Focus on Living

Residents at Devon Oaks enjoy amenities that go beyond bingo and board games.

By: Ken McEntee
Date: 06/10/2009
If you have elderly parents, you undoubtedly want to give them the best personal care. But with a job that takes up your days and a busy evening schedule, you can’t be with them all of the time. The decision to move them into an assisted living facility is one of the hardest you will ever have to make.

“The biggest concern people have about moving into an assisted living facility is the loss of their independence,” says Carrie Zdilla, senior services consultant at Devon Oaks assisted living community. “When they live here, they aren’t losing their independence. They actually retain their independence while gaining more assistance and, in many cases, companionship. Staying in their own home, many seniors spend much of the day without people to talk to or without getting out very often.”

Assisted living offers a middle ground between independent living and nursing care.

Devon Oaks, located across the street from Crocker Park, in the heart of Westlake, offers assistance with activities of daily living—like dressing, grooming and eating—along with a myriad of social opportunities.

“Our residents enjoy activities and friendships while being relieved of the burden of some of the chores they can no longer handle by themselves,” Carrie explains.
Like laundry, for example.

Devon Oaks has a laundry room for residents who wish to wash their own clothes. But some residents would rather take in a movie and a bowl of popcorn at the community’s home theater while somebody else handles the laundry.
It’s all up to them.

“Our goal here is maximize independence for all of our residents,” Carrie says. “We offer four levels of care so that our residents can age in place. Many of our residents are very independent and only need a minimum of support. One of them still drives his own car. Others need more help.”
When Bill moved to Devon Oaks almost nine years ago, he was shocked to recognize another resident as an old high school crush.
 
After decades apart, they rekindled a strong friendship.

Devon Oaks is a member of the highly respected Eliza Jennings Senior Care Network, a not-for-profit organization that has provided care for seniors for more than 120 years.

Since the founding of Eliza Jennings home in 1888, Eliza Jennings Senior Care Network has blossomed into more than its modest beginning. More than 120 years later, the organization oversees a range of communities that cover the complete continuum of residential and community-based services for today’s older adults, including independent living, geriatric assessment, home health care, rehabilitation, respite, adult day care, Alzheimer’s and memory support care, assisted living, nursing and hospice care.

Devon Oaks’ rich décor and convenient amenities may remind you more of a resort than an assisted living community. The campus features walking paths, covered porches and a peaceful private courtyard.
An in-house coffee shop provides a welcome break from the activities of the day.

“Our residents eat when they want and order off a restaurant-style menu. There is always a choice of entrees and if someone wants a grilled cheese sandwich, or something else that isn’t on the menu of the day, we make sure they get what they want,” explains Carrie.

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