Highlands Retirement Village

Pros

• The facility is clean inside and out, with a pleasant aroma upon entry.
• The nursing leadership is top-notch and well organized.
• The staff are friendly and genuinely compassionate toward residents.
• The atmosphere is fun and energetic during events.
• It's described as a wonderful resource in the community.
• The campus is wonderful - super clean with friendly staff and the best care for residents.
• It is considered a gem of Abingdon.
• English Meadows is described by some as the best assisted living community in the area.
• The staff are amazing, with a great location and a gorgeous facility.
• The environment is lovely with great coworkers.
• The facility is very well maintained and always clean, with caregivers providing great care.
• The staff are kind, caring, and always willing to go the extra mile.

Cons

• The reviewer reported a strong air freshener in the hallways that caused nose and lung irritation and headaches.
• There were persistent odors of old urine in a resident's room with inadequate cleaning.
• Caregiver coverage was frequently insufficient, especially on weekends, leaving residents under cared for.
• Staff were described as overworked and underpaid/underappreciated.
• Management was perceived as not addressing concerns and making decisions at corporate HQ rather than locally.
• The reviewer felt the facility might be understaffed to save costs, with only one or two attendants for many residents.
• The reviewer ultimately moved their mother out due to breathing difficulties tied to the environment.

Review

The English Meadows campus in Abingdon, Virginia leaves a strong first impression with its spotless cleanliness and consistently pleasant aroma. Visitors and residents alike note the building's pristine appearance both inside and out, and many describe the entrance as inviting and refreshing. The leadership team behind the scenes is repeatedly praised for its organization and attention to detail, while the frontline staff are consistently described as friendly, compassionate, and genuinely devoted to the residents. The overall atmosphere is described as lively and engaging, with events that feel welcoming and entertaining, making the campus feel like a vibrant community hub rather than a sterile facility.

Across multiple accounts, the staff and caregivers are highlighted as a cornerstone of the experience at English Meadows. Reviewers frequently call the team the best or among the best in the area, emphasizing how they attend to residents with patience, respect, and a visible care for individual needs. Several comments credit the nursing leadership for their competence, noting that they keep operations running smoothly and ensure that residents' routines and comforts are prioritized. The facility is often described as a "gem" in Abingdon, with many observers insisting that the care provided stands out in the region for its warmth and attentiveness.

The campus atmosphere is repeatedly characterized as both caring and practical, with residents and their families feeling well supported by the available amenities and services. One reviewer even proclaims English Meadows to be the best assisted living community in the area, highlighting the campus's beauty, cleanliness, and staff willingness to go the extra mile. Other comments mention how convenient the location is, especially in relation to nearby hospitals and medical facilities, which adds an extra layer of reassurance for families needing frequent medical access. Overall, the consensus is that this is a place where residents are treated with dignity, and where staff communicate with families in a respectful and forthcoming manner.

Personal experiences from families paint a picture of how English Meadows can fit different needs. One review notes that both of their parents, each with distinct senior-care requirements, have found responsive, respectful care from administrative, nursing, and dietary staff. This account also underscores practical benefits, such as laundry services, periodic unit cleaning, and nighttime check-ins, along with the peace of mind that comes from a nearby hospital complex. A separate narrative from a family with a long connection to the campus describes an 87-year-old father who moved in years earlier and found the apartment pleasant, the food exceptionally good, and the staff consistently responsive. That family emphasizes the value of a well-organized environment where care is well-coordinated and residents' daily routines are routinely monitored.

Yet, like many long-term-care experiences, these reviews include important cautions that warrant attention. One reviewer who lost a mother while she was a resident raises concerns about caregiver coverage, noting that in memory care especially, staffing levels could be insufficient on weekends. The reviewer describes caregivers as doing their best but feeling underpaid and underappreciated, and urges readers to ask prospective facilities about caregiver ratios, acknowledging that there are no government standards governing these numbers. This perspective adds a meaningful counterpoint to the otherwise glowing appraisals, reminding readers that staffing realities can significantly affect the quality of day-to-day care.

In the most detailed first-hand account, a family moving a 92-year-old mother into the Abingdon campus encountered a troubling environmental issue that overshadowed initial impressions of warmth and welcome. The reviewer recalls a very strong, pervasive air freshener being sprayed continuously, to the point of causing breathing discomfort and headaches for an elderly, recently recovering resident. Attempts to discuss the issue with management yielded assurances that the chemicals were part of memory-care practices and controlled at headquarters, with a company-provided one-page justification that did little to ease concerns about VOCs, solvents, and the potential long-term health effects. The situation worsened when the reviewer observed a roommate's room with odors of urine, a recliner and carpet that seemed saturated, and a suite that became nearly unbreathable over time. The reviewer left with the impression that staffing constraints - perhaps only one or two attendants for a large number of residents - might be contributing to broader cleanliness and odor-management challenges. Feeling compelled to remove their mother after a short stay, the reviewer expresses a deep weariness and a call for better support for front-line attendants, insisting that compassionate, well-compensated staff are essential to the welfare of the elderly they serve.

Summing up the mosaic of feedback, English Meadows emerges as a facility that many families find clean, welcoming, and devoted to resident well-being. The campus is frequently praised for its beauty, its accessible and attentive staff, and the palpable sense that residents are cared for with kindness and respect. At the same time, some reviewers urge prospective families to look closely at staffing levels, caregiver coverage, and environmental policies, particularly regarding fragrances and odor-management, and to ask direct questions about ratios and budgets. Taken together, the reviews depict a community that is deeply valued by many, while also inviting ongoing conversation about how best to balance comfort, health, and staffing realities in the care of older adults.

This area of Abingdon, Virginia, offers a variety of amenities that may appeal to seniors considering relocating to the area. With several restaurants nearby offering a range of dining options, including fast food, comfort food, and seafood, residents can enjoy convenient dining options. Additionally, there are multiple pharmacies within a short distance for easy access to medications and healthcare needs. The proximity to Johnston Memorial Hospital provides peace of mind in case of medical emergencies. For recreation, several parks offer opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. There are also several places of worship in the area for spiritual fulfillment. Various physicians' offices are close by for healthcare needs and transportation services are available for easy travel to appointments or errands. Overall, this neighborhood provides a mix of conveniences and services that make it an attractive option for seniors looking for a comfortable and well-equipped community.

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0 miles)
• Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits (0.1 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (0.4 miles)
• Burger King (0.5 miles)
• Puerto Nuevo (0.5 miles)
• The Tavern (2.1 miles)
• 128 Pecan (2.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Highland Community Pharmacy (0.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Healthplus & Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Northgate Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Food City Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Va Lottery Food City 8 (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Johnston Memorial Hospital (0.3 miles)
• Johnston Memorial Hospital (1.3 miles)

Parks

• Backbone Rock, Cherokee National Forest (0.4 miles)
• Damascus Town Park (9.3 miles)
• Sugar Hollow Playground (11.4 miles)
• Sugar Hollow Park (11.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Christ the King Catholic Church (0.9 miles)
• Abingdon United Pentecostal Church (1.4 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (2 miles)
• King's Chapel Church (2.1 miles)
• Gospel Tabernacle (2.6 miles)
• Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd (3.3 miles)
• Damascus Road Baptist Church (3.3 miles)

Physicians

• Johnston Memorial Cancer Center (1.2 miles)
• Blue Ridge Orthopedics (1.3 miles)
• Abingdon Healthcare For Women (1.3 miles)
• Cody, John Blue Ridge Orthopedics and Sports Medicine (1.3 miles)
• Armstrong Paul C MD - Mountain States Medical Group (1.3 miles)
• Ear Nose Throat and Allergy Consultant (1.5 miles)
• Highlands Pediatrics (1.5 miles)

Transportation

• Noonkester Freeze Dry (1.5 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (4.3 miles)
• Sportsman's Choice Taxidermy (8.9 miles)

Cafes

• The Girl & The Raven (1.9 miles)
• The Spring House (2.2 miles)
• Camella's Remember When (2.3 miles)