Friends House Retirement Community

Friends House Retirement Community sits in a quiet area and was founded in the 1960s as a nonprofit Life Plan Community based on Quaker values like equality, integrity, and simplicity, and it provides independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, hospice care, and memory care, with a reputation for affordability and welcoming people from many backgrounds. The campus has a community library, a movie theater, fitness room, and a greenhouse where folks enjoy summer-like warmth all year, and gardens and beautiful walking paths let residents get out in the sunshine while the community garden and several activity zones bring everyone together for art, crafts, music programs, movies, and daily events. Maple Lodge, Walnut, and Dogwood Apartments are available with only one of each open now, and new duplexes opened for reservations in 2020, giving more choices, and all rooms include private bathrooms, air conditioning, kitchenettes, cable TV, and high-speed internet access, and you get housecleaning, help with laundry, and move-in coordination too. The dining choices are flexible-residents can eat in a restaurant-style setting or enjoy all-day dining, with menus that support many special diets including diabetic, allergy-sensitive, and others, and if you don't want to cook at all, staff takes care of all meals. Folks who need a little extra help get assistance with daily activities and medication management, with 24-hour supervision in specialized care areas, and the community uses Montessori Certified dementia care and has staff like their own geriatric pharmacist, Rick Parker, and on-site therapy that covers physical, speech, and occupational needs, plus short- and long-term skilled nursing and a center for elder rehabilitation and recovery. Resident-led committees run activities, and folks stay busy with crafts, movie nights, wellness programs, gardening, and music, and there's always something on the calendar with both staff-planned and community-sponsored events that encourage socializing in shared rooms, community spaces, or outdoors. Friends House tries to nurture independence and personal growth, bringing people together in a safe and caring place, though there can be communication challenges, especially in the assisted living area. The multicultural, inclusive community is always looking for new residents and offers both employment and membership options for those who want to join, and you can schedule visits to see the gardens, activity rooms, and common spaces, and experience the friendly campus where people say friends are always welcome. Parking, transportation, Wi-Fi, and a variety of support services round out what residents can count on, while the committee structure and range of amenities means it's easy to find your place and get involved if you want, and there's always a focus on community, respect, and simple living.