My mom has a number of friends there and us on the waiting list, although she isn’t really eager to move. It sounds like a pretty nice place as these things go.

There’s a new Greenspring being built on Braddock Rd in Fairfax

My parents were in IL in Greenspring Village. One thing that was a godsend was the on site medical facility. Their GP and some (but not all) specialists were at GSV. It was so convenient to get an appointment when you suspected a UTI and they could just walk to it.

At some point, they will no longer be able to drive. And you will be taking them to all their appointments.

We looked at Goodwin House. My parents liked GSV better because it had a garden area that residents can plant their own stuff. Plus a little lake which was great when we went over with DS. He loved walking over and feeding the fish with my parents.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom has been in independent living at the Jefferson St. location for about a year and loves it. She says everyone is very friendly, there are lots of interesting activities (high-brow lectures, foreign film series, and volunteer work float her boat), and it’s easy to join others at meals and just start chatting. She especially likes having the pool at that location.

Moving in was easy; the staff was very supportive and responsive. I’m delighted that she is having such a good and busy time.

This is really great to hear. I'm hoping my mom can move in to the Jefferson St. location in the next year. Who knows---maybe our moms wil lbe buddies.


-OP

I joked with my mom that it was like freshman orientation at college. Everyone wears name tags in the public areas (even established residents), and the newsletter reports on new residents. People clearly study that thing cover to cover, because my mom said people would stop her in the elevator — “Oh! You’re Larla Smith! You just moved in — welcome!”

PP with the resistant mom: People on the waiting list are allowed to participate in GH activities and groups. Not sure what getting on the WL entails, but it might be a risk-free way for your mom to test-drive the programming and get used to the idea without having to commit to a move RIGHT NOW. My mom spent roughly 2 years on the WL, because she was waiting for the Exact Right Apartment to come available. No one hassled her about the timeframe.

NP here with just a general comment about our experience with elderly parents (who live in another state). We were able to convince our parents to leave their home "for the Winter". My siblings and I always intended it, the move to a retirement community, to be a permanent move but we kept the talk very light and casual. Within 2-3 months, my parents were clearly happy and talked as if it had been their idea to move (even though they had been very resistant before)

We moved them first, with the bare minimum, and then worried about what to do with all their stuff left at their house and what would be done with the house.

Anonymous wrote:My mom has been in independent living at the Jefferson St. location for about a year and loves it. She says everyone is very friendly, there are lots of interesting activities (high-brow lectures, foreign film series, and volunteer work float her boat), and it’s easy to join others at meals and just start chatting. She especially likes having the pool at that location.

Moving in was easy; the staff was very supportive and responsive. I’m delighted that she is having such a good and busy time.

This is really great to hear. I'm hoping my mom can move in to the Jefferson St. location in the next year. Who knows---maybe our moms wil lbe buddies.


-OP

Anonymous wrote:My mom has been in independent living at the Jefferson St. location for about a year and loves it. She says everyone is very friendly, there are lots of interesting activities (high-brow lectures, foreign film series, and volunteer work float her boat), and it’s easy to join others at meals and just start chatting. She especially likes having the pool at that location.

Moving in was easy; the staff was very supportive and responsive. I’m delighted that she is having such a good and busy time.

DP. I wish your mom could convince my mom. This sounds right up my mom's ally, but instead she'd rather drown in misery at home.

My mom has been in independent living at the Jefferson St. location for about a year and loves it. She says everyone is very friendly, there are lots of interesting activities (high-brow lectures, foreign film series, and volunteer work float her boat), and it’s easy to join others at meals and just start chatting. She especially likes having the pool at that location.

Moving in was easy; the staff was very supportive and responsive. I’m delighted that she is having such a good and busy time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interested in experiences, particularly with the Bailey's Crossroads location. My parent is on the waiting list and very interested. I prefer Greenspring for a variety of reasons (have acted as a caregiver/power of attorney for another relative and have sort of been down this path before). Interested in experiences and thoughts both positive and negative. I know it's very expensive but am interested in real world experiences.

I did! My mom was in the Alexandria location. It is a really wonderful place. We have nothing but good things to say about it. Kind, responsive aides; cheerful, bright spaces, great amenities and activities. I only regret we were unable to convince her to go sooner: we had three long years of at-home care with aides (Goodwin House at Home) before she finally agreed to move. Her life became much better when she was there. Goodwin House is the place I would want to be when I am older.

We toured a lot of places and felt it was the best by far.

Thanks this is really helpful and great to hear.

-OP

Anonymous wrote:Goodwin is CCRC/has all different levels of care, right? I found that very appealing when I was starting to look at places hoping to convince my parent.

Yes both locations of Goodwin House (as well
As Greenspring) have continuing care. It's attractive to us as well.

Anonymous wrote:Interested in experiences, particularly with the Bailey's Crossroads location. My parent is on the waiting list and very interested. I prefer Greenspring for a variety of reasons (have acted as a caregiver/power of attorney for another relative and have sort of been down this path before). Interested in experiences and thoughts both positive and negative. I know it's very expensive but am interested in real world experiences.

I did! My mom was in the Alexandria location. It is a really wonderful place. We have nothing but good things to say about it. Kind, responsive aides; cheerful, bright spaces, great amenities and activities. I only regret we were unable to convince her to go sooner: we had three long years of at-home care with aides (Goodwin House at Home) before she finally agreed to move. Her life became much better when she was there. Goodwin House is the place I would want to be when I am older.

We toured a lot of places and felt it was the best by far.

Goodwin is CCRC/has all different levels of care, right? I found that very appealing when I was starting to look at places hoping to convince my parent.

Interested in experiences, particularly with the Bailey's Crossroads location. My parent is on the waiting list and very interested. I prefer Greenspring for a variety of reasons (have acted as a caregiver/power of attorney for another relative and have sort of been down this path before). Interested in experiences and thoughts both positive and negative. I know it's very expensive but am interested in real world experiences.