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Where to Begin | 5 Easy Steps

Every major life change deserves to be made with equal parts clarity and a sense of possibility. At Oak Trace, we understand that considering senior living is about reaching for what’s next and expanding your lifestyle in new, invigorating ways. If you’re exploring senior living options in Downers Grove, IL, this five-step guide can help you take the lead, feeling equipped and ready to make your decision on your terms.

1.) Rethink What Senior Living Can Be

The setting you choose shapes how you experience each day. A Life Care community like Oak Trace provides a holistic approach, one that evolves alongside your needs, offering independence and assurance, along with personalized services and built-in safeguards.

Take a closer look at the most common types of senior living options:

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A lifestyle-first setting designed for older adults who want residential ease alongside amenities like chef-prepared dining, wellness classes, curated events, and spaces to gather with neighbors.

A medical setting licensed to provide skilled nursing and rehabilitative services for individuals with ongoing or complex health needs around the clock.

Support delivered in a private residence, from non-medical companionship to clinical care. Often involves managing multiple providers and coordinating logistics independently.

Tailored for active adults ready to simplify home maintenance while gaining access to elevated dining, engaging programs, and a built-in social network.

Effortless living with discreet support for daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and medication management, designed to preserve both autonomy and lifestyle.

Also known as a Life Care community, this option offers multiple levels of living, including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing, all within a single location, supporting seamless continuity over time.

Age-restricted residences that offer private living with minimal upkeep and fewer built-in amenities. Best suited for those seeking simplicity without added services.

When’s the Right Time to Make a Move to Senior Living?

The best time to explore is when you feel ready. Planning ahead means more choices, more time for consideration, and a clearer path to the lifestyle you want. At communities like Oak Trace, age and health eligibility can play a role, making early action the strategic choice.

When you start early, your options stay open. And so does your time to enjoy them.

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2.) Define Your Lifestyle and Support Priorities

Wellness, creativity, connection. At Oak Trace, lifestyle is at the core of everything we do. Whether you want to live fully independently or with support that adapts to your changing needs, our community offers an elegant range of options in a single, integrated community.

Explore our key resources or dive deeper into our lifestyle options:

Independent Living

Independent Living at Oak Trace helps you streamline your day so you can spend more time on what moves you. Whether you’re joining neighbors for a morning stretch, taking part in a new art class, or making dinner plans, the choices are yours to make, and your time is fully yours again.

Alongside thoughtful amenities and flexible services, you’ll find built-in wellness opportunities, exciting community programs, and the flexibility to spend each day doing more of what you love.

Independent Living is a strong fit if you:

  • Want to enjoy an active, social lifestyle free of home maintenance
  • Value daily enrichment opportunities and healthy living options
  • Prefer to live in a community that fosters personal growth and offers engaging opportunities
Assisted Living

Assisted Living at Oak Trace blends everyday support with personal independence. If you’d like help with medications, getting ready in the morning, or navigating a full calendar, our team is here to provide assistance that fits smoothly into your routines.

You’ll have the same perks and benefits of independent living, including restaurant-style, wellness opportunities, and a full calendar of activities, all supported by professionals who offer care with warmth and experience.

This lifestyle may be a fit if you:

  • Would benefit from support with bathing, dressing, or medication management
  • Prefer the security of having licensed team members available around the clock
  • Want easy access to engaging programs, social events, and health resources
Memory Care

The Oak Trace memory care neighborhood is built to support connection and consistency for residents living with Alzheimer’s Disease or other forms of dementia. Our structured routines and enrichment programs help foster a sense of community and engagement, while round-the-clock team oversight ensures needs are met with attention and understanding.

Families stay closely connected through regular communication and opportunities to participate in care planning.

Memory Care is designed for individuals who:

  • Are living with Alzheimer’s Disease or a related cognitive condition
  • Respond well to predictable routines and sensory-based programs
  • Would benefit from living in a secure, professionally staffed setting
Rehabilitation

Oak Trace offers on-site rehabilitation services designed to support recovery in a familiar setting. Whether you’re working on strength after surgery or regaining mobility following an illness, licensed therapists are here to help you work toward your goals, on a schedule that works for you.

Rehabilitation may be the right choice for those who:

  • Are recovering from surgery, injury, or hospitalization
  • Need physical, occupational, or speech therapy
  • Prefer to recover in a welcoming and supportive atmosphere
Skilled Nursing

When medical needs require a higher level of support, Oak Trace offers professional skilled nursing care delivered with compassion. Our clinical team provides reliable assistance, working closely with residents and families to support well-being and meet ongoing health goals.

Whether for a short stay or ongoing care, you’ll find thoughtful service in a setting designed to feel capable and reassuring.

Skilled Nursing is well-suited for individuals who:

  • Have ongoing medical needs or complex health conditions
  • Require around-the-clock licensed nursing oversight
  • Are seeking short- or long-term care in a professional, comfortable space

3.) Understand the True Value of Senior Living

Planning for senior living is both a financial decision and a lifestyle choice—one that comes with real benefits when you take the time to explore your options early.

At Oak Trace, costs are structured around the level of care and the type of residence you choose, from maintenance-free Independent Living to the added support of Assisted Living or the readily available services of Skilled Nursing. Each option includes access to services that support your lifestyle and care that can evolve alongside your needs. When you compare that to the ongoing costs of maintaining a private home, you may find the value of a continuing care community surprising.

Whether you're looking at monthly fees or want to understand what services are included, our team is here to provide clarity. We'll walk you through your options, offer transparent pricing, and help you understand how Oak Trace aligns with your goals.

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4.) Visualize Your Ideal Community: Amenities, Services, Peers

Your retirement should reflect what matters most to you, a sense of belonging, comfort, and enjoyment, surrounded by thoughtful services and experiences.

At Oak Trace, wellness and hospitality come together in ways that feel seamless. From flexible dining venues and engaging classes to beautifully maintained green spaces, you'll find amenities that make daily life more enjoyable and services that take the friction out of planning your day. Even more important? The community itself. Neighbors who are active, engaged, and genuinely connected help create a culture that makes participation easy and time together meaningful.

Schedule a Tour

A personal tour gives you the best sense of whether Oak Trace feels like the right fit. Walk the grounds, meet residents, and ask questions that speak to what you care about most—from floor plan options to enrichment programming.

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Explore Resident Experiences and Testimonials

The best way to understand community life at Oak Trace is to hear from the people who live it every day. Residents often talk about the ease of having everything on-site, the joy of meeting new friends, and the security of knowing care is always nearby if they need it.

Resident Spotlights

Testimonials

Explore Life at Oak Trace

Discover an enriched lifestyle where every detail is designed to support relationships, health, and everyday enjoyment

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Community and Connection

Find the people who bring out the best in you. From interest-based groups to casual conversations in the commons, the connections you make here are anything but surface-level. 

Wellness That Works for You

Explore a wellness program built around movement, strength, and mental stimulation. Whether it's a morning fitness class or a lecture that leaves you inspired, there's always a way to stay engaged.

Culinary Delights

Every meal is a moment to savor. Dine on seasonal dishes that feel both indulgent and nourishing, whether it’s a quiet lunch or a celebratory dinner.

Floor Plans

Choose from sophisticated floor plans with upscale finishes, abundant light, and smart layouts that make daily life easier and more beautiful.

Amenities

Enjoy features that elevate the everyday: an art studio, landscaped grounds, and spaces that invite you to stay active and connected.

5.) Let’s Explore Your Future—Together

Choosing the right senior living community is easier with the right information.

Our team at Oak Trace is here to help you understand your options, navigate your questions, and find the next step that aligns with your lifestyle.

Ready to take a closer look at how senior living communities compare? Continue to Step 2: How to Choose a Senior Living Community.

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