WesleyLife Corporate Office, located at 5508 NW 88th St, Johnston, Iowa, is the main hub for a network of senior services and communities spread across Iowa, and it's been around since 1947, so it's seen a lot of changes in how people want to age and live, and though it calls itself Iowa's most comprehensive provider, what really sets it apart is the span of options it gives to older adults who want to keep as much independence as possible whether that's in their own homes with things like home care, Meals on Wheels, palliative care, and hospice, or through a move-in option like independent living, assisted living, memory care, or long-term care depending on what's going on health-wise, and they operate eight communities, places with names like Wesley on Grand, Halcyon House, Heritage House, The Village, Park Centre, Edgewater, Hearthstone, and Brio of Johnston, where folks can choose what fits them best, and then on top of that, they offer adult day services in Des Moines and Newton for those who may just need a hand during the day.
WesleyLife, a nonprofit run with Christian compassion under principal officer Rob Kretzinger, supports nearly 10,000 older adults a year with things like medical care, meals, transportation, fitness programs, and even help with paying for care, because they have funds, such as the Good Samaritan and Good Shepherd Fund, to help those who've run low on money but want to stay in their apartments or townhomes, and with a staff of about 1,300 employees who look after all the residents and clients, they try to keep a good caregiver-to-senior ratio, respecting the licensing requirements, like safety and health checks, though outside groups haven't verified every license detail.
This organization centers much of its work on keeping seniors active in mind, body, and spirit, offering things like social programs, fitness through services like the WesleyLife Fitness Hub, gardens and outdoor spaces for relaxation, and clubs or activities to foster friendships and fight loneliness, and because they believe in helping people enjoy life, they focus on a lifestyle that blends healthcare and independence, including specialized dementia and memory support services, which aren't always easy to come by, and they have a full range of care levels, from short-term rehab and skilled nursing to at-home support and home-delivered meals. In 2023, charitable donations helped many clients stay at home rather than having to move, showing that WesleyLife makes a clear effort to back up its mission with action.
WesleyLife also puts time into programs that reach the broader community, like community nutrition, intergenerational programming that brings young and old together, and the WellAhead program supporting well-being at home, and for those wanting to keep fit or meet people, there's the Well at Wesley Wellness Center Membership, which supports better health. Regular weekday hours run from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, and most things they do are really about making life a little easier, safer, and more connected, whether someone needs round-the-clock help or just a meal and a check-in once in a while. WesleyLife works to transform the way people think about aging, aiming to help folks live their best lives with as much independence, health, and joy as possible.
