Oakwood Senior Living

Oakwood Senior Living sits in the old Oakwood Community of Knoxville, Tennessee, in a school building from 1914 that's been turned into a home for seniors, and you can really tell it was once a school when you walk the halls and look at things like the 12-foot ceilings, 9-foot windows, original doors, hardwood floors, and crown molding, which gives it a lived-in, kind of classic feel, plus there are 63 senior apartments in all sorts of layouts like studios, two-bed suites, and private suites, with names like Golden Oak, Oakmont, Royal Oak, Scarlet, and Willow, each one having kitchens or kitchenettes, cable TV, private bathrooms with walk-in showers, and windows that let in a lot of natural light. Residents can choose between assisted living and a secured memory care area, called The Retreat at Oakwood Senior Living, which is built for folks with Alzheimer's or other dementia, so their needs can be met in a safe space, with technology like bracelets for wandering prevention, extra security, and a separate building for memory care, and there's also housekeeping, grooming help, standby transfer assistance, and behavioral care for people who need it, including those with brain injuries or who struggle with incontinence, wandering, or physical outbursts, with nurses on staff all day and a doctor on call. There's medication management, including help with insulin and blood sugar checks, and visiting nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and podiatrists come right to residents on-site, so people don't have to travel far for care, plus there's physical therapy, wellness programs, and even short-term respite care if someone needs a break or just a little extra time to recover. There are lots of activities every month-everything from gardening and cooking classes to trivia, art, devotional services, shower and laundry help, karaoke, trips, and wine tasting, with a full-time activity director and programs like intergenerational meet-ups that get the younger people mixing with the older ones, so folks can stay social and stimulated, and there's also stretching classes, brain fitness, and even Wii bowling so the mind and body both get a little exercise. The building feels open and comfortable, with big, bright lounges, polished wood floors, nice furniture, a grand living room, TV lounge, craft and hobby areas, a billiards and library area, a residents' lounge, interior courtyards, and lovely outdoor gardens where people can take a stroll, and if someone wants to get a haircut or a massage, the beauty salon and barber shop onsite can take care of that, so almost everything you want is right there in the building. The Acorn Grille serves up homecooked meals three times a day, with a private dining room for small gatherings, and there's café-style, made-to-order dinners-plenty of variety, plus options for special diets like vegan or low-sodium, and snacks are always close by, so no one has to worry about going hungry. Residents get as much help as they need with things like bathing, dressing, toileting, reminders to use the restroom, and help with medication or everyday tasks, and supervision covers people at risk of falling, elopement, or those who need one or even two-person transfers, plus there's always someone around for emergencies because the property has an emergency call system, monitoring technology, and a secured memory care wing with specialized programs and care plans. Oakwood Senior Living is pet-friendly, allowing cats and dogs to move in with residents, and transportation is available if folks need to get out to appointments or shopping, with parking for those who still drive, and guests can even spend the night in one of the guest suites if there's space. Funding options reach from savings and insurance to veterans benefits and even help figuring out Medicare and Medicaid, and if someone's trying to plan the next steps or figure out costs, the staff can give clear information about that, too, with no hidden fees or long contracts needed to move in. It's a place where seniors can get independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care all in one location, so everyone can stay put even if care needs get bigger over time, and the focus really feels like it's on comfort and community for everyone living there.