Edgewater News

When Bill Brantley and his wife, Helen, decided to downsize from their home of 40 years, they sought a community that promoted an active lifestyle. In August, they became the first couple to move into Edgewater, an “active life community” at 9225 Cascade Avenue in West Des Moines. It is the sixth retirement community in central Iowa operated by WesleyLife. The project has the look and feel of a hotel and targets residents age 55 and older in a variety of housing options.”We try to have this be as much as possible just a change of address, not a change of lifestyle,” said Janel Wells, vice president of marketing and communications for WesleyLife.

Excerpt from Des Moines Register story, read the complete article here.

Discovering the six dimensions of wellness. Writing about your childhood memories during a LifeBio class. Eating brick-oven pizza with friends at the Bistro or hosting a catered dinner party for friends. Taking in a ballet performance down the hall or taking a Tai Chi class in the morning. These activities represent a normal day for many residents of Edgewater, Iowa’s first active life community in West Des Moines.

“The vision to create a community that offers older adults active lifestyle choices with hospitality-driven amenities has become reality here at Edgewater,” said Rob Kretzinger, president and CEO of WesleyLife. “With more than 60 years of experience in the industry, WesleyLife has applied our in-depth understanding of the needs and interests of older adults to create an environment where residents are empowered to live an active retirement lifestyle that suites them.”

Iowa’s first state-of-the-art active-life community is now open in West Des Moines. Beyond the wellness amenities offered to residents and staff, Edgewater welcomes the broader community to take part in health programs offered like the LifeBio and some of the exercise courses. Located in the main building, The Marc Stephens Salon and Spa and the Bistro are open for the public to enjoy as well.

Read the full news release.

“Everyday at Edgewater I get to help change society’s perception of what aging means by leading a dynamic and experienced team and working in a community focused on redefining the paradigm around aging services.”

Edgewater’s Executive Director, Janet Simpson, was recently featured on DesMoinesRegister.com – check out the article here.

“Rob Kretzinger is an idea man with an appetite on a gray morning that plays out like a scripted commercial for what his organization calls an “active life community.”

A WesleyLife article by Kent Darr is featured in this week’s Des Moines Business Record. Check it out to learn more about the vision of Edgewater and the recent growth of WesleyLife.

More photos from last week’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“This is definitely not my grandmother’s retirement community,” said WesleyLife CEO, Rob Kretzinger — to an amused crowd of more than 150 current and future residents, West Des Moines council members and local business leaders during last week’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. Rob was telling the crowd that many of the new residents participated in an impromptu midnight pool party the night before.

Residents have been moving in since mid-August and already the fun-loving, active-life and wellness philosophy  is already becoming part of the Edgewater culture. Learn more about Edgewater.

State-of-the-Art Active Life Community Opens Its Doors in West Des Moines

Members of the media are invited to attend the official ribbon cutting ceremony marking the grand opening of Edgewater, the newest active life community managed by WesleyLife — a nonprofit organization that supports the independence, health and successful aging of older adults. Edgewater’s skilled care households are unlike anything in Central Iowa.

When: October 14, 2009, 3:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Where: 9225 Cascade Drive, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266

Edgewater represents a distinctively innovative approach to retirement living by offering a progressive wellness program, upscale amenities which are open to the public, as well as a revolutionized skilled nursing area. The 50-acre Edgewater campus includes independent-living apartments, private villas and offers the full continuum of care — including assisted-living residences, memory support suites and progressive “neighborhood style” skilled nursing households with a focus on wellness, hospitality, choice, amenities and service.

“From tai chi classes to LifeBio courses and Dakim Brain Fitness, residents are empowered with a variety of choices to help them age successfully. Our focus for National Active Aging Week is to offer a variety of exercise activities in a safe, fun environment,” said Abby Reynolds, Edgewater’s director of wellness.

In September the wellness team at Edgewater celebrated National Active Aging week with a variety of activities aimed to support the physical and social health of their residents. The recently-opened West Des Moines Active Life community promotes a holistic philosophy that focuses on the six dimensions of wellness — physical, emotional, vocational, social, spiritual and intellectual. Edgewater residents experience a wellness program that reaches far beyond physical health to build on individuals’ social engagement, spiritual enlightenment, emotional strength and intellectual health.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, older adults who choose to stay healthy both mentally and physically reduce their risks of heart disease and diabetes. Reynolds stresses the importance of physical strength, highlighting upper body strength and flexibility for older adults. Edgewater fitness classes are function-based and each move serves a purpose beyond strength — like ensuring flexibility and balance so older adults who are grandparents can easily pick up and carry grandchildren or continue to enjoy their favorite activities like golf, tennis or swimming.

Read the full news release.