WesleyLife Hospice and Palliative Care

04/09/2026

Our team was glad to be part of the Jasper County Cares Coalition this week.

Aimee Spores, Director of WesleyLife Hospice and Palliative Care, and Adam Reiter, Account Executive with WesleyLife At Home, joined community partners for a strong conversation around supporting individuals and families across Jasper County.

Opportunities like this remind us how important collaboration is in making sure people have the support they need, when they need it. 💙

04/08/2026

Thank you, Out And About With Jamie Grout, for having us on and taking the time to highlight WesleyLife At Home and the services we offer. We appreciate the opportunity to share how we’re supporting individuals and families with home health, hospice, and more.

If you’re curious about what care at home can look like, this is a great listen. And we’re excited to be opening our new Newton location soon—more to come there!

🎧 https://www.spreaker.com/episode/wesley-life-at-home-podcast–71094719

🎥 Check out the shortcast:
https://youtu.be/9pUS-RsB41Q

04/07/2026

We are so proud to celebrate Jason Thornton for being awarded the Compassion Award for our psychosocial team.

Jason serves as a Spiritual Care Coordinator and was nominated by our hospice team—an incredible reflection of the impact he makes every day. His presence brings comfort, peace, and meaning to patients and families during some of life’s most vulnerable moments.

Grateful to have you on our team, Jason. This recognition is so well deserved. 💛

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.

***

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.

03/31/2026

Team Member Spotlight🌟

This week, we’re excited to spotlight Hospice CNA, Erin!

Erin started with our team in 2022 and is celebrating 4 years with WesleyLife At Home Hospice this October! Erin enjoys traveling no matter the destination and outdoor activities such as hiking and geocaching.

Erin states there is not a day that goes by that she is not grateful for having the honor of "walking someone home" at the end of life.

Thank you, Erin for all you do everyday to live out our mission and support those we serve!

03/30/2026

Today we’re celebrating National Doctors’ Day and honoring our hospice physicians, Dr. Jones and Dr. Edwards. We are incredibly grateful for your compassion, expertise, and partnership with our hospice team, and for the care you provide to our patients and families every day. Thank you for all you do—we appreciate you more than words can say. 💙

03/29/2026

Today, on Vietnam Veterans Day, we pause to honor the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of those who served during the Vietnam War. Your service and commitment to our country will never be forgotten.

At WesleyLife Hospice, we are deeply committed to recognizing and supporting veterans in our care and throughout the communities we serve. Through our We Honor Veterans program—where we have earned the highest level of recognition—we strive to provide compassionate, respectful care that acknowledges each veteran’s unique story and service.

This distinction reflects the dedication of our team through specialized staff training, meaningful outreach, and ongoing support for veterans and their families. We are proud to stand alongside those who have served and to ensure they are honored with the dignity they deserve.

Today, and every day, we thank our Vietnam veterans for their service. 🇺🇸

Today, on Vietnam War Veterans Day, we honor the strength and sacrifice of those who served during the Vietnam War. Your service shaped our nation, and your legacy continues to endure. To all Vietnam veterans - thank you for your service. Welcome home.

03/27/2026

As we wrap up Social Work Month, we want to celebrate the incredible social workers at WesleyLife At Home. 💙

Across our hospice, palliative, and home care programs, they walk alongside individuals and families during some of life’s most meaningful and challenging moments - offering guidance, support, and connection every step of the way.

Thank you for your compassion, dedication, and the difference you make each day. We are so grateful for you. 💫

03/05/2026

Our hearts are heavy as we learn of the loss of two Iowa service members in Kuwait.

Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, 45, of Waukee, and Sgt. Declan J. Coady of West Des Moines. We honor your service, your sacrifice, and the lives you lived in dedication to others. 🇺🇸

Our thoughts are with their families, friends, fellow service members, and the many community members grieving this loss. Moments like this remind us how deeply connected our communities are and how important it is to care for one another.

Grief can feel overwhelming, and support matters. For anyone struggling with loss, resources are available in our community, including:

• Community hospice bereavement support groups
• Individual grief counseling
• Military and veteran family support services
• Veterans & Military Crisis Line – call or text 988, then press 1, or text 838255
• Faith and community-based support networks

At WesleyLife Hospice, we are honored to offer bereavement support groups and grief resources as part of our commitment to caring for our community.

Today we pause to remember and honor the lives and service of these brave men. May their memories be a blessing, and may we continue to hold their loved ones, and all who are grieving, close in care and compassion. ❤️🇺🇸

02/24/2026

Today our team was at the Iowa State Capitol advocating for patients and families at the end of life.

WesleyLife is proud to support House File 2305, which would reduce delays in care by allowing court-appointed guardians to make timely end-of-life decisions—such as changing code status to DNR—without requiring an additional court order when clinical criteria are met.

Current requirements can delay hospice enrollment, prolong unwanted or non-beneficial treatments, and add emotional and financial strain for patients, families, and care teams. This legislation helps remove unnecessary barriers while maintaining strong medical verification and court oversight.

We’re grateful to Erin Cubit and the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Iowa for their leadership in bringing providers together to advocate for compassionate, patient-centered care.

Advocacy matters. Every voice helps ensure Iowans receive timely, dignified care when it matters most.

Right to left: Aimee Spores, Director of WesleyLife Hospice & Palliative Care; Erin Cubit, Executive Director of the Hospice & Palliative Care Association of Iowa; Aaron Wheeler, Vice President of Home and Community-Based Services at WesleyLife At Home and Diana Ferriss, Volunteer Coordinator at WesleyLife Hospice

02/17/2026

Grateful for the opportunity to partner with such incredible team at Altoona Nursing & Rehab who trust us to care for their residents and families during life’s most meaningful moments.

Collaboration like this makes a difference every day — and we’re honored to walk alongside you in providing comfort, dignity, and compassionate care. 💙

02/11/2026

Thank you to Jasper County Cares Coalition for the opportunity to share the impact of WesleyLife Hospice and Palliative Care across Iowa and within Jasper County. Your leadership in fostering collaboration and connecting community resources makes a meaningful difference for the individuals and families we serve.

We are grateful to partner in building a stronger, more connected community.