A profile in senior housing

Steve Zaubi, owner of Seasons Under The Oaks, is standing in his facility’s common area. “This is the ‘great room,’” he explains. “It’s meant to be an extension of everybody’s apartment.” The inviting, cozy room includes a pot of coffee on the boil, a fireplace operated via light-switch and a large-screen television hooked up to a Wii console. “It’s a very residential feel in a commercial application,” he says.

Seasons Under the Oaks is an “independent senior living community” which means just what it says – the amenities provided are designed to allow seniors to live independently in the company of their peers. For example, the facility does not provide three meals per day for residents, but it does provide a wide variety of activities, such as regular bingo games, luaus and holiday meals, including festivities on Thanksgiving and Christmas which typically feature live music and an open bar.

Zaubi had been working as director of community development for the city of Springfield, a position which put him in contact with people living in deteriorating or isolated situations, which was what started him in this business 25 years ago. It began with opening facilities for seniors of low-to-moderate income. Soon after, people started complaining to him that they wanted to live in these communities but made too much money to qualify. “Well, there’s a niche,” chuckles Zaubi. He envisioned a senior facility that would be a cut above. The Seasons idea was born.

“We are very family-oriented,” says Zaubi. “My son works here, my daughter works here, my wife works here – we encourage families to come and be a part of it.” Everything in the facility is on one level – there are no steps, no stairs, no elevators and everything is interconnected, meaning residents never have to risk being exposed to the elements in order to visit differ-