CEO Rob Kretzinger: Why WesleyLife leads the charge against ageism

By Rob Kretzinger, President and CEO

At WesleyLife, we believe aging is something to be celebrated — not feared, hidden, or dismissed. Yet too often, the world sends a different message.

That’s why Ageism Awareness Day matters deeply to us.

Ageism — the assumptions and limits we place on people because of their age — affects nearly everyone at some point in life. It can show up in subtle ways: a comment, a stereotype, or a missed opportunity. And it doesn’t just shape how we treat others; it shapes how we see ourselves. When we start doubting our own abilities as we grow older, we can unknowingly reinforce the same ageist ideas we hope to change.

I think about that often, because we’re all aging. No one is immune. As I grow older, I notice certain things that don’t come as easily. I’m not going to run a marathon anytime soon.

But that doesn’t mean I can’t get out and walk —I do, daily, because it’s good for my physical and mental health. Aging doesn’t mean you stop doing the things you enjoy, even if you have to find ways to adjust. It never means “less than.” In many ways, I agree with those who say life becomes more joyful as we age; we’re more confident, more in tune with who we are, and better able to spot and appreciate the good things in the world.

The idea that aging can be rich, vibrant, and full of purpose is at the heart of our work at WesleyLife. It’s what motivates our team every day to help people live life fully at every age and stage.

As Iowa’s largest non-profit provider of health and well-being services for older adults, WesleyLife has both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead this conversation. Guided by Christian compassion, our 2,000-plus team members serve roughly 13,000 older adults every day — in our communities, through our unprecedented network of home and community-based services, and wherever people need us.

When we say we’re here to change perceptions and experiences around aging, we strive to create a world where every person is valued — not despite their age, but because of it. We’re serving not only today’s generation of older adults but also shaping what aging will look like for tomorrow’s.

This month, and every month, I invite you to join us in “aging out loud.” Start a conversation. Challenge an assumption. Listen to a story that changes your mind. Because the way we see our own aging — and one another’s — will define the future we build together.