A Retirement Resources Blog for Seniors and Retirees – HOME

"Celebrating Life" mural honors aging in Des Moines community

Wesley Homes is proud to have played a part in the “Celebrating Life in Des Moines” mural across from the Wesley campus in Des Moines.  The 12×37 foot mural graces the wall of the QFC complex along SW 219^th street between Marine View Drive and 7^th Ave. S. 

“Wesley Homes has been a sponsor of the annual Bayside Champaign Brunch since day one,” said Sue Padden, Senior Service Manager for the City of Des Moines.  The brunch is the fund raiser for the Des Moines Legacy Foundation that raises money for many senior programs and in this case the mural honoring aging. 

“It took us three years to find a wall,” said Des Moines resident Nancy Stephan who took on the responsibility for finding a wall for the mural and getting the project started in her position with the Des Moines Arts Commission.

Just like a practiced docent, Stephan brought the mural to life through her stories about the people and scenes depicting the rich culture of Des Moines. 

Nancy Stephan shown next to her fiddle-playing image on mural

Stephan is, herself, pictured in the mural.  She’s the one playing the violin. “And the guy on the banjo is the famous American folksinger, Pete Seger,” said Stephan.

The artist, Chandelle Anderson, chose music as the central theme because in addition to being relevant to the local summer concert series it honors the history of the Draper Orphanage and traveling band that was located at the Des Moines beach park in the early 1900s.  Read the rest of this entry »

Sunday, September 26, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at Wesley Homes Des Moines 

Sunday, October 3, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at Wesley Homes Lea Hill in Auburn

You may win a trip for two to Victoria B.C. aboard the Victoria Clipper (a $400 value) or a catered dinner for up to 10 people at one of the Wesley Homes’ campuses prepared by Wesley Homes Executive Chefs.  

Our Autumn Harvest Open House features a farm stand with samples of fresh fruits and vegetables, local cheeses, and bakery items; a tasting of fall dishes prepared by Wesley Homes’ executive chefs; and presentations on safe and healthy edible gardening by a Garden Hotline Educator from Seattle Tilth.

Plus, a host of helpful resources will be available to talk with you. Learn about downsizing, move coordination and Easy Transitions from Benevia; selling your home through SASH, adult day care  from Elder & Adult Day Services, Wesley Homes Home Health care, and Wesley Homes Foundation.

Open House at Wesley Homes offers a great annual opportunity to tour our campuses and see a variety of resident homes, some with views of Puget Sound or Mt. Rainier. Residents will be waiting to greet you and answer questions about living at a Wesley Homes community.  Everyone will go home with a free miniature pumpkin. And those who visit Wesley Homes Health Center will enjoy an old fashioned ice cream cone.

Join us in Des Moines on Sunday. September 26th, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Exit off I-5 at Kent/Des Moines Rd heading west. Turn right on Kent/Des Moines Rd. Turn right again on International Blvd./Hwy 99 for about 1 mile. Turn left on S. 216th Street (Safeway is on the corner). Follow S. 216th to the bottom of the hill. Enter a Wesley Homes parking lot on either side of the street. Call 206-824-5000 for more information.

Join us at Wesley Homes Lea Hill in Auburn on Sunday, October 3rd, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Exit Auburn Way North off Highway 18. Turn right on 8th Street NE and cross the Green River. Turn right on 105th place and wind up the hill. Wesley Homes Lea Hill is at the top of the hill on your right. Additional parking and shuttle service  is available at the south parking lot of Green River Community College just one mile further east on 320th. Call 253-876-6000 for more information.

Established in 1944, Wesley Homes is a not-for-profit organization that offers a comprehensive network of housing and services including residential homes and apartments, adult day care, assisted living, home health care, restorative therapies, and skilled nursing care.  Wesley Homes Community Health Services is a separate Home Health Care agency serving clients throughout the Puget Sound region.

Lois Frank shown with her daughter Lois and son Joe

Lois Frank’s mother, who shared the same name as the daughter, passed away on April 27, 2010.  The elder Frank was a resident of the Wesley Homes Health Center since September of 2005. 

When she first moved into Wesley Homes Lois Frank was in her early 80’s.  She was suffering from mild dementia at the time.  Her daughter described the challenges her mom had adjusting to the move and how her mom’s attitude changed to become positive, and why. 

“She had been in the hospital as a result of a series of falls and the hospital personnel told us Mom needed 24 hour care,” explained Frank. 

“She could talk at that time, but she couldn’t dress or toilet herself.  She couldn’t walk,” said Frank, “After a while she was totally dependent on the Wesley Homes staff which was scary to see.  It was almost like watching the reverse of a baby growing in skills.  It was like my mother lost those skills in reverse.” 

“When we were looking for a place to care for Mom, we wanted to make sure she was safe and would be well taken care of.  Her care and the safety and cleanliness of the facility were our highest priorities,” said Frank. 

“We looked at other places and could not leave her with any of those.  We didn’t feel they were safe.  Some of those places should not be allowed to stay open by the State. It was just heartbreaking,” Frank said, “So when we found that Wesley Homes had an opening we were thrilled.” Read the rest of this entry »

Marcella and Herman Wright enjoy the patio of their new home surrounded by family members left to right: ): Katie Meredith, Ryan Meredith, Elaine Meredith, Ellen Joslin, Morgan Joslin and Megan Joslin

The day I arrived to follow up on how Herman and Marcella Wright were doing in their new brownstone apartment at Wesley Homes Retirement Community, I met six of their family members who have been very involved in helping the Wrights get resettled. 

The Wrights moved into Wesley Homes Lea Hill on July 16^th.   This is the 2nd part of a two part “before” and “after” the move series. 

The first interview “Moving Day into the Wesley Homes Lea Hill Brownstone Apartments” covers their thoughts on selling their home during a recession, why they made the move now, and the move-out experience.

Today there wasn’t an unpacked box in sight and everything appears to be in place and arranged comfortably. 

The conversation this morning revolved around the family “taking Grandma shopping” and the discoveries made about the lay of the land. 

“This is like a ‘fun park’ is how one daughter described the grounds.  “We like the theater,” said a granddaughter.  “The pool is awesome, “shouted out another.   “I want to be old”, said Ryan, age 11, joining in to express his enthusiasm for his grandparents’ new home. Read the rest of this entry »

Move Day - Herman and Marcella Wright watch their belongings loaded into moving van supervised by SASH client service managers

Herman and Marcella Wright, a couple of young and spritely seniors were all packed up and ready to move Friday July 16th to their new apartment at Wesley Homes Lea Hill. 

The Wrights have some interesting stories to tell about living through three different economic turndowns; they moved several times as a result of their careers as Boeing employees.     

The process of selling homes, even during a recession, is not new to them.  They’ve weathered the storms and the challenges of multiple relocations philosophically – and it’s made them very adaptable.   You get the feeling they have “broad shoulders”. 

So when they got a call from Wesley Homes that the floor plan they wanted was available, they accepted the opportunity and made the move within 60 days. 

“We had anticipated making this move a couple of years down the road,”  said Marcella, “ but we’ve both said we’re glad we made the move now. “ Read the rest of this entry »

Campus Administrator, Scott Hulet, proudly displays Results of The Arbor's compliance survey

On June 2^nd Wesley Homes Arbor “passed with flying colors” the annual licensing and compliance survey conducted by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). 

The unannounced survey is conducted yearly and for the third year in a row The Arbor received the highest results – that of zero deficiencies in the resident environment and services provided by Wesley Homes Lea Hill and their talented staff.  Read the rest of this entry »

As June 18, 2010, Wesley Homes is on record as the owner of a piece of property in Puyallup, WA. Preliminary plans are to construct a new campus, similar to Wesley Homes Lea Hill in Auburn, consisting of approximately 80 residential apartments, 48 housing with services apartments, 16 memory care apartments, 52 brownstone apartments and a future care center with 30 accommodations for those needing skilled nursing.

“Now the fun begins,” said Kevin Anderson, President/CEO for Wesley Homes. “We have a lot of work to do with our architect, development agent and the city of Puyallup to make sure the numbers make sense. We expect to begin preliminary marketing within the next six months.”

Puyallup will be Wesley Home’s third campus offering retirement housing and care for older adults. “We strive to serve retirees from moderate income professions such as school teachers, clergy, small businesspeople and firefighters/police officers,” said Anderson. “To make housing affordable, we count on private donations and  business partners that share our vision.”

To receive information about the new Wesley Homes in Puyallup, please contact Christine Tremain at ctremain@wesleyhomes.org or 206-870-1104.

Lisa Meinecke joined Wesley Homes as the new Resident Services Director on May 18, 2010. She brings with her 18 years experience as a Director of Social Services in the continuing care retirement industry.  Meinecke grew up in West Seattle and lives with her husband and two children in Fife Heights.

When she interviewed for the position she was truly amazed by the residents and the vibrant community.  “When you walk through Wesley Homes and see them filming, or participating in social activities – and even the resident council – they’re alive and full of energy and that’s what I was looking for,” she said. Read the rest of this entry »

Standing: Andy Herron, Bob Witman, Bill Humphries, Mal Bailey, Bill Nelson, Gordie Hefford, Ed Miller, Harry Keiffer. Kneeling: Will Gerring, Doc Huff, Dr. Ralph Reed, Ken Hoben

Wesley Homes veterans were honored on June 3, 2010 at the Second Annual GRCC Veteran Coin Ceremony at Green River College. 

The ceremony was presided over by Deb Casey for Veterans Council Recognition and included presentations by faculty members and veterans Carsh Wilturner, Marianne Jacobs, and honored speaker and veteran Pete Lewis, Mayor of Auburn.

Each resident was presented with a “challenge coin” in the tradition of the highly coveted military coins worn by military personnel to signify pride, honor, achievement, unity and espirt de corps.  Read the rest of this entry »

Chef Neff teaches how to pick a tomato for taste, not looks.

Make changes in your diet to bolster your health.  You’ll feel better, have more energy and be able to maintain your active lifestyle.  That was the advice of Chef Cary Neff, as he entertained a full auditorium of Wesley Homes residents and guests invited to “Flavors 450”, a live cooking and tasting event May 27, in Des Moines, WA. 

You can re-train yourself – how to look for food, how to shop, how to store, and how to cook healthier, OR . . . you can go ahead and make the move to Wesley Homes, Des Moines Campus and be well ahead of the game.  Read the rest of this entry »