and well-being.

This year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” reminds us that when we invest in one another, everyone benefits. As we recognize the many ways women contribute to work, family, and community life, we invite you to take a moment to celebrate the women in your own life today.

You also can learn more about the ways our work supports women through WesleyLife Foundation, whose efforts help fund WesleyLife Meals on Wheels, WesleyLife Hospice and Palliative Care, and other vital services throughout Iowa. Visit WesleyLife.org/giving today!

Together, we can help more women — and the people who love them — continue to live lives of purpose, connection, and joy.

03/07/2026

What do you want more of in retirement? What do you want less of? 💭 Our latest article helps you reflect and make lifestyle choices to support your well-being now and in the long term. https://hubs.li/Q044gKSK0

Understanding how to retire well involves more than just enjoying more free time — it involves building a sense of purpose and intentionality in this phase of life.

03/07/2026

Happy Employee Appreciation Day! (That’s “Team Member Appreciation Day” in WesleyLife language.) 😊

Launched in 1995, National Employee Appreciation Day reminds organizations that strong employer-team member relationships are at the core of business success.

At WesleyLife, a healthy, affirming organizational culture is at the foundation of everything we do. So, today and always, we want our team members to know how much they’re needed and valued, and how grateful we are that they’ve chosen to be here.

So, to each of our 2,000+ team members: Thank you!

03/05/2026

This week, residents across three WesleyLife communities for healthy living had the opportunity to spend time with the two executive leaders who are leading organization into its next chapter.

Wesley on Grand; The Village, A WesleyLife Community; and Brio of Johnston, a WesleyLife Community, each hosted town hall conversations with WesleyLife president and CEO Rob Kretzinger and chief operating officer — and incoming CEO — Allison Pendroy.

Residents asked thoughtful questions, shared observations about life in their communities, and heard directly from both leaders about what comes next.

For many, the town halls marked a meaningful opportunity for residents to spend time with Rob as he prepares to retire this June after decades of leadership with WesleyLife. It also offered them a chance to meet Allison and hear her perspective as she prepares to guide the organization into its next chapter.

Throughout the conversations, one message remained clear: The foundation that guides WesleyLife will not change. Our mission continues to lead the way: Guided by Christian compassion, we support the independence, health, and well-being of older adults wherever they call home.

Thank you to the residents of Wesley on Grand, The Village, and Brio of Johnston for the thoughtful conversations, warm welcomes, and strong engagement. Additional town halls will follow in the coming days.

03/04/2026

WesleyLife has a lot of everyday heroes. Some carry stethoscopes; some carry tool belts. Others carry ... a meat thermometer.

Our director of culinary excellence, Krista Adams, is known for having one tucked into her pocket at all times; you can see it peeking out in this photo! It has become a bit of a running joke; every so often someone asks, “Meat emergency, Krista?”

But it's there for a reason.

Not long ago, leftover food from a gathering at one of our campuses was set out in that community for team members to enjoy. Krista happened to be nearby and did what she often does: She grabbed her meat thermometer and checked the temperature before the food was served. That small step helped ensure everything met safe food-handling standards — a simple example of the proactive care she brings to her work every day.

Moments like these say a lot about the people who make WesleyLife what it is. Behind the scenes, team members across our organization bring knowledge, experience, and attention to detail that keep all of us safe and well.

Sometimes heroism looks like quick thinking; many times, it looks like compassion. And sometimes it looks like a meat thermometer in your pocket, just in case.

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Are you an everyday hero? Come work in an organization that will appreciate the specialties you bring to the table. Check out our position openings today at https://hubs.li/Q045yxqV0.