Oaks at Cedar Shoals, located at 1291 Cedar Shoals Dr in Athens, Georgia, is a senior living community providing personalized care in a tranquil campus setting. This review examines the facility’s services, amenities, resident life, and overall value to help families make informed decisions about senior living options in the Athens area.

Services and Living Options

Oaks at Cedar Shoals operates primarily as an assisted living facility, offering two main service types:

1. Assisted Living: The core offering provides personalized care with assistance for activities of daily living (ADLs), medication management, and other supportive services.
2. Respite Care: Short-term stays for seniors are available, providing temporary relief for family caregivers or allowing potential residents to experience the community before committing to a longer stay.

Unlike some competitors, Oaks at Cedar Shoals does not offer independent living or specialized memory care services, focusing instead on providing quality assisted living in a supportive environment.

Residence Options and Layout

The community offers various apartment configurations to accommodate different needs and preferences:

• Studio apartments starting at $4,125/month
• One-bedroom apartments starting at $4,375/month
• Two-bedroom apartments starting at $4,600/month

Oaks at Cedar Shoals is designed as a single-story building, eliminating the need for elevators and making navigation easier for residents with mobility concerns.

Amenities and Services

The community provides numerous amenities designed to enhance residents’ quality of life and provide peace of mind for families:

• 24-hour caregiving staff trained to provide personalized assistance
• Restaurant-style dining with senior-friendly menu options
• Housekeeping and laundry services
• Transportation services for shopping, entertainment, and medical appointments
• Landscaped outdoor areas with seating for socializing
• Indoor common areas designed for resident interaction
• Pet-friendly environment
• Wi-Fi and high-speed internet
• Handicap-accessible design

The community has been recognized with several awards highlighting its strengths, including “Best Meals and Dining,” “Best Activities,” and “Most Friendly” designations.

Daily Activities and Social Life

Oaks at Cedar Shoals emphasizes creating a vibrant community through various engagement opportunities:

• Weekly shopping and entertainment outings
• Scheduled transportation to medical appointments within the Athens area
• Birthday celebrations and special events
• Games and in-house group activities
• Multigenerational programs including visits from local schoolchildren and singing groups

The facility promotes a “family-like culture” among residents, team members, and volunteers, focusing on creating meaningful relationships between generations.

Dining Experience

The dining program is highlighted as one of the community’s strengths, having received a “Best Meals and Dining” award. Features include:

• Restaurant-style dining experiences
• Senior-friendly menu options designed to meet nutritional needs
• Three daily meals in a social setting

Resident and Family Experiences

Reviews from residents and families provide insight into the lived experience at Oaks at Cedar Shoals:

Positive Feedback:

• “We are most pleased! Excellent care; well maintained; personable/friendly staff.”
• “From start to finish, what a GREAT experience! My 94 yo mom needed a place to stay for 2 weeks while we were gone. This was the perfect choice! The staff are incredibly friendly and caring.”
• “Overall our loved one says she loves where she is at Oaks at Cedar Shoals, and that is all she needs.”

Mixed Feedback:

• “Great facility but cleaning staff keeps coming and going so lacks in that area but otherwise I would recommend staff is very friendly caring and welcoming my mom loves it and always lots of activities available if residents want to participate.”
• “I would tell them that I had a very unpleasant experience at Oaks. I was completely surprised at the treatment after we moved my father in.”

The facility maintains a 7.5/10 overall review score across 23 reviews, with 53% five-star ratings and 30% four-star ratings. On another platform, it has a 4.7/5 rating across 41 reviews.

Management and Staff

Oaks at Cedar Shoals is part of the larger Oaks Senior Living network, which operates 38 facilities with an overall rating of 8.6/10 across 1,233 reviews.

The community emphasizes their commitment to “serving with faith, knowledge, compassion, and love,” focusing on developing meaningful relationships with residents through a consistent care partner program.

Staff responsiveness is frequently mentioned in reviews, with one family member noting: “The staff are incredibly friendly and caring. It shows on the faces of the residents as well. Everyone seemed happy and welcoming.”

Pricing and Value

Pricing at Oaks at Cedar Shoals is structured by apartment type, with current rates as follows:

• Studio apartments: Starting at $4,125/month
• One-bedroom apartments: Starting at $4,375/month
• Two-bedroom apartments: Starting at $4,600/month

The base monthly rate includes:

• 24-hour caregiving staff
• Three daily meals
• Weekly housekeeping and linen service
• Transportation services
• Utilities (except personal telephone)
• Cable TV (in common areas with hookups in rooms)
• Building and grounds maintenance

Additional services may incur extra fees based on the level of care required, though specific tier pricing is not publicly available.

Comparison with Local Alternatives

When comparing Oaks at Cedar Shoals to other Athens-area senior living facilities, several alternatives stand out:

1. Haven Memory Care of Athens: Specializes in memory care with a 9.2/10 review score across 20 reviews. Starting rates for studio apartments are $6,200/month, significantly higher than Oaks at Cedar Shoals but providing specialized memory care services not available at Oaks.
2. The Landing of Bogart: Located in nearby Bogart, GA, this facility has a 9.0/10 review score across 11 reviews. Pricing information is not readily available.
3. Arbor Terrace Athens: Another Athens option with an 8.7/10 review score across 29 reviews. Pricing information is not readily available.

Oaks at Cedar Shoals appears to be positioned as a mid-tier option in terms of pricing, with rates starting lower than specialized memory care facilities while still offering comprehensive assisted living services.

Summary

Oaks at Cedar Shoals provides personalized assisted living and respite care services in a single-story, accessible environment. The community emphasizes relationship-building, family-like atmosphere, and personalized care. While some maintenance concerns have been noted, the facility receives generally positive reviews for its friendly staff, dining program, and activity offerings.

The community is best suited for seniors who need assistance with daily living activities but don’t require specialized memory care. With pricing starting at $4,125/month, it represents a mid-range option in the Athens senior living market, balancing affordability with quality of care.

For families considering assisted living in Athens, Oaks at Cedar Shoals offers a caring environment with a focus on personalized attention, though prospective residents would benefit from an in-person tour to fully evaluate if the community meets their specific needs and preferences.