About Heartwood
Our Story
Heartwood: An Extraordinary Environment for People with Memory Loss
In 2002, visionary founder Jason Schmitz imagined something different—an extraordinary home for people living with memory loss. Guided by heart and conviction, he founded Heartwood Senior Living with a single, powerful goal: to offer the very best in memory care.
From the moment you step into a Heartwood home, you can feel the difference. Every architectural choice, every room layout, every walking path and garden space was purpose-driven—designed from the ground up for memory care, comfort, safety and dignity.
Heartwood’s Guiding Principles
But more than bricks and mortar, it’s the guiding principles that define this place. At Heartwood, care isn’t just about tasks — it’s about people. Their “person-centered” model means the resident is truly the center: their choices, their story, their dignity matter. From the first day onward, team members focus on what each individual can do, and build around that with warmth, respect and creative support.
Heartwood doesn’t see memory loss as the defining feature—it sees a person with a story, with preferences, with life ahead. In that spirit, the homes are built to support freedom of movement, connection with nature, and daily engagement in meaningful activity.
Heartwood is Home
When families walk through the door, they don’t just find a facility—they find a team ready to know their loved one, welcome their story, partner in their journey. Because at Heartwood, success is measured in the moments of joy, in the comfort of familiarity, in the peaceful ease of being at home.
Over two decades as a family-owned business, Heartwood has grown and refined its approach—but the heart of it remains the same: residents live with dignity, families enter with trust, and caregivers serve with purpose.
The Heartwood Difference
Heartwood isn’t just providing memory care. It’s creating welcoming homes where design, service, philosophy and compassion converge—so that every person can live the fullest life possible, surrounded by support, respect and belonging.
Our Founder
Quality Care Delivering Peace of Mind
I, Jason Schmitz, founded Heartwood with the goal of providing individualized, patient-centered care for individuals living with dementia. I began my journey in the healthcare field as a caregiver at the young age of 18, following in the footsteps of my grandmother Sophie; as a child, my grandma would often tell me stories of her experiences working as a CNA – her passion for her work and love for the residents she cared for was always admirably evident, inspiring my passion for genuine, quality care at a young age.
During my ten years working either as a CNA or Director of Nursing, I realized an unfortunate truth – that individuals with dementia were not receiving the care they deserve. This reality inspired me to pursue nursing in hopes of making a significant improvement in the standard of care.
Over 20 years later, I can humbly but confidently say that I have achieved my goal. From the beginning, Heartwood has been a family-owned business, with my wife and I on-site every day throughout our years of service. Additionally, all three of my children also work at our homes in various roles. As a family, we are proud of what Heartwood has become and are grateful for the relationships we have built with our residents, their families, and the community.
Jason & Lynn Schmitz
We strive to preserve the values deeply embedded in Heartwood’s foundation, so you will feel at peace knowing your loved one is taken care of. Because at Heartwood, we know – there is nothing more important than family.
Jason with his
Grandma Sophie
Heartwood: A Dream Fulfilled
Jason’s dream was to provide the highest in quality care standards for each person, assuring the best of care on a daily basis. With his wife Lynn, three children, and plenty of family support and prayers, he opened Heartwood Senior Living in January 2002.
Heartwood Senior Living has been a huge success, both for Jason personally and for the community. People recognize the Heartwood passion for quality. His caregiving team continues its mission to provide care with dignity and the utmost respect. Elders with memory issues deserve to have the best care!
Join Our Team!
We are always looking for outstanding people who have a heart for service to join our team. If you are looking for a rewarding career that will expand your sense of self and community, we would love to meet you!
