Copeland Oaks offers an active and maintenance-free lifestyle for those 55 and over

By Mimi Vanderhaven

During the summer, many of us travel to visit our aging parents only to discover they are not managing household complexities as well as they once did. Or we ourselves may be exhausted from yet another year of lawn mowing, hedge trimming, mulching, gutter cleaning, etc.

And summer will soon transition into fall, signaling the end of yet another year spent maintaining a house rather than enjoying our cherished golden years. Can this be the year when we start to enjoy our retirement in style, when we embrace maintenance-free resort living?

If you’re ready to explore just such an option—right here in Northeast Ohio without the scorching heat, humidity and insects of Florida—consider a home or apartment at Copeland Oaks, located in the quaint village of Sebring, Ohio. This 55+ community is located on a 250-acre campus with all of the amenities you need to enjoy an active, well-deserved retirement. Plus, it’s a completely debt-free, non-profit venture, and it does not require an entrance fee to move in.

“As a transitional 55-and-over community, we have people of all ages and different stages of life who come to live—and love it—here,” says Lisa Gentile, Chief Development Officer and Senior Campus Director.

For those seeking independent living, there are two different options:

The Villas
The 140 fully independent ranch-style villas are located on quiet, tree-lined streets. And when a new resident or couple decides to call Copeland Oaks home, their villa of choice is beautifully remodeled, often including full kitchen updates, lighting, flooring and more. “We offer a choice of eight different villa styles that people can choose from,” Lisa says. “They range from 900-1,700 square feet with full basements and garages.”

The campus offers many social events, and residents have access to over 60 resident-led groups within walking distance of their homes. Enjoy the stocked lake, on-site library, barbershop, beauty salon, creativity center, swimming pool, wellness center, personal training, aerobics studio, and free membership to the local golf course with country club—all included with the monthly rent.

The zero-maintenance lifestyle at Copeland Oaks means all landscaping and maintenance are taken care of. You can even schedule housekeeping, for a truly worry-free living experience.

“Our residents have spent their lives working and raising families. It’s time for them to be able to enjoy themselves without the stressful upkeep of a home,” Lisa says. “Here, the only responsibility they need to bother themselves with is which activities they want to participate in.”

The Apartments
Residents who choose to live in one of Copeland Oaks’ beautiful apartments enjoy a glorious view of the lake. The 54 units that comprise this section give seniors the opportunity to remain independent but on smaller scale than the villas.

All of the same amenities enjoyed by residents in the villas are afforded to residents in the apartments. Plus, Copeland Oaks offers a continuum of care, so seniors have a place here no matter where they are in the aging process, including the on-campus Crandall Medical Center, a skilled nursing facility ranked third in Ohio. The center features 176 beds (all rooms are private with person-centered care) and a state-of-the-art rehab and therapy area.

The Campus
The 250-acre, pet-friendly campus that encompasses Copeland Oaks includes a 5K trail that meanders through the woods, a five-acre stocked lake, outdoor dining patios and patios with fireplaces and fire pits, a putting green, community garden, and a secured community entry and exit. But most important, Copeland Oaks features a 350-strong team of employees who genuinely delight in catering to every person living here.

Copeland Oaks is located at 800 S. 15th Street in Sebring, Ohio. Tours are by appointment with evenings and weekends available. To schedule your personal tour, call 330-938-6126. The web address is CopelandOaks.com.