Pricing ranges from
    $6,421 – 7,705/month

    Holiday House Residential Care Home

    642 Sheldon Road, St. Albans, VT, 05478
    3.0 · 3 reviews
    • Assisted living
    • Skilled nursing
    AnonymousLoved one of resident
    3.0

    Caring staff, odor and tension

    I liked the wonderful, caring and knowledgeable staff, the residents seemed content, and the locally owned facility has renovated, attractive common areas and a homey entrance. However parts felt tired/dated, I noticed a urine odor and uneven cleanliness, and a tense atmosphere (I heard staff arguing) — overall I would hesitate to recommend it.

    Pricing

    $6,421+/moSemi-privateAssisted Living
    $7,705+/mo1 BedroomAssisted Living

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    Amenities

    Healthcare services

    • Activities of daily living assistance
    • Assistance with bathing
    • Assistance with dressing
    • Assistance with transfers
    • Coordination with health care providers
    • Medication management
    • Mental wellness program

    Healthcare staffing

    • 24-hour call system
    • 24-hour supervision

    Meals and dining

    • Diabetes diet
    • Meal preparation and service
    • Special dietary restrictions

    Room

    • Cable
    • Fully furnished
    • Housekeeping and linen services
    • Kitchenettes
    • Telephone
    • Wifi

    Transportation

    • Transportation arrangement (medical)
    • Transportation to doctors appointments

    Common areas

    • Beauty salon
    • Dining room
    • Garden
    • Outdoor space

    Community services

    • Move-in coordination

    Activities

    • Community-sponsored activities
    • Resident-run activities
    • Scheduled daily activities

    3.00 · 3 reviews

    Overall rating

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

      4.5
    • Staff

      3.3
    • Meals

      3.0
    • Amenities

      4.0
    • Value

      3.0

    Pros

    • Wonderful and caring staff
    • Excellent, pleasant and knowledgeable staff
    • Great care / content residents
    • Clean (reported by some reviewers)
    • Locally owned and operated
    • Associated with Franklin County Rehab Center
    • Renovated resident rooms, common areas and bathrooms
    • Beautiful facilities (in renovated areas)
    • Homey entrance

    Cons

    • Urine odor reported by multiple reviewers
    • Not consistently clean (some reviewers said not very clean)
    • Tired or dated feel in some areas
    • Fewer resident crafts on display (activities/display concern)
    • Tense atmosphere and reports of arguing in the office
    • Viewed as a second choice by some reviewers
    • Some reviewers would not recommend

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment across the reviews is mixed, with a clear split between reviewers who praise the caregiving and facility improvements and others who call attention to persistent cleanliness and atmosphere issues. Many positives center on the caregiving staff and certain upgraded parts of the building, while the negatives focus on odors, inconsistent housekeeping, and concerns about management atmosphere.

    Care quality and staff: Several reviewers emphasize that staff are "wonderful and caring," "excellent," "pleasant," and "knowledgeable," and describe residents as content—indicating that direct care and day-to-day interactions with caregivers are often seen as strengths. "Great care" is explicitly mentioned, suggesting clinical or personal care is generally well regarded by some families/residents. However, the overall impression is not uniformly positive because other reviews reference a tense atmosphere and interpersonal conflict in the office, which may undermine trust even if direct caregiving is good.

    Facilities and cleanliness: Reviews note recent renovations to resident rooms, common areas, and bathrooms, and some describe parts of the facility as "beautiful." The homey entrance and renovated areas appear to make a positive impression. At the same time, multiple reviewers report a urine odor and at least one reviewer explicitly calls the facility "not very clean." There is therefore a pattern of mixed reports: some visitors encounter clean, updated spaces while others experience odor and housekeeping problems. The coexistence of renovation praise and complaints about odors/tired areas suggests improvements may be uneven or that maintenance/housekeeping practices are inconsistent across shifts or wings.

    Activities and environment: One reviewer points out that there are "not as many resident crafts on display," implying activities or the visibility of resident engagement may be less prominent than at other facilities. Several comments that the facility was a "second choice" or that some reviewers "would not recommend" suggest that perceived shortcomings (odor, cleanliness, tense office atmosphere, fewer visible activities) affect overall desirability relative to alternatives.

    Management and ownership: The fact that the facility is "locally owned and operated" and "associated with Franklin County Rehab Center" appears in the positive column and may reassure some families about local oversight and clinical affiliations. Conversely, reports of "arguing in [the] office" and a "tense atmosphere" point to management or staff communication issues that could influence perceptions of professionalism and resident/family satisfaction. These reports are important because they relate to leadership, complaint handling, and workplace culture—areas that can affect continuity of care and resident experience even if direct caregivers are competent.

    Notable patterns and takeaways: The reviews present a clear contradiction: strong praise for staff and visible renovation work versus repeated complaints about odor, uneven cleanliness, and office tension. That pattern indicates the facility may excel in caregiving and capital improvements but struggle with consistent housekeeping/maintenance and internal management dynamics. Prospective families should weigh both sides—many reviewers commend the care and updated spaces, but multiple independent mentions of urine odor and a tense office environment are red flags worth investigating further.

    Information gaps: Dining was not mentioned in the provided summaries, so no assessment can be made about food quality, menus, or meal service. Similarly, details about staffing ratios, clinical services beyond the rehab association, and specific activity offerings are limited beyond the note about fewer crafts on display.

    Recommendation for prospective visitors: Given the mixed feedback, an in-person tour that inspects multiple areas (recently renovated rooms and older wings), visits during different times of day, and conversations with direct-care staff, residents, and administrative personnel is advisable. Ask about housekeeping protocols, odor mitigation measures, activity schedules and engagement, staff turnover, and how management handles conflicts and family concerns. These targeted questions will help confirm whether the positive aspects (caring staff, renovations, local ownership, rehab affiliation) are consistent with your priorities and whether the reported problems are isolated or systemic.

    Location

    Map showing location of Holiday House Residential Care Home

    About Holiday House Residential Care Home

    Holiday House Residential Care Home in St. Albans, Vermont, offers senior living in a small, home-like setting for folks who need some help but don't need full nursing care. The facility is licensed for 42 beds but can care for up to 6 residents at a time, with both private and shared units, so everyone can find a space that feels right. Staff members are awake and available day and night, and there are special safety features throughout, including alarm and emergency alert systems for security and peace of mind. Residents get help with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, and moving about, along with medication management and hygiene assistance. There's a focus on comfort and independence, and personal care plans are tailored for each resident's needs, whether for mobility support, diabetes care, Parkinson's disease care, or memory care for Alzheimer's and dementia.

    Each unit has generous closet space, and every room comes furnished with telephone and cable connections, plus free Wi-Fi, so residents can keep in touch with family. The facility handles housekeeping, linen, laundry, and even dry cleaning, so chores are taken care of, and staff is happy to help with moving in. There's a dining hall with all-day meal service, and three homemade, nutritious meals are served daily, along with snacks in between-meals can be adjusted for dietary needs like diabetes or high blood pressure.

    Holiday House has a rich assortment of activities and community areas. Residents can enjoy a theater room for movies, a library and reading section, and arts and crafts spaces. There are exercise and fitness rooms as well as garden areas and walking paths, so folks can stay active and get fresh air. The beauty/barbershop offers regular haircuts, and there's the option for visiting stylists or mobile hairdressers. The home supports activities like music therapy, animal therapy, tabletop games, gardening groups, art classes, and spiritual or devotional gatherings. Offsite activities, shopping trips, and outings for faith-based events or medical appointments are arranged with free transportation. Residents can socialize during game nights, community events, and musical groups, or just relax in common rooms or the health and wellness areas like a sauna or hot tub.

    For those with memory issues, special Alzheimer's and dementia programs and secured areas help keep residents safe. Staff are trained to help with non-ambulatory care and can coordinate care with doctors and nurses as needed. The whole approach is based on kindness, respect, and making everyone feel like part of a family. The facility doesn't take Medicare, but it does offer a caring environment for seniors who need help with daily living but still appreciate choosing how they spend their time. With an emphasis on a calm, supportive, and friendly atmosphere, Holiday House serves as a safe place for seniors who want comfort and real human care in their later years.

    About Holiday by Atria

    Holiday House Residential Care Home is managed by Holiday by Atria.

    Holiday Retirement, founded in 1971 by Bill Colson, was one of the largest independent living operators in North America with over 300 communities at its peak. In 2019, Holiday Retirement was acquired by Atria Senior Living, creating one of the largest senior living providers in the United States. The communities now operate under the Atria brand while maintaining many of the traditions and values that made Holiday Retirement a trusted name in senior living for nearly 50 years. Holiday pioneered the concept of affordable, all-inclusive independent living for seniors, offering residents a worry-free lifestyle with meals, housekeeping, activities, and transportation included in one monthly fee.

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