The Complete Guide to Healthy Senior Living in the Des Moines Metro Area

Healthy senior living is about embracing a holistic approach to well-being. We recommend that older adults focus on the following four areas to achieve a healthy lifestyle.

1. Move Naturally

Find ways to move your body naturally throughout the day, making exercise more sustainable and enjoyable. Whether you are strolling on a walking path, swimming laps in the pool, or taking a group exercise class in a fitness center, you can support enhanced energy levels, mobility, and independence as you age. 

2. Have the Right Outlook

Research tells us that having a reason to get up in the morning can help us live longer. Feeling a sense of purpose and looking forward to daily routines and special events can add years to your life. If you’re struggling with your sense of purpose, seek out ways to volunteer within the community, join an organization you’re passionate about, or spend more time connecting with friends and family.

3. Eat Wisely

There’s some truth to the old adage, “you are what you eat.” When your diet is filled with nutritious foods, you will find yourself with more energy to do what you love. Try swapping out foods low in nutrition for high-nutrient foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables (consider visiting an area farmers market for some locally grown produce). And remember that food can also feed your soul; find balance as you indulge in foods that provide comfort and pleasure. If preparing meals is a challenge, seek out restaurants that serve balanced, delicious meals or take advantage of a service like Meals on Wheels.

4. Be Connected

Creating relationships with others can be key to a long and healthy life. Find people who challenge, support, and grow with you. If you’re feeling isolated, you may want to consider community living. It’s much easier to meet new friends when you are sharing meals, attending the same programs, and living life together. Communities like ours are a hub for lifelong friendships between neighbors.

Why Is Healthy Living Important?

The National Institute on Aging notes that caring for your physical, mental, and cognitive health — even in seemingly small ways — can help you live a longer and more satisfying life. 

Focusing on overall well-being is a shift in perspective for many of us, but it is well worth the change in view. Once you experience a lifestyle full of opportunities to enhance different types of wellness — physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual — you will enjoy finding new ways to include those areas in your daily life.

By focusing on all aspects of your overall health, you can reduce your risk of mental and physical disease and enjoy a more vibrant life.

When Is Healthy Living Important?

Here’s the good news: It’s never too early or too late to begin thinking about how to live your best life as you age. Consider changes you can make now to make each day more active and fulfilling. This might be something small, like incorporating a new activity or habit into your routine, or a much larger lifestyle shift, such as a move to community living. 

Whatever healthy living looks like for you, this is your chance to start.

Do you feel it might be too late to prioritize physical movement, adopt a positive outlook, eat wisely, and foster meaningful connections? It’s not! It’s never too late to focus on your health and well-being and find new ways to enjoy life.

Take advantage of fresh air, sunshine, and everything the four seasons have to offer here in Des Moines. Are you looking for a new trail or an opportunity to get out in nature? How about group exercise classes or a recreational sports team? Here are a few spots and activities to try.

Walking and Hiking Trails

• Brown’s Woods: This forest preserve in southwestern Des Moines has plenty of oak- and hickory-lined trails. Lace up your shoes and take a hike (the autumn colors are stunning), or try your hand at geocaching.
• Strasser Woods State Preserve: With 40 acres to explore, you’ll find yourself returning here time and time again. Foraging for nuts, fruits, and edible mushrooms is popular in this area.
• Gray’s Lake Park: Relax by watching the water, stroll on the well-maintained path, or rent a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard.
• Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden: Enjoy the seasonal plants and flowers, take botanical classes, or even join a book club.
• Raccoon River Park: Blue Heron Lake is a part of Raccoon River Park — the “crown jewel” of the West Des Moines Park system. Grab your tackle box to fish or take advantage of the 500-foot-long swimming beach.

Group Exercise and Natural Movement

• Golf: Des Moines is home to a variety of impressive golf courses, so you can find the perfect spot to refine your skills or simply enjoy some fresh air and time with friends. 
• Cycling: Des Moines is a bicyclist’s dream, with more than 60 miles of paved trails that connect to more than 550 miles throughout central Iowa. Try out the trails for exercise or just to get from here to there.
• Yoga: From June through September, Yoga in the Park is a popular and free opportunity to connect with others.
• Snowshoeing: Try this creative way to keep moving during the winter months! Rent snowshoes from the Jester Park Outdoor Recreation and Wellness Center and enjoy them just about anywhere in Polk County.
• Swimming: Love to swim? The YMCA of Greater Des Moines has a Masters team, allowing you to find camaraderie while improving your swimming ability.

Sports

• Professional Sporting Events: Whether you’re a fan of hockey, football, baseball, or basketball, you’ll find a variety of exciting games to attend in Des Moines. These sporting events can be a great place to connect with fellow fans. 
• Recreational Sports: If you want to participate in a sport you love, Des Moines offers many adult sports programs, including pickleball, softball, basketball, and more. Sign up for a team or a tournament, and enjoy a healthy dose of exercise and camaraderie. 

Sometimes all it takes to meet a new friend is to share an experience. Des Moines has many social programs, meaning you can find plenty of ways to connect with others. If you love to write, draw, sculpt, or craft — or if you just appreciate the creativity of others — you can find exciting opportunities here in Des Moines.

Community Organizations

• Des Moines Public Library: Libraries are an excellent place to immerse yourself in community life. The Des Moines Public Library features social and educational programming for all ages.
• American Legion: Veterans should consider joining the American Legion. This community service program has posts throughout Iowa, including the Des Moines area.
• Des Moines Women’s Club: Women may enjoy participating in this local organization, which aims to preserve Hoyt Sherman Place and support arts and education throughout the city.

The Arts

• Live Performances: Catch an event and give a standing ovation at one of the many Des Moines Performing Arts venues, or experience the Des Moines Symphony — a staple in the city for 84 years.
• Des Moines Arts Festival: Typically held in June each year, the Des Moines Arts Festival is the perfect place to enjoy a variety of artists and their works.
• Hands-on Creativity: Spend a full day in the Des Moines Art Center observing the exhibits or taking classes. Or try your hand at sculpting at the Kunzler Art Studios and Gallery!

Hundreds of denominational choices in the Des Moines area make it easy to find spiritual fellowship. Want to expand your knowledge? There are ample opportunities to find a new class or program in Des Moines.

Spiritual Fellowship

• Places of Worship: Discover a variety of churches, synagogues, and mosques that represent numerous denominations in the city. Examples include The Gateway Church, St. Augustin Parish, Lutheran Church of Hope, the First United Methodist Church, the Temple B’nai Jeshurun, and the Islamic Center of Des Moines.
• Faith-Based Senior Living: You can also attend fellowship, worship, and prayer circles at your senior living community. Shared faith and values can be a strong foundation for friendship and community.

Learning Opportunities

• College and University Courses: Audit a class at one of the colleges or universities in the city, including Drake University, Grand View University, or Des Moines Area Community College.
• Parks and Recreation Nature Programs: Enroll in a seasonal program through the Parks and Recreation department to learn more about birding, paddleboarding, monarch tagging, or snowshoeing.

Senior living in Des Moines can give you ways to connect with others and meet personal goals for your physical, mental, and spiritual health. Communities make this balanced approach to well-being a part of daily life with amenities and programming that support your health and infuse every day with joy and fulfillment.

In addition to promoting healthy lifestyle choices and — in some cases — providing clinical support, senior living communities offer an environment where older adults can flourish. Enjoy rich relationships with other community members, and choose from a variety of events, classes, and informal gatherings to make each day just as laid-back or as involved as you like.

Senior living communities are nothing like you might expect if you haven't visited one in decades. Today’s communities are bustling places where neighbors wave hello, grab a coffee, and go for a walk before breakfast. Communities also offer convenience, with all the resources and amenities you need right down the hall or across the street. From fitness classes to pools and spas, opportunities to enhance well-being and enjoy life are available at every turn.

Older adults in the Des Moines area can also enhance their well-being by taking advantage of at-home services. These services are ideal for anyone who prefers to stay in their current home but wishes to enhance their lifestyle with a bit of extra support. 

The most comprehensive option is a continuing care at home (CCaH) program. These programs are designed to help members stay independent and healthy at home while securing affordable access to more extensive care should they ever need it. For example, WellAhead – A WesleyLife Well-Being Experience offers members access to wellness amenities from WesleyLife communities and the choice of a variety of at-home services each month. If members ever need more extensive assistance in their homes or need to move to a WesleyLife community, they’ll be guaranteed access to this care with no additional costs beyond their monthly WellAhead membership fees.

Whether through a CCaH program like WellAhead or as a standalone resource, at-home services can help you remain independent and enjoy greater convenience. WesleyLife home care team members can visit routinely to help with tasks such as getting ready, preparing meals, or walking the dog. They can also accompany you to and from appointments.

At-home services can also consist of medical support from clinical team members. These capable and compassionate professionals can help you address both temporary and chronic medical conditions in the comfort of your own home. For instance, they can administer medications, care for wounds, draw labs, and conduct health assessments.

If you’re committed to remaining in the place you love, at-home services can provide the precise forms of support you need to thrive at home for as long as possible.

We've been honored to serve the Des Moines area since 1947 — and we know our work is not done. We are championing a revolution in the experience of aging. We create transformative experiences that enhance a sense of purpose and well-being in the lives of those we serve.

We provide opportunities for health and well-being for adults throughout the Des Moines area, and our expertise goes beyond exceptional care and support. We create experiences that foster friendships, new learning, spiritual growth, and more.

Our approach is different from traditional senior living. We believe that everyone — no matter where they live or what challenges they face — deserves the chance to live a fulfilling and healthy life. Our commitment to serving adults in our communities and beyond ensures residents of Des Moines always have the support and resources they need to meet their well-being goals.

WesleyLife Services

We serve adults throughout the area, whether they live at home in Des Moines or in one of our exceptional Communities for Healthy Living.

We offer a variety of options when it comes to senior living:

• Independent Living in Des Moines is about joy, freedom, and new experiences in an all-inclusive, maintenance-free environment. Community members can settle into a townhome or apartment they love, enjoy their ideal balance of privacy and socialization, and take advantage of amenities that support their well-being.
• Assisted Living offers the amenities and services of an all-inclusive campus with the addition of personalized support. Residents receive assistance when and how they need it to enjoy a healthier, more convenient, and more independent lifestyle.
• Memory Support offers compassionate care in a safe and comfortable homelike setting specifically for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia.
• Long-Term Care provides skilled care and daily living assistance to residents with ongoing needs for medical support in a community where connections matter the most.
• Short-Term Rehabilitation provides therapy and support to clients who were recently hospitalized so they can confidently return home.

Our services aren’t just for those who live in our communities. Because we believe the pursuit of well-being can begin at any time and in any place, we also provide support to those in the greater Des Moines community:

• Home Care brings healthcare and support services into people’s homes, allowing them to stay where they feel most comfortable and get the support needed to help them flourish.
• WellAhead provides wellness coaching and supports the health and independence of older adults living at home while offering cost coverage and guaranteed access if a member ever needs more extensive care.
• Meals on Wheels fights food insecurity and social isolation in our community by delivering delicious, nutritious meals right to recipients’ doors through our team of volunteers.
• Adult Day through WesleyLife ensures individuals who need support and engagement during the day receive it in a safe and friendly environment.
• Palliative Care brings specialized support to individuals with serious health conditions. Palliative care teams address a variety of needs, such as pain management, mental health, and spiritual care.

Curious about what life can be like in a WesleyLife community? We welcome you to visit any of our senior living communities in the greater Des Moines area for a personalized tour.

Brio of Johnston

Just 20 minutes from Des Moines, Brio fits right into the neighborhood atmosphere. With beautiful grounds and friendly neighbors, you have everything you need to enjoy an amazing day.

Our Amenities

• State-of-the-art wellness center
• Credentialed fitness professionals
• Library
• Walking trails
• Pet recreation area
• Chapel
• Salon
• General store
• Onsite banking
• And more!

Our Lifestyle Options

• Independent Living
• Assisted Living
• Memory Support
• Long-Term Care
• Short-Term Rehabilitation

Edgewater

It’s no wonder West Des Moines has been on more than one “best-places-to-live” list. The perfect mix between the bustle of the city and the peace of nature makes West Des Moines the perfect spot for Edgewater. Here, residents are close to shopping, numerous dining options, and live entertainment.

Our Amenities

• Concierge services
• Beauty and barber shop
• Spa services
• State-of-the-art fitness center
• Event center
• Art studio
• Indoor saltwater pool
• General store
• And more!

Our Lifestyle Options

• Independent Living
• Assisted Living
• Memory Support
• Long-Term Care
• Short-Term Rehabilitation
  

Wesley on Grand

Located right in the heart of the city, this vibrant campus is an asset to the entire Des Moines community. Residents and the greater public enjoy a beautiful neighborhood with plenty of things to do, see, and explore. The historic Chamberlain Mansion, located at Wesley on Grand, invites guests daily into its lively pub and cozy B&B.

Our Amenities

• Outdoor patio
• Gardens
• Dining venues and catering
• Fitness and aquatic center
• Access to the Furbush Walking Trail
• Professional salon
• Performing arts auditorium
• Computer lab
• And more!

Our Lifestyle Options

• Independent Living
• Assisted Living
• Memory Support
• Long-Term Care
• Short-Term Rehabilitation

The Village

At The Village, you’ll enjoy a thriving community spread across a beautiful 37-acre campus. Plus, you can experience all the best parts of living near a college, from free classes to musical performances to tennis courts. With new independent living apartments and amenities underway, this community has even more benefits on the horizon.

Our Amenities

• Relationship with Simpson College
• Walking paths
• Flower and vegetable gardens
• Meditation garden
• Solarium and chapel
• Dining options
• Woodworking shop
• Professional salon
• Outpatient therapy services
• And more!

Our Lifestyle Options

• Independent Living
• Assisted Living
• Memory Support
• Long-Term Care
• Short-Term Rehabilitation

Senior living in Des Moines is full of variety and excitement. This area is the perfect place to experiment with a new view of healthy aging as you make balanced well-being a part of your plans. Spending time exploring the outdoors, moving your body, socializing with others, feeding your creativity, nourishing your soul, and learning new things are all vital parts of investing in your health and happiness.

WesleyLife can help you prioritize your well-being and transform the experience of aging. Ready to connect to new opportunities with WesleyLife? We would love to support you as you pursue your joy and make this promising chapter of life all that it can be.