Guided by Compassion. Committed to Quality. Trusted for Generations.
About Us
Since 1920, Vernon Homes has been dedicated to serving and honoring seniors by providing secure, comfortable and affordable retirement living. Located in peaceful southern Vermont along the Connecticut River, our modestly sized, non-denominational campus offers a true sense of belonging and personal attention. We provide a full continuum of care—including independent living, assisted living, nursing care, Alzheimer’s care and physical rehabilitation—delivered with compassion, grace and a commitment to excellence.
As a Medicare- and Medicaid-certified, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, we sustain our mission through rental income, government programs and private donations. The Green House® Community at Vernon Homes will be a part of Advent Christian Retirement Communities, which also includes the existing Vernon Homes properties and Meetinghouse Village in Kittery, Maine.
Our community is intentionally accessible, with fees significantly lower than many senior communities in neighboring New England states. Residents and their families also enjoy the convenience of nearby towns offering dining, recreation and lodging.
“For me, serving elders is a passion. I enjoy being surrounded by seniors every day. There is so much wisdom, experience, and wit among these seasoned individuals that you can’t help but be blessed by being in their presence. I also greatly appreciate working alongside people who daily fulfill the Vernon Homes mission. I’m privileged to have working with me individuals who go the extra mile. Because of their commitment I know that those we serve are well cared for."
- M. Bradford Ellis, Executive Director | Vernon Homes
The Guiding Values at the Heart of Our Green House Community
We live our mission every day: “Communities of caring, seasoned with grace.”
Exceptional
We strive to exceed customary practices, delivering care and attention that go above and beyond expectations.
Creative
We embrace fresh ideas and innovative approaches, transforming commonplace thinking to better serve the evolving needs of seniors.
Generous
We lead with compassion and kindness, offering care that surpasses simple exchanges and reflects genuine concern for the well-being of others.
Shaping a New Era in Senior Living
Looking ahead, Vernon Homes is embracing a new chapter through a strategic alliance with AgingIN and The Green House Project—a collaboration redefining what eldercare can be. Together, these organizations bring forward innovative models that prioritize choice, independence and meaningful connection. With AgingIN’s expanded capacity and Green House Project’s proven small-home approach, this alliance is creating real-world solutions that ensure seniors not only live longer, but thrive in communities that honor dignity, humanity and the full aging experience.
A New Vision for Senior Care in Vermont
What This Means for Residents — And for Our Community
At Vernon Homes, we believe that elder care should be about dignity, relationships, and home — not institutions. That’s why we are proud to bring Vermont its first Green House® community: a network of intimate, home-like residences that offer skilled nursing care in a setting built around autonomy, dignity, and deep human connection.
Where Every Resident Lives in a Real Home—Not a Facility
Rather than a large, institutional facility, our plan consists of five separate Green House Homes, each housing up to 12 residents, for a total capacity of 60 skilled nursing beds — all in private rooms with private baths, and with access to shared hearth-style living rooms, kitchens, dining areas, cozy common spaces, and outdoor space.
Where Daily Life Feels Natural, Welcoming, and Truly Personal
Designed to feel like home: no long corridors, no institutional nurse-stations or medication carts — instead open kitchens, living rooms, family-style dining, natural light, and a warm environment that encourages socializing, autonomy, and comfort.
Freedom in Daily Living, From Meals to Meaningful Moments
Daily life unfolds according to the resident’s preferences rather than a preset institutional timetable. Meals happen when individuals are hungry. Activities are chosen, not assigned. This flexibility restores a sense of autonomy and honors each person’s identity, creating a living environment where residents feel respected, empowered, and genuinely at home.
Exceptional Care for Elders with Dementia — “Best Life” Philosophy
Most elders entering nursing care face cognitive changes. At Vernon Homes, we plan to honor that reality with compassion, dignity, and empowerment — not limitations. Our approach incorporates the “Best Life” philosophy developed by The Green House Project. The Four Principles of "Best Life" are: The Power of Normal, A Focus on Retained Abilities, The Dignity of Risk and Advocacy.
