The Inn at Deerfield has been in the “Elder Care” business since 1983. At that time, many elders were inappropriately placed in nursing facilities because very few alternatives existed when they no longer were able to live independently. The homes which did care for elders in NH were known as Shared or Group Homes. The Inn was conceived from the premise that there had to be a better way for people to age with dignity and respect than what was generally available.

In early 1984, there were 2 residents and part time staff was hired. The Inn continued to grow and in 1989 an addition was built onto the farmhouse on Ridge Road, bringing the Inn to a capacity of 15 residents. Since more and more elders were presenting with memory disorders, the owner of the business, Jo Vass, decided to add specially trained care staff to deal with those issues. Part time cook, housekeeper and activities coordinator were added to the staff.

In 1993, the Inn at Deerfield was among the first in NH to apply for and be granted a license as a Supported Residential Care Facility. The Inn had always operated on a social model of care, but this licensing level allowed the Inn to provide medical and clinical support services utilizing licensed outside providers, such as Home Care Agencies, Pharmacists, Psychiatric services and other allied health services, including Hospice.

The residents’ length of stay was and is determined by the Inn’s ability to provide services to them during their functional decline. The staff is trained to deal with increasingly difficult behaviors in a safe, proactive manner. The support services accommodate the physical decline that accompanies aging.

Late in 1996 Ms. Vass undertook the initial steps to reorganize the business as a nonprofit corporation under Section 501.c.3 of the Internal revenue code. A group of interested individuals was selected for the Board of Directors. On March 5, 1997, recognition was received from the IRS and The Inn was registered with the Secretary of State and with the Trust Division of the Attorney General’s Office.

The corporation began operation officially in January of 1998, renting the farmhouse from Ms. Vass who was then the Executive Director. In 2000 a loan was applied for and received from USDA Rural Development to build a one floor facility down the street from the original location. The 32 bed facility was built to Ambulatory Health Care Standards. 15 residents were transferred to the new facility late in December 2000.

The average age of the population at the Inn was 75 years. It is now closer to 85. The safety and functional needs of this population are more easily met in the new facility, which is located on Ridge Rd, down the street from the original one.