River Oaks Offers Choice, Connection And Community. Choose To Belong.

ROCHESTER — At River Oaks Assisted Living & Memory Care, every day is shaped around choice, engagement and a warm sense of belonging. Our community in downtown Rochester is designed for residents who want support without giving up the independence they enjoy.

“What we do here is partner with residents in restoring the function that lets them enjoy the full lives they had before moving in,” said John Juroe, director of sales and part of the River Oaks team. “They’re making a lifestyle choice, not entering nursing care.  Our care enables them to have great experiences.”

River Oaks sits steps from parks, local shops and the Paint Creek Trail, and that location plays a role in residents’ routines. Walks to downtown coffee shops, group outings and trips to favorite spots happen every day at River Oaks with the help of Keegan and JoJo, our Life Enrichment Team. Programming is shaped by residents themselves and we often do what they suggest. “We support what everybody wants to do,” Juroe added. 

Residents experience a full schedule of art, music, guest speakers and hands-on projects. Recently, a small group made strawberry jam that later became part of a tea-and-toast event for the entire community. “There’s never a lack of socialization here,” Juroe said. “Both sides of the community, the memory care and assisted living communities, get along famously.”

“Choice is built into everything here, just like you’d find in a fine hotel,” Juroe continued. Residents select their meals—including custom dishes and favorite family recipes—choose their preferred dining times, set their apartment temperatures and decide how and when they receive support. Even bathing options range from in-apartment showers to a soothing walk-in tub in the community’s “bathtique.”

For memory care residents, the team follows a structured approach that prioritizes respect, reassurance, and redirection. Staff members are trained in multiple methodologies and supported by two on-site nurses. Activities run throughout the day, and the newly updated memory care apartments include circular layouts and outdoor balcony areas that encourage movement and reduce stress. 

Families are regular participants, especially during elevated dining nights and seasonal celebrations. “We love it when families come,” Juroe said. “It makes the experience richer for everyone.”

River Oaks Assisted Living & Memory Care is located at 500 E. University Dr. in Rochester. To schedule a tour, call (248) 601-9000 or visit riveroaksmi.com.