Country Gardens Assisted Living sits on 9 acres of nicely kept farmland in Highland, Maryland, and the place has a warm family atmosphere that many residents seem to enjoy, with private patios, gardens, and walking paths that give everyone some space and a bit of nature without being too overwhelming, and there are indoor and outdoor sitting areas, so folks can relax where they feel the most comfortable. The staff speaks both English and French, and they're available around the clock to help with daily needs like bathing, dressing, medication management, and transfers, but they try to encourage independence in whatever ways possible. Meals are home-cooked, healthy, and served in a pleasant dining area, and they work with special diets, including diabetes and food allergies, so meals can stay something to look forward to. There's a bed-and-breakfast style to the service, and private and semi-private rooms and baths make it feel more like a home than some facilities do, with emergency alert systems for extra security and help if something goes wrong.
For those who like keeping busy or making friends, the schedule has plenty to choose from, including flexibility and balance classes, gentle exercise, a walking club, and dancing, while others join clubs for gardening, knitting, poetry, journaling, creative writing, or the book club, and activities like brain teasers, music programs, arts and crafts, religious services, cultural discussions, holiday parties, and even movie nights mean there's usually something going on for anyone who wants to join in, and if someone needs a quiet moment, there are spots inside and out to sit or chat. Special services like hair and nail care at the beauty salon, housekeeping, laundry, and even dry cleaning let residents have things taken care of, and the staff helps coordinate with doctors and healthcare providers, offering care for memory loss conditions like Alzheimer's, diabetes, incontinence, non-ambulatory care, and help near the end of life with hospice and respite care for short stays.
Transportation for errands and appointments, sometimes complimentary and sometimes at cost, takes the worry out of getting around, and the on-site devotional services support spiritual needs for those who want them. Pets are allowed with some rules, so things stay comfortable for everyone, and the atmosphere aims to promote both comfort and personal dignity. The whole place is licensed by the state, and the personal attention and respect residents get are what many families seem to appreciate most, so while the place stays simple and direct about what it does, the focus remains on doing those things well.
