Woodhaven Nursing Home

Pros

• The staff at Woodhaven were friendly and caring, creating a supportive environment for residents.
• The facility was clean and well-maintained, providing a comfortable living space.
• Woodhaven was the only facility willing to accept their father despite his history of aggression, showing flexibility and understanding in their care approach.
• Their father experienced no aggressive incidents while at Woodhaven, indicating effective management of his needs.
• The facility manager and his wife demonstrated kindness by attending the father's funeral service, which touched the family deeply.

Cons

• The food served at the facility was very basic and lacked variety, often consisting of just grilled cheese sandwiches and canned soup.
• The residents, including their father, had nothing to look forward to or enjoy when it came to meals.
• Despite the friendly and caring staff, the small and dated facility did not meet higher expectations regarding dining options.
• The family felt compelled to supplement their father's diet with “carry-in” food and milk shakes due to dissatisfaction with the provided meals.

Review

The journey of finding an appropriate care facility for a loved one with dementia can be fraught with challenges, especially when aggressive behavior is involved. In the case of our father, his transfer to Woodhaven was necessitated by his expulsion from the Virginia Veterans Care facility due to such aggressive tendencies linked to Alzheimer's disease. The challenges presented by his history made it difficult for our family to find a suitable place that would ensure both his safety and well-being. Therefore, we were extremely grateful that Woodhaven was willing to accept him. They stood out as the only facility ready to take on a resident with his complicated background.

Upon arrival at Woodhaven, our family was immediately struck by the warmth and friendliness of the staff. From the very first interaction, it was clear that they were not only caring but also dedicated professionals who understood the nuances of working with residents who have cognitive impairments like Alzheimer's. Despite being small and somewhat dated in terms of its physical appearance, Woodhaven maintained an environment that prioritized cleanliness and comfort. The absence of any offensive smells—a common concern in many care facilities—was a testament to their commitment to maintaining high standards of hygiene.

Over the duration of our father's stay at Woodhaven, we were relieved to observe that he did not exhibit any aggressive incidents, a significant achievement given his past behavior. It suggested that the nurturing environment and careful attention provided by the staff had positively impacted his mental state. This outcome brought us peace of mind during what could have been a tumultuous time for our family; knowing that Dad was in good hands alleviated some burden from our shoulders.

However, despite these positives, there was one aspect where Woodhaven fell short: the food quality and variety offered to their residents. Meals were quite basic and often lacking in nutritional diversity—the lunch and dinner menus frequently consisted of grilled cheese sandwiches paired with canned soup. While these options might satisfy basic dietary needs, they failed miserably in providing anything for residents like Dad to look forward to or enjoy as part of their daily routine. Such limited meal choices can significantly affect one's overall well-being, particularly for someone living with Alzheimer's who may thrive on routine and simple pleasures.

In response to this disappointing culinary situation, we felt compelled to supplement Dad's diet ourselves. We began bringing "carry-in" food items along with milkshakes—personalized treats aimed at enhancing his meals and making them more enjoyable. This effort wasn't just about filling him up; it was about restoring some joy to mealtimes which should inherently carry comfort for individuals facing cognitive challenges.

As challenging as this experience has been overall, we came away from it feeling deeply appreciative of what Woodhaven contributed during such poignant times in our lives. In fact, our gratitude extended beyond just care provisions; we were genuinely touched when the facility manager along with his wife traveled two hours just to attend Dad's funeral service after he passed away. Their presence spoke volumes about their commitment not just as caregivers but as compassionate human beings who invest themselves emotionally in those under their care. Overall, while our experience at Woodhaven wasn't without its shortcomings—mainly concerning meal options—the positive aspects provided us solace during difficult times and reaffirmed our belief in community support within caregiving environments.

This part of Montvale, Virginia offers a peaceful and serene setting for senior living. With several places of worship nearby, residents have easy access to spiritual support and community involvement. The abundance of parks in the area provides opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation in nature. Access to healthcare is convenient with multiple physicians and pharmacies within a short distance. A variety of dining options are available for those looking to enjoy a meal out, while transportation services make it easy to get around town. Overall, this part of Montvale offers a well-rounded and comfortable environment for seniors looking to settle down in a welcoming community.

Places of Worship

• Montvale First Baptist Church (1 miles)
• Montvale Presbyterian Church-Usa (1.6 miles)
• Walnut Grove Union Church (1.6 miles)
• Glade Creek Baptist Church (4.3 miles)
• Cool Spring Pentecostal Holiness Church (7.1 miles)
• Orchard Hills Student Ministries (7.8 miles)
• Thaxton Baptist Church (8.2 miles)

Parks

• Montvale Park (2.6 miles)
• Park N Ride (8.4 miles)
• Eastern National (8.5 miles)
• Peaks Of Otter (8.9 miles)
• Peaks of Otter Recreation Area (9 miles)
• Walrond Park (11.8 miles)

Physicians

• Carilion Clinic At Blue Ridge (6.1 miles)
• Dr Tom's Metabolic Bootcamp (7.8 miles)
• Carilion Clinic Family Medicine - Daleville (8.7 miles)
• Carilion Clinic Breast Care Center (8.7 miles)
• Carilion Children's Pediatric Medicine - Daleville (8.7 miles)
• Lawson Family Medicine & Aesthetics (8.8 miles)
• LewisGale Imaging Center (8.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Cundiff's Blue Ridge Pharmacy (6.2 miles)
• Down Home Pharmacy (8 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (8.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (8.7 miles)
• Servant Pharmacy Of VA (8.8 miles)
• Wonder Drug (9.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (9.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Peaks of Otter Winery (7.1 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (8.1 miles)
• Hardee's (8.1 miles)
• Taco Bell (8.2 miles)
• McDonald's (8.3 miles)
• Pancho Mexican Restaurant (8.4 miles)
• Applebee's (8.4 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul (7.6 miles)
• U-Haul (11.7 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (11.8 miles)
• Alamo (11.8 miles)

Cafes

• Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea (8.6 miles)
• Starbucks (9.7 miles)
• Starbucks (12.6 miles)

Theaters

• Buchanan Theatre (9.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Medical Specialties Of Va (10.5 miles)