Families navigating dementia, Parkinson’s disease, stroke recovery, and other complex age-related conditions often face an overwhelming number of questions: What does the diagnosis mean? What comes next? How can we manage changes in memory, movement, mood, or daily routines? How can a loved one remain safely at home? Where can we find meaningful activities, trusted care, and a supportive community? At the same time, families must coordinate multiple providers, plan for changing needs, cope with isolation and stigma, and navigate financial barriers that can make essential care and support difficult to access.
Oakwood Creative Care’s (OCC) Chandler campus, made possible with support from Arizona Complete Health, has reached a significant licensing milestone that will help address these challenges by bringing clinical care, meaningful engagement, and family support together in one connected community
OCC Chandler Receives Adult Day Health Care & Outpatient Therapy Clinic Licenses
Following months of planning, collaboration, and preparation, OCC’s Chandler campus has officially received its Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) and Outpatient Therapy Clinic licenses. Beginning September 1, 2026, these licenses will allow OCC to provide a more comprehensive level of support by bringing outpatient therapeutic services through its Healthy Living and Resilience Clinic together with licensed Adult Day Health Care, vital respite for caregivers, and family resources on one campus.
The power of the Chandler campus lies not in any single service, but in how its services work together around each person and family. An older adult may receive outpatient therapy, participate in a medically supported day program, and engage in art, music, movement, and cognitive enrichment all while their family caregiver receives education, support, and connections to trusted resources.
This integrated model helps reduce fragmentation, strengthens continuity among providers and programs, and gives families a consistent team to turn to as needs change. Embodied by a new paradigm of thinking, OCC is built by one simple belief: every person deserves the opportunity to continue creating, learning, laughing, connecting, and living with purpose, regardless of age or diagnosis.
“This license represents so much more than a regulatory milestone,” said Sherri Friend, President & CEO of OCC. “It represents hope. It means more families will be able to access specialized care, meaningful engagement, and a supportive community that can make all the difference throughout the aging journey. For OCC, it symbolizes an ongoing commitment to ensuring no one has to walk the road ahead alone.”
About OCC Chandler’s Club, Hub & Outpatient Clinic
Adult Day Health Care: A vibrant club where older adults receive nursing oversight, medication assistance, nutritious meals, individualized care plans, and support tailored to their changing needs. Through art, music, movement, lifelong learning, social connection, and evidence-based programming, Club members discover renewed confidence, friendships, creativity, and purpose in an environment designed to celebrate their abilities. This whole-person approach promotes each member’s health and well-being while providing families with trusted respite and peace of mind.
Healthy Living & Resilience Clinic: An outpatient therapy clinic, otherwise known as OakFit, offering personalized assessments, therapeutic services, brain-health education, caregiver coaching, and support for managing care challenges and changes in behavior. The clinic works alongside individuals and families to develop practical strategies for memory, movement, communication, daily routines, safety, and emotional well-being–helping individuals maintain independence, improve their quality of life, and age well.
Family Support Hub: A welcoming community space where family caregivers and older adults find education, support groups, expert guidance, Memory Cafés, and practical resources—ensuring that no family has to navigate aging, dementia, or caregiving alone.
“Before finding Oakwood Creative Care, I felt overwhelmed and isolated,” said one family care partner. “Oakwood didn’t just provide services. They gave our family hope. We found a community that understood us, practical tools that helped us every day, and support that allowed both my loved one and me to continue living meaningful, connected lives.”
New Licenses & A New Future of Hope
With its newly licensed services, OCC is ready to help more families move from uncertainty and isolation toward a clear path of care, connection, hope, and joy. Older adults, family caregivers, healthcare professionals, and community partners are encouraged to contact the Chandler campus to explore Adult Day Health Care respite, outpatient therapy, caregiver support, and other available resources.
To learn more, schedule a tour, make a referral, or connect with the OCC team, email Info@OakwoodCreativeCare.org.
Creative Aging, at Every Stage & for Every Age
Oakwood Creative Care is bringing back the JOY in aging! We believe a diagnosis should not have to define your life. Instead, we have devoted our mission to reigniting hope for caregivers and older adults with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other age-related challenges.
