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The Kensington Falls Church offers assisted living and memory care designed to support residents even as their medical or cognitive needs become more complex.
Open since 2017, the Falls Church community holds an Enhanced Assisted Living Residence license. That allows residents to remain in the same setting as their care requirements evolve, reducing the likelihood that they will need to relocate to another facility.
Licensed nurses are available around the clock, and the campus includes a physician’s office. Clinical services include wound care, catheter support, insulin management, lift-assisted mobility and specialized diets for people with eating or swallowing difficulties.
Through a partnership with Genesis Rehab Services, residents can also receive physical, occupational and speech therapy on-site.
Memory and neurological support
Memory care is divided into three neighborhoods based on residents’ needs. The Kensington Club serves people experiencing early memory loss, Connections supports those with mid-stage dementia, and Haven is designed for later-stage Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive decline.
The community also runs programs for people with Parkinson’s disease, including a weekly Communications Club and Energized Fitness sessions. Those activities are offered in partnership with the Parkinson’s Foundation of the National Capital Area and Genesis Rehab.
Couples with different care requirements can live at the community, and pets are permitted.
In 2023, the campus became a BCAT Certified Cognitive Center of Excellence, recognizing its use of evidence-based cognitive-care practices and interdisciplinary programming.
Daily life and family involvement
Residents can take part in fitness classes, art workshops, live entertainment and group outings. Separate enrichment coordinators develop activities for assisted-living residents and those in the Connections and Haven neighborhoods, adapting programs to different physical and cognitive abilities.
Caregiver Connect and family support groups are available to help relatives navigate changes in a loved one’s health and care.
The dining program provides chef-prepared meals throughout the day, with seasonal ingredients, flexible choices and accommodations for dietary restrictions. Director of Dining Services Daniel Powers works clinical considerations into menu planning. Complimentary meals are available for visiting friends and relatives.
The campus includes naturally lit residential suites, landscaped terraces, lounges, communal gathering areas and a full-service salon. Its location near downtown Falls Church, Route 7 and Interstate 66 makes it accessible to families traveling from Arlington, McLean and Fairfax.
The leadership team includes Executive Director Amy Feather, Associate Executive Director David Sauer, Director of Nursing Jessica Anthony, Memory Care Director Tonya Embly and Assisted Living Director Shelly Coates. Pamela Sellars and Fern Pannill lead community relations, Hope Faulkner coordinates move-ins, and Erin Clark, Michelle Williams and Reginald Quarshie oversee enrichment in the memory-care and assisted-living neighborhoods.
A therapy dog named Norma, officially designated the community’s “Best Friend,” also spends time with residents.
Families describing their experiences have emphasized staff attentiveness, coordination and compassion, along with the residential atmosphere, food and range of care. Together, the clinical services and tiered support programs are intended to give residents continuity while keeping relatives involved in daily life.