Choosing care for an aging parent or loved one can feel overwhelming even under the best circumstances. The process often becomes a mix of urgency, uncertainty and trust handed over to strangers.
That reality sat quietly beneath a brief but notable moment at last Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, where city officials recognized the Oasis at Dodge Park for receiving a national senior care award based largely on reviews from residents and families.
Mayor Joseph Petty presented a proclamation honoring The Oasis at Dodge Park and Dodge Park for earning Caring.com’s Super Star 2026 award in residential care and memory care.
The proclamation was presented to Micha Shalev and Ben Herlinger from Dodge Park.
In reading the proclamation, Petty described the facilities as providers of “exceptional senior care” that demonstrate “an unwavering commitment to dignity, respect and excellence.”
The recognition comes through Caring.com, a national senior care and senior living resource website that evaluates communities through consumer reviews and ratings submitted by seniors and family members.
According to Caring.com, the “Caring Stars” awards program was launched in 2012 and was the first national award program of its kind based on publicly published reviews in the senior living industry.
The organization describes the honors as recognizing the “best of the best” among senior living communities and care agencies nationwide.
For 2026, Caring.com recognized 129 senior living communities across 31 states. Of those, 71 earned Super Star status, a distinction reserved for communities that have received the Caring Stars designation three or more times since 2012.
The awards are based on reviews that meet what Caring.com describes as stringent publication and verification standards. Communities are also evaluated on whether they respond to reviews and engage with resident and family feedback.
Shalev, administrator of Dodge Park, told the Worcester Guardian the recognition carries special meaning because it comes directly from residents and families navigating difficult and emotional decisions around memory care.
“Awards are always appreciated, but when the recognition is based largely on reviews from families and residents, it carries a very special meaning,” Shalev said. “It tells us that the compassion, dignity, patience, and personal attention our staff provide are truly being felt by those who matter most.”
Shalev said the award also reflects the long-term commitment of staff members, many of whom have remained at the facility for decades.
“For our staff, this is more than an award,” Shalev said. “It is a validation of their dedication, their long hours, and the heart they bring to memory care.”
The Oasis at Dodge Park specializes in residential memory care services for seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other cognitive impairments.
According to Dodge Park’s website, the Worcester facility provides residential care, adult day care, respite care and memory care services in what it describes as a “secure setting” with 24-hour supervised support.
Shalev said one of the facility’s defining features is its focus on specialized dementia care rather than a more traditional assisted living model.
“We provide a higher level of support than traditional assisted living, with nurses on-site 24/7, strong clinical oversight, experienced caregivers, and a structured activity and engagement program seven days a week,” Shalev said. “Our goal is not only to keep residents safe, but to help them feel connected, valued, and at home.”
He also pointed to the facility’s locally owned structure and all-inclusive pricing model as factors families often find important while navigating care decisions.
“Families know the monthly cost up front, without community fees, admission fees, or constant add-on charges as care needs increase,” Shalev said. “That predictability is very important for families who are already under emotional stress and trying to plan responsibly.”
The recognition arrives as demand for senior services and memory care continues to rise nationwide alongside an aging population and increasing rates of dementia-related illness.
Shalev said Dodge Park has seen that trend firsthand across Worcester and Central Massachusetts.
“Yes, we have absolutely seen growing demand for memory care and dementia-related services in Worcester and throughout Central Massachusetts in recent years,” Shalev said. “More families are reaching out because they are facing the reality that dementia care at home can become emotionally, physically, and financially overwhelming without the right support.”
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, approximately 7.4 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2026, including more than 135,000 people in Massachusetts.
Shalev said many families arrive after discovering that dementia care often requires more specialized support than they initially expected.
“It is not only about helping with daily needs,” he said. “It is about understanding behaviors, communication changes, anxiety, wandering risk, medication needs, nutrition, family stress, and the importance of routine and dignity.”
He added that he hopes more people understand that transitioning a loved one into memory care should not be viewed as giving up.
“I wish more people understood that choosing memory care is not a failure,” Shalev said. “It is often an act of love and protection.”
The facility is also preparing for future expansion. Shalev said the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Health Care Council approved a 32-bed expansion at Oasis at Dodge Park on May 13.
“We see this expansion as part of our continued commitment to meet the growing need for compassionate, specialized dementia care in our region,” he said.
No additional remarks were made during Tuesday’s council presentation, which lasted only a few moments before the meeting moved on to other proclamations and agenda items.
