The environments we live in help shape human interactions, for better or worse.
The design of a building, for example, can encourage communication while impacting peoples’ behavior, motivation levels, and moods. It can improve health by reducing agitation and influencing better sleep while making it easier for residents to move around and interact with friends, loved ones, and healthcare providers. Or design can make communication more difficult, resulting in feelings of isolation or claustrophobia, and negatively impact overall health.
Simply put, design influences our behavior, and there is perhaps no area where this is more important—or more apparent—than in senior living and memory care homes. The Village’s human-centric design features innovations meant to improve the health of its residents, from communication to ease of movement to natural lighting and more. The result is a warm, homey atmosphere where residents can thrive, nestled right on Main Street in downtown White River Junction.
It’s for precisely this reason that the Village at White River Junction recently won the prestigious 2021 Merit and Special Recognition Award from The Design for Aging Review. The Village was built from the ground up with a special focus on creating an innovative environment for senior living. It is one of the many reasons why the Village stands out among assisted living and memory care homes in the New England region.
Physical, mental, and memory health were all considered in the design to improve overall health and stimulate brain function for residents. The Village features welcoming, comfortable spaces with abundant natural light, such as the Newberry Lounge, Cantore Terrace, Newton Lounge, and Greenough Garden.
The Newberry Lounge provides an opportunity for residents to relax and enjoy books, puzzles, board games and films. 
The rooftop wrap-around Cantore Terrace gives residents an elegantly private outdoor space with stunning views.
The Newton Lounge has large windows overlooking the downtown and offers staff-guided activities. 
The Greenough Garden provides a pleasant spot for enjoying beautiful weather, people watching and gardening.
The Village’s “vertical main street” is one of many noteworthy features. This design innovation means that amenities such as reading nooks, social areas, and scenic balconies were placed strategically throughout the building to provide stunning views of historic downtown White River Junction and the verdant Vermont countryside.
Its design allows for easy movement throughout all five floors of the building, as well as White River Junction’s downtown main street, which offers deep and rich experiences of arts, culture, and history. These compelling sensory experiences give reasons for residents to interact with one another and explore the local community.
Arts and culture are deeply embedded in The Village and help enrich the hearts and minds of residents. The Village was positioned on Main Street at a historic intersection that enables residents to enjoy the neighborhood and Vermont’s stunning natural landscapes. This twofold approach encourages a sense of connection to the local community while reducing feelings of isolation, something all too common in the aging population.
Works by local, regional, and nationally-recognized artists rotate through the Crockwell Art Gallery. 
Crockwell Art Gallery
Each interior space is uniquely named after local history and helps celebrate White River Junction’s vibrant culture. Residents can participate in extensive on-site programs or take a stroll to White River Junction’s acclaimed Northern Stage theater located nearby. The unique community provides opportunities to experience and create art; those cultural pursuits can be critical in continually enriching residents’ lives.
These subtle yet powerful design innovations result in a better life for residents and considerably more mental and physical stimulation. For example, according to Today’s Geriatric Medicine, art can have many positive effects in aging populations:
- Relaxation
- Feelings of Control
- Reduced Anxiety and Depression
- Improved Socialization
- Increased Playfulness and Humor
- Improved Cognition
- Mental and Physical Stimulation
- Greater Feelings of Self-Identity & Self-Esteem
- Less Boredom
The Village at White River Junction is incorporated seamlessly into White River Junction’s historic downtown arts and cultural community—it is truly a village within a village.
The Village at White River Junction is pleased and honored to accept this award. It helps showcase why The Village is so different from other senior living homes and how design can help improve the lives of elderly populations.
The Village at White River Junction is managed by an award-winning company: Life Care Services, an LCS® Company. Life Care Services recently earned the J.D. Power Award for #1 in Customer Satisfaction with Independent Senior Living Communities for the third year in a row. Life Care Services has managed and supported a variety of senior living communities nationwide for over 50 years.
If you would like to know more about The Village at White River Junction or would like to schedule a tour, please contact us today. We look forward to the opportunity to help you out.
