The Homestead

The Homestead, found at 73 River St in Woodstock, Vermont, is a senior living community licensed for residential care with a calm, home-like feeling, and has space for up to 22 residents, with adult care homes on-site that feel more like a family house than a big institution, sometimes called adult foster homes or personal care homes, each with 10 or fewer seniors in private bedrooms and common areas where folks can gather and socialize or just sit quietly and enjoy the view out the window, and there are independent living options if someone likes more privacy or comes and goes a bit more on their own. The Homestead gives different levels of care, from assisted living up to skilled nursing through Merten's House, so folks don't have to move if they need more help, and the staff are known for being friendly, kind, and respectful, helping with things like bathing, dressing, medicine, and getting to the bathroom, or helping with meals if someone has diabetes or needs a special diet. There's a full activities program that includes board games, music, animal therapy, outings, creative projects, and community events, with meals planned and cooked fresh each day, usually one or two per day, and the dining room feels a bit like a cozy café with options for those who want to join others or just enjoy a quiet meal. The Homestead also helps people with transportation to the doctor, stores, or even church, and can handle things like laundry, cleaning, and medication, and there's a barber or hairdresser who makes visits now and then. For folks with Alzheimer's or other memory concerns, the community has trained caregivers and a secured wing, so people are safe but still able to take part in things as they wish, and there's 24-hour supervision and a call system for extra peace of mind for the families. Hospice and respite care are available too, and they let visitors know that staff can provide extra hands for anyone needing two-person assistance or insulin if there's staff for it. Most rooms come with private bathrooms, cable TV, phone, and air conditioning, and there are gardens, patios, walking paths, and a community room where folks like to spend time during the day. Smoke alarms, sprinkler systems, and emergency alerts are in place for safety, with elevators and parking for families who drop by. Founded by Mrs. Marianne Faulkner back in 1957, The Homestead continues to care for seniors by seeing them as people first, not just patients, and they recommend calling to check on room openings since that can change. Overall, The Homestead blends a comfortable, personal care home with programs that let seniors stay active, safe, and respected, surrounded by Vermont's pretty countryside, and it focuses on helping each resident live as well as they can, day by day.