4 Broomall Court, Silver Spring, MD 20906
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Overall Review of ALFred House II
Pros
AlfredHouse is a small, eight-resident home that offers intimate, one-on-one care.- It is described as a beautiful home with a huge sunroom, a TV room, and private bedrooms.
- The location is in a safe neighborhood on a cul-de-sac, ideal for safe walking.
- The staff are very friendly and caring toward residents.
- It is a family-owned business, contributing to a warm, home-like atmosphere.
- It is five minutes from a family member’s home, making visits convenient.
- The home hosts activities such as exercise, music therapy, and memory therapy, providing stimulation.
Cons
The lack of structured activities caused many residents to become complacent.- Complacency can lead to a decrease in mental capacity or possible depression.
- The expression "if you don't use it you loose it" is often the case in a few assisted living homes.
- Medication often causes people to become drowsy if not exposed to some type of stimulation.
- Food with too much starch and excessive salt can in some cases cause obesity and hypertension.
Review
ALFred House II in Silver Spring is best suited for families seeking a small, home-like setting where memory-care needs can be met with intimate, attentive care. It fits an elder with Alzheimer’s who benefits from a calm, neighborhood environment over a large campus. With eight residents and a roughly 1:4 caregiver ratio, the home delivers consistent, one-on-one interactions that larger facilities often cannot match. Proximity matters here, five minutes from a family’s home means frequent visits can be structured as part of daily life, not as a logistical hurdle. In short, this community is designed for residents who thrive on routine, safety, and a sense of belonging within a familial care model.
Carefully consider alternatives if the primary need is robust social programming, frequent cognitive stimulation on a fixed daily schedule, or more clinical oversight. Families whose loved ones require more than a cozy, home-like setting, more structured activities, larger dining spaces, more diverse amenities, or a broader staff and resource pool, will likely find better alignment in bigger memory-care or assisted-living campuses. The same is true for residents whose health needs necessitate greater clinical attention, or those who want a more dynamic, externally oriented activities calendar that stretches beyond what a small home can sustain.
On the upside, the small size and family ownership translate into unusually approachable, responsive care. The eight-person house format enables staff to notice subtle changes, tailor activities, and involve residents in decision-making about daily routines. The environment supports better safety and reduced overstimulation, which benefits someone with Alzheimer’s. Reported programming includes exercise, music therapy, and memory-focused activities, all delivered in a context where staff know each resident’s preferences and quirks. The home-like features, a sunroom, a TV room, and private rooms, create a comfort level that matters when mood and memory fluctuate. Proximity to home also compounds the benefit, turning visits into meaningful engagement rather than a logistical chore.
Yet the concerns raised by reviewers cannot be ignored. One consistent thread is the risk of under-the-schedule-structured days, which can lead to complacency and mood dips when residents do not have meaningful engagement. Medication management is another area where residents may experience drowsiness if stimulation is lacking, underscoring the need for balanced programming and careful oversight. Diet is a potential pitfall as well, with mentions of high starch and salt that can contribute to obesity and hypertension. However, the small team, intimate setting can allow staff and families to monitor these dynamics closely and adapt the plan quickly if concerns arise.
When evaluating this community, families should probe specifics: what is a typical day like for residents with memory care needs? Who leads daily activities, and how flexible is the schedule? How does the home manage medications and what error-prevention systems are in place? What is the staffing pattern on weekends and evenings? How are meals planned and modified for individual nutrition goals? Can family members participate in activities or volunteer-led programs? Understanding these elements will clarify whether the home’s strengths align with the loved one’s priorities or if a larger program with more formalized activity calendars is a better match.
In sum, ALFred House II offers a compelling option for families prioritizing a cozy, family-style environment, tight supervision, and easy family access. It is well-suited for an Alzheimer’s resident who benefits from routines, personalized attention, and a safe neighborhood setting. Those who need expansive social calendars, heavy clinical resources, or a more diverse dining and activity scene should explore other options with larger campuses. The community’s 4.0 rating from two reviews reflects a mix of experiences, underscoring the importance of a personal visit to gauge fit. A decisive choice will hinge on whether the loved one’s needs align with a small, intimate home that prizes personalized care over breadth of programming.
8 resident community capacity
Assisted Living
Skilled Nursing Facility
Cable or satellite TV
Dining room
Fully furnished
Garden
Housekeeping services
Laundry
Move-in coordination
Outdoor space
Telephone
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available
Ronald Reagan Washington National (16 miles away)
Transportation & parking
24-hour supervision
Activities of daily living assistance
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers
Diabetes diet
Meal preparation and service
Medication management
Physical therapy
Special dietary restrictions
Transportation arrangement (medical)
Arts and crafts
Cooking club
Fitness programs
Games
Live musical performances
Religious services
Stories
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