When choosing a retirement community, retirees in good health primarily consider the location, rate inclusions, proximity to recreational establishments, and budget. For those with a medical condition, care services and supported living options are significant factors. Luckily, the Stuarts Draft Retirement Community in Virginia is an appropriate choice for both these scenarios.
The Stuarts Draft Retirement Community and Christian Homes are among the top 10 senior living communities in Stuarts Draft, Virginia. Near the Blue Ridge Mountains, this facility features picturesque views, fully-furnished homes, wonderful amenities, and excellent staff.
This reputable retirement community has provided three decades’ worth of enjoyable social activities and genuine care to its residents. So much so that it can be quite difficult for non-residents to avail themselves of Assisted Living services. But do not let this deter you. This facility offers Independent Living units that are as equally impressive and filled with perks as its much sought-after program – as you will later discover in this guide.
A Treasure Trove in VA
The Stuarts Draft Christian Home Retirement Community is nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and George Washington Forest. Its patrons and residents consider it to be a hidden gem for the elderly. This community offers 72 spectacular apartments, 40 luxury villas, and two Assisted Living environments that can house 42 residents. It is enclosed by stunning mountain views and stretches of green and only a few minutes away from schools, shopping facilities, and medical establishments.
Residences within this lovely community fall under two categories – Independent Living and Assisted Living. Independent Living communities provide their residents with moderate to luxury amenities, social activities, and a hassle-free régime while allowing them to live independently. This program is an excellent fit for older adults who want a convenient, all-inclusive lifestyle without daily assistance. Conversely, Assisted Living communities are either private or semi-private rooms with shared bathrooms. This residence style includes round-the-clock nursing care, medication and meal management, and assistance with daily living tasks like bathing, eating, and dressing.
Independent Living
The Skyline Terrace Apartments, The Villas, and The Shenandoah Terrace Apartments offer independent-living residences. The Skyline and Shenandoah Terrace Apartments combined offer 70 residential units with huge windows and doors that capture the Blue Ridge Mountains and nearby vineyards. These apartments feature aesthetic rooms, cathedral ceilings, granite countertops, beautiful flooring and kitchen, and a full appliance package. Sitting areas around the fireplace or water garden make for a lovely gathering spot for family and friends. Similarly, The Villas are single-level units that make for comfortable living. These picturesque residences feature a private sun porch, fireplace, dining room table with landscaped lawns and gardens for a backdrop, and level areas for exercising or private walks.
A flower garden surrounds each of these elderly homes and comes with convenient interior mailboxes handy in inclement weather. Some units have back decks that offer superb settings for long, meaningful conversations or a weekend barbeque. Green thumbs will love the resident garden plot, which is perfect for growing delicious vegetables. A peaceful stroll among the trees of the gently rolling landscape leads to the Terrace Complex, the elegant dining room located in the Skyline Terrace, hair salon, or the fitness center and activity room. On top of it all, a 24/7 emergency response service gives residents peace of mind should they need assistance.
Assisted Living
The Meadows is the Stuarts Draft Retirement Community and Christian Homes section that offers Assisted Living residences. Three-room types are available to choose from – Semi, Small, and Large Private rooms. There are 14 Large Private Rooms and 26 Semi and Small Private Rooms combined. All three options offer residential, regular, and intense care in a modern facility shared with another resident. The main difference between these rooms is the homeowner’s preference to have a private living area or share it with someone else.
Although not as spacious as Independent Living residences, Assisted Living spaces feature airy living rooms with large windows, a rock fireplace, a sitting area, and a television. Since most residents require help with daily living tasks, they are not equipped with a kitchen, as the community chefs prepare all meals (including snacks). Nursing care is provided 24/7 to manage medications and assist residents with their needs.
Here is a full list of comforts and rate inclusions available for residents of The Meadows:
Amenities:
- Sitting areas with large windows and fireplace
- Emergency call response system in every room & bathroom
- Variety of sitting areas: activity room, den, covered porches, gazebos
- Fire safety and sprinkler system
- Full-service beauty salon and barbershop
- Chaplain service and Sunday worship, Bible studies, hymn sing
- Vibrant daily activity program
- Physician on-site consults with residents
Inclusions:
- Room accommodations and care
- Three meals per day, plus snacks
- Full social calendar covering spiritual, physical, and cultural activities
- Laundry and linen service
- Telephone access
- Nursing supervision
- Scheduled outings
Daily Care:
- Eating, bathing, and dressing
- Transferring and ambulation
- Toileting, bowel, and bladder control
- Medication management
Activities & Local Attractions
Among anyone’s worries when finalizing retirement plans is the level of involvement one will have in social activities. Those who were more active in their prime may also be considering their ability to go back to hobbies out aside for a long time – like hiking, frequenting the theater, or even playing golf. Luckily, the Stuarts Draft Retirement Community is in the center of all this – conveniently located between Staunton and Waynesboro, just outside of Charlottesville, Virginia. Plus, activities within the community are plenty enough to keep anyone busy all year round.
Residents can participate in aerobics classes, spiritual and recreational programs, have small chats in the indoor courtyard, or attend live musical performances. There is also a fitness center for the health-conscious and full-service beauty salon for those who like to pamper themselves. The library is the perfect spot if you want to get lost in a good book. Similarly, the ping pong table (view deal on Amazon), Wii gaming center, a croquet court, billiards room, and horseshoe pit are lovely alternatives if you want fun and a little competition.
The facility is in proximity to the historic Shenandoah Valley, with its exciting attractions. It is also close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Sherando Lake, Appalachian Trail, and George Washington National Forest – welcome news for thrill-seekers! For residents pursuing long-forgotten hobbies, golf courses, driving ranges, hiking trails, historic and geographic landmarks, presidential museums, and the Shakespeare Theatre are less than 20 minutes away from SDRC.
Pricing
Depending on the apartment type and level of care included, each unit’s cost ranges from $1,600 to $5,100 each month. The table below shows the consolidated pricing for all residential units in SDRC:
Independent Living
Shenandoah Terrace Apartments
Inclusions: All Utilities, Internet, Television, Phone, Repair and Maintenance, Chaplain services, Priority access to Assisted Living, Access to common areas, Social programs, Weekly bus service, In-unit washer, dryer, and Kenmore appliances.
| Apartment Name | Apartment Type & Floor Area | Monthly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| The Wilson | 2-bedroom unit with 2 bathrooms; 1,000 ft2 | $2,900 |
| The Madison | 2-bedroom unit with 2 bathrooms; 860 ft2 | $2,900 |
| The Jefferson | 2 -bedroom unit with 1.5 bathrooms; 775 ft2 | $2,400 |
| The Monroe | 1-bedroom unit with bathroom; 750 ft2 | $2,400 |
| The Washington | 1-bedroom unit with bathroom; 640 ft2 | $2,100 |
The Villas
Inclusions: Sewer, water, trash pickup, Internet, Television, Phone, Repair and Maintenance, Chaplain services, Priority access to Assisted Living, Access to common areas, Social programs, Weekly bus service, Washer/Dryer hook ups, and Kenmore appliances.
| Apartment Name | Apartment Type & Floor Area | Monthly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| The Virginia | 2-bedroom unit with 2 bathrooms; 1,300 ft2 | $2,800 |
| The Augusta | 1-bedroom unit with bathroom; 600 ft2 | $1,800 |
| The Blue Ridge | 1-bedroom unit with bathroom; 650 ft2 | $1,600 |
Skyline Terrace Apartments
Inclusions: All utilities, Internet, Television, Phone, Repair and Maintenance, Chaplain services, Priority access to Assisted Living, Social programs, Weekly bus service, and 24-hour emergency response.
| Apartment Name | Apartment Type & Floor Area | Monthly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| The Dogwood | 2-bedroom unit with bathroom; 800 ft2 | $2,100 |
| The Magnolia | 1-bedroom unit with bathroom; 600 ft2 | $1,800 |
| The Woodland | Studio unit with bathroom; 430 ft2 | $1,100 |
Assisted Living
The Meadows
Inclusions: 24/7 care, Whole-day meals, Medication management, Hair salon, Activities center, Chaplain service, Sunday worship, Fire safety and sprinkler system, On-site consultation with physician, and emergency call response system.
| Apartment Name | Apartment Type & Floor Area | Monthly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Large Private | Spacious living area with private bathroom | $5,100 |
| Small Private | Private living area with shared bath facilities | $4,600 |
| Semi Private | Shared living space and bath facilities | $3,300 |
SDRC Reviews
Reviews about the Stuarts Draft Retirement Community and Christian Homes are largely positive. The staff, resident care, mountain vistas, and food always get the most praise. Family members appreciate that dinner meals are served daily (at an additional charge), and a physical therapy company is present on-site. The activity calendar is also quite extensive and includes trips, tea parties, bingo, exercising, movies, and music every week. Residents not only enjoy but genuinely benefit from the numerous activities available in the facility.
Both residents and employees attest to the compassion and genuine care provided by SDRC staff. For many caregivers and nurses, this retirement community is the first place where people truly treated everyone like family – and this is after having worked at several nursing and assisted living homes. The reputation of SDRC is so impressive that even people who previously had a poor view of nursing homes have changed their minds after getting a chance to visit the place.
If there is one downside to this retirement community, it is the fact that residents have priority access to the Assisted Living program. As a result, non-residents will need to avail themselves of Independent Living services first. While this is a good thing for families and prospective residents who are keeping an eye on their expenses, this may pose a challenge for those who are in immediate need of Assisted Living services.
Assisted Living vs. Memory Care
While some of its apartment rate inclusions seem to overlap with services given to an elderly requiring Care Level 3 or 4, Stuarts Draft Retirement Community did not start out providing memory care or Alzheimer’s/Dementia care. Despite this fact, long-time residents and their families have always rated SDRC as excellent.
Based on more recent retirement home reviews, SDRC now has 42 color-coordinated rooms fully-equipped to provide Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia care to elderly who suffer from these conditions. Since these updates do not reflect on the facility’s website, it is best to contact SDRC directly to confirm.
About Stuarts Draft Retirement Community, LLC
Rodney Martin and Leland Brenneman co-own own and operate the Stuarts Draft Retirement Community or SDRC. For the past 30 years, these hands-on owners and their families developed SDRC into a warm and inviting senior living community where they oversee all aspects of ADL (activities of daily living). Their attention to the needs, activities, and spiritual well-being of the community allows residents to focus on more meaningful things that they want to do. The owners’ genuine care for SDRC is complemented by a hardworking team of management and staff who have brought about drastic positive changes to the facility in the last five years.
Conclusion – Stuarts Draft Retirement Community and Christian Homes Review
The Stuarts Draft Retirement Community is a well-run facility that not only takes into account factors like activities, amenities, location, and budget but also personal needs and goals. Whether you want to take a long-term respite from a rather grueling employment life or continue pursuing things you are passionate about, this place allows you to do both.
The facility’s selection of Independent and Assisted Living home styles will allow anyone to balance preferred ways to stay active with the appropriate level of care he or she needs. Fun activities and top-notch staff consequently make the residents’ quality of life incredible for the specific stage they are in. As if these were not enough, the Blue Ridge Mountains’ majestic view greets residents each morning and calms their senses as they unwind.
A serene community set in a beautiful, rural location – the Stuarts Draft Retirement Community and Christian Homes is a possibility in your retirement plans you would not want to miss!