MyLivingChoice

St Katharine Drexel Retirement

301 West Wade

3.7(17 ratings)· El Reno average: 3.5

St Katharine Drexel Retirement, photo 1

Quick Facts

Total units
74
Licensed capacity
74 residents

California CDSS

Affiliation
Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Pricing model
All-inclusive rent, no buy-in or endowment fee
Move-out terms
Only 30 days' notice required to leave
Specialized units
16 of 65 rooms are specialized care units

What Families Think

Reviews for St Katharine Drexel are sharply mixed: some families describe warm, attentive care especially for loved ones with Alzheimer's, while several recent reviewers report serious understaffing, food service breakdowns, and safety lapses. The community is a faith-sponsored, all-inclusive rental option with no buy-in fee, but multiple accounts raise concerns about management stability and consistency of care.

The Good

  • Staff described as loving and attentive by some families
  • Clean, nicely decorated building with social activity spaces
  • Free transportation to local appointments and group outings
  • All-inclusive monthly rent with no buy-in or endowment required
  • Regularly scheduled social, spiritual, and recreational activities

The Bad

  • Multiple reports of understaffing and high staff turnover
  • Several complaints about poor food quality and missed meals
  • One report of a resident's fall not discovered for 12 hours
  • One report describing slow call-light response times near an hour

AI-generated from reviews and community data.

St Katharine Drexel Retirement is a senior living community in El Reno, Oklahoma offering Assisted Living. Families rate it 3.7 out of 5 across 17 reviews.

About St Katharine Drexel Retirement

St Katharine Drexel Retirement Center is an assisted living community in El Reno, Oklahoma, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. The community offers 65 individual rooms, including 16 specialized care units, with personalized care plans developed by the Director of Resident Care Services in collaboration with residents' physicians.

The community provides freshly prepared meals three times daily, housekeeping, laundry, medication management, and personal care services. All utilities, cable television, and scheduled activities are included in the all-inclusive monthly rent. Residents select from four unique apartment styles, each with a kitchenette equipped with microwave, refrigerator, and sink, plus a private restroom with grab bars and fold-down shower seat.

Social, educational, spiritual, and recreational activities are regularly scheduled, with an Activities Director planning special outings monthly. The community features a library with fireplace, family kitchen and dining area, billiards table, piano, and multiple social areas. A commitment to the social model emphasizes resident involvement at whatever level is possible or desired, with staff assisting rather than doing for residents to support independence and dignity.

Transportation services are a key feature, with comfortable vehicles operated by professional staff. Free transportation is provided for local appointments and scheduled group outings such as shopping, recreation, and dining. Out-of-town medical appointments can be arranged for a nominal fee, and residents are welcome to bring their own vehicle.

The all-inclusive rental model requires no endowment or expensive buy-in fee, allowing residents to maintain control of their own savings and finances. Residents may move out with 30 days' notice, and the monthly rent amount varies based on apartment style and individual level of care needed.

Types of Care at St Katharine Drexel Retirement

Assisted Living

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Reviews of St Katharine Drexel Retirement

3.7overall · 17 ratings combined

3.7★ on Google (17)

Raven Carter

Mar 2026

via Google

This facility may look nice on the surface, but the quality of care is very concerning right now. The new director does not seem willing to take accountability and has hired family members for positions they are not properly trained to handle. I have personally seen them sitting in the office laughing while the building was clearly short staffed, instead of helping where they were needed. Another serious concern is the food service. The meals are poor quality and the menu lacks proper nutrition. Even worse, residents are sometimes forgotten when meals are served. When this is brought to the staff’s attention, the response has been “sorry, the kitchen is closed,” rather than correcting the issue and making sure the resident actually receives food. On multiple visits, I found my mother’s meal sitting by her door, covered in plastic wrap, hours after it had been delivered. She didn’t even know it was there and could not reach it to serve herself. No one checked to see if she had eaten. Response times for call lights can also be very slow. There were times my mother waited close to an hour for assistance, leaving her stuck in very uncomfortable positions. There was also a very troubling incident where a resident had fallen and was not found for approximately 12 hours. Situations like this raise serious concerns about whether residents are being checked on as frequently as they should be. There are some wonderful caregivers working here who clearly care about the residents, but they appear overwhelmed because the facility is consistently understaffed. The building itself looks great, but unfortunately the level of care does not match the appearance. I would strongly encourage families to look carefully and explore other options before choosing this facility.

Michael Pitcher

Dec 2025

via Google

My mother-in-law is a current resident. When she first arrived at the facility approximately a year and a half ago, my wife and I were very pleased. Things seemed to be run well and the staff were great. I have to say the facility has gone down hill ever since. It seems the turnover rate has gotten very bad, the food and its preparation are horrible. Just recently when the residents showed up for dinner there was nothing for them to eat. A staff member finally went and bought 10 pizzas and gave each resident one slice each. I’m not sure who to even contact to file a complaint. The worst part is my wife and I live in California so we can’t be there each day. We have to rely on my mother-in-law and other residents for information. There have been several times when I wanted to just get in my car and drive there and bring my mother-in-law back to California. The only thing stopping me is my wife who said we should just wait and see if things will get better. I’m not so sure any more. One thing I do know is when the turnover rate is bad it usually means there is a management problem. For the amount of money paid each month these residents deserve better.

Kelly Gatz

Apr 2024

via Google

My mom was a resident at Saint Katherine’s for four years. She transitioned from assisted living to the cottage during her journey with Alzheimer’s. There is nowhere else we would have ever wanted her to be. We never worried about anything during her stay. The management and staff were the best we could have ever imagined. What an amazing place. I can’t thank everyone enough for how well you took care and loved my mom. Thank you so much. ❤️ The Family of Bonnie Bales ❤️

Tanya Hicks

Nov 2023

via Google

I have visited several times and have found this home to be very inviting. There have been musicians playing for the residents in the dining room, residents playing bingo, and kids from the school were trick or treating recently. It is always clean and decorated beautifully. The staff is very friendly and helpful.

Halley Harrow

Nov 2023

via Google

This home is responsible for my grandmothers death after we paid them close to $100,000 to keep her safe. They are negligent and horrible. do not leave them responsible for your loved ones. Especially in the memory care unit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What types of care does St Katharine Drexel Retirement offer?

St Katharine Drexel Retirement offers Assisted Living.

Where is St Katharine Drexel Retirement located?

St Katharine Drexel Retirement is located at 301 West Wade in El Reno, Oklahoma.

What do families say about St Katharine Drexel Retirement?

Reviews for St Katharine Drexel are sharply mixed: some families describe warm, attentive care especially for loved ones with Alzheimer's, while several recent reviewers report serious understaffing, food service breakdowns, and safety lapses. The community is a faith-sponsored, all-inclusive rental option with no buy-in fee, but multiple accounts raise concerns about management stability and consistency of care.

How can families visit St Katharine Drexel Retirement?

Submit the Request Information form on this page to connect with St Katharine Drexel Retirement and arrange a tour. Sharing your timeline and care needs up front helps the community prepare for your visit.

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