Red Mill Manor sits on Paper Mill Island in Baldwinsville, NY, right along the Seneca River with views of Erie Canal Lock 24, and folks there get to see a bit of history since the old mill has been around for about 175 years and used to be a boutique hotel and banquet spot for 16 years before becoming a retirement community, and after a stunning renovation that kept much of the original woodwork, timbers, and big exposed beams, the place now has a calming home-like feel with a lot of character. The community is small, with 32 furnished studio and one-bedroom apartments, so everyone gets their own private space with things like kitchenettes, new appliances, granite countertops, full bathrooms with walk-in showers and bathtubs, comfy sofas, work desks, stone fireplaces, and flat-screen TVs, and all the rooms are on the ground floor making moving around easier, plus cats and dogs are welcome. Meals come from the in-house kitchen, so there are fresh chef-prepared options each day-even for breakfasts-and if someone needs a special diet for things like diabetes or allergies, the staff is attentive about those details.
There's a lot to do inside and outside, with walking paths and gardens along the river, outdoor common seating, and big windows with water views-plus communal areas like the Lockside Pub where residents can watch sports, a library filled with books, a fitness center, and a community kitchen for group gatherings, and spaces for tables games, puzzles, or just sitting together with others. The staff keeps everything tidy, takes care of weekly housekeeping and laundry, and helps with moving in, so the daily chores are mostly off the residents' shoulders, and skilled team members are always on hand to offer medication management, 24-hour supervision, non-ambulatory care if needed, and support with memory care or home care, plus a call system is always available for quick help.
Social life stays busy, with activities like exercise classes, yoga, brain fitness, art and cooking classes, gardening clubs, trivia nights, karaoke, regular movie screenings, community-sponsored gatherings, walking groups, book clubs, and Wii bowling, and off-site devotional services are available too, so there are plenty of ways to stay active and connected. Wi-Fi and high-speed internet come with all apartments, and there's parking and free transportation, so folks can easily get to village shops, restaurants, healthcare, or just ride to nearby appointments at no extra charge. The whole place aims for a maintenance-free lifestyle with support for independent living all the way through full assisted living and memory care, and daily life feels pretty relaxed with nice views, clean and well-decorated spaces, and good company, since the management team works hard to keep a strong sense of community going. The family-owned operators have been in the home development business for over 70 years and keep a close eye on safety-there's an emergency alert system and help whenever it's needed, so residents and families don't have to worry too much.
