Edgewater News

“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.