Celebrating 25 Years

Founded in 1983 as a group home, the Inn at Deerfield under the leadership of principal owner, Jo Vass, began to specialize in dementia care in 1993. It was Jo's vision that elders with dementia would do well in a homelike, social atmosphere.

The State of NH developed a new level of licensure, Supported Residential Health Care . The Inn at Deerfield was among the first in the state to meet the standards for licensure under the new regulations. Operating under these standards allowed The Inn to retain residents longer with the support of outside clinical professionals.

In 1996, Jo gathered a group of interested individuals with the goal of converting the business from a private enterprise to a 501.c.3 nonprofit corporation. The business was granted nonprofit status in March 1997 by the IRS and was recognized as such by the office of The Secretary of State of NH and registered as a public trust by the Attorney General's Office.

The beginning of 1998 saw the Inn at Deerfield, Inc operated as a business by a Board of Directors with Jo as Executive Director. The business continued to function at the original location, in a renovated old farmhouse at 51 Ridge Road in Deerfield .

The Inn was limited by space to having 16 residents. The Board of Directors, led by Dr. Christopher Corcoran realized that the demand for care to individuals with dementia would only increase. They approached the Bank of NH for financial advice and were referred to USDA Rural Development. It became apparent that money in the form a USDA loan could be applied for in order to build a new facility. The Inn was successful in its application for funding and a new chapter began.

Land was purchased at 34 Ridge Rd. from long time supporters, Roger and Peg King and construction started in July 2000. The residents, staff and equipment were moved into the new building in late December.

The Inn has strived to maintain its emphasis on the social model of care and a homelike atmosphere. Doing this has been challenging due to outside influences such as new rules and regulations that require more clinical oversight and documentation, increased competition for qualified staff, the increased number of potential residents utilizing the Medicaid funded "Choice for Independence" program (formerly known as HCBC) and the increased age of the population.

Relationships with outside support have been developed through the years. The residents have benefited from the availability of Nurse Consultants, Visiting Nurses, Physical and Occupational Therapists, Geropsychiatrist and Podiatrist visits onsite.

We Plan to Continue Serving Seniors with Dementia for Another 25 Years!

 

34 Ridge Road P.O. Box 87 - Deerfield, New Hampshire 03037 - 603.463.7002 - Fax 603.463.9721 - inn@innatdeerfield.org

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