WesleyLife

06/02/2026

We were honored to welcome the MS NOW national news team (including reporter Chris Jansing, pictured) to Wesley on Grand, our community for healthy living in Des Moines, this afternoon as they covered Iowa’s political landscape on Primary Election Day.

Wesley on Grand is one of several WesleyLife communities that serves as a neighborhood polling place, and we are honored to help make voting more accessible not only for residents, but for those who live in our greater geographical communities.

Our campuses are full of people who remain curious, engaged, and connected to the world around them. Today was a meaningful reminder of that!

06/01/2026

Today marks an important milestone for WesleyLife as Allison Pendroy officially begins her tenure as president and CEO.

Allison succeeds Rob Kretzinger, who is retiring after nearly 30 years of leadership with WesleyLife, including more than two decades as president and CEO. This transition reflects years of thoughtful succession planning, as well as WesleyLife’s continued commitment to growth, innovation, and service.

Since joining WesleyLife as chief operating officer in 2023, Allison has helped strengthen operations, support communities and services, and advance priorities that help older adults experience independence, health, well-being, and joy wherever they call home.

As we welcome Allison to this new role, we also honor Rob’s lasting impact and the strong foundation he helped build.

Read more about this leadership transition and Allison’s vision for WesleyLife in the link below.

Allison Pendroy begins her role as president and CEO of WesleyLife today.

05/30/2026

When a loved one needs medical help, an important consideration is whether that help should be temporary or permanent. Skilled nursing care alone can address short-term needs, but if a person has ongoing needs for medical care and more general support, long-term care may be a better fit. Learn more:

Learn about the overlap and differences between long-term care and skilled nursing care, including primary goals, costs, scope, and more.

05/29/2026

Today marks Rob Kretzinger’s final day as president and CEO of WesleyLife.

After nearly 30 years of leadership, including more than two decades as president and CEO, Rob concludes a tenure defined by vision, service, growth, and a deep belief in what aging can and should be.

Under Rob’s leadership, WesleyLife grew from five retirement communities serving about 1,000 people to Iowa’s largest and most comprehensive nonprofit provider of health and well-being services for older adults, supporting more than 13,000 people each year. But his legacy extends far beyond numbers. Rob challenged us to confront ageism, think differently about health and well-being, protect what matters most, and continue evolving in service to those we support.

As we give thanks for Rob’s leadership, we invite you to read this tribute reflecting on his impact and the future he helped make possible.

Thank you, Rob, for your vision, faith, service, and unwavering commitment to WesleyLife.

A tribute to president and CEO Rob Kretzinger on his final day with WesleyLife.

05/28/2026

Creativity does not have an age limit.

At Park Centre, WesleyLife’s community for healthy living in Newton, residents recently shared their talents during a craft fair showcasing handmade art, creative projects, and the joy that comes from making something meaningful.

For many older adults, retirement creates new opportunities to explore art, or to return to creative interests they once loved but may not have had time to pursue. Painting, crafting, woodworking, needlework, and other forms of creative expression can support holistic well-being by encouraging focus, connection, purpose, and joy.

We love seeing residents share their skills, celebrate one another, and remind us that creativity can continue to grow at every age!

05/27/2026

As we prepare to close out National Mental Health Month, please take a moment to read about one of WesleyLife's sales leaders and the impact she's making — not only in her own family, but in the families of those across Iowa who live with mental health challenges.

https://hubs.li/Q04j67Fq0

05/26/2026

Across generations, wisdom moves both ways. That adage came to life earlier this month at Edgewater, WesleyLife's community for healthy living in West Des Moines, where 44 Des Moines University Doctor of Occupational Therapy students spent time with 23 residents for meaningful, one-on-one conversations.

The students asked residents about their daily lives, what brings them joy, and what it means to live well at Edgewater. In return, residents shared stories, perspective, wisdom, humor, and lived experience.

Intergenerational connection is important to WesleyLife because it reflects what we believe about aging: Older adults are teachers, leaders, storytellers, neighbors, and contributors whose experiences continue to shape the world around them.

Interactions like these also help future health care professionals see older adults as whole people with full lives, personal goals, strong relationships, and meaningful routines. That understanding matters, as it leads to better care, deeper empathy, and stronger communities.

Both residents and students left the interview sessions with something valuable; the students gained insight that will help guide their future work, while residents enjoyed the opportunity to share their voices, experiences, and joy with the next generation of caregivers. A big "thank you" to Des Moines University for its partnership in this experience!

05/25/2026

On this Memorial Day, we honor our memories of loved ones who died while serving in the U.S. military. Our prayers are for all who have lost loved ones in service to our country, and for those missing other family members and friends as well. May your memories bring you comfort today.

Enjoy these photos from past years at The Village, A WesleyLife Community in Indianola, where residents decorate their campus for the holiday with more than 700 flags in honor of those who gave their lives in service. Next year, after the campus redevelopment has been completed, we'll likely see hundreds more!

05/24/2026

A group of residents and team members from Heritage House in Atlantic recently enjoyed a memorable three-day trip to Pella. Sales director Kennedy tells the story:

"The group stayed at the beautiful Cordova Cabins on Lake Red Rock and spent the week exploring local history, enjoying great food, and taking in some of the best sights Pella has to offer. On the first day, the group visited Vermeer Corporation, learned about the Vermeer family business, and toured the newly renovated museum. That evening, they enjoyed George’s Pizza on the patio at the cabin.

"The second day began with breakfast at the cabin, followed by a scenic bus tour of historic Pella, a walking tour of Central College, and lunch in the college cafeteria. Later, the group visited a wildlife refuge, where they saw free-roaming buffalo and elk. They also enjoyed a walk along the Red Rock Dam on the Volksweg Trail before ending the day with treats from Jersey Freeze Ice Cream and a cookout at the cabin.

"Before heading home on the third day, the group made the most of their final morning with a visit to the top of the Vermeer Mill, Iowa’s largest working mill. They also stepped back in time with a stroll through Pella’s Historical Village, including a visit to the Wyatt Earp home, before enjoying lunch at the Clover Leaf.

"Thank you to sister community Hearthstone in Pella for being such a gracious host and sharing your beautiful hometown with us. We can hardly wait for next year!"

05/23/2026

At Hearthstone, our community for healthy living in Pella, culture is so important that the campus selects a culture champion every month. For May, the honoree is Steve Scull!

Steve has been with Hearthstone since the community opened its doors in 2010 and serves as a maintenance team member. Colleagues describe him as loyal, knowledgeable, kind, and somewhat of a jokester. They report that he is popular with fellow team members and residents alike, and his impact is felt daily.

Congratulations, Steve, and thank you for all you do!