BUS: The Veraden

The Veraden isn’t your typical retirement neighborhood. The senior living community in Edmond offers its residents a diverse calendar of activities you won’t see anywhere else — everything from boxing classes, agility ladder classes and dance classes to woodworking, gardening and poetry.

“We take an outside-the-box approach to programming,” said Jena Nelson, lifestyle director at the Veraden. “We not only incorporate the traditional activities of games, but programs that they get to experience for the first time. Sometimes due to raising children and jobs, people don’t get to take the classes that they might have tried earlier on in life.”

Nelson — a former casting director, theater director, choreographer and educator — leads the lifestyles team, which also consists of a former certified nursing assistant and social scientist, a driver for seniors with over 10 years of experience, and a kinesthesiologist. The team’s vibrant and consistent programming has grabbed the attention of and resulted in visits from the Painted Sky Opera Company, University of Central Oklahoma Concert Chorale and Blue Anchor Belles.

The Veraden, which is part of the Sagora Senior Living communities, offers independent living apartments with a variety of floor plans, all with full kitchens, ample linen and storage closets, and washer and dryer hookups. Its assisted living option offers the same unique lifestyle as independent living with the added benefit of a customized personal service plan. And the Veraden’s memory care community offers activity kitchens, daily programming and planned activities for those affected by Alzheimer’s, dementia and other memory-related diseases.

The Veraden’s name is the marriage of “vermillion,” the shade of red in Oklahoma’s state flower, and “celadon,” a jewel that symbolizes the fact Edmond is known as the “jewel of Oklahoma.” It’s no wonder the senior living community is described over and over again by seniors and their families as beautiful and the staff caring and attentive.

“It’s important to us to develop those relationships early on so our residents understand we want them here and we’re committed to providing the best care for them,” Nelson said.

The Veraden is located at 2709 E. Danforth Road in Edmond. Visit sagora.com/veraden or call (405) 359-1230 to learn more.