Fernbrook Manor is a private assisted living community dedicated to providing a nurturing, home-like environment for older adults, particularly those experiencing dementia or facing significant medical challenges. Established with a vision to move away from institutionalized, clinical care, Fernbrook Manor focuses on creating a setting that is caring, controlled, loving, and comfortable. Over its more than 20 years of service to families in Maryland, Fernbrook Manor has become known for its commitment to individualized care and for fostering meaningful moments of joy and quality of life for its residents, no matter the challenges of aging they might face.
At Fernbrook Manor, residents benefit from a comprehensive range of daily services that support both their health and well-being. Nutritional needs are met with three freshly prepared meals each day, complemented by snacks from experienced cooks who ensure every meal is both enjoyable and suitable for individual dietary needs. The community offers 24-hour supervision, and team members assist residents with all activities of daily living, providing the one-on-one attention required to foster a sense of security and dignity. In addition, regular health oversight is provided through monthly physician visits, frequent check-ins from Nurse Practitioners, as well as physical and occupational therapy options on-site. Residents also benefit from services like podiatrist visits and access to a hairdresser, ensuring that personal care needs are addressed with both professionalism and warmth.
Engagement and activity are vital components of life at Fernbrook Manor. A full-time Activity Coordinator plans a broad slate of daily and weekly activities, tailored to the interests and abilities of each resident. The home also welcomes a dedicated group of volunteers. Programming spans outdoor walking and relaxation, music, books on tape, and individualized beauty rituals such as manicures, fostering a sense of normalcy, enjoyment, and personal connection. With an understanding that dementia can make the world a confusing place for many residents, Fernbrook Manor has been carefully designed and arranged to adapt to dementia-related behaviors. The team follows guidelines and protocols based on Function-focused Care, a philosophy that encourages independence and gentle movement among residents with dementia, supporting their autonomy while providing essential support. This approach is regularly enriched through collaborations with experts in the field, such as Dr. Elizabeth Galik from the University of Maryland, who visits as needed to evaluate residents and provide guidance in managing difficult behaviors.
Much of the exceptional value of Fernbrook Manor comes from its longstanding, devoted staff. Many team members have been with the community for decades, hand-picked for their remarkable dedication, clinical proficiency, intuition, and genuine ability to provide loving, individualized care. This stability allows Fernbrook Manor to offer consistent, compassionate care that is sensitive to the unique needs of every family. The community aims to be an accessible, supportive resource for families during some of their most challenging times, charging reasonable monthly rates and a modest community fee meant only to cover admission expenses rather than profit from crisis. Residents and their families find not just a safe and comfortable place to live, but a true community dedicated to dignity, engagement, and improving life through every stage of aging.