Excitement Builds over Wesley’s Newest Community
(West Des Moines) Moving day won’t officially come until next summer, but already future residents of Wesley Retirement Services’ newest community, Edgewater, are getting the chance to meet their neighbors.
On Thursday, Nov. 6, Wesley hosted Edgewater’s “Fall Harvest” gathering of friends to kick off the holiday season. Comprised of both future residents and prospective ones, the event included musical entertainment by Des Moines’ own piano man, Scott Smith, where requests of old favorites set the tone for hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and lively conversation at the West Des Moines Marriott.
“We wanted to offer this as a chance for people to make new friends and bond as a community “family,” said Edgewater Marketing Director Cathy Berry. “It was fun to see people reconnecting. In some instances friends from long ago will now be neighbors at Edgewater!”
More than 100 people attended the gathering, including a couple that drove from Texas to be there. Berry said there are several residents planning to relocate from out of state to live at Edgewater. Situated on 50 acres of land 1 mile west of Jordan Creek Town Center on Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines, Berry said Edgewater is 80 percent reserved, a testament to its innovative design and Wesley’s strong reputation. Wesley operates five other retirement communities in Iowa, but Edgewater will be its first “active life community” built from the ground up from a philosophy of wellness in mind, body and spirit. Edgewater will include amenities such as a bistro with a hearthstone oven, performing arts center, aquatic center with heated pool, market, pub and strong programming for an adult education curriculum.
“This is the first time in history when people are living 20, 30, even 40 years after retirement,” Berry said. “Edgewater will be a vibrant place that offers people a secure environment to pursue their interests and be as active as they want to be.”
Like other Wesley communities, Edgewater will be a continuing-care retirement community with different levels of care available as residents’ needs change. The long-term care provided will be unlike anything else in Iowa and will offer advanced nursing and rehabilitation care in a residential setting designed to promote individualized care.
Berry said a good selection of floor plans are still available at Edgewater. Anyone who wants more information about the community or just information on “where to start” in planning for your retirement future is welcome to attend one of Edgewater’s upcoming seminars. Call 270-6789 for the complete schedule.
The community, which is expected to be complete by early 2009, will have nearly 200 full and part-time employees and be home to 239 older adults. Site plans for Edgewater include 135 independent living apartments and 14 villas, 32 assisted living apartments, 18 memory support suites and 40 skilled nursing beds.
About Wesley Retirement Services
Wesley Retirement Services, Inc. (WRS), is a nonprofit organization with an emphasis on providing services to seniors in a Christian, caring way, while promoting optimum independence and an active lifestyle. WRS owns and operates five continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) throughout Iowa (Wesley Acres in Des Moines, Wesley Halcyon House in Washington, Wesley Heritage House in Atlantic, Wesley Park Centre in Newton, Wesley The Village in Indianola, and Wesley’s newest community, Edgewater in West Des Moines). In addition, WRS serves older Iowans at home and throughout the community with Wesley Community Services (Adult day care in Des Moines and Newton, hospice, home care and health services through in Des Moines, Ames and Indianola and Wesley Meals On Wheels in Des Moines). For more information about WRS please visit the website at http://www.wesleyservices.org/.