Canterbury Woods CCRC has been serving older adults in Buffalo and Western New York for more than 25 years, since it was founded in 1999 by the Episcopal Church Home and Affiliates, Inc., and it operates two campuses, Gates Circle and Williamsville, so people can pick urban or suburban living. The community's focus sits squarely on providing a full range of care, with independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, and even home care, all together on one campus, which makes it easier for residents to move between care levels as their needs change, so they can age in place without moving far from what's familiar. With 48 licensed skilled nursing beds and certification from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Canterbury Woods is Medicare and Medicaid certified and gets regularly reviewed for health, staffing, and care quality with ratings posted for families to see. Every day, residents in skilled nursing get an average of 38 minutes of care from registered nurses, 45 minutes from licensed practical nurses, 135 minutes from certified nursing assistants, and 7 minutes from physical therapists, so there's always a team around to help with clinical needs and daily support.
People find a safe setting with a 24-hour call system and round-the-clock supervision, while staff are known for being friendly, helpful, and quick to respond to concerns, and families remark on the clear communication and dedicated care. Residents who need help with things like bathing, dressing, medication, moving around, transfers, and meals find staff ready to assist, and those with diabetes or special diets find meal plans to fit their needs, made by a caring dietary team. Memory care is set up for those living with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia-with staff and therapies aimed at reducing confusion and keeping everyone secure and comfortable, which provides peace of mind for families. There are regular respite stays for caregivers needing a break. The community also offers outpatient rehab, with therapies including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as mental health and IV therapy, so more complex health issues get handled right on site.
Life at Canterbury Woods feels active and social, with a busy events calendar, community-sponsored and devotional activities, arts rooms, walking paths, a heated saltwater pool, and a big gym where people can stay moving if they want to. People enjoy nutritious meals in a welcoming dining room, spend time in beautiful landscaped gardens, and choose from amenities like a beauty salon, library, movie nights, an on-site cafe, and even a brand-new Performing Arts Center that hosts ticketed concerts and shows for residents and guests. The community keeps things accessible, with pet-friendly policies, transportation, parking, and accommodations for people with disabilities. Residents can live in independent apartments or larger patio homes, all maintenance-free, where cable, high-speed internet, and telephones come standard, and all rooms are furnished but can be personalized. Canterbury Woods offers a bank on site, housekeeping, laundry, on-site dental and podiatry care, and pharmacy services, plus home care for seniors who wish to stay in their own residences but need a bit of company or non-medical assistance.
People moving in get help with coordination, and family and resident groups stay organized so everyone has a voice. Canterbury Woods, as a mission-focused, not-for-profit community, aims to provide security and flexibility through Life Care contracts, so residents and their families know what to expect as time goes on. The community is known for hosting plenty of social and recreational events, and its activity programming has even won awards-it's a place where people are encouraged to be active and connected, with spaces like indoor common areas, garden walking paths, and cultural events all designed just for seniors. Residents pay in different ways, including private pay, Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and even military or VA benefits. This senior living community makes it easy for older adults to find the right level of care for their stage in life, without feeling uprooted or left on their own, and that's what's made Canterbury Woods part of Western New York's landscape for decades.
