Everything I said in my last review is still true but I have upgraded my review from 3 to 4 stars based on improved food offerings and our overall satisfaction with the facilities, staff, activities and neighbors. We are in our early 80s and the majority of our fellow residents are 5-10 year older but we have established some good relationships that we value. Maintenance in the facility is top notch. If something breaks, it gets fixed quickly and efficiently. Every week, there are interesting excursions to gardens, theaters, museums and performances at minimal cost and included transportation. An extensive assortment of fitness activities, a fully equipped exercise room and an indoor pool are first rate. Finally, we feel that the food offerings have improved noticeably to a level on par with what I would cook myself. We do not expect to ever see restaurant grade offerings or food that is exotically spiced but we are satisfied with the everyday fare. We are confident that we made the right choice to move to Wesley Des Moines read more

See all

This place values money over its employees! High turnover rate. Home health workers have to work off the clock to stay under a limited time frame. Complaints among many employees flow like water from a dam that's burst, however, positive feedback is enforced with penalties if an employee doesn't post at least 3 a month. Residents and their families have voiced concerns over rising costs contrasted by less staff and longer wait times for assistance. The food served to the residents is dismal. At breakfast, the food is either burnt or gelatinous from sitting in a pan too long. Bistro food is good, aside from the stale desserts. The food served to the memory care residents is low quality and and difficult for them to eat it. For being a Christian based company, why does it feel like it's ... not.. read more

Wesley has been a corner stone in the S.Puget Sound area for the past 40 years. When my mom needed a safe and secure place to live we interviewed numerous places. Wesley had just completed their new building for independent living. Its a beautiful facility. some of the staff are nice and helpful. Others not so much. They are so focused on the beauty of the building they pay low wages and are ALWAYS under staffed. and numerous people wear numerous hats. They promote their community as being age in place , but if you need any assistance the director services (Kaileen) and the director of Nursing (Carl Ball), will tell you how its not their job to help with your family member who lives in independent living. ( its not as if it was asked to do it for free) As though someone outside of assisting living should never need help. Carl told me that Nursing needed 48 hours to be prepared to administer meds to my mom after being released from the hospital. He then told me I was interfering with his afternoon?? seriously like the hospital knows they are discharging a pt 2 days before they do it ? My mom was discharged from the hospital on a Friday afternoon, When I asked if there was a way to get her a ride home and get her meds set up I was reminded that she lived in independent living . CARL is a 1st rate JERK So disappointed in the management of this community. the under pd care givers and staff are kind . All are over worked . THEY SHOULD DO MUCH BETTER, but they only care about raising more money for their next EXPANSION PROJECT . read more

My family's experience may have been a one- off, so will not go into details about our difficult experience having our family member live at Wesley Des Moines. One strong recommendation is to have an attorney review any contract before you sign it and have clarity about the eligibility for financial assistance if residents run out of the ability to cover private pay. Wesley does not accept Medicaid. read more

The food is tasteless and doesn't reflect what the weekly menu order has recommended by the patient. Nice CNAs but care is uneven. Very little dr attention even when there is a notified issue. Go somewhere else. read more

My husband, Jim, and I are on the waiting list for a cottage at the Des Moines community. We are excited about Wesley being our new home. The staff has been marvelous in showing us around, on several tours, and answering our many questions. The staff is caring, competent, friendly, and there are enough of them to do their jobs well! All the dozens (yes, I've talked with dozens) of residents I've talked with love living at Wesley, and all are so welcoming and friendly. Before finding Wesley, Jim and I toured numerous senior communities. Wesley is the only community that felt like home, where we would want to live. We feel God led us to Wesley, and we are so thankful. Liz read more

I feel compelled to share my concerns about the conditions at Wesley. It's the reason I've told my son to never put me in a retirement home. The administrator seems more focused on the building's appearance than on the well-being of the employees or the residents. From what I've seen, her attitude comes across as insincere, almost like a "Karen" vibe, and it's clear she does not genuinely care about those who work there. Employees are unhappy and quitting regularly, which speaks volumes about the environment. Can you imagine having someone who dislikes their job taking care of your loved ones? I see staff members act like they're attentive when the state comes for inspections, but outside of that, it's a different story. Residents are often left ignored, and I hear cries for help that go unanswered. It's heartbreaking. You can have the most impressive building on the block, but if the inside isn't cared for, what's the point? That's what Wesley is-- a beautiful exterior with little to no care inside. If you value your loved ones, please consider looking elsewhere. I know I will. read more

We continue to have problems with Wesley as well as Home Care. Administration does not return calls

I used to work here. and it was just a mess if you want to find a place that lets you grow this isn't it. Not only when I had moved up as a sever here but I was never appreciated for how hard I had worked not only to keep things running smoothly but also help out the residents that needed some extra support No not only was I told by my manger that they had a better opportunity for me somewhere else I was back where I started as a dishwasher Also most of the mangers and management in general is just awful they say they care about you but they no not they will change your schedule without your permission say they are going to meet up with you and talk to you about your pay and never show up oh and let me tell you about the pay I started here at 15 dollars and hour guess how much it when up in the 3 years I was working here. If you guessed 16 dollars you would be correct not only when I would try to ask about my pay I was dismissed all the time and said that I needed to wait a month since we were all apparently getting a raise?? The work is not that much to do but it is even harder on us since their are only three people MAYBE four on a good day but most of the time it's either two or three people dealing with a big dining room. now you must say maybe it's not that hard because it is self serving? No. The amount of times that the mangers had come and told us not to do the things we have been doing for the longest of time (which everyone was fine with before) but no we couldn't fold silverware in the dinner we couldn't highlight names nothing everything had to be changed. Also they are trying to push full time service which is fine. IF WE HAD THE STAFF TO DO SO I don't know who was thinking of changing the self serving to full time service but it just isn't possible also while I was their I had talked with the residents themselves and most of them had said they would rather serve themselves than be served. Also the fact that they can pay to have a robot get dishes and not pay your workers properly is insane. Now people reading this thank you for reading this company has made my blood boil sometimes basic run down do not work here. you will not be appreciated for your hard work that you do every single day. Also if people at this work see this note this you had lost a person that had actually cared about this place and would actually show up to work. Sorry if their are any grammar mistakes I'm just trying to give you yelp people the most honest review I have of this place. Also don't send your love ones here most of the nurses that I had seen do not care about your loved one. read more

I wouldn't PAY somebody to live at this facility. My Mother was in a terrible accident and needed a skilled nursing facility/rehabilitation center. This place is a JOKE. They are not equip to deal with trauma patients, they don't have the staff, equipment or knowledge. They struggle to follow SIMPLE doctors orders and their "bath policy" is once a week. ONCE a week! I brought my Mum baby wipes and her doctor ORDERED them to bath her (is how disgusting it got) and they still are not bathing her and in fact told her that baby wipes were not sanitary and she couldn't have them. Her entire lower body is mangled and the "physical therapist" tried to make her use a walker (both legs are braced, her ACL/PCL are torn, fractures throughout feet, legs, CRUSHED pelvis, multiple fractures) and her excuse for forcing her out of bed AGAINST doctors orders: I didn't read the chart. There was a near fatal medication mix up, that was written off as "the weekend staff are just not as good, it won't happen again." And the social worker has yet to address ANY of these concerns or issues. We are in the process of transitioning her, but honestly, I don't know how a facility like this even exists. Maybe they are okay as a retirement facility but they are DEFINITELY not a 'skilled nursing facility/rehab' for trauma patients. As if that all weren't bad enough, if she WEREN'T having these issues with terrible staff. Her DINNER tonight: A HOT DOG, BAG OF LAYS, SOUP and A COOKIE. WIFI does not work You want to relax, there is a Piano, 2 parakeets, PUZZLES and a VCR player. I used to think this facility looked amazing, even day one it SEEMED okay. Now, 2 1/2 weeks later it has become our worst nightmare. It's despicable. Do not send your loved ones here! read more

A great place to leave a loved one who might have molested you once. What A 100% Sh*thole. The staff is rude, short tempered and their bath policy is WEEKLY!!?!! The sadist who was charged with "bathing" my mother, took actual glee in causing her pain and then complained to HER that she was so tired of 'all the whining', as she dumped soapy water into her eyes. Oh, the best part is they threatened to bill her PERSONALLY if she didn't agree to stay an extra week. Re-read that part. You'd be better off dumping a relative in the parking lot of a Burger King. read more

The residents and staff of Wesley Homes are friendly and helpful. The grounds are nicely landscaped. The facility is intended for people who are capable of independent living. A couple of the one-star reviews are unfair. One of them complains about someone who did a poor job of bathing her mother. That was a worker supplied by Wesley Homes Community Health Services, and not relevant to someone choosing a place to live unless they are expecting to need that kind of help. A second review complained that the Health Care Center didn't provide adequate trauma care. Again, that is not the residential part of Wesley Homes. In any case, it cares for people recovering from trauma but is not a trauma treatment center, read more

It takes a lot of resources to operate a skilled nursing operation. What I admire most about Wesley Des Moines is its commitment to serve elders with not so much resources left. More than half of our residents who called Wesley Health Center their home are those that have very limited funds and would not have been able to access the services they deserve and need. Some don't have any family members around and our team members try their very best to fill that void. We understand, and feel honored and blessed, that we are serving the greatest generation ever, those who have worked hard to raise a generation that is us and who have made sacrifices so we can enjoy and remain free. So, we feel that we owe our lives to them. We do what we do, 24 hours 7days a week, to meet their needs even just for constant companionship, to hold their hands and listen to their stories so they never feel alone. We try our best to provide new and meaningful experiences with the hopes that they see that there's more to life, that they are significant. As much as we attempt to do our best, there are so many nuances in their daily lives and I know that we will not always be successful. When things like this happens, we will be first to feel miserable and sorry. For the most part, we laugh when our residents laugh. This lightens our hearts. Each day brings new opportunities for us to create meaningful moments and we are honored and blessed doing it. This is what motivates us to work in this field. The many I work along side with, they are my heroes too. read more

My parents lived at Wesley Gardens from 2001 until my father's death in 2007, and my mother's death in 2012. They both loved it, and said moving there when they did was an excellent decision. Both of them were at the health center (skilled nursing facility) in their final days. The care was excellent, provided by wonderful staff. I am forever grateful to the Wesley staff, for the experiences they gave my parents while living at the Gardens, and for the care they provided to my parents at the end. This is a good place, run by good people. read more

Wesley Homes Des Moines has been my home for the last year and a half and my wife and I can't be any happier. Wesley Homes is truly our home with a wonderful, caring family around us. We have found new friends who care about who we are and how it is going for us. The staff and the administration have been wonderful to work with. We don't believe we could find a better place to live. We also believe that this place has been a gift from God for us. read more

My experience with Wesley has been very different from Derek S. & Crystal R. The people were friendly and very hardworking. I love all of the events they hold for the residents & the public. I haven't always enjoyed the food, but they treated me well as a guest. read more

This place in near and dear to my heart. Yes its a non profit so sometimes its understaffed but the staff who are here are what make it such a wonderful place to live. My mother has been VERY happy here. There is always something going on here. The staff plans parties, classes, clubs, and trips galore! When it comes down to it you want your loved ones taken care of by the right people (people who actually care) and this is the best place for that. read more

We have lived here for 17 years as of July ,2015, first in a Cottage and the last 2 years in the Gardens Apartment Building. It was the best decision we ever made to move here and in my opinion has extended our life and provided us much enjoyment with many new friends and an abundant of activities.. read more

`This is an excellent retirement home. Great activities and a great place to live. Our selection was made at the right time and at the right place. There are numerous opportunities for residents to explore and expand their horizons in their areas of interest. I would highly recommend you give us a look. read more