The Payn Home

    12 Coleman Street, Chatham, NY, 12037
    4.3 · 3 reviews
    • Independent living
    AnonymousLoved one of resident
    5.0

    Mom thriving in affordable care

    I placed my mom here and she's thriving. The historic brick building is clean and nicely appointed, staff are friendly, professional and efficient, and meals, snacks, laundry and light housekeeping are included. Rooms are private but very small (some with shared bathrooms), and parts of the facility feel a bit antiseptic, though the common living room, dining room and social/game room are pleasant and staff run weekly activities-nothing too busy, which preserves independence. Food is good but not fantastic with limited variety; overall it's budget-friendly and excellent value for what you get, in a lovely town near shops and a 28-acre preserve.

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    Amenities

    4.33 · 3 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      4.3
    • Staff

      4.0
    • Meals

      4.0
    • Amenities

      3.0
    • Value

      4.5

    Pros

    • pleasant, professional and efficient staff
    • friendly staff with a social environment
    • clean and nicely appointed common areas
    • private rooms available
    • some rooms have en-suite bathrooms
    • meals and snacks included
    • laundry service and light housekeeping included
    • weekly activities arranged by staff
    • independence preserved for residents
    • budget-friendly / good value
    • resident thriving reported (e.g., 'mom thriving')
    • common living room with big TV and social/game room
    • historic brick building in a beautiful town location
    • close to shops and a 28-acre preserve

    Cons

    • very small rooms and cramped layout
    • some rooms have shared bathrooms (privacy concern)
    • facilities described as antiseptic-feeling
    • meals are good but not fantastic with limited variety
    • not a busy or full schedule of daily activities
    • limited space may feel crowded in private rooms

    Summary review

    Overall impression: Reviews portray The Payn Home as a budget-friendly independent living option with a consistently praised staff and a clean, social environment. The tone is largely positive about day-to-day care and the interpersonal atmosphere: staff are described as pleasant, professional, efficient and friendly, and several services (meals, snacks, laundry, light housekeeping) are included. Many reviewers emphasize that residents retain independence and that relatives see their loved ones doing well — one reviewer explicitly noted their “mom thriving.”

    Care quality and staff: Multiple reviews highlight staff demeanor and performance as one of the strongest aspects. Words used across summaries include pleasant, professional, efficient, and friendly. Staff organize weekly activities and maintain cleanliness; laundry and light housekeeping are provided, and meals and snacks are included in the service. These comments point to reliable day-to-day operational care and staff who contribute to a supportive, social environment rather than intensive clinical care — consistent with an independent living setup.

    Facilities and layout: The building is described as a historic brick property in an attractive town location near shops and a 28-acre preserve, and common areas are nicely appointed (a living-type room with a large TV, dining room, and a social room for games). However, a consistent drawback is small private spaces: rooms are repeatedly called very small with a cramped layout. Some units have en-suite bathrooms while others share bathrooms, which raises privacy considerations depending on the room. A few reviews use the term “antiseptic” to describe the facilities’ feel, suggesting that while clean and orderly, the environment may lack warmth or a homelike atmosphere for some residents.

    Dining and activities: Dining is included and described as satisfactory — “good but not fantastic” — with limited variety noted by reviewers. Activities are available and arranged weekly by staff, contributing to a social atmosphere, but reviewers also point out that there is not a busy or full schedule of daily activities. This indicates the community suits residents who prefer some organized social options without intensive programming or those who value independence over a packed activities calendar.

    Value, target resident, and notable patterns: The Payn Home is repeatedly characterized as inexpensive or offering strong value for the cost. The combination of included services (meals, laundry, housekeeping), friendly staff, and a social environment in a desirable town setting makes it a good fit for seniors seeking affordable independent living with basic supports. The community appears particularly well-suited to residents who prioritize independence, simple social opportunities, and reliable daily services rather than extensive amenities or large private living areas.

    Concerns and caveats: The main negative themes are small, cramped private rooms and occasional shared bathrooms, which may be important factors for privacy and comfort. The somewhat antiseptic feel may bother those seeking a cozier, home-like ambiance. Meal variety and activity frequency are limited compared with communities that market more robust dining or daily programming. Prospective residents or families should weigh the trade-offs: strong staff and basic included services at a budget-friendly price versus smaller personal living spaces and a more restrained activity/dining offering.

    Bottom line: The Payn Home appears to deliver dependable, friendly staffing and essential services at a reasonable price in an attractive location, making it a solid choice for seniors who want to maintain independence and appreciate a social but not highly programmed environment. Those who require larger private accommodation, en-suite-only bathrooms, more varied dining, or a busier activities schedule should evaluate room availability and service specifics carefully before deciding.

    Location

    Map showing location of The Payn Home

    About The Payn Home

    The Payn Home, known by locals for over 80 years, sits on Coleman Street in Chatham, NY, in a solid brick building built back in 1929 by Louis F. Payn. It's a private, not-for-profit residence for older adults, serving about twenty-four men and women who want a cozy place to call home during retirement. The grounds have big trees, well-kept gardens, and outdoor patios, giving a quiet space that fits with the town's charm, where you'll also find bakeries, antique shops, and the public library not far away. The Home offers private rooms that residents can furnish as they like, with shared bathrooms in the hall, and the rooms overlook peaceful grounds. People living here get three fresh, home-cooked meals each day, plus snacks, and can use a dining room to eat and talk together. A spacious living room with a real working fireplace and several indoor sitting areas let residents gather or relax as they choose. Weekly laundry and light housekeeping help with daily chores, and the staff are friendly and provide help when needed.

    The Payn Home covers a lot of care needs-from independent living and assisted living to memory care and skilled nursing, and there's access to onsite homecare, hospice, and respite care services for short stays or winter retreats. Residents can keep their own health aides if they want and stay in a safe place with rules like indoor no smoking. The Home is pet-friendly, has resident parking, and welcomes guests, offering practical things like laundry, housekeeping, and group activities such as birthday parties, bingo, card games, jigsaw puzzles, movie nights, exercise, and music events, so no one needs to feel lonely. The gardens and patios outside, plus shared common areas inside, make it easy to enjoy time with others or find quiet. There's a full-time supervisor to answer questions, and amenities like a beauty salon, activity spaces, and on-demand transportation for errands or outings. The Home also connects with nearby senior living communities like Greenport Manor, Camphill Ghent, Highpoint at Chatham, and Home Sweet Home of Athens, giving people various options as needs change. Caregivers support both basic and special needs, aiming to offer a gracious, welcoming place where folks can keep up with their usual interests, attend regular activities, and enjoy the balance of privacy and community, all while remaining active, safe, and comfortable in a long-standing part of Chatham.

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