01
Valley suite
West-facing, for sunsets over the valley, with a reading chair by the window.
- Private bath
- Sunset view
- Walk-in shower
Residential care · Claremore, Oklahoma
Evenings were made for candlelight and conversation.
Fourteen private suites in a stone house on the hill above Claremore. Personal care by day, and supper by candlelight every night of the year.
Photo tour
Lilac Hill after dark, and by day
Good evening
We think the last hours of the day deserve the most care.
Vivian Okafor-Hale managed hotels in Tulsa for fifteen years before her father's dementia brought her home to Claremore. She noticed that care facilities did mornings well and evenings poorly: supper at four-thirty, lights out at eight, long quiet hallways. In 2015 she opened Lilac Hill House to do the opposite.
Our days are full of the usual good care: help with dressing and bathing, medications on time, walks and visits. But our evenings are what families talk about. Supper is at six, by candlelight. The parlor has a fire, a piano and a record player. Nobody is hurried to bed, and caregivers are awake and close by all night.
— Vivian Okafor-Hale, founder and administrator
Rooms & suites
The suites
Fourteen suites, each with a private bath, soft lamps and room for the furniture that came from home.
02
Garden suite
Faces the lilac hedge and the lit garden path, quiet and close to the parlor.
- Private bath
- Garden view
- Near the parlor
03
Classic suite
Our standard suite, with soft lamps, a closet and room for a dresser and armchair.
- Private bath
- Lamplit
- Bring your own furniture
04
Parlor-wing suite
A larger suite with a sitting area, for residents who like to receive visitors.
- Sitting area
- Private bath
- Built-in shelves
05
Couple's suite
Two connected rooms and a shared bath, for spouses who want to stay close.
- Two rooms
- Shared bath
- Room for two
- 14private suites with baths
- 365candlelit suppers a year
- 4:1residents to caregivers each evening
- 2015the year Lilac Hill opened
Sample family reviews
From Lilac Hill families
Mama ate supper at four-thirty at her last place and was in bed by seven. Here she dresses for dinner and stays up for the piano.
Dad gets confused late in the day. At Lilac Hill the lights stay soft, Marcus puts on Nat King Cole, and the evenings are calm again.
The night log is the best thing. I read it with my coffee and know exactly how Mom slept.
I come for Thursday supper every week. The food is better than most restaurants in Tulsa.
My parents still dance in the parlor. Fifty-nine years married and a record player is all it takes.
Vivian ran hotels, and it shows. Every detail is thought through, from the turn-down to the bud vase on the tray.
When we needed hospice, they lit a candle in his suite every night. We were all there. It was peaceful.
I was afraid she would feel like a patient. She feels like a guest who never has to check out.
Fourteen suites means fourteen people the staff truly knows. You can feel it.
For families
For families
Practical details, day and night.
- 01
Visiting
Come any time. After nine in the evening, ring the bell under the porte-cochère.
- 02
The night log
Every morning families can read a short note about the night: sleep, comfort and anything unusual.
- 03
Supper reservations
Join any evening. Reserve by noon so we can set your place.
- 04
Laundry and labels
Label clothing with a name. We launder and press everything here.
Insurance & payment
Paying for care
Our business office walks every family through coverage before move-in. Here are the most common ways care is paid for.
Private pay
Most families pay monthly. Your written estimate lists every fee.
Long-term care insurance
Many policies cover assisted living and memory care. We help with claim paperwork.
VA Aid & Attendance
Eligible veterans and surviving spouses may receive a monthly pension toward care.
Medicaid waiver
Some states help pay for assisted living through Medicaid waiver programs. Ask us about yours.
Our team
The people who keep the lamps lit
Vivian Okafor-Hale
Founder and administrator
Claire Benningfield, RN
Consulting registered nurse
Marcus Greer, CMA
Evening care lead
Elena Vasquez, CMA
Day care lead
Care does not stop being beautiful just because it is necessary. Here the lamps come on at dusk, the table is set with real linen, and the people who help you through the day are the same people who say good night.
What sets us apart
Where our evenings shine
01
Bathing, dressing and grooming
On each resident's own schedule, including an evening bath for those who prefer it.
Included
02
Caregivers awake through the night
Two staff awake and on rounds, with a call pendant in every suite.
24/7
03
Candlelit supper
Three courses at six, on linen, with a choice of entrée every night.
NightlyRatings & recognition · sample
- Rogers County Readers' Choice · Best Senior Residence (sample)
- Claremore Chamber · Hospitality Award (sample)
- Family survey · 98% would recommend (sample)
- Licensed residential care home · Oklahoma
Activities & dining
A week at Lilac Hill
A sample week. The current calendar is in the front hall and emailed to families monthly.
Mon
- Morning walk on the lit path
- Parlor hour with records
Tue
- Chair yoga
- Evening book club
Wed
- Salon day
- Watercolor in the sunroom
Thu
- Outing into town
- Live music and family supper
Fri
- Baking with Rosa
- Classic film by the fire
Now hiring
Hospitality-minded caregivers for days, evenings and nights. Paid training from day one.
Visit
Up the lit drive above Claremore
- 1406 N Lilac Hill Road
Claremore, OK
Follow the lit drive to the porte-cochère. Guest parking is to the left, and the front entry is level. - (918) 555-0166
- Text us
- evenings@lilachillhouse.example
- Lilac Hill House
Tour & office hours
- Tours, Mon – Sat10a – 7p
- Evening tours, ThursdayUntil 8:30p
- Office, Mon – Fri9a – 5p
- Families visitAny time
Thursday evening tours end with supper. Families visiting at night ring the bell under the porte-cochère.
Come for supper. Stay for the music.
Our Thursday evening tours are the best way to see Lilac Hill. Call Vivian, or reserve a time below.