Legend Assisted Living at Rivendell Highlands is conveniently located next to the city’s newer, expanding, upscale Rivendell neighborhood, between I-35 and I-44, and a brief ride to downtown Oklahoma City. Warm and bright with an emphasis on natural light, the well-appointed lobby and other community areas have a color palette that aids in low-vision challenges. We appreciate this attention to detail for older eyesight. Though each community on our list has its own merits, a low-vision color palette is something we haven’t seen mentioned in many communities, including No. 2 on our list: Village on the Park Oklahoma City.

Along with outdoor patio areas, these common spaces encourage residents to spend time getting to know one another, enhanced by a variety of group enrichment programs. It’s a known fact that social bonds increase longevity, so this is a great feature.3Legend at Rivendell Highlands promotes its open-concept apartment design and low-pile carpeting, important factors in helping provide for good mobility.4  Preventing falls is an essential part of maintaining health and longevity as we age, so we really like these designs.

Featuring assisted living, memory care, and respite care, Legend’s continuum of care allows residents to transition to a higher level of care, if necessary, without having to leave the community, which can cause added stress. We look for communities that offer multiple levels of care for this very reason. Also, not all assisted living communities offer respite care the way Legend does. This option offers family caregivers a much-needed break with the opportunity for their home-based loved one to have a short stay in the community. Many family caregivers experience burnout, which can lead to negative health impacts on both the caregiver and senior; we love when communities offer respite care, which can help prevent burnout.

Family members report seeing staff in the background at social events (where they don’t even know they are being observed), warmly, patiently, and supportively interacting with residents. “One of a kind,” “top-notch quality of care,” and other positive phrases are used to describe the community. Residents also report enjoying a wide variety of food choices for all palates.

Negative feedback related to lack of attention in memory care and theft of personal property are found in reviews that are several years old, but not in the last few years. This may indicate management has worked to improve the facility.

Staff reviews indicate Legend creates an “outstanding work environment” for them, something that typically translates to a positive approach to the care of residents.

Village on the Park Oklahoma City is located just .02 miles from the city’s famed Merrel Medley Park, site of holiday festivities, summer picnics (including Village on the Park’s own for residents), and more. The community is situated in a picturesque, safe, and family-friendly neighborhood with a village-like feel. Chatenay Square, located just .07 miles away, offers a variety of specialty shops and dining, including World Fresh International Market. The facility’s location is ideal for building community, enjoying regular outings, and staying social.

» Learn About: Activities for Seniors

Studios and one-bedroom apartments include 19 assisted living apartments, all ranging from 416 to 508 square feet. All units are equipped with an emergency response system. We’ve tested dozens of medical alert systems over the years, and we know just how important they are for preventing life threatening injuries after a fall or health emergency. For this reason, we appreciate when communities include emergency response systems in every unit, as Village on the Park does.

» Related Reading: Best Medical Alert Systems

We also applaud Village on the Park’s thoughtful single-story design, with no elevators to slow things down or stairs to climb. This design is ideal for those with mobility issues or residents at high risk of falling. Storage options are also available on the property. Like Legend Assisted Living at Rivendell Highlands, Village on the Park’s dining room is open all day to accommodate residents who may enjoy dining earlier or later than traditional mealtimes.

Similar to Legend Assisted Living at Rivendell, Village on the Park Oklahoma City offers a continuum of care, featuring independent living, assisted living, and memory care. This allows residents to transition as their needs evolve, all without having to leave the community, something that can add stress and force seniors to build new relationships and routines from scratch. We also like the community’s independent living options for older adults who aren’t quite ready for care but anticipate needing it in the future.

Running the gamut from “outstanding” to “amazing,” reviews posted by family members, caregiving employees, and dining staff are extremely positive, especially when related to management and working conditions. One married couple posted a review wondering why they hadn’t moved in sooner! Another review mentioned the facility’s high standards for hiring, reflected in excellent property maintenance and caregiving.

A negative review related to cleanliness in memory care was posted years ago, and a review about a possible violation in memory care was posted nearly a year ago. Still, the lack of negative reviews in recent months indicates that the community upholds a high standard of care today.

Founded in 2010, Village at Oakwood is unique among traditional assisted living communities, including the other facilities on our list. Featuring 90 affordable apartments measuring 545 square feet, Village at Oakwood works with government programs, including Medicaid — typically not accepted by assisted living facilities — that provide financial assistance to eligible older adults. Many seniors live on a low or fixed income (and assisted living doesn’t come cheap!), so we are big fans of these financial aid opportunities.

While it may not offer the variety of amenities or continuum of care other communities do, including Legend Assisted Living at Rivendell Highlands or Village on the Park Oklahoma City, the cost of assisted living at these properties may be out of reach for many retirees. Village at Oakwood is a viable alternative for low-income seniors. At the same time, it doesn’t skimp on daily activities, both on-site and off-site, for intellectual and recreational pursuits. Residents may enjoy trips to Bricktown, Oklahoma City’s downtown arts and entertainment district.

As mentioned, the Village at Oakwood does not offer any other types of care, like many of the other communities on our list do. That means it is best for those who don’t anticipate needing higher levels of care in the future or those who don’t mind transitioning to a different facility when the time comes. Because Village at Oakwood offers only one form of care, it can specialize in and focus on assisted living.

Over and over, resident reviews cite outstanding food. That’s the kind of feedback we like to hear! Several different residents also stated they prematurely entered skilled nursing facilities first, largely for economic reasons, when they could no longer live on their own but thought they could not afford assisted living. They are thrilled to now be in an environment that cares about and supports them, and where they have lots of choices about what they eat or do every day. Reviews also mentioned opportunities to make friends. Building community is critical for preventing social isolation as we age, so this is a huge plus.

Staff reviews talk about a highly supportive work environment, cohesive staff, and wonderful residents who truly appreciate them and are grateful to be there. Family members report a “courteous, compassionate, and attentive” staff.

Negative feedback related to the community’s failure to keep an agreed-upon appointment with a deaf individual for a standard nurse assessment — which is part of the admissions protocol for any assisted living facility — claiming they do not admit deaf individuals. If you are hard of hearing, we’d recommend consulting with the community first to better understand its policies.

The Mansion at Waterford is an elegantly appointed property in the Victorian style. Pricing is one of the many features that impressed us, which starts below many communities for a studio apartment at $3,500 per month. The property also offers one- and two-bedroom options starting at $4,000 to $5,500 for a range of square footage options. Companion suite units are also available, which allow unrelated residents to share a two-bedroom apartment as a cost-saving measure. This is excellent for those on a tight budget.

The community’s extra inclusion efforts are also exciting. Residents with total or severe hearing loss who use American Sign Language will reportedly find employees skilled at communicating with them. Around half of those age 75 and older have disabling hearing loss, so we are big fans of this. 6

» Resources for Seniors With Hearing Loss: Best Hearing Aids

Featuring assisted living and memory care, The Mansion at Waterford is a continuum of care facility, should residents with progressive cognitive issues need to transition to a higher level of care. The option to remain in the same facility mitigates the stress and upheaval that may result from a move. Some communities, including Village at Oakwood, do not offer multiple types of care, so this is worth noting.

Families reviews cite staff positively interacting with residents. One out-of-state family member reported staff members went out of their way to be in daily contact with her regarding her father, including sending pictures. We love this example of staff going above and beyond for residents and their loved ones!

Overall, reviews are mixed, some citing short staff, slow response times, bad food, and caregivers not invested in their jobs. Others claim the food is wonderful and staff could not be more attentive, supportive, upbeat, and helpful. Remember to always take reviews with a grain of salt, as everyone has different opinions, standards, and experiences.

Sommerset Neighborhood Assisted Living & Memory care is a faith-based Christian nonprofit community; as a nonprofit, it is not in business to make money for investors and other shareholders. This means care can focus more on residents and other aspects of the community’s mission. Studies show that, particularly in the case of older adults, aligning with one’s faith can help improve quality of life.7

The community is within a stone’s throw — many walking opportunities under a mile — of stores, pharmacies, farmers’ markets, restaurants, two parks (including popular Merrel Medley Park), three churches, and more, with precise distances thoughtfully calculated on its website. We appreciate this level of detail, as it often translates to the community’s approach to the care, comfort, and well-being of its residents.

Featuring assisted living and memory care, similar to The Mansion at Waterford Assisted Living, we applaud Sommerset Neighborhood as a continuum of care facility, should residents with progressive cognitive issues need to transition to a higher level of care. As we’ve mentioned, the option to remain in the same community offers consistency and peace of mind for residents and family members alike. On-site certified nursing staff is also available seven days a week.

Reviews for Sommerset Neighborhood are overwhelmingly positive. Families cite cleanliness, exceptional care, fast response times, friendliness, good food, and promptly returned after-hours calls. Good communication and a high level of professionalism are also noted in many reviews. One review observed the caring attitude of all workers — including a member of the maintenance staff, installing a TV, whose “calm and patient interaction” was greatly appreciated. A higher staffing ratio in memory care was also observed. A staff member said even outside contractors are not allowed on the premises unless management determines they will “treat residents with kindness.” It was difficult to find negative reviews for this community, which is a great sign!