Renaissance of Annandale

Pros

• Maureen Ward called Renaissance of Annandale a haven for those navigating memory care, praising its compassionate and dignified approach.
• Jonathan Fitch is described as a guiding light - patient, compassionate, professional, and reliably helpful.
• Nurse Hamasatu is praised as extraordinary, with limitless compassion and exceptional after-hours responsiveness.
• The facility's atmosphere is calming and dignified, thoughtfully designed for residents with memory challenges.
• The dining team is dedicated to serving meals with care, anticipation, and attentiveness.
• The activities program is engaging and varied, with frequent field trips and family-involved activities.
• Jerome is celebrated as an outstanding, awesome, and caring catalyst for the community.
• Families report peace of mind and relief from worry thanks to Renaissance.

Cons

• Renaissance is not perfect - no place is - but it comes as close to perfection as any facility we have encountered.
• It is definitely not perfect but we feel like Renaissance is the best memory care option available in our area.

Review

Renaissance of Annandale stands out in the memory care landscape as a place where careful planning, genuine compassion, and a thoughtfully designed environment come together to support residents and their families through some of life's most challenging moments. After visiting a dozen area facilities, one family found that Renaissance offered a rare blend of calm dignity, engaging programming, and a staff culture that feels both professional and warmly human. The reviewer describes four personal visits to the campus, including occasions when they brought their husband to see how he would respond to activities and interact with staff. The experience left them convinced that this was the right choice for their family, even though the husband's illness and sudden need for hospice care ultimately prevented a move in. In their words, Renaissance felt like "a haven for those navigating the most challenging phases of memory care."

Central to that sense of assurance was the staff, led by Jonathan Fitch, the Marketing Director, whose steady, attentive presence is highlighted repeatedly. The reviewer emphasizes that Jonathan answered countless questions without fatigue and went beyond the call of duty, offering reassurance and practical help that extended well beyond marketing duties. When the husband fell ill and hospice care became a factor, Jonathan again stepped up - sharing information about hospice options and helping navigate the logistical and emotional hurdles that accompany inpatient hospice care. Even after the husband's passing, Jonathan's ongoing willingness to assist was appreciated and remembered as a meaningful contribution to the family's peace of mind.

The facility itself earns high marks for atmosphere and design, which the reviewer describes in vivid, almost tactile terms. The environment is calm, dignified, and deliberately crafted to support residents with memory challenges. Details such as the gentle lavender scent in the hallways, the Dutch doors on resident rooms for privacy while allowing staff to check in easily, and cleverly disguised exit doors with wallpaper to deter wandering all contribute to a philosophy of dignity and safety. The long, attractive hallways provide safe walking space with resting areas thoughtfully placed along the route. Photographs of historic moments and beloved figures - from World War II to Shirley Temple and Gene Kelly - serve as meaningful anchors in residents' lives. A secure, enclosed courtyard with a bubbling brook, seasonal flowers, and serene benches offers a breath of fresh air for both residents and families. Residents' rooms are on the first floor, which is described as ideal for mobility challenges, and the dining experience is singled out for special praise: a dedicated food staff focused solely on serving meals with care and anticipation, reducing the moments when residents have to ask twice for anything.

If the setting forms the stage, the people living and working there provide the heart. The reviewer emphasizes that the "heart of Renaissance is its people," with particular gratitude directed toward individuals who made a deep impression. Nurse Hamasatu is singled out as extraordinary, a caregiver whose compassion knows no bounds. She was never a burden and consistently made time for both the resident and the family, even calling after hours to update them on his condition. On the last morning of the husband's life, Hamasatu placed a call at 6:00 a.m. - before her shift - inviting the family to come, a gesture the reviewer describes as revealing of the kind of care and dedication she brings to the role. Hamasatu's entire team was seen as professional, compassionate, and capable of managing the many demands of memory care with grace, empathy, and skill.

Another pillar of the Renaissance story is the staff's responsiveness and the facility's ongoing family communications. The reviewer notes that the team, from administration to the care staff to front-desk reception, "has been very attentive and proactive in responding to needs," with updates, photos, and videos that give families a reassuring glimpse into daily life and the resident's activities. One family member who has had a parent in Renaissance for two years contrasts the experience with a prior memory care facility where care and attention were lacking. Since arriving at Renaissance, they describe a meaningful improvement in care, engagement, and communication. The care team is described as proactive, the environment as welcoming, and the overall standard as markedly high.

Not every voice centers on a single staff member, though Jerome, another standout team member mentioned by name, personifies the all-hands-on-deck culture at Renaissance. The description of Jerome paints him as much more than his formal job title might suggest: a camp counselor, chaplain, and chief cheerleader rolled into one. His energy, presence, and willingness to cut through red tape to facilitate a move-in - happening within 24 hours despite a rushed hospital discharge - left the family with a strong belief that his positivity and dedication are a catalyst for the facility's bright atmosphere. One note from a family member describes Jerome as an "absolute treasure," and the overall impression is that his enthusiasm helps create a cheerful, supportive environment for residents and families alike.

Beyond the emotional and logistical support, families celebrate Renaissance for the quality and variety of activities that actively engage residents. A reviewer gives the activities a blanket rating of "5++," describing engaging, varied programs and almost weekly field trips. The staff's kindness and compassion extend into the recreational realm, with family-related communication described as excellent and consistent. The facility's birthday of community life is reinforced by events that invite family participation and reinforce a sense of continuity and belonging. The staff's commitment to cleanliness and safe, stimulating activity earns Renaissance a reputation as the best memory care option in the area, even as no place is claimed to be perfect.

Finally, the broader community connections bring warmth and depth to Renaissance's profile. A heartwarming note from a Christmas-season moment describes Santa's helpers and the SOCO varsity basketball team spending time with residents to decorate ornaments, providing a joyful, inclusive experience for those who may not have many visitors during the holidays. This act of service underscores a culture that invites community involvement and mutual care, aligning with the family's sense that Renaissance is more than a facility - it is a place where residents' lives are honored, their histories remembered, and their daily moments filled with meaning and care.

In sum, Renaissance of Annandale emerges from these testimonials as a facility defined by its people, its carefully designed spaces, and its unwavering commitment to dignity, safety, and active, compassionate care. Families repeatedly highlight the staff's extraordinary dedication, the thoughtful environmental details that support memory care, and the transparent, ongoing communication that keeps loved ones connected. While every review acknowledges that no place is flawless, the consensus here is clear: Renaissance offers a level of care, engagement, and sincerity that makes it feel like a true refuge during a difficult season. The combination of a nurturing atmosphere, proactive leadership, and a culture of going beyond the call of duty leaves families with a sense of gratitude, relief, and confidence in the care their loved ones are receiving.

Located in Annandale, Virginia, this neighborhood boasts a variety of amenities that cater to seniors looking for convenience and accessibility. With multiple pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens within a short distance, accessing medication and healthcare services is easy. For dining options, there are several McDonald's locations nearby along with local restaurants like Marib Restaurant and Mike's American. Nearby parks like Lake Accotink Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. For cultural activities, theaters like Regal Springfield Town Center provide entertainment options. The area also offers quick access to public transportation with metro stations like Vienna/Fairfax - GMU Metro Station and Franconia-Springfield Metro Station within reach. Overall, this part of Annandale provides a mix of essential services, entertainment options, and transportation accessibility that could cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable living environment.

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.4 miles)
• McDonald's (2.7 miles)
• McDonald's (2.7 miles)
• Marib Restaurant (2.7 miles)
• McDonald's (2.9 miles)
• McDonald's (3.4 miles)
• Mike's American (3.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Labor and Delivery - Fairfax Hospital (2.1 miles)
• Inova Fairfax Medical Campus (2.2 miles)
• Inova Heart and Vascular Institute (2.2 miles)

Parks

• Lake Accotink Park (2.4 miles)
• Fairfax Memorial (3.9 miles)
• Daniels Run Park (4.1 miles)
• Springfield Forest Park (4.6 miles)
• Van Dyck Park (4.9 miles)
• Tysons Pimmit Park (5.4 miles)
• Glencarlyn Park (5.5 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.8 miles)
• Mom & Pop (3.2 miles)
• Simply Social Coffee (4.4 miles)
• Starbucks (4.5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.6 miles)
• Starbucks (5.8 miles)

Physicians

• Virginia Heart (3.1 miles)
• Burke Allergy & Asthma Center (4 miles)
• Otolaryngology Associates, PC (5.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saint Bernadette C (3.6 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Springfield Town Center (4.3 miles)
• AMC Tysons Corner 16 (6.2 miles)

Transportation

• Vienna/Fairfax - GMU Metro Station (4.7 miles)
• Franconia-Springfield Metro Station (4.9 miles)
• Van Dorn Street Metro Station (4.9 miles)
• East Falls Church Metro Station (5 miles)
• Tysons Corner Metro Station (6.4 miles)