Winter Growth - Maryland Memories sits in both Columbia, Howard County, and Olney, Montgomery County, and offers a calm, home-like place for seniors who need memory care, assisted living, adult day programs, or respite care, and you'll find the staff really know every resident by name and treat everyone with steady kindness, so you notice a friendly, welcoming feeling from the moment you walk in. The centers use a single-story design so getting around's pretty easy, which helps everybody move on their own if possible, and the rooms are all private and simple, with emergency call systems for safety, and there's always an awake night staff, day and night dementia-trained care, plus nursing oversight about five days a week, so there's a sense of safety and regular care that reassures both families and residents. Residents get three meals and snacks cooked on site, with extra care for nutrition and family-style dining, which keeps mealtimes comfortable, and since pet-friendly policies are in place, people can even bring their pets if they like. You'll see a courtyard, walking paths, a resident lounge, an on-site library, Wi-Fi throughout, and open gathering spots that really invite conversation and quieter moments, while an activities director leads daily programs - including brain games, exercises, music, outings, and craft activities - so most people find something to look forward to even if their memory isn't what it used to be, and friends form pretty naturally day to day. Adult Day Programs run six hours a day on weekdays, with transportation options, an accessible van, and supportive staff making sure everyone gets to and from safely, so families can work or rest while their loved ones engage with others in structured activities designed for both body and mind.
Services cover a wide range, like personal care for bathing, dressing, and eating, medication help, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, one-on-one care when needed, and specialized help for folks dealing with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, Parkinson's, and even diabetes, and they coordinate with other health care providers as needed. Extra touches like weekly laundry, housekeeping, utilities included in the price, and cozy family-style common areas help keep life simple and steady for residents, and you don't run into extra entrance fees, since the care pricing's all-inclusive and meant to stay reasonable for families trying to plan. Staff get yearly training on the latest safety, food handling, dementia care, emergency planning, and more, and you'll notice a calm, low staff-to-resident ratio so everyone gets more attention than you'd likely see in a larger building. There's always transportation for errands, appointments, and day programs when you schedule ahead of time, plus respite care if families need a break for a day or even overnight, and language interpreter services are available when people ask ahead, so everyone feels welcomed no matter their background.
Winter Growth keeps its nonprofit focus, guided by a board and a team led by a President/CEO and Center Directors who work with caregivers, nurses, and therapists, and the organization partners with local groups, hospitals, and senior living advisors to make community resources easy to find. The centers hold recognitions as a Montgomery County Dementia Friendly Business, a GuideStar Exchange Platinum Participant, and a "Best in Senior Living" organization, and they carry out policies to support safety and client rights while holding a strong membership in local and professional groups, always following non-discrimination practices. People who need special memory care can join the Maryland Memories program at Howard County, which uses a secure environment, controlled access, consistent routines, and specialized activities to help folks with dementia and other neurocognitive changes stay engaged, comfortable, and as independent as possible, while the Ruth Keeton House in Howard County and MARGE's MEMORY CARE in Montgomery County offer extra layers of support for those with mild to more advanced memory problems, with all the same focus on dignity and friendship.
Since Winter Growth doesn't require entrance fees and keeps care costs straightforward, families have more long-term planning options, and anyone interested in seeing what it's like can schedule a free preview day with no pressure. Most people come away saying they appreciate the small, intimate scale, the way every resident stays visible, included, and cared for, and the way daily life carries on with calm routines, good humor, and a steady focus on building relationships, independence, and simple pleasures that bring dignity and meaning to later life.
