Soon, older Wimberley citizens and their families can rest easier. A new assisted living and memory care residence is scheduled to open in June in the former Symphony building at 501 FM 3237. Named Wildflower Springs, the facility was purchased by Jana Gillis, executive director and operator of Lavender Springs Assisted Living Facility in Dripping Springs. Symphony lost its license in November 2025 following concerns of resident wellbeing and safety.
According to Gillis, “Our main goals here are to make Wildflower Springs feel like home, provide residents with exceptional care so they feel happy and comfortable, and give their families and friends peace of mind knowing they're in a place they love to live.” Gillis’ application of these goals are so successful at Lavender Springs that family volunteers of former residents come back to give their time and talents to new ones.
Jana and her husband Tommy are no strangers to the demands and nuances of providing support for family members. Jana was a stay-at-home mother and homeschooler of six children, who cared for Tommy’s grandmother, Aileen Gillis, for many years before purchasing Lavender Springs in 2015. At the time they cared for Aileen, there were no assisted living options available in the Hill Country.
Wildflower Springs will offer 16 assisted living suites and 16 suites for memory care. Jana will run the Memory Care unit and oversee operations and systems across both properties. Elizabeth Simpson, manager for the assisted living unit, will be responsible for its day to day management — social activities, employee scheduling, care plans and medication tracking. After training her replacement, Simpson moved from Lavender Springs to take over the management of the assisted living section in Wimberley.
Because of licensing protocol, Wildflower will open with three residences available in memory care and three in assisted living. The state will conduct an inspection to determine if everything is running smoothly and all protocols are in place before they will give the okay for Wildflower Springs to operate at full capacity.
Since purchasing Wildflower Springs, the Gillises have worked hard to create a residential feel for residents and their families. A new roof, plumbing repairs and upgrades, a recirculating hot water system, and a dramatic increase of light throughout the building are a few of the behind-the-scenes upgrades that have been made. Outside, new sidewalks have been poured in the resident gardens and the building of a gazebo is on the horizon.
According to Gillis, they have already hired a significant number of staff — caregivers, medical technicians and a nurse who will oversee medication administration and be on call for emergencies and guidance.
Full time direct care staff will provide personal care, give medications and staff the facility in shifts. Cooks, laundry and housekeeping staff will provide all meals and snacks, as well as laundry and cleaning services for residents. A visiting physician and a nurse practitioner, Ryan Carpenter, will visit weekly and provide 24-hour, seven-day-a-week clinical oversight and consultation. Tommy Gillis, Jana’s husband who retired from the City of Austin as a firefighter, has overseen the building rehabilitation and will serve as its maintenance handyman.
Interest in Wildflower Springs has been substantial and according to Gillis, there is a waitlist for prospective residents. To learn more about floor plans, pricing or to schedule a tour, call 512- 544-5900 or visit https://lavendersprings.com/location/wimberley/ .
