Cedar Glen is a memory care home located in the historic Fallsmead neighborhood of Rockville, Maryland. The residence itself is a unique architectural gem constructed in 1928, listed on the Montgomery County registry of historic homes. Originally designed as a summer home, Cedar Glen features a slate roof, exposed walls, and soaring cathedral-like ceilings, all set amidst a large, tranquil backyard garden. Its early construction made it one of the first structures in the neighborhood, providing a charming and homey atmosphere that, even today, fosters a sense of comfort and nostalgia for its residents and their families.
Specializing in compassionate care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, Cedar Glen is renowned for its intimate, family-like setting and highly individualized approach. Unlike large, institutional facilities, Cedar Glen accommodates only eight residents at a time, ensuring that each person receives focused attention and a genuinely personal connection with caregivers. The staff-to-resident ratio is 1:3 during the morning and 1:4 in the evening, allowing caregivers to spend meaningful time with each resident, adapting support as needs change. The longevity and dedication of Cedar Glen’s staff are evident, with several team members having served the community for over a decade, some even for 25 years.
The professional team at Cedar Glen encompasses a delegating nurse, two directors, a maintenance supervisor, an activity director, a human resources manager, and a business manager. The home is staffed and supervised around-the-clock to provide continuous care and peace of mind for residents and their families. Cedar Glen’s mission is to cultivate a genuinely home-like environment grounded in dignity, respect, and partnership with families. Upon arrival, every resident is celebrated through a personalized biography—known as the “Family Album”—that highlights their background, accomplishments, hobbies, and interests, which then shapes their daily experiences and engagement.
Cedar Glen’s activity program is uniquely tailored for residents with memory loss, led by a full-time activity therapist whose role is to connect with each individual and find meaningful ways to bring them joy. Activities are ever-evolving and responsive to residents’ interests, including art, music, reminiscence therapy, exercise, word games, puzzles, gardening, and engaging explorations using technology. The activity therapist may be found leading trivia games, playing favorite songs on the piano, or helping residents tend to the garden. Cedar Glen even encourages the continuation or discovery of hobbies, for example, forming a quilting group if an individual shows interest or arranging virtual “journeys” to residents’ hometowns using an iPad.
Daily life at Cedar Glen centers around three home-cooked meals in a family-style dining room, with menus and meal preparations adjusted to suit each resident's preferences and dietary needs. Caregivers take pride in knowing every detail, such as how each person likes their coffee or what ice cream flavor they enjoy most. Outside food can also be brought in by families to enhance comfort and familiarity. The sense of home is further reinforced by encouraging residents to participate in daily routines, such as setting the table or folding laundry, fostering a sense of involvement and purpose.
Care at Cedar Glen encompasses all aspects of daily living, including assistance with medications, ambulation, nutrition, housekeeping, and laundry. On-site services from doctors, nurses, therapists, dentists, and podiatrists are available to meet residents’ healthcare needs, and individuals may continue to see outside providers if they wish. As health needs evolve, physical, occupational, or speech therapy can be arranged on-site by therapists. When appropriate, nursing support from local hospice organizations ensures continuity of care for those requiring end-of-life support.
The small size of Cedar Glen means staff genuinely know each resident, promoting a warm, familial atmosphere where everyone is treated with respect and individuality is celebrated. Activities and care are not bound by bureaucracy but focus on resident well-being, dignity, and quality of life. Cedar Glen’s all-inclusive daily rates provide peace of mind about the cost of care as needs change, so families can focus on enjoying time together. The home remains committed to supporting residents for the long-term, assisting families should care needs exceed what can be provided on-site, and always striving to deliver comfort, engagement, and authentic connection to those living with memory loss.