Ashland Terrace stands on South Ashland Avenue in Lexington, Kentucky, and has a long history dating back to 1849, when it served women and children during the cholera epidemic under names like "Home of the Friendless" and later the "Old Ladies Home" before taking the Ashland Terrace name in the 1970s. This independent senior living community is a non-profit foundation and acts as a congregate living center for women sixty and older, always aiming to provide a secure, friendly, and affordable home where residents can thrive spiritually, physically, and mentally. The building, which was completed in 1960 and expanded in the late 1990s, has a cozy, home-like feeling, with communal dining rooms, accessible elevators, and rooms that offer closet space, showers, individual climate control, Wi-Fi internet, and phone hookups, although the rooms remain unfurnished so each resident can make their own space comfortable. While kitchens aren't built into the units, some options include kitchenettes, and communal areas support group activities, meals, and social gatherings.
Residents handle their own pet care, and while visiting pets are allowed with limits, daily life at Ashland Terrace includes programs almost every day, whether it's yoga, chair fitness, gardening, arts and crafts, or a resident musical group in one of the common rooms. Staff take care of housekeeping, linens, maintenance, and laundry services on a weekly basis, and help with errands and transportation for shopping or doctor visits. On-site services like copying and faxing live alongside amenities like a well-stocked library with computers, a beauty salon, and a flexible visiting policy for families and friends-guests can park for free and come during a wide window of visiting hours. The building itself is safe, with controlled access and regular checks, and a caring staff who participate in interviews and reference checks before joining.
Ashland Terrace tries to stay rooted in community, offering space for spiritual, social, and educational activities, coordinating religious services, and organizing special seasonal and holiday events for the women living there. The grounds feature walkways, water features, patios lined with outdoor furniture, secured gardens like Ric's Garden which opens its "U-pick" flowers to the public from April through October, and plenty of quiet nooks to relax with friends or family. Activities include music, performing arts, outings, horticulture, reading, and more; many are resident-led. The community is close to local medical care like the VA Hospital and public transit, with a Walk Score of 88 and a Transit Score of 71 for those still getting around town. Ashland Terrace maintains all-inclusive rates, simple payment options, and supports residents who can dress themselves, keep up their own rooms, and walk to meals three times a day, but doesn't offer full-time nursing care. Utilities, internet, and activities fold into the monthly rent, and everything revolves around helping older women live with dignity and joy in a safe spot that has been a steady part of Lexington for well over a century.
