Friends House Inc

Pros

• The maintenance team provided fast, effective service during the heatwave, restoring comfort quickly.
• Dorwick promptly assessed the issue and coordinated with Nicholas, who returned early the next day to fix the A/C.
• The Friends House staff are exceptionally friendly, courteous, accommodating, and professionally competent.
• Residents feel welcomed, included, and at peace, with a strong sense of community they can participate in as they wish.
• The Wellness Expo showcased a diverse, valuable range of services and resources for the community.
• Caregivers at Friends House provided compassionate, patient-centered care, with therapists and doctors delivering thorough, high-quality rehabilitation and medical attention.
• The admissions team, including Chris T., offered excellent support and clear communication throughout the process.

Cons

• Not all communities go the extra mile to showcase such meaningful support for their residents the way Friends House does.

Review

In the middle of a blistering heatwave, a small moment of service made a big difference. When the air suddenly stopped cooling, a call to the front desk at 3:30 pm set in motion a rapid, compassionate response. Dorwick arrived within minutes to assess the situation, and he explained that a compressor failure was likely. He promised that Nicholas would return after finishing another job, and he checked whether any fans would help in the meantime. By 4:00 pm, Nicholas was braving the heat beside a sun-warmed south-facing wall, diagnosing the problem and arranging for parts to be ordered so that he could return the next morning. His diligence, and the care he showed for the safety and comfort of a technician working in extreme heat, underscored a consistent theme: here, service isn't a courtesy but a standard. By morning, the A/C was up and running again, restoring comfort and peace of mind in a way that would be hard to replicate for a homeowner in a similar situation. The experience left a lasting impression of a maintenance team that responds quickly with genuine concern for both residents and staff.

Across the campus at Friends House, the experience of care extended far beyond room temperature. At Thomas Hall, the family of Zewditu Zeleke found staff who were exceptionally friendly, courteous, accommodating, and professionally competent. The tone throughout their visit was one of heartfelt appreciation: the staff's kindness and the quality of care provided their mother were consistently highlighted as exemplary. This was not just routine housekeeping or medical attention; it was a humane, respectful approach that made a meaningful difference in the daily lives of residents and their families.

For a resident who had only recently joined the community, the sense of belonging was immediate and tangible. Moving in two months ago, they quickly felt welcomed and included in community events, a welcomed shift from the isolation that can come with aging. The description was vivid: a place where one could feel centered, calm, and peaceful, and where friendliness - whether from staff or fellow residents - was a common currency. The overarching message was clear: this is a place where community isn't something you visit; it's something you become a part of, with opportunities to engage as much or as little as one desires.

The breadth of community life was further illuminated by the Wellness Expo, a standout event that showcased the range of resources available to residents. Catia and Marie were singled out for their thoughtful planning, ensuring not only practical support - like shuttle services and a delicious homemade lunch - but also enriching experiences such as a free sound bath demo. The expo highlighted the breadth of services, from home care to acupuncture, massage therapy, mobile prescriptions, and mental health resources, and was described as a truly meaningful and inspiring showcase of support for the community. It wasn't just about information; it was about making meaningful connections and expanding the sense of well-being available to everyone.

Many families spoke at length about the care their loved ones received in Friends House Rehabilitation and Nursing facilities. One account described a 86-year-old mother with dementia who spent six weeks after a broken hip in rehab. The care team - nurses, aides, and therapists - was praised for their kindness, patience, and calming presence. The in-house physician Dr. Kim was noted for his thorough explanations, while the physical and occupational therapy teams, led by Teresita and Linda, were celebrated for their dedication. The overall experience was one of comfort and safety, with a patient-centric approach that left the family feeling confident in the care and highly inclined to recommend Friends House.

Another testimonial focused on a different chapter of recovery: a knee replacement followed by a subsequent rehab episode for an elderly father. The family spoke of a well-coordinated admission process led by Chris T., the Director of Admissions, and a rehab team described as top-notch. The patient benefited from a slower pace and a relaxed atmosphere that suited the healing process, with the PT and OT providing consistent, effective support. The multidisciplinary team - doctors (including Dr. Kim), nurse practitioners (Nadia), the Director of Nursing Memuna, social worker Simaye, a dietician, a chef, and even the barber - came together to create a comprehensive, well-organized rehabilitation plan. The family's gratitude was unmistakable, expressed with a sense of relief and reassurance that their loved one was in capable, compassionate hands.

Even routines and events reflected the same commitment to quality and community. The maintenance staff received praise for enabling programs and space arrangements, such as the Miller Center's March 8 ArtTalk. The environment was crafted to encourage engaging, casual conversations, with residents appreciating the thoughtful layout - armchairs, a coffee table, and a setup that fostered a conversational atmosphere. In every instance, the message remained consistent: Friends House is a place where competent care, thoughtful administration, and a vibrant community intersect to create a supportive home for residents and their families, day in and day out. Alex and the maintenance team were acknowledged for their role in making these experiences possible, reinforcing the sense that the entire campus works together to sustain a high-quality living environment.

Taken together, these accounts paint a portrait of Friends House as more than a series of care provisions. They depict a community that prioritizes rapid, compassionate service in emergencies; that honors the dignity and comfort of elders through attentive clinical care and physical rehabilitation; and that fosters inclusion, social engagement, and meaningful learning opportunities through events, wellness resources, and thoughtful logistics. The consistent thread is a culture of care - embodied by the front desk staff, maintenance crews, nurses, therapists, doctors, admissions personnel, and activity organizers alike - that makes Friends House feel not just like a facility, but like a well-supported, welcoming home.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.5 miles)
• Walgreens (4.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saint Andrew Kim Catholic Church (1.2 miles)
• Church of the Redeemer (6.9 miles)
• Rockville Evangelical Mission (8.3 miles)
• Christ Congregational Church (8.9 miles)

Physicians

• Montgomery Internal Medicine (1.8 miles)
• Potomac Valley Orthopedic (3.6 miles)
• Melvin S. Stern, MD (4.1 miles)
• Eternal Dermatology (6.5 miles)
• Sheikh, Sarah Capital Womens Care (6.8 miles)
• Maple Lawn Surgery Center (6.8 miles)
• Occupational Health Consultants (9.1 miles)

Parks

• Triadelphia Reservoir (3.7 miles)
• Georgian Forest Park & Tennis Courts (4.8 miles)
• Rock Creek Regional Park (5.8 miles)
• Winding Creek Local Park (6.7 miles)
• Bohrer Park (8.9 miles)
• Martin Road Park (9 miles)
• High Ridge Park (9.1 miles)

Transportation

• Glenmont Metro Station (5.5 miles)
• Twinbrook Metro Station (7.3 miles)
• Hertz Rent A Car (7.4 miles)
• Rockville Metro Station (7.4 miles)
• Shady Grove Metro Station (7.4 miles)
• Forest Glen Metro Station (8.7 miles)
• Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station (8.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (6.5 miles)
• McDonald's (6.5 miles)
• Looney's Pub (6.5 miles)
• Peter's Grill (6.8 miles)
• McDonald's (6.9 miles)
• Taco Bell (7.1 miles)
• McDonald's (7.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (7.2 miles)
• Starbucks (7.4 miles)
• Silver Diner (9.3 miles)
• Starbucks (9.3 miles)
• Starbucks (9.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Holy Cross Hospital (8.7 miles)
• Howard County General Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine (9.2 miles)
• Howard County General Hospital (9.2 miles)
• Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center (9.6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC DINE-IN Rio Cinemas 18 (9.2 miles)