This eighty-acre continuing care community campus is nestled into a rural area close to the historic town of Oxford. Independent living residents are given preference for admission to assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, but there is no guarantee of lifetime care. The modern brick building cuts a lovely shape into the skyline with its steeple. Fresh flower arrangements, houseplants and a grandfather clock occupy the lobby. The focal point is the large chapel. Cathedral ceilings and a tiered stained glass window have a calming effect. Housekeeping staff and residents joined forces to make the beautiful quilt that mirrors the design of the stained glass on the opposite wall.
Oxford Health Center has four units spread over two floors. Residents’ rooms have either carpet or linoleum, and each has a large window. Neutral tones in the secured dementia unit are augmented by the attractive wood memory boxes that mark the entrance to residents’ rooms. The main common room is welcoming, with beverages, snacks and comfy furnishings. Small brass chandeliers dip into the upstairs dining room. Each unit has a cozy, clustered seating area with new recliners; fish tanks, parakeets, well-stocked bookshelves and entertainment centers make these nooks inviting. A fully equipped therapy room is on the first floor. The dementia unit has a secured courtyard and a kitchen is used by residents to cook and bake goodies. Dementia-specific activities take place in small groups with audio equipment utilized for residents who prefer solitary activities. The covered front entrance is popular due to its cushioned wooden benches. The rounded birch tree leaves shimmied in the breeze as we toured the courtyard of raised flowerbeds and small tables; avian visitors were more interested in the birdfeeders.
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On our visit, a fire drill took place. Staff assuredly moved residents into common rooms; at the end of the drill everyone was safely gathered and accounted for. (The only resident reticent to cooperate was Smokey, the house cat in the dementia unit, but even he was prevailed upon eventually.) At the end of the drill, residents cheered and staff reiterated what a wonderful job the residents had done. This same convivial spirit was evident throughout our tour. A few weeks prior to our visit, a handful of skilled nursing residents were brought to the community pool, which can accommodates wheelchair users. A photo gallery highlighted the excursion: elated expressions of both staff and residents spoke to the powerful emotions felt by residents who were able to stand in the water assisted only by float tubes. The interactions we saw spoke to a resolve on the part of this community to provide a care-driven and compassionate environment.
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