Edgewater-A WesleyLife Active Life Community

04/30/2026

Happy Global Intergenerational Week where we celebrated the power of connecting different generations! 🎉

This week we spent time together in fitness classes, volunteering with Meals from the Heartland, a community walk and a lovely evening celebrating our precious earth! 🌍

04/29/2026

Rare Memory Care Openings at Edgewater.
It doesn’t happen often—but we currently have immediate availability in our Memory Care suites at Edgewater.

Families love our personalized care, dedicated team, and now there’s even more to look forward to with our beautiful new courtyard coming together—featuring:

Fresh flowers
New walking paths

Bird feeders and peaceful outdoor views

If you’ve been waiting for the right time or the right place for a loved one, this could be

OneDay - Apartment Tour - Video by Lindsey Viet

04/27/2026

This week is Global Intergenerational Week. Our president and CEO, Rob Kretzinger, writes about why WesleyLife cares about this observance, how it informs our work, and how your efforts to connect with individuals of all ages can help combat societal prejudices toward older (and younger!) people. Please take a moment to read Rob's take on this important topic in the link below.

Intergenerational connections dispel stereotypes around aging. Our CEO discusses why this matters to WesleyLife, and why you should care, too.

04/26/2026

Thomas Jefferson made a visit to Edgewater on Friday!

History walked right through the front door at Edgewater, our community for healthy living in West Des Moines, on Friday.

Before stepping into his presentation to residents, “Thomas Jefferson” took a moment to greet Allison Pendroy, WesleyLife’s chief operating officer and incoming CEO, setting the tone for a morning that brought early American history to life.

Portrayed by The Rev. Dr. Jack R. Van Ens in full 18th-century dress, Jefferson invited guests into the spirited debates that helped shape the United States. From the first handshake to the final remarks, his presentation was an engaging reminder that the questions at the center of our country’s founding still resonate today.

Moments like this continue to illustrate that Edgewater is a place where opportunities for lifelong learning can come in unexpected ways!

04/23/2026

Together Edgewater residents, Northwest Waukee students and Des Moines University OT students came together to clean up the local green space we’ve adopted. 🌍

Throughout the day we also collected several towels and blankets to donate to a local animal shelter. ♻️

Lending a hand to save the land is the least we can do on this beautiful Earth Day!

04/17/2026

This week, we had Occupational Therapy students from Des Moines University present their final projects for their fieldwork study course with us. Residents really enjoyed getting to know the students and learn from them.

04/14/2026

Brookside and Cottages residents, their children, grandchildren and siblings all joined in for a fun and flavorful National Beer Day celebration this past week! Cheers! 🍻

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.

04/02/2026

Every Women’s History Month, we have the incredible opportunity to honor the strength, resilience, and achievements of women.

This year we had a wonderful presentation on the Women’s Army Corps, highlighting the brave women who broke barriers and served our country.

We also hosted a powerful panel of successful women who shared why community is important to them.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this month so meaningful!

04/01/2026

More and more seniors are discovering how artificial intelligence (AI) works. The younger generation can help us figure out new ways to use our cell phones as well.

It’s never too late to learn something new!

03/31/2026

WesleyLife's health and well-being focus manifests in relevant ways throughout all our locations. At Edgewater-A WesleyLife Active Life Community in West Des Moines, team members visit the culinary team every Monday morning to go through a series of stretches to help the teams prepare for their shifts. Edden G., events coordinator at Edgewater, offers her take: "(Stretching) makes the brain relax. It relieves stress and helps us get ready for the day!" Server Heidy F. echoes, "It's mentally helpful. I look forward to it every week!"

The two are pictured with, in foreground, Krista Adams, director of culinary excellence for WesleyLife. Thanks to all for keeping well-being front and center!

03/25/2026

We love welcoming multiple generations to connect and share their stories! Over spring break we had 40 residents and members of our community come together for a men’s intergenerational breakfast and conversation.

Thank you to everyone that attended, especially the Northwest Waukee soccer team for waking up early on their last day of break!