(Provided by Gilbert Guide's on-site reviewer)

Mercy Retirement Center and its dementia unit, The Oasis, share a stately facility. The Oasis is located on the third floor, where the décor is pleasantly homelike. Residents travel to the lobby to pick up the daily newsletter, which lists the day's activities and menus, as well as any house updates. Plush seating around a coffee table topped with fresh flowers creates an inviting common space.

Residents' rooms in the main unit are moderately sized. Each is partially furnished, with an armoire and dresser. Window seats are often used to showcase residents' personal decorations. Oasis residents enjoy spacious rooms with bay windows. Although the main dining area is fairly dim, it is nonetheless a comfortable and sociable environment. A private dining room may be reserved for special occasions. The menu features mouthwatering favorites such as lasagna, apple-cider chicken, fried chicken, breaded fish, garden burgers, and macaroni and cheese. The salad bar seems to be the house favorite. The dining area in The Oasis doubles as the activity parlor. On the day that we visited, the decadent scent of freshly baked brownies wafted from the kitchen. A few residents finished their meals as others relaxed in front of the big-screen TV in one of the common areas. Each floor features a common area with ample seating and a library nook.

The expansive outdoor area boasts century-old palm trees. A small garden is managed by one of the residents. Freshly cut lawns dominate the landscape, rounding out this picturesque setting. Within the enclosed patio, a barbeque pit is available for resident socials. The facility is awash with soft artificial lighting; natural light prevails in the dimmer areas. The hallways feature furnished rest stops. Varying color schemes in each of the halls helps residents to easily identify their rooms and floor.

Mercy Retirement staff strive to make the facility "home" to their residents. The activity calendar includes mainstays such as exercise, movie hour, quilting, brain teasers and bingo; however, special events are organized nearly every day. Loved ones and friends are encouraged to attend house fashion shows, music performances, holiday parties and field trips. One artistic resident leads arts and crafts activities. We observed a group of women passing time with delightful conversation, as they waited for the brain teasers game to begin.