Nonprofits partner to revolutionize services for older adults in eastern Iowa, western Illinois

The boards of directors of WesleyLife of Johnston and Genesis Health System of Davenport announced they are collaborating to create a new entity that will serve older adults in the Quad Cities of eastern Iowa and western Illinois. The partnership will strengthen a common mission to pave the way for older adults in that region to lead healthy, fulfilling lives that focus on purpose and well-being.

The relationship will create an opportunity for the joined organizations to serve senior markets in both states through a comprehensive health and wellness network.

WesleyLife will bring its 72 years of experience and expertise serving older adults to Genesis Health System’s existing senior living portfolio. The new venture’s initial plans are as follows:

• Within the next several weeks, we will be identifying and announcing the partnership’s new name.

• We are in the pre-development phase for establishing a new senior living community in the Bettendorf area; and will also, then, be looking to the Moline, Ill., area to establish a new community as well.

• We will also look through the lens of our interest in reinventing the senior living experience, and identify the physical changes, expansions or new developments we will make to the Illini Restorative Care, Crosstown Square apartments, and West Wing Place campuses.

“As a broader-reaching organization, we will be better positioned to meet the needs of a growing, thriving population whose expectations are changing,” Rob Kretzinger, WesleyLife CEO, said. “This affiliation allows us to create a model by which hospital systems and senior living organizations align efforts to better impact the health and well-being of this population. We’re looking forward to serving a greater number of older adults in a more meaningful and efficient way.”

“This collaborative effort will benefit the senior community by aligning a wide range of services, positioning this new organization to be the single solution in the region for senior services,’’ said Doug Cropper, President and CEO, Genesis Health System.

“We’re excited to partner with WesleyLife, which shares our commitment to seniors and serving their needs.’’

WesleyLife has served the older-adult market in Iowa for more than 72 years, owning and operating eight communities for people 55 and older and serving thousands of additional older adults through a robust network of home- and community-based offerings. The organization provides home health care and services, adult day services, nutrition, transportation, hospice care, and public health nursing services to individuals who wish to remain independent at home.

Genesis Health System serves a 17-county, bi-state region of the Quad Cities metropolitan area and the surrounding communities of Iowa and Illinois. Along with its affiliates, the organization offers a full continuum of care, including preventive, primary, acute and tertiary hospital care; home health and nursing home care; hospice; and rehabilitation and long-term care.

Glen Roebuck, Executive Director of Home, Outpatient and Senior Living Services for Genesis Health System, said the goal of the new organization will be to utilize the skills, talent and direction already existing within WesleyLife and Genesis to focus on new directions benefitting seniors.

“This partnership brings the highest caliber of talent and strategic direction together to create a new, enhanced level of service, health care and accommodations for our community,’’ Roebuck said. “This is a significant investment for both organizations to support the senior health care community.

“Very quickly the benefits of this partnership will be visibly apparent as new senior living communities are developed.’’

Leaders from WesleyLife and Genesis Health System will work together over the coming months to define goals and logistics around joining the companies, with more information to be shared later this year.

Genesis Senior Living Aledo will remain under the direction of Genesis Health System, and is not part of the new company being formed. Genesis continues to examine opportunities to sustain these important services for the Aledo, Ill., community.