Wake Robin Life Plan Retirement Community sits on 136 acres in Shelburne, Vermont, overlooking Lake Champlain, and it's been around since 1993, giving older adults a place where they can live on their own or get more support as they need it, all without having to move far from neighbors or routines they've come to know. People can choose from cozy apartments or cottages-there are 25 home styles, including one- and two-bedroom options with features like full kitchens, washer and dryer, walk-in closets, and patios, and all are designed for easy living and green energy use, which matters to folks who care about the environment. There are all sorts of shared spaces, too, like a woodshop, art studio, library with a fireplace, and an aquatic center, and there are many places to gather or take part in activities and volunteer groups, so boredom's not really an issue unless someone wants it to be.
Wake Robin works as a Life Plan Community, which means independent living, residential care, skilled nursing, and memory care are all available on the same campus, and this can bring peace of mind because no one's going to have to move far if their needs change. The skilled nursing section is called Cedar and it's five-star and Medicare-certified for short-term or long-term care. The Juniper neighborhood is for memory care, and it's set up to help residents live as independently and happily as possible with support from trained staff. For people who just need help with one or two daily chores, the Spruce & Balsam neighborhood gives support while letting residents keep as much independence as they can, and all these services use the Linden Health Center, which is licensed and provides all levels of care.
The Maple Leaf dining room makes meals and there's a dining FAQ if folks want to know more about meals. The grounds feature paths, gardens, and good spots for walking. Wake Robin puts effort into environmental responsibility and mutual support, which has always been a part of its mission. Residents often pitch in through activity committees and environmental groups. The community also gives people access to programs like Choices for Care, Vermont ACCS, and the Vermont Medicare Savings Program, and they accept Medicaid and Medicare, which helps make things affordable for some. Extra help is available through personal care, adult day care, respite services, and things like transportation, meals, legal aid, and homemaker help.
Being just twenty minutes south of Burlington and not far from outdoor spots like state parks, the Long Trail, and Shelburne Beach, along with cultural places like the Flynn Center and Shelburne Museum, means residents can stay active with day trips or visits. Ski areas nearby often offer senior discounts, and local colleges like the University of Vermont, Middlebury, and Champlain are nearby for those who're interested in learning or attending events.
Wake Robin has a team of 51 to 200 employees, with staff in roles like Director of Marketing (Kim Anderson), Marketing Admissions Planner (Jane Mitchell), Director of Human Resources (Karen Vincent), and a CFO (Missy Kelsen), and the place has always aimed to be as open and respectful as possible, upholding the dignity of everyone who calls it home. The dark red Wake Robin flower, which stands for renewal and promise, is the symbol of the community, and the main idea here is to support each other while letting people live genuinely and as independently as possible for as long as possible.
