Maplewood Park Place Health Care Center

Pros

• Residents attribute their good health to the high level of socialization and involvement.
• Residents feel safe.
• Residents' needs are elicited and accommodated whenever possible.
• Residents feel well cared for by staff and appreciate the staff's interest in their lives.
• The administration is cognizant of residents' desires and is committed to providing a high quality of life as if residents were family.
• Residents feel at home and are fortunate to live in such a high-quality CCRC.
• Maplewood is an upscale facility for seniors.
• The food is excellent and there are many activities.
• A bus provides transportation to church, shopping and other trips.
• The manager is highly regarded, knows everybody by name, and is very friendly.

Cons

• The reviewer stated that everyone and everything is fake.
• The reviewer alleged that management created fake accounts to vote Maplewood best in Bethesda.
• The reviewer claimed tours are staged with residents in areas such as the billiards room.
• The reviewer described Maplewood as a glorified nursing home and said there isn't even a garden.
• The reviewer claimed the sales department does not market to people of color and that African Americans are allowed to work there but not live there.
• The reviewer reported rude front desk service and that staff mocked them.

Review

Maplewood Park Place comes across in these reviews as a true home for many seniors, a place where long-term residents speak with affection about the life they've built there. One resident, who has lived at Maplewood for six and a half years and has served on committees and the CO-OP Board, describes a lifestyle anchored in strong social connections and meaningful involvement. They credit much of their good health to the high level of socialization and purposeful engagement available in the community. Even as their wife of 65 years battles Alzheimer's and advanced dementia, they observe a quiet contentment in her and feel that the community around them helps maintain both safety and happiness. The resident emphasizes trust in the community, the way needs are elicited and accommodated, and the genuine care they perceive from staff and neighbors. In their words, the administration seems to regard residents as family members, and they repeatedly frame Maplewood as "HOME" - a place where quality of life is a real, lived priority.

The facility's structure and amenities reinforce these sentiments. Maplewood Park Place is described as an upscale senior living community with independent living units - one- and two-bedroom apartments - paired with lower-level options for assisted living and skilled nursing care. Reviewers consistently praise the dining and social programming: the food is described as excellent, there are abundant activities, and a broad social calendar helps sustain the lively, interconnected atmosphere. Transportation is a practical plus, with a bus that transports residents to church services, shopping, and various trips, making mobility and access a non-issue for many who prefer not to drive.

Several residents highlight the personal value they find in Maplewood's culture of involvement. One review explicitly notes that moving in four years ago opened up a warm, welcoming social life; residents quickly become part of social circles, committee work, and even board responsibilities. Even during challenging times - such as the pandemic - these connections provided a buffer against loneliness and isolation, underscoring a sense of continuity and community that many find essential in later life. The consensus across multiple voices is that staff members are not only competent and caring but also genuinely committed to helping residents maintain a high quality of life, with many stories of staff going the extra mile to assist.

Beyond the individual testimonials, several comments repeatedly praise the practical realities of daily life at Maplewood: spacious, well-kept common areas; a pristine facility; a professional and welcoming reception area; and teams that work well together. Positive notes about "a very pleasant and professional" staff, along with remarks about reception desk personnel who are "extremely nice and helpful," point to a consistently approachable environment. Some reviewers also celebrate the lighter, more social elements - teamwork, entertaining events, robust entertainment options, and a strong sense that Maplewood offers not just care but a thriving community where residents can pursue interests and friendships with vigor.

As with any large senior community, not every review is uniformly glowing. A few voices raise concerns that warrant attention. One reviewer recounts a troubling experience with a front desk staff member, describing a rude tone and a later sense of being mocked, which understandably colors their overall impression. Another reviewer offers a more accusatory stance, alleging deceitful practices meant to boost the facility's standing - suggesting that fake accounts were used to vote the property "best in Bethesda," that tours were staged with people planted in common areas, and that the facility's marketing and operations undermine resident independence. Other pointed criticisms accuse Maplewood of prioritizing hospice placement as a sales tactic, and claim there is a perceived lack of genuine garden space or outdoor beauty. A separate review alleges discriminatory dynamics, asserting that while African Americans may work at Maplewood, they are not offered residency, and that the sales department does not actively market to people of color. Taken together, these claims present a starkly different picture from the majority's warmth, highlighting a spectrum of resident experiences and a few serious concerns about integrity and equity.

Amid these divergent perspectives, one recurrent thread is the strength of Maplewood's sense of community and its commitment to residents' well-being. Several testimonials celebrate the atmosphere of warmth and companionship, noting that the resident community's friendliness and the staff's dedication help many residents feel valued and seen. A sentiment echoed by multiple voices is that Maplewood's leadership appears attentive to residents' desires and strives to foster a high quality of life akin to being part of a large, caring family. The mixture of approving, affectionate stories with some critical ones illustrates a community that is vibrant and complex - one where large-scale operations intersect with deeply personal experiences of health, belonging, and safety.

Taken as a whole, Maplewood Park Place emerges as a multifaceted senior living community that offers extensive care options, strong social opportunities, and a sense of home for many residents. For some, it represents a sanctuary of companionship, reliable staff, and a diversified program of activities that sustain health and happiness well into later years. For others, it serves as a reminder that even well-regarded facilities can be sources of controversy or disappointment, with concerns about transparency, equity, and customer service. For prospective residents and families weighing a move, the stories suggest a place worth visiting to experience firsthand the warmth and the concerns alike, to speak with current residents about their daily routines, and to assess whether Maplewood's strong community ethos aligns with individual needs and expectations. In any case, Maplewood Park Place clearly leaves a strong impression - one of care, connection, and the ongoing pursuit of a meaningful, well-supported life.

This part of Bethesda, Maryland offers a convenient and vibrant community for senior living. With multiple pharmacies nearby, accessing medication and healthcare services is easily accessible. The area also provides various transportation options, including several metro stations and car rental services. Residents can enjoy a diverse selection of restaurants ranging from casual dining options like McDonald's to upscale establishments such as Founding Farmers. Additionally, there are numerous healthcare providers in the vicinity, including hospitals like Holy Cross Hospital and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. For recreational activities, there are several parks and theaters nearby for entertainment. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded living experience with amenities that cater to the needs of seniors.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)

Transportation

• Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station (1.2 miles)
• Medical Center Metro Station (1.5 miles)
• Bethesda Metro Station (2.4 miles)
• Twinbrook Metro Station (3.3 miles)
• Hertz Rent A Car (3.8 miles)
• Forest Glen Metro Station (3.9 miles)
• Glenmont Metro Station (4.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Menchie's Westfield Montgomery Mall (1.6 miles)
• Silver Diner (3 miles)
• Jollibee (3.6 miles)
• McDonald's (3.8 miles)
• Founding Farmers (3.8 miles)
• McDonald's (4.1 miles)
• McDonald's (4.8 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Montgomery 16 (1.8 miles)

Cafes

• Tatte Bakery & Cafe (2.6 miles)
• Starbucks (3.5 miles)
• Lost Sock Roasters (6 miles)
• Starbucks (7 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (8.1 miles)
• Silver Diner (8.2 miles)

Physicians

• Capitol Medical Group (2.6 miles)
• Foxhall Pediatrics (5.9 miles)
• Potomac Valley Orthopedic (6.5 miles)
• The Centers For Advanced Orthopaedics (7.2 miles)
• Occupational Health Consultants (7.2 miles)
• Mary's Center (7.3 miles)
• Potomac Pediatrics (7.7 miles)

Parks

• Winding Creek Local Park (3.2 miles)
• Chevy Chase Park (3.6 miles)
• Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park (3.9 miles)
• Falls Road Park (4.7 miles)
• Rock Creek Park (4.8 miles)
• Georgian Forest Park & Tennis Courts (5.2 miles)
• Fort Slocum Park (6.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Holy Cross Hospital (4.4 miles)
• Sibley Memorial Hospital (5.4 miles)
• Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center (7.2 miles)
• MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (7.5 miles)
• Georgetown University Hospital Pasquerilla Center (7.5 miles)
• Medstar Washington Hospital Center (8.1 miles)
• Children's National Medical Center (8.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Christ Congregational Church (5.4 miles)