The Deery Suites
Deery Suites at Western Home Communities Cedar Falls campus.
HISTORY AND INNOVATION
When The Deery Suites opened in 2018 on Western Home Communities’ south campus in Cedar Falls, it marked the next chapter in a proven approach to care. With the support of a generous gift from the Deery family, the community built on the successful household model already in place at Western Home Communities that is centered on dignity, choice, and a true sense of home. A lifelong nurse, Marlene Deery strongly supported this model, where private rooms are connected to warm, community-centered living areas that encourage calm, independence, and belonging. Thoughtful design elements such as fireplaces, open kitchens, natural light, and inviting shared spaces reinforce the home-like environment.
From the beginning, The Deery Suites served individuals in need of both long-term nursing care and short-term skilled rehabilitation following illness or injury. As the needs of older adults continued to evolve, so did the community. Within just a few years, The Deery Suites transitioned to include Standard Family Assisted Living, expanding care options with assisted living for residents and families while also benefiting from the support of an additional philanthropic contribution.
By 2022, Western Home Communities began to recognize a growing gap in the continuum of care. Two distinct challenges had become increasingly clear:
Individuals completing skilled nursing stays who had exhausted insurance benefits and did not yet feel ready to return home safely, leaving them with limited and often difficult choices.
Individuals who still had care needs but did not require the full scope of nursing care, signaling an opportunity to better align services with evolving needs.
In both situations, the opportunity to strengthen and expand care options to better support individuals and families was evident.
Recognizing this gap, Western Home Communities reimagined what assisted living could be. In June 2023, the first floor of The Deery Suites was transformed into the Standard Family Assisted Living at Deery Suites—an assisted living environment designed to support both long-term residents and short-term transitional stays. The name honors both the Deery family’s generosity and the longstanding legacy of the Stanard family within Western Home Communities. The Stanard Family Assisted Living was dedicated at the downtown campus in 2000 following a family gift. In 2021, assisted living services were consolidated to the main campus.
That spirit of partnership continued in 2024 with the creation of the Brom Family Cottage on the third floor of The Deery Suites, with the support of a generous gift from Hovey Brom. A respected architect whose six-decade career helped shape the Cedar Valley, Hovey contributed to several Western Home Communities projects, including the design of Iowa’s first independent living retirement communities: Willowwood, Windgrace, and Windermere. After witnessing firsthand the care his wife Marge received following her strokes—and later experiencing that care himself as a resident of Prairie Wind and The Deery Suites—Hovey’s gift became a meaningful expression of gratitude and trust. Today, it stands as a testament to the relationships, vision, and shared commitment that continue to shape The Deery Suites.
FROM VISION TO EVERYDAY LIFE
John Focht’s journey to Standard Family Assisted Living at The Deery Suites began unexpectedly after a shoulder injury threatened his independence. The transitional assisted living model offered the perfect balance by providing a supportive environment that allows residents to heal, regain strength, and eventually move forward to independent living, all while maintaining their dignity and choice. “I didn’t think I needed assisted living,” John admits. “But I found the services allowed me to thrive at a time when I least expected.” He went from preparing for a trip to Wyoming to rehabilitating in a senior living community, a swift but transformative transition.
Guided by a personal motto taped to his door, “accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative”, John embraced the change with resilience and optimism. The phrase, borrowed from a classic tune, became his compass, helping him navigate uncertainty with quiet strength and a hopeful heart. John Focht is one of many beneficiaries of the Deery family and Western Home Communities’ commitment to advancing quality care, “I ended up here by accident, and I am glad. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
A stay at The Deery Suites offers residents and families direct access to the Jorgensen Plaza for Wellbeing, a hub of health, social connection, and spiritual care. Whether it’s music therapy, group outings, or volunteering at the Martin Center where his wife resides, John Focht embraced the many amenities, finding joy in reading, playing the ukulele, and connecting with others. “Color and music are vital parts of my life,” he shares, and the Spiritual Care team ensures those passions flourish.
“A big part of my role is creating an environment that feels comfortable, familiar and family-oriented,” said Julie Brandt, household coordinator. “We pay attention to the little details like daily routines, meals, activities and personal preferences because those are the things that truly make a place feel like home.”
Staff understand and live by the organization’s mission and core values, creating a shared sense of purpose that radiates through interactions with residents and families. Doug Stone recalled when his father first arrived for nursing care at The Deery Suites, “It is like being at home.” The compassion and care were “above and beyond imagination.” When Doug’s father, Rocky, once a lifelong barber, mentioned how much he missed his craft and shared a longing to cut hair as he once did, a trusting staff member, Rachel Harrison, had the privilege of helping make his dream a reality, nurturing his sense of purpose.
What began as a simple idea became one of Rachel’s most treasured memories as a staff member. With clippers and cape in hand, and the support of her team, they created a moment that restored dignity and joy, reminding us that age or setting should never limit meaningful experiences. “Watching his smile as he slipped back into his element,” Rachel shared, was proof that even small gestures can carry a profound impact, turning an ordinary day into something unforgettable. These moments, small but profound, point to the hearts and hands that make Deery Suites “home”.
Rachel poses with Rocky after he gave her a haircut.
Rocky cutting Rachel’s hair.
As John recovered, he was able to safely and confidently transition from Standard Family Assisted Living at The Deery Suites and eventually back to independent living. Behind stories like John’s is a care model intentionally designed to meet people where they are and adapt as their needs change. Spencer Steffy, Director of Assisted Living, who works closely with residents and families navigating those transitions, describes Deery Suites’ first-floor Standard Family Assisted Living as a critical bridge in the continuum of care. “It’s assisted living level of care, but it’s really an extension of our skilled services,” Steffy explained. “As people heal and go through therapy, it becomes a stepping stone, whether that’s back to independent living, another assisted setting on campus, or home. You still have access to everything you need, but you’re not paying for full nursing care. It gives people flexibility and a clear path forward.”
John’s journey reflected the freedom and flexibility that continuum of care provides. As the hub of that continuum, The Deery Suites houses innovative care solutions that radiate across the campus and beyond. Care plans adapt, support evolves, and independence is never compromised. At Deery Suites, as John expressed, every day is an opportunity to accentuate the positive.
