The Oaks Retirement Community

Jennifer

My parents are in The Oaks Retirement Community, in a 2-bedroom apartment that's very clean. The facility is very clean with very friendly staff. They have three meals a day included in the price, and they're very pleased with the food. It's healthy and well-prepared. They have both independent and assisted living, my parents are independent, and they have a nice community there with activities. It's smaller than some of the other communities that we looked at, but that makes it easier for them to have full access to the other residents in that regard. So we have no complaints with The Oaks. They also have 1-bedrooms aside from 2-bedrooms, and they have several open right now, I was surprised. They have an indoor pool and hot tub, they have a game room, and an exercise room. They have a beautiful outdoor porch looking out with a gorgeous view. They have activities weekly including bingo, and they have some organizations that come in, I know my parents have arranged some card-playing things, and they also have craft-type of things. They also have a movie room, and there's a laundry facility on every floor, and it's easily accessible. They have a maid service that comes in once a week to change their beds and do their towels and sheets and all that's included in a price that's very reasonable for both my parents, at under $3,000 a month. They're currently trying to improve on some of the activities.

Ronda

My father-in-law will be moving into The Oaks Retirement Community this December. I've been there several times. It was the best price, and it was just a beautiful place. When I went and visited, I talked to different people , and everybody was nice. The people that worked there were all very nice. I dropped in several times, not announced, and I got to see them without an appointment. It was all really good. They have a gym. They have a game room, and they have a pool and a hot tub indoors. They have a beautiful patio outside. They also have a theater room and a chapel. They have a beauty shop and barbershop. People come in like once a week or once every other week. They make appointments and do people's hair.

Branson local son

My sisters and I had been struggling with what to do with my 80 year old mother who lived alone at her home. Mom had said she never wanted to go into a "home". When mom started to lose some weight and we were unsure if her meds were being taken on time, we began to seriously investigate home health care or other options. Due to a fall in her bedroom, we finally agreed that she needed full time 24/7 care. We visited the Oaks for a screening that afternoon and got her checked in. Within 2 weeks, Mom looked so much better since her meals and meds were completely under control. The Staff at the Oaks (all of them) were Excellent in their supervision. They had us on speed dial and updated us on those days we did not visit...yes, I said "visit". Mom entered in July of 2020 during the peak of COVID. When other facilities were locked down, the unique design at the Oaks enabled Mom to step out onto her private balcony where we could visit with her "outside". We were very concerned about making the decision to get help with Mom but never regretted The Oaks at all. Best thing we could have done. I believe they helped her final months be much better than we could have done ourselves. Thanks Kelly, Amy, Joe, Laken and ALL the Staff..

Sam Burton

We moved my parents into The Oaks in October of 2019. My dad was suffering from congestive heart failure and my mom has severe dementia. My dad's condition worsened where we had to remove him from the Oaks in April of 2020 because of the difficulty in getting him out of the facility in an emergency. He subsequently passed away the next month. During my parents stay at the Oaks, I was pleased with the level of care by both the administrative staff and the care givers. As with any facility of this type, the evening care givers is the only weak point I noted. During their stay at The Oaks the level of communication in dealing with my dad's declining health was excellent. Their willingness to go above and beyond what they were contractually obligated to do was always appreciated. Even though my dad was always a gentle soul, his last months found him in an agitated state at times and the staff did an excellent job of dealing patiently with him. When the corona virus restrictions kicked in, they worked with us to communicate with my parents by video conferencing. The staff also provided a couple of visits from afar, the family on the grounds, and my parents on their second floor balcony. We are still caring for my mother at home, but will return her to The Oaks when the corona virus restrictions have been lifted without reservations, as long as the current staff are still there. They were easy to work with and look forward to working with them again in caring for my mom.

Cindy Heider

Since you are reading this review, you may be considering The Oaks Assisted Living facility as an option for a loved one. I was in that position in January of 2020. My 88-year-old mother had been hospitalized for the fifth time in six months and we were told that she could no longer safely live in her home. I agonized over the decision to place her in a care facility and researched the options within a 50-mile radius of Branson. Quality care was our first priority since my mother was a Type 1 diabetic with complications of congestive heart failure. We needed a facility that was clean and inviting; one that felt like a home but with help available 24/7. We needed a facility that could accommodate my mother’s dietary and social needs. After looking at a variety of facilities in the area, we choose The Oaks and were so glad we did. Let me tell you why. Before the COVID crisis, I visited my mother every day. I wanted to know that her room was routinely cleaned, her meals met her dietary needs, she was getting to socialize with other residents which she enjoyed so much, and that her medical and personal hygiene needs were met. I was never disappointed. The staff were consistently caring and attentive to her. She was happy and making new friends. They checked on her every two-hours to be sure she had everything she needed and was well-cared for. When COVID closed care facilities to visitors, I was devastated. The staff were amazing at keeping me informed about my mother’s health. They made sure she was exercising as much as she was able and exercised with her so she had company to engage with. They had spa days where her hair and nails were done by staff since non-staff providers were not allowed in the facility. They sat with her and talked to her about her life and family which meant so much to her. It kept her mentally and socially engaged with others. One day I called about 4:30 pm and spoke with a staff member whose shift ended at 3 pm. When I asked if her shift had been adjusted, she replied that she just wanted to spend some time with my mother as she seemed a little down and she wanted to cheer her up. This “going above and beyond” behavior is typical of Oaks staff. A caring and compassionate environment starts at the top and the Assisted Living Administrator is one of the most caring and thoughtful people I have ever met. When she says, “I just love your mom”, she means it. She takes the time to know the residents and what can brighten their days. The Director of Nursing is amazing. She is so positive and careful about medications and medical care. I didn’t need to worry about my mom’s rather labor-intensive medical care, the Director of Nursing made sure she was current with all medications and treatments for my mom and the med-tech staff were equally knowledgeable. There were several times when Kellie called me to say she had just checked in on my mom on her day off because she wanted to be sure things were perfect for her and to provide an update. Near the end of my mom’s life, evening staff would call me as they were helping my mother to bed and let her talk with me as she was not able to use a phone independently. I could go to sleep knowing that my mom was okay for another night. The same was true for the daytime staff, I would call and they would make sure I could talk with my mother at any time. This told me we had made the right decision in choosing the Oaks. They were consistently caring and upbeat about making sure my mother’s life was respected and comfortable. Hopefully the COVID crisis will end soon. In the meantime, The Oaks provides a safe and caring living environment for those needing that type of assistance. Check them out. You won’t be disappointed. Cindy H.

Jody

My mom has lived in The Oaks for 3 yrs. She is comfortable, well cared for, gets great meals, has help anytime she needs it. I never have to worry about her. She is 88.