Olney Memory Care by Artis sits just outside Washington, DC, near Lake Needwood and the Sandy Spring Museum, with several hospitals close by like Med Star Montgomery, Holy Cross, Shady Grove, and Sibley Memorial, so families don't worry too much about access if something happens. The entire place is one story, which helps folks get around more easily, and inside you find over 10,000 square feet of secure rooms and peaceful areas, including outdoor gardens, secured courtyards, well-kept walking paths, and plenty of windows that let in natural light. The facility focuses only on memory care for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's, and you can tell they put a lot of effort into making people feel both safe and valued because no one gets left alone or forgotten, the staff know the residents' stories and keep them connected to who they've been all their lives, while still honoring who they are right now.
The community's got studio and suite rooms that look and feel homelike, with several floor plans to choose from, and you'll always find staff nearby since the team's trained specifically for memory care-including 24-hour on-site licensed nurses, dementia care associates, and CPR-trained folks. They have a Director of Health and Wellness who keeps eyes on everyone's medical needs, a Director of Life Enrichment who plans daily activities, and other director roles like Community Integration, Culinary Services, and Environmental Services, which really helps things run smoothly. The Holistic Well-Being Framework they use means they see residents as whole people, working to meet deep needs like having purpose, a sense of belonging, and even little joys through the day, so the schedule's full of things like music and art therapy, reminiscence exercises, sensory stimulation, memory games, social gatherings, and outings, plus there's a massage therapist and beauty or barber services for comfort and self-esteem.
Family and resident surveys from previous years have shown people are generally happy, mentioning that lives feel more celebrated and connected, and they often mention that it's a safer place, especially for loved ones with memory challenges, and that peace of mind counts for a lot. The staff handle all the daily needs-things like laundry, linens, housekeeping, transportation, meal planning by a Director of Culinary Services, and even medication management, incontinence care, and help with bathing, mobility, and diabetic support. Residents get three dietitian-approved meals a day and can grab snacks anytime, and there's always someone around to help them get to meals or activities. The Wi-Fi means both residents and visitors stay connected, and there are devotional services for those who want them. The secure design helps prevent wandering, and everything's meant to keep people active, independent, and involved in friendships. When residents need more care-like hospice, ambulatory care, or behavior support-the staff and healthcare partners step right in and adjust plans as needed.
Olney Memory Care by Artis doesn't try to be fancy or make big promises, but the focus on specialized care, connection, and daily purpose stands out. The setting is calm and the routines are structured, which seems to help everyone relax into the day, and if what matters is kindness, safety, and truly knowing the people living there, this place hasn't forgotten what's important.
