Renaissance Healthcare Services

Pros

• Renaissance of Annandale is described as a haven for those navigating memory care.
• The atmosphere is calming, dignified, and thoughtfully designed for residents with memory challenges.
• Jonathan Fitch is a guiding light - compassionate, professional, and genuinely devoted.
• Hamasatu is extraordinary, with boundless compassion and exceptional care for residents and families.
• The Renaissance staff are compassionate, attentive, and incredibly dedicated.
• The dining staff serves meals with care, anticipation, and attentive service.
• The facility uses thoughtful design elements, like lavender scent and Dutch doors, to support dignity and calm.
• The courtyard is a secure, peaceful outdoor space with a bubbling brook and seasonal flowers.
• The rooms are spacious, comfortable, and all on the first floor for easy mobility.
• The staff consistently meet residents' needs promptly, ensuring peace of mind for families.

Cons

• Renaissance is not perfect - no place is - but it comes as close to perfection as any facility we have encountered.

Review

After touring a dozen memory care facilities in the area, Renaissance of Annandale emerged as the clear choice for one family, and the reasons run deep. The decision was driven not only by the facility's inviting atmosphere and well-designed spaces, but by a thoughtful approach to care, the favorable staff-to-resident ratio, and a program that felt genuinely centered on dignity and meaningful engagement. The storyteller visited Renaissance four times, sometimes with her husband along to gauge his response to activities alongside other residents and staff. The husband's participation, which was notable given his general reluctance to engage in activities at an adult day center, became a telling sign that Renaissance offered something he could connect with. The family ultimately felt so confident in their choice that the mom declared, if she were ever to face dementia herself, she would want to be placed at Renaissance. Central to that confidence was the staff, especially Jonathan Fitch, whose patience, responsiveness, and willingness to go beyond the call of duty left a lasting impression.

When a sudden illness struck her husband before he could move to Renaissance, the staff's support did not waver. Jonathan Fitch stepped in once again, providing practical information about hospice options and helping navigate the complexities of inpatient hospice care. Although the husband passed away before residentship could happen, the extensive research, the careful questions, and the thorough conversations with Renaissance reinforced the family's conviction that they had found the right place. The experience underscored a commitment to care that persists even when plans change and illness interrupts the best-laid timelines.

What makes Renaissance stand out, according to the testimonials, is more than a nice building or a well-curated environment. It is a holistic philosophy expressed in every detail. The atmosphere is described as calming, dignified, and intentionally designed for people with memory challenges. There are sensory cues that promote comfort, such as the gentle lavender scent in the hallways, and architectural touches like Dutch doors on residents' rooms that balance privacy with easy visibility for staff. The long, inviting hallways provide safe spaces for strolls, punctuated by resting areas, and even the exterior appears thoughtfully considered. The environment is punctuated by meaningful associations - a gallery of photographs of World War II, Shirley Temple, and Gene Kelly - that serve as memory-rich reminders of residents' lives. Even functional elements, like exit doors disguised with wallpaper to deter wandering, preserve dignity while supporting safety. Outside, a secure courtyard with a bubbling brook, seasonal flowers, and tranquil benches offers a peaceful retreat for residents and their families.

The care team receives high praise for its people-first approach. The dining experience is singled out as a model: a dedicated food staff whose sole responsibility is to serve meals, paired with attentive care for each person's overall wellbeing. The idea that no resident has to ask twice for assistance captures the tone of service that permeates Renaissance. Among the many staff members highlighted, Nurse Hamasatu stands out as extraordinary. Her compassion seems boundless; she never viewed the husband as a burden and took time for him and for the family, even calling after hours to provide updates. On the last morning of his life, she made a after-hours call at 6:00 a.m. - before her shift - inviting the family to come in. That single act of kindness, described as a window into the heart she brings to her work, encapsulates the profound empathy that characterizes the team. Hamasatu's colleagues, too, are described as professional, compassionate, and dedicated, reflecting the same standard of care across the memory-care unit.

Beyond individual stories, multiple families tell how Renaissance has transformed their experience of moving a loved one into memory care. One family notes a marked contrast in care quality when transitioning from another facility to Renaissance, praising the love, nurturing, and engagement they see in the staff's interactions. They commend the regular updates, photos, and videos that offer a heartwarming glimpse into daily activities, and they highlight the administrative, care, and front-desk teams as consistently attentive to their loved one's health, welfare, well-being, and safety. The sense of reliable communication and proactive responsiveness brings a deep sense of relief to families navigating a difficult journey, and it reinforces the belief that Renaissance is a trustworthy partner in care.

One distinctive thread across experiences is the team's ability to mobilize quickly and warmly when a move is needed. Jerome - described with affection and humor as more than just a marketing contact - seems to embody the facility's ethos. Family members joke that his job description is misleading; he is a camp counselor, chaplain, and Chief Cheerleader all in one. In moments of urgency, he opened doors, cut through red tape, and helped arrange a move in as little as 24 hours, standing at the door when the family arrived. He is described as an absolute treasure, and many attendees credit him as a catalyst for the positive energy that radiates through Renaissance. His presence, along with the cheerful, attractive environment, seems to be a key factor in why families feel so confident inviting their loved ones to become part of the Renaissance community.

Community is not only built through professional care but also through meaningful activities and family-inclusive events. One touching example is a Christmas-time program in which Santa's helpers - the SOCO varsity basketball team - toured Renaissance to help residents decorate ornaments. The team's presence created a warm, engaging, and joyful atmosphere at a time when many residents would otherwise have limited holiday interactions. The event was described as refreshing and uplifting, a reminder of the human connections that enrich daily life at Renaissance and how every member of the community - staff, volunteers, and families - can contribute to a sense of holiday spirit and belonging.

A final voice from a family who has watched their mother thrive at Renaissance for two years emphasizes consistency and loyalty. They contrast Renaissance's care, love, and attentive staff with prior experiences at a different memory care facility, praising the ongoing communication, family-invited activities, and the steady stream of updates, photos, and videos that illuminate daily life. The overall tone is one of confidence and gratitude: a belief that Renaissance's team is comprehensively attentive to her health, welfare, well-being, and safety, and a reassurance that her care is in capable, compassionate hands.

Taken together, these testimonials paint Renaissance of Annandale as a place where intention and heart intersect with thoughtful design, meticulous staffing, and a culture of going the extra mile. Families describe a facility that respects dignity at every level - from architectural features and sensory design to the everyday acts of care that define life there. The stories highlight a team led by Jonathan Fitch in the marketing and family-support role, supported by Nursing Hamasatu and a wider cadre of devoted caregivers, with Jerome serving as a charismatic, tireless catalyst for enthusiasm and smoother transitions. While no facility is perfect, the collective voice here suggests Renaissance of Annandale approaches near-perfection in memory care by offering peace of mind, meaningful activities, clear communication, and a genuinely compassionate community that families are grateful to call home for their loved ones.

Located in the charming town of Annandale, Virginia, this area offers a range of convenient amenities for seniors looking to settle down in a peaceful and well-connected community. With multiple CVS Pharmacies nearby for easy access to medications and healthcare essentials, along with a variety of dining options including familiar favorites like McDonald's and upscale choices like Marib Restaurant, residents can enjoy delicious meals without traveling far. For those seeking relaxation and outdoor activities, several parks such as Lake Accotink Park and Springfield Forest Park are within a short distance. Additionally, proximity to transportation hubs like the Van Dorn Street Metro Station provides easy travel options for exploring the surrounding areas. With reputable healthcare facilities like Inova Fairfax Medical Campus nearby and various places of worship and physicians within reach, seniors can feel confident about their well-being in this vibrant neighborhood of Annandale.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.4 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• Marib Restaurant (2.1 miles)
• Aslin Beer Compan (2.6 miles)
• McDonald's (2.7 miles)
• McDonald's (2.9 miles)
• Mike's American (3 miles)
• McDonald's (3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4 miles)
• Mom & Pop (4.2 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.3 miles)
• Starbucks (5.1 miles)
• Simply Social Coffee (5.5 miles)
• Tatte Bakery & Cafe (6.3 miles)

Parks

• Lake Accotink Park (3 miles)
• Springfield Forest Park (3.8 miles)
• Glencarlyn Park (4.1 miles)
• Bluemont Junction Trail (4.7 miles)
• Huntley Meadows Park (5.4 miles)
• Fairfax Memorial (5.8 miles)
• Tysons Pimmit Park (5.8 miles)

Transportation

• Van Dorn Street Metro Station (3.2 miles)
• Franconia-Springfield Metro Station (4.1 miles)
• East Falls Church Metro Station (4.3 miles)
• Ballston-MU Metro Station (5.3 miles)
• Eisenhower Avenue Metro Station (6 miles)
• Vienna/Fairfax - GMU Metro Station (6.2 miles)
• Amtrak (6.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Inova Fairfax Medical Campus (3.4 miles)
• Labor and Delivery - Fairfax Hospital (3.4 miles)
• Inova Heart and Vascular Institute (3.5 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Springfield Town Center (3.6 miles)
• AMC Hoffman Center 22 (6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saint Bernadette C (3.8 miles)

Physicians

• Virginia Heart (4.1 miles)
• Burke Allergy & Asthma Center (5.5 miles)
• Telegraph Corner Family Medicine (5.5 miles)
• Patient First - Alexandria (6.2 miles)