The Shaw House sits just under four acres with 12,000 square feet of living space and 26 rooms, offering both private and semi-private apartments, including furnished rooms and a separate cottage house, with a big garage and plenty of parking, and the building's gone through many renovations since it was first built at the turn of the century, which means you'll find a mix of old charm and newer comforts. Staff speak English and provide help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, transfers, and medication management, while skilled nurses watch over residents 24/7 and step in for things like diabetic care, hospice care, respite care, and ambulatory services, so people with more complex needs can stay comfortable. The community has special care for residents with Alzheimer's disease and aging in place is an option, and there's also support for end-of-life care and an adult day care program for folks who don't stay overnight.
The Shaw House helps you move in, offers transitional living and residential treatment programs, and pays attention to mental health and young adult support, with peer support in a relaxed environment for the transition to adulthood-some options are even set up for job searches or being near colleges, so there's a real mix of people and ages, especially in places like the West End and Deering Oaks neighborhoods in Portland. The grounds have walking paths, a garden, and places to relax, while inside you'll find a dining room made for eating with family or company, a movie night area, a game room, a library, arts and crafts rooms, and common spaces both indoors and outdoors where folks can gather. Social life stays active with scheduled daily activities, community-sponsored events, special interest clubs, volunteering, and plenty of chances for recreation such as watching TV, reading, listening to music, off-site devotional services, and board games. Movie nights are regular and meals are homemade, with three a day plus snacks and drinks, and the kitchen can handle special diets, like diabetic-friendly and allergy-sensitive meals.
You won't have to worry about chores, since the staff do housekeeping, laundry, and dry cleaning, while things like cable TV, free Wi-Fi, and telephones keep folks connected. Residents have access to a barber/salon, a fitness room, and business spaces for extra convenience, and emergency alert systems cover the building for more safety. Transportation services make it easier to get to local hospitals, pharmacies, and outings, which is helpful since the community's close to downtown Biddeford, so you're not isolated and can get to shops, restaurants, and city events if you like. The Shaw House carries a historical name after Charles Shaw, who was a businessman, inventor, and patron of the arts, and it still focuses on supporting the health, well-being, and comfort of its residents, whether someone needs short-term care, help with a transition, or a place to call home that feels welcoming and secure.
