COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Testimonials
"From the first contact I could see a huge difference in The Village compared to other assisted living centers I had visited. I am in the middle of a process of moving my parent and the timeline is a bit uncertain, yet all my questions have been quickly and cheerfully answered, additional effort made to provide video of the apartment to help with making the decision, a flexible deposit program that was affordable yet gives us the option to take or decline any specific opening. Having apartments available was also key, as this will be a transition in the next 6 months or sooner. The folks I met were so warm and genuine, there was no talking down to the residents and I could see the respect the staff had for the residents, important to me as my parent is a bright, educated, vibrant person. I could see this would be a setting where she could feel positive about moving into this next stage, not doing mindless jigsaw puzzles and bingo to pass the time, but the entire setting of a 'boutique hotel' offers elegance, dignity, invitation, and a sense of opening opportunities, not closing them down or simply passing time. I appreciated that the common areas were not filled with people, rather I had a sense that the residents came, went, socialized, had time on their own, in a self-chosen manner for someone who is having to give up some well-earned independence in their last years. I also talked to other families with parents and close friends there and other than the food getting a 'ho-hum'rating (not a big deal for us, it all looks perfectly fine if not cordon bleu --and who wants that everyday anyway? Life is more interesting than eating fancy meals) I heard all positives. The final point I heard and hope will continue was the creativity and flexibility as a resident's situation might change--a real feeling th at the philosophy was that this was their last home hopefully where they would peacefully end their days.
The price tag is painful, but clearly there is a difference and if the staffing in real time resembles my impressions upon visiting, then it will be worth it. I could easily see visiting my parent here often and happily, and the location also affords us opportunities to be out in the broader WRJ community as well--not stuck out where only group vans provide transportation. I do appreciate that it does not clump all the elders together like geese!
The absence of chintz and fussy overstuffed chairs and curtains is delightful. It is modern and inviting. Also the residences are not so far from the elevator, a concern as my parent becomes a bit more frail and easily tired. Other settings had long, institutional hallways that would be too great a workout. IT is cleverly designed. The meal options seem more than adequate to ensure something of choice for meals, and the theater, art studio, and performance and exhibit spaces are behind wonderful.
Light. Bright. In town. Compact. Elegantly appointed. Many private spaces to enjoy alone or with a sense of an apartment building or hotel vs. a senior home. Concierge. Intermix of residents and staff at the helm of programs vs. residents simply recipients. Strong sense of the value and talents of the residents and opportunities to display and share them. Carol in particular is a real advantage to your facility--immediate response, caring and clearly devoted to her job and to helping find a good 'fit', understanding of the process which might not always fit the timeline of availability, endlessly patient, warm, and inviting. What a fine ambassador for The Village.
Carol was wonderful, full stop! The concierge experience was great, I was well-taken care of. I also didn't realize I knew Tammy as well (kids the same age) and having a familiar face that I respect also there gave me a lot of confidence in the facility being pretty much as good as it appeared in my visit. But hands down Carol is a gem.
As soon as my parent closes down their home in another state, within the next 6 months, we are planning to bring her to The Village. There really was no other option that even came close. But I truly hope that what I saw will continue into the future--whether the faces shift a bit, the philosophy has to remain centered on ensuring that these last years of lives well-lived are filled with new experiences that invite growth, curiosity, and engagement--opening the world up even as life is coming to and end. If this turns out to be what my parent experiences, it will be a gift beyond anything I could have hoped for having looked at other facilities. I hope whatever hand is at the helm can continue to lead this team into the future in the same manner. Thank you for this opportunity to provide feedback."
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Chris Knippenberg October 2023 |
"As a healthcare navigator, I often step into fraught family situations. Such was the case when I reached out to Carol. She was instrumental in helping me successfully come to a solution for all members of the family for whom I was working. Carol was unfailingly professional, compassionate and knowledgeable.
My client needed to find a place to live in less than two weeks. Carol made it happen. When my client was wheeled into her new apartment, with a view of the woods, I could see her whole body relax. When Carol told her that she could have her own cat in the apartment, she said, "You have a customer."
Having worked with The Village before, I look forward to my client settling in and discovering that she will feel like more than a customer at The Village."
| Lori H. September 2023 |
"After many months at The Village dealing with a serious illness, I will soon be returning home. I owe a great debt of thanks to the people whose attention and kindness made me feel welcomed and cared for in assisted living here, especially Carol and Tammy in the office, Leslie, the head nurse, and med. tech. Shari. I will not forget you."
| Sophia S. September 2023 |
"My mom has just moved into The Village. We have been deeply impressed with the team here, especially their flexibility, respectfulness, and responsiveness in what is inevitably a very complex and emotional transition for the whole family. No other community we visited or interacted with was so consistently engaged with us during the exploration, evaluation, and decision process. In the selection process we were especially impressed with The Village's thoughtful and flexible approach to memory care — allowing for a continuum of care rather than an all-or-nothing locked unit. The facility itself is beautifully designed and maintained in great condition. At this stage I would highly recommend this community to any family who need this level of assisted living."
| Andy C. September 2023 |
"After many months at The Village dealing with a serious illness, I will soon be returning home. I owe a great debt of thanks to the people whose attention and kindness made me feel welcomed and cared for in assisted living here, especially Carol and Tammy in the office, Leslie, the head nurse, and med. tech. Shari. I will not forget you."
 | Sophia S. May 2023 |
"My Father has been a resident of The Village for 2 1/2 years. Over that time he has gone through a number of health issues and a lot of personal changes in his life. During this time, the staff at the Village have been nothing but FANTASTIC!! From Nikki, to Suzette and Carol and Leslie they have been supportive, accommodating and loving. My dad feels well cared for and valued. Our entire family is so so appreciative for all the good care that our dad receives from the entire staff at the Village. We know he is safe and in good hands."
| David C. April 2023 |
"I can't express how very happy we have been with our choice of the Village at WRJ for our parents. From the very first moment, we have been so impressed. It was very difficult to convince my mother that this was where she needed to be. She just wasn't "ready". Tammy let me know that everyone would work with us to make this transition as easy as possible. Tammy, Carol, and Suzette made the move in day an easy one. They worked as a seamless team. Louis is incredibly supportive and encouraging. He never fails to greet us by name and let us know how things are going. During the round table meeting with the staff, Nicky immediately reassured us that what we were feeling and fearing was completely normal and to be expected. They have been with us every step of the way. I am blown away by how everyone knows my parents by name and they are all truly eager to help and support them. Carol has been in constant contact via text and phone calls to let me know how things are going and checking in on me. I would love to name each and every person I have met, because everyone has truly been so very caring. It is very apparent that everyone at the Village loves what they are doing and they love the people they care for. As I told Carol, I feel as if we have gained a new family. Thank you!"
| Mary Jo W. April 2023 |
"My mother resided in the memory care unit at The Village at White River Junction for the last three years of her life. She enjoyed a large private room, good food, and most importantly, attentive and loving care from the staff. Her mobility issues in her final year were especially challenging, as The Village is not equipped for residents who are completely non-ambulatory, but the staff were willing to work with the family to overcome them with the help of a special wheelchair. We were very happy that our mother was able to spend her last days there. To re-iterate, the memory care staff, especially, were lovely to interact with, and unquestionably made our mother's life significantly richer and more easeful, through their attention."
| Michael D. April 2023 |
"First, an overall thank you for offering such a warm, welcoming place for my dad to live at this point in his life.
I’d also like to offer some specific points that have been particularly appreciated:
1) When my dad first moved in, Carol suggested that we reserve the Smith & Sons kitchen for a private family lunch. We would not have otherwise thought of this so soon after arriving, but it turned out to be a very special family time, especially with my kids there too. Also, the space was perfect, light-filled and large enough not only to host our group but to feel genuinely like a home.
2) The lovely common spaces -such as the library , the rooftop pub and terrace, and the Sunflower room have all added so much to his quality of life. My dad had places to be and enjoy that were easy to access and also a real change of scenery and activity . The tasteful decor and lighting made them very pleasant and calming, and it was so nice to be able to visit while also looking out on the activity of WRJ with the hills beyond.
3) The staff has been pleasant and responsive. For instance, I especially appreciate the extra effort made by Tim, a nurse in memory care who tried to help my dad after my mom kept running into bureaucratic hurdles regarding an important medical issue by calling them himself and then making key suggestion that driving to office to try to get response in person might help, which seemed to help break logjam and calmed my mom down too. While that might seem obvious, it was hard to focus after going around in administrative circles repeatedly on such an important issue for my dad so was good advice to get.
4) Finally, thank you also to the chef and team for making such great food! "
| Karin M. April 2023 |
"When it became too hard for me to take care of my husband, I was glad that the Village was able to do that. My husband is receiving wonderful care and attention from everybody at the Village. The nurses and caregivers are on top of what his needs are. My husband is receiving stimulation in that he can wheel his wheelchair and find books in the library with my son being with him and also can bring him in his wheelchair to many places in the Village, for instance the art gallery. One Bayada caregiver brought him to the fitness room where he thoroughly enjoyed the exercise bike.
In addition, Tammy Latvis has been outstanding in that she has supported me in all my questions on issues which have come up.
I can heartily recommend The Village."
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I.McEwen March 2023 |
"The Village is a terrific place! It is clean, the rooms are a nice size, the staff is friendly and caring. My mother is safe, no longer wandering, her meds are properly managed and she is eating well with 24/7 support. She is happy there, comfortable with the routine and loves mingling with the other residents and staff as well as participating in some of the activities!"
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Denise B. March 2022 |
"My parents moved to the Village from another facility. The transition went well, the staff are welcoming and kind, the food is good, and there are many activities for them to choose from. Highly recommend!"
| Susan P. November 2021 |
"We moved both of my parents to The Village from another facility and are so happy we did. The Village is a family and we have peace of mind knowing they are so well taken care of by people who truly care about them.
All of the staff are great but I have to mention Carol Kolenski, Move In Coordinator. Carol is incredible - professional, responsive and caring. She played a big part in our decision to move our parents after we met her and took a tour. More importantly, my parents both love her. Dad recently mentioned that she adds so much happiness to his day."
| Sarah I. November 2021 |
"I moved my mother to The Village four months ago.... She is very happy at the Village at White River Junction. She raves about the food and is very happy with the staff. They keep her very busy which she loves. She has gone to restaurants, shopping and even a horse show. They made a big deal of her 95th birthday with a delicious luncheon. The facilities are clean and beautiful and there is always something to do."
| Susan F. July 2021 |
"Thank you to Jodi and all the Directors/Staff for making my father's transition successful! We had no choice but to move my father during the State COVID mandates. The Village has tremendous protective protocols for residents, staff and building. I don't think twice about my father's safety or care, he is very happy there."
| Maria A. July 2021 |
"I moved my mom here from AZ from a very elite retirement community. We were a bit nervous about the move as the AZ facility was very posh. the AZ rooms and food were fabulous. My father passed so we wanted to move my mom east to be closer to family. We searched all over VT, NH and MA for a place she would be comfortable. Much to my surprise we picked WRJ, VT. That said, my mom is thriving and doing much better than in AZ. She has met very genuine friends.
The nurses and medical providers are super nice and personable. They accept my mom for her attributes as well as limitations. Carol the director of admissions has gone above and beyond to meet our questions and concerns even after we signed the contract. The food is great and WRJ is thriving these days. She can go on trips and out to dinner or stay home and socialize with family and friends. I could not be more thrilled with our choice after weeks of searching and meeting with various providers. I would highly recommend The Village at WRJ."
| Tina A. August 2021 |
| Sally B. August 2021 |
| Donna N. July 2021 |
| Bobbi D.. July 2021 |
"My wife and I have lived at the Village at White River Junction for over a year and a half now I have been deeply impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm of all the staff, from office to maintenance, nursing, housekeeping, and culinary, for the welfare and comfort of residents. Not withstanding the stresses and strains imposed by the sudden and unexpected spread of COVID-19 in early 2020, and the need for new restrictions and procedures, we were all well looked after and kept both safe as well as comfortable throughout.
Proximity to emergency and health service as well as well as the facilities of the town having a great advantage throughout.
The indoors exercise room, library, music room, and gallery have been popular for all who can make use of them.
With changes in the weather through spring and summer and the opportunities for outdoor activities, we’ve been able to avail of well-planned outings and picnics, open air leisure time in the compact garden, and penthouse terrace. And finally, facilities for receiving guests and family for visits and meals have been a very welcome revival in recent weeks."
| Jivat T. July 2021 |
We also enjoy the Smith and Sons kitchen for family gatherings and the cooking demonstrations are one of our favorite activities. We work out in the Latham Gym every day and attend tai-chi classes as well. Sometimes we just like to relax and read in the Landmark Library. The food at The Village at White River Junction is very good with a variety of choices.
We are so content here at The Village!"
| Edwin & Doris F. July 2021 |
"After my wife passed away, my children and I had a lot of conversations about what would be best for me. I had many options to consider and I decided The Village fit my needs the best. I enjoy my new friendships and my children and friends like coming to visit me here. For me, The Village exceeds expectations."
| Bob D. June 2021 |
| Joseph R. October 2020 |
COVID-19 FAQs | Senior Living Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
SAFETY & PREVENTION PROTOCOLS
We are following all guidance from the Centers for Disease Control(CDC), the State of Vermont and local health officials. We are working closely together on-site and receiving additional guidance from the national Life Care Services (LCS) Risk Management and Health Services Clinical teams. Some of the steps are taking at The Village at White River Junction include:
- Requiring employees to wear face masks and adhere to additional screening processes
- Increasing the frequency and rigor of cleaning and sanitizing common community areas
- Restricting visitors, including deliveries
- Canceling large, on-site large group recreational activities and social events
- Reviewing and executing our emergency preparedness and response program
- Asking residents and employees to communicate any travel plans
- Coordinating best practices across our large partner network
- Making the CDC’s COVID-19 prevention resources and recommendations available to all employees
If flu-like symptoms are experienced, staff and residents are instructed to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. A resident who believes they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 will get assessed by a physician and required to self-quarantine in their apartment to ensure the safety of the community. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact Jodi Egger, Executive Director at 802-295-7500.
The best way to prevent the illness is to do your best to reduce your possible exposure to the virus. There are some simple steps recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help prevent the spread of illness. This include:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer of at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick until you have been fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours.
- Cover your coughs or sneezes with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash; if tissues aren’t available, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
For the health and safety of our employees and residents, visitors at all levels of care are prohibited unless it is an end-of-life situation. Even so, visitors must be screened, including temperature check, remain within the resident’s room, and must wear a mask and gloves at all times.
The health and safety of our employees and residents is our top priority, and we are preparing for all scenarios. We are working closely together and receiving additional guidance from the LCS Risk Management and Health Services Clinical teams, local and state health departments, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent a potential outbreak.
Yes, we have increased the frequency and rigor of cleaning and sanitizing common community areas, and implementing temporary visitor restrictions, including deliveries.
Senior Living Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) | The Village at White River Junction
Assisted living offers you an opportunity to remain independent while receiving assistance with activities of daily living. This is a great option when the level of medical and rehabilitative care of a nursing home is not required, and you just need a little help with daily activities. Activities of daily living include tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, walking, providing or administering medications and more. Our staff may also assist with housekeeping, shopping, laundry—whatever you need to maintain your independence for as long as possible. At The Village, our goal is to assist people in living rich and full lives.
Memory care provides a specialized environment for residents coping with memory loss, Alzheimer’s, or other related impairments. Therapeutic activities and programs help maximize existing cognitive abilities, diminish anxiety, lessen confusion, and increase peace of mind.
Memory care communities are often licensed as assisted living communities, but the staff has undergone additional training to handle the needs of those who have memory issues. Programming designed specifically for those with memory impairments is also an important part of memory care, focusing on promoting physical and emotional well-being, prolonging daily functioning, and maintaining a sense of purpose, satisfaction, dignity, and quality of life.
This is a difficult decision for you or your loved ones, and there are many factors to consider. Withdrawal from social and family activities can be an indication. Ongoing health problems that need monitoring or unsteadiness that could lead to falls may mean some supervision is desirable. A tendency to remain in bedclothes could indicate that a senior has trouble dressing without assistance. Significant weight loss could be an indication of either an underlying untreated medical problem or difficulty in preparing healthful meals. When a senior has difficulty remembering important information or repeatedly asks the same questions, a significant memory issue could exist. Inability to manage financial affairs could leave a senior vulnerable. Consultation with a medical or social service provider can help you make a decision for yourself or decide on a plan for your loved ones.
Life Care Services suggests an adult child ask parents questions that might help start the conversation. Some examples you can use as a guide to start the conversation when the moment is right include: Is your home still appropriate for your needs? Do you need help with household chores? Can you cook your favorite meals? Are you able to engage in the activities you love? Do you have an opportunity to interact with others? Do you feel comfortable driving? Would it be a great relief to have transportation available right at your door? Are your prescriptions current and are you taking your medications correctly? Have you seen the doctor lately? Do you get lonely, especially at mealtimes?
The Village at White River Junction includes purpose-built spaces that provide many opportunities for comfortable and active living. Lush gardens adorn several floors, providing beautiful spots for contemplation and raised beds for gardening. Dining options abound, from the formal dining room and a “country kitchen” suitable for resident and family meal preparation to a relaxing pub and prepared foods. Films will be screened in the classic movie theater, and the Miller Stage doubles as a venue for live performances and an open area for holiday parties and dances. Other amenities include a fitness center, an arts and crafts studio, a library/computer room, a full-service salon and spa, and more. The memory care community floor plan features two separate neighborhood wings, each with its own dining room and lounge areas, and an enclosed outdoor memory care garden with a walking path and seating areas.
We welcome your small dogs and cats at The Village. We’re happy to assist in providing food and water, taking care of the litter box for cats or walking the dog, playtime, and routine grooming. Wells’ Perch is a natural oasis and residents’ off-leash dog park, with unique filtering synthetic grass, and Paw Prints is our dedicated pet salon; bathe and groom your own pets or schedule a visit with our in-house groomer. On-site veterinarian visits can be scheduled as well. (*some pet services are an additional fee)
You are welcome to bring the furniture you love to make your apartment feel like home. If you’d like, we can arrange for you to consult with our expert designer at dpf Design Studio, who can offer an appropriate furnishings package for sale or help you design your own. To help you visualize the space, ask for copies of our floor plans.
We’re happy to have a conversation about pricing, which is based on the accommodations you feel are right for you. Pricing at The Village at White River Junction is based on a straight monthly fee; there is no initial “buy-in” cost; everything is included, with the exception of a few specialty services, such as spa/salon visits, pet grooming and veterinary care and off-site activities.
In order to keep costs reasonable for all residents, we cannot accept Medicaid or Medicare assignment at this time.
Not finding what you're looking for on our Senior Living Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page? Please contact us today! We'll be happy to help you out.
