Navigator Homes brings real home comfort and 24/7 nursing care to Martha’s Vineyard elders.
What Navigator Homes Is About
Walking into Navigator Homes feels nothing like a normal nursing facility. Small, home like cottages let Islanders get proper round the clock care without leaving the place they call home. The idea grew from the old Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, which served the Island since 1994.
Care and Services on Offer
Navigator Homes offers skilled nursing, rehabilitation, assisted living and memory care under one roof, growing with each resident as their needs change. Support is built around comfort, dignity and connection, whether someone is recovering from illness or just wants more independence.
Life Inside a Small House
Only fourteen residents live in each small house, cared for by a team that feels like family rather than hired staff. Every private room has its own bathroom, and residents share a kitchen and fireplace for meals together. Gardens, patios and quiet paths give each home a calm, unhurried island pace.
Building More Than Care Homes
The project behind Navigator Homes did more than replace an old nursing centre. It also added 48 flats for hospital workers along the Edgartown Vineyard Haven Road. NHMV, led by David McDonough, worked with Hebrew Senior Life on the 27.53 acre site, splitting land between homes, flats and open land.
First Residents Move In
It took nearly seven years to get here, so seeing residents settle into Navigator Homes felt like a win. According to MV Times reports, former Windemere residents moved with help from hospital staff on 4 February, and the move went smoothly. Claire Seguin thanked the Windemere team for their care.
A Community Built on Island Spirit
Local artists have donated their own artwork to fill the walls of Navigator Homes, giving the place a warm community feel rather than a clinical one. According to Facebook users following the project, this small touch shows how deeply the Island cares about its elders and wants them to feel at home.
The Green House Way of Thinking
This community follows the Green House Project model, standing on three simple ideas: Real Homes, Empowered Staff and a Meaningful Life for every resident. Everything here centres on control, dignity and wellbeing, not just for residents but for their families and carers too.
Memory Care Built on Familiarity
Memory care residents get a secure, caring setting built on familiarity, steady routine and real connection, even while certification for the assisted living side is still pending. Staff learn each person’s story and habits, which makes daily life feel calmer and far less confusing.
The Land Behind the Project
The wider site sits on 27.53 acres along the Edgartown Vineyard Haven Road, with 5.6 acres used for the small houses themselves. Another 4.3 acres hold 60 workforce flats, split evenly between hospital staff and NHMV staff, while the rest of the land, over 17 acres, stays untouched forest for now.
Everyday Life and Daily Rhythm
Mornings here move at a gentle pace, with shared breakfasts, quiet chats in the kitchen and time outside on the patios whenever the weather allows. Nothing feels rushed or forced. Long time staff know each resident’s habits well, so daily routines stay familiar, comfortable and genuinely enjoyable.
How to Apply and Get in Touch
Applying to Navigator Homes is simple and open to every Islander with the same care and dignity. Send your form to 144 Turnpike Road, Suite 220, Southborough. Danielle Dean handles admissions and tours at the Edgartown site, and every application is reviewed fairly no matter someone’s background.
Conclusion
Navigator Homes truly gives Martha’s Vineyard elders a caring, real home for life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many residents live in each small house?
Only fourteen residents share each home, giving everyone a quiet, family style setting.
Does Navigator Homes accept Medicare or MassHealth?
Yes, Navigator Homes accepts MassHealth, Medicare and private pay for all levels of care.
What type of care is offered on site?
Skilled nursing, rehabilitation, assisted living and memory care are all offered under one roof.
Who replaced the old Windemere Nursing Center?
Navigator Homes replaced Windemere after nearly seven years of planning and building.
How do I apply or book a tour?
Contact Danielle Dean to apply, ask questions or arrange a tour at the Edgartown site.