Bay Oaks Historic Retirement Residence sits on a four-acre, tree-canopied campus in the Edgewater Community in Miami, close to Wynwood, the Design District, Midtown Miami, and Biscayne Bay, and has carried on as a retirement residence since 1947, taking care of city founders, artists, military heroes, designers, royalty, and activists. The single-story building offers assisted living and independent living, with a licensed status under Florida License #5168, serving up to 32 residents in private and semi-private rooms that come with air conditioning, classic antiques, cedar-lined closets, and fresh flowers from the garden. The non-profit is a certified 501(c)(3) and accepts Medicaid.
Residents get help with bathing, dressing, toileting, walking, transfer, eating, and medication management, along with memory care for those with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, with both staff and ancillary services available around the clock and a 24-hour call system. Services include housekeeping, laundry, and a full-time concierge, with over 20 staff members-most employed for ten years or more-led by CEO Kathryn Kassner since 1998. There's a proactive visitation policy that lets family and friends visit as residents wish and requires only a brief infection control screening, and masks are optional unless requested.
Bay Oaks has earned a 5.0 rating from reviews, the Best Meals and Dining award, and the Most Friendly Community award, as well as recognition as Miami's best assisted living facility in 2023 by The Miami Herald and "best retirement residence" by Miami SunPost. Assisted Living Magazine and CBS Miami have both featured Bay Oaks for its high standard of care and partnerships during public health crises.
Residents enjoy nutritionally balanced, gourmet meals prepared by three professional chefs, with special diets like vegan, gluten-free, low/no sodium, and organic options-all served restaurant-style in shared dining spaces filled with gracious hospitality, with fruits and herbs grown right on the property. The community organizes lifelong learning classes in fitness, yoga, arts, music, and speech taught by trained teachers, along with religious services and recreational programs.
Handicap-accessible and pet-friendly, Bay Oaks offers high-speed Wi-Fi, extensive gardens, and outdoor seating. The campus promotes fresh air, exercise, and relaxation. The atmosphere at Bay Oaks gets described again and again as warm and homelike, with experienced and helpful staff who treat each resident like family, and many staff members have stayed for decades. The building keeps its historic charm, preserving original features while providing comfort with modern updates. The resident rooms are all unique, well-furnished, and include fine cotton linens.
Health care services at Bay Oaks cover incontinence care, diabetic support, and non-ambulatory care. There's transportation provided for shopping and medical appointments. Residents can join religious services, use fitness and recreation amenities, and enjoy social activities, all in a private, tranquil oasis in the middle of Miami. The gardens and common areas offer peaceful spots for relaxing and socializing, and the facility's small size helps make the close-knit, family-like environment possible. The philosophy at Bay Oaks puts focus on kindness, careful attention, and promoting independence as long as a person can enjoy it, all while upholding the history and gracious hospitality that's made it a steady part of Miami for over seventy years. Community photos show real residents and staff, going about daily life in a building that's seen generation after generation call it home.
