On Monday, October 8th, the residents and staff of Oakmont Sterling Enhanced Senior Living Community in Sterling Heights gathered together for a fantastic luncheon to celebrate a very special group of residents: the Oakmont Centenarian Club. Consisting of just residents aged 100 and older, the Club now has thirteen members – and all were honored during this special event.

Residents, staff members, family, and friends gathered together in the dining room to share a delicious three-course meal of fresh salad, brisket with all of the trimmings, and a gorgeous celebratory cake for dessert. Laughs, smiles, and great conversations were had by all, with many residents commenting that they can’t wait to do it all again next year.

A new study from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis has found that living in a senior community can lead to lower levels of hospitalization for vulnerable seniors – including those with chronic health conditions.

Utilizing data from a decade-long study (2002-2012), the study concludes that the services offered by many senior communities, such as health education, encourage seniors to seek treatment sooner for pressing issues – leading to fewer trips to the hospital.

For more information about the study authored by Assistant Professor Dr. Sojung Park, visit the Washington University in St. Louis website here.

At Oakmont Senior Communities, we strive to not only provide a great place for our seniors to live and thrive, but also a great place for our employees to enjoy their career. That’s why we are so proud of the longevity and dedication of the staff in many of our communities.

When it comes to longevity and dedication at Oakmont Parkway, there is no staff member who has made a bigger impact than Housekeeping Supervisor Joanne English. Now celebrating her 20th year of service to the seniors of Clinton Township, Joanne’s irreplaceable spirit, incredible work ethic, and love for her co-workers make her a truly outstanding member of the Oakmont team.

We were thrilled to celebrate this milestone with a special luncheon, engraved plaque (not pictured), and a gift of appreciation for Joanne for all she has done to make Oakmont Parkway the outstanding community that it is. We look forward to 20 more years of her fantastic efforts!

Congratulations Joanne!

Oakmont Rochester Independent’s ongoing partnership with the Creative Arts Studio in Royal Oak has presented our residents the opportunity to try new things, be creative in new mediums, and learn more about the process of making art. From painting and pottery to mosaics and mixed media, each month brings with it a new chance to create something beautiful.

The project for the month of August was Raku Ware. A form of traditional Japanese pottery that dates back to the 16th century, Raku’s unique look and texture is brought about by first glazing a piece of dried pottery, then heating it to high temperature in a kiln, and quickly cooling it down in a reduction chamber. The results are often stunning patterns of earth tones, and depending on the glaze used, intricate colors and sheens kissed in unique patterns by the fire of the combustion.

To prepare for the day of Raku, the Creative Arts Studio created by hand a variety of unique vases. After choosing which custom vase they liked the most, residents were given the opportunity to select glazes of their choice and apply them in whichever pattern they liked. When the glazing was complete and the surfaces were dry, the pieces were placed in a kiln that brought the temperature up to over 500 degrees – activating the glazes and preparing the pieces for the Raku-signature combustion cooling.

Once heated to the proper temperature, each piece was placed in its own reduction chamber where it began to cool. Soon after, residents could identify which piece was theirs and were able to take home their creation to display in their apartment or present as a gift to family and friends.

The results of the residents’ efforts were truly stunning. Each vase turned out beautiful and unique in its own way, just like the artists themselves. The residents were encouraged not only by the satisfaction of making art but also by how much they learned about the age-old process perfected in Japan so many years ago.

Take a look through our photo gallery below which will take you through the entire experience – from raw clay to finished pieces.

Ahoy Matey!

On July 12th, excited groups from Oakmont Parkway, Oakmont Sterling, Oakmont Rochester Independent, Oakmont Rochester Assisted, and Oakmont Sterling Assisted enjoyed the calming waves and relaxing breeze of the Detroit River aboard an afternoon lunch cruise upon the Detroit Princess River Boat. The weather was beautiful, the space was elegant, and our residents arrived ready to set sail and enjoy an afternoon of elegance and entertainment.

The two-hour cruise treated guests to an unparalleled view of the Detroit and Windsor waterfronts, including Belle Isle State Park and the Renaissance Center. Lunch was a buffet-style affair, with freshly made options that gave everyone something to enjoy. Dessert was served and the entertainment began: the sweet sounds of the Motown tribute act The Prolifics. Dressed to the nines in their matching sequenced blue jackets, the Prolifics ran through the greatest hits of Detroit Soul including selections from the Temptations and Four Tops. They truly had everyone singing along.

Many residents ventured to the top deck to take in the sights, while others stayed on the lunch deck and danced, quite literally, to the non-stop music. The ship returned to port around 2:30, and Oakmont residents got back on the buses to head home, excited for the new friends and memories made during the wonderful afternoon cruise.