Our blog is here to serve as your go-to destination for everything from community news to the latest senior living insights and resources. Dig in, and be sure to check back for updates.

Oak Trace Is Proving These Common COVID-19 Senior Living Myths Are Wrong

Senior living myths have proliferated since COVID-19 began to hit the headlines in mid-February of 2020. Among them: Senior living communities aren’t safe places for older adults during the coronavirus; residents have been locked down to prevent the virus’ spread and are unable to leave the community or socialize with others; because of the virus, …

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Helping Hands Pause to Help PAWS

The loud sounds of saws and sanders could be heard outside the wood shop at Oak Trace earlier this year. Inside, resident Richard Haffner was constructing a doghouse that would soon become a site to bring residents and team members together to help local pets in need. Haffner put finishing touches on the large contraption …

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New Initiative Brought Goats to Oak Trace

For five days in August, residents and guests noticed some unusual landscapers at the community. To help control invasive buckthorn shrub that had sprouted around the community, 40 goats provided a natural alternative to chemicals and other unsustainable methods of vegetation management. Buckthorn is known as the invasion weed and is considered so dangerous in disrupting ecosystems, …

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Oak Trace Unveils New Health & Wellness Center

Focused on the current and future state of care for area seniors, Oak Trace retirement community announced the opening of a new, expansive Health & Wellness Center in Downers Grove, Illinois. The project was Phase 1 of an ongoing multimillion-dollar expansion. With 66 assisted-living apartments, 28 memory-care residences and 102 skilled-nursing suites, the $79 million …

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Statewide Senior Care Association Honors Oak Trace

LeadingAge Illinois, the statewide association representing more than 500 senior care providers, has elected Blaire Goldstein, the executive director at Oak Trace, to its Board of Directors. Concurrently, Jocelyn “Joy” Russo, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at the Downers Grove retirement community, has been recognized with the association’s 2019 Heart and Hands Award. The award …

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Oak Trace Health Services Receives Top Rating

The Oak Trace Health Center was recently recognized as a five-star health services and skilled nursing provider. The prestigious recognition from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and U.S. News & World Report was given to only the top 21 percent of senior health care providers in Illinois. Ratings are based on surveys for …

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Oak Trace Welcomes Blaire Goldstein as Executive Director

Oak Trace announces Blaire Goldstein as its new executive director, overseeing the current $150 million redevelopment and expansion of the community. Goldstein will oversee day-to-day operations of the entire senior living community, which currently features 247 maintenance-free residential living apartment homes and a variety of services and amenities for its more than 350 residents. As …

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Oak Trace to Begin $150 Million Redevelopment

Oak Trace announces plans for a major redevelopment and expansion to meet the changing needs of the area population. Oak Trace currently features 247 residential living apartment homes and a variety of services and amenities. As part of its Life Care agreement, the community also provides a continuum of health care services and accommodations. The …

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Oak Trace Announces Launch of Masterpiece Living

Oak Trace announced the launch of a time-tested, proven aging initiative known as Masterpiece Living®. The community kicked off the research-based approach to expand its commitment to offering seniors an active and engaged lifestyle, in addition to the benefits of the Life Care cost management plan. Masterpiece Living has invested more than 14 years in …

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