White Oak Cottages

Fox Hill Village has been a pre-eminent retirement community in the Boston area for over 25 years. Ten years ago, it sought to create a home for those with dementia that would offer quality of life as well as quality of care. The Fox Hill team visited dementia and Alzheimer’s facilities across the United States and spoke extensively to leaders in the field. The study culminated in Fox Hill’s decision to form White Oak Cottages, LLC that owns and operates two assisted living residences on the Fox Hill campus in Westwood, Massachusetts.

White Oak Cottages offer a unique alternative for those who can no longer live at home due to memory impairment. Our cottages stand apart from other assisted living options for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease due to our philosophy of care, unique staffing model, and architecture, We are part of The Green House® Project, a national movement to improve and transform long term care.

At White Oak Cottages, we emphasize excellence and compassion in every facet of our operation. Our culture honors and respects elders and staff alike. It is committed to following research studies that provide evidence based recommendations for appropriate physical design and programming to create an improved environment for those with dementia or other cognitive impairment.

The staff members work as a team and run all aspects of the home. This multi-faceted engagement between the staff and elders leads to strong bonds and a deep understanding of each elder. The presence of a nurse 24 hours a day assures that all health issues are monitored and addressed whenever concerns arise.

Each cottage has a living room, dining room, den, kitchen and twelve private bedrooms with their own bathroom. The small scale eliminates long hallways, making it easier for elders to move independently. The interior layout and décor support the needs of those with memory loss through the use of color and contrast, circular pathways, and bright lighting. The homes offer inviting community spaces, more intimate areas for small gatherings, and the privacy of one’s own bedroom.

The daily rhythms of the cottage are also those of a home. Elders wake up and go to sleep when they want to. They choose what they want for breakfast each morning. Depending on the time of day, someone arriving at the home may smell dinner cooking in the

oven, see laundry being folded, or hear elders in a group discussion on the topic of the day.

White Oak Cottages assisted living model encourages Residents to participate with the daily tasks in the household to help them maintain a sense of purpose and a normal daily rhythm. Residents may set the table, tend to the garden, sweep the walk, or help bake dessert. Their engagement gives them a role and makes them a part of a home.

The Activities Coordinator works directly with the Residents and other staff to plan the day. The goal is to provide the Residents with experiences that are consistent with their interests and that support the Residents’ remaining abilities. A variety of one on one, small group and large group activities are offered to engage Residents in a format that is right for them. Occasional field trips are planned to keep the Residents in touch with the larger community.