LARMAX HOMES - 8341 Lewinsville

I'm sure there are many fine large-scale memory care facilities, but I'm glad we settled on a small-home model, and specifically one of the three Larmax homes in McLean. Each of the three McLean homes houses eight residents, with each resident occupying his or her own bedroom and en suite bathroom. The Larmax home my loved one is in is bright, cheerful, thoughtfully designed and comfortably furnished, and is surrounded by landscaped gardens and lush greenery. But what makes Larmax really special is the warm and caring staff. Truly they are the unsung heroes, providing personalized care and lots of one-on-one time with the residents. From the equine therapy program -- where they bring the horses to the residents -- to the art, music and recreational specialists that engage the residents several times a week, Larmax really is a special place, one that I can recommend for families looking for kind and compassionate care for their loved ones.

t isn’t and easy thing to decide to move your parent from their home of many years, especially when they are confused and totally reliant on you to find a situation where you feel they will be treated well, a place that you can be comfortable with. After looking at many memory care facilities that were not satisfactory, I learned about Larmax Homes and after a few visits, I decided that this would be the best option for her. I moved my mom into 8341 Lewinsville Road in Mclean, VA. She had a comparatively large room where we were able to set up a sleeping area and a lovely sitting area with much of her own living room furniture and artwork, where we sat during most visits. As a person who appreciate aesthetics, she was delighted with her room. She had a huge window, bringing in lots of light and she was only ten steps away from the dining room and kitchen/family room. Given she was frail, being able to easily get to the shared living spaces made a huge difference in her feeling comfortable in the house. The whole house was light an airy and the extra-large, light filled kitchen/family room had recliners for the all of the residents and most activities took place in there. The views were of trees and nature, which my mom commented on often. There was a screened in porch and other areas of the house where residents could also spend time. Aside from the uplifting physical plant, the real measure of the place was in regard to the staff. The House Manager, Cordelia Macrae, was a person who always had a smile on her face…(I’m not just saying that!) She actually seemed joyful whenever I saw her. She made the house feel warm and welcoming. She got to know my mom and her likes and dislikes. She understood how to motivate her to participate in activities, to eat, and to just feel good about herself and her surroundings. Any time I visited, my mom was well dressed and groomed. Her room was always completely pulled together. I could see the other staff members also treating my mother with respect and dignity and kindness. They were tuned into how she was feeling each day. There were always 3 staff persons (minimally) on hand when there were 4-6 residents in the house and my mom never seemed isolated or alone unless she specifically wanted to “read” or nap in her own room. Cordelia and the staff observed my mother’s changes as time went on and accepted them with a smile, even when things got more difficult behaviorally at times, in my mom’s last few months. She and other staff members were able to put a smile on my mom’s face, even when I could not. The communications with Cordelia were frequent, not just during my visits, but even with weekly written updates with photos. She would respond to any emails or calls within minutes. She would let me know if my mom needed anything or if there were any concerns or changes in her condition. I felt that I was kept in the loop on anything going on with my mom. So, to say that having my mom at a Larmax Home took a huge load off of my shoulders would be an understatement. I felt I had found the best possible situation for my mom and I had a degree of peace of mind, enough that it allowed me to go on trips, or stay away when I was sick, etc. and not worry all the time. I am certain I could not have found a better place for my mom and that gave me comfort and the ability to say that I did the best I could for her, under the circumstances. I believe that my mom had the best care she could have had during this phase of her life and that feeling will stay with me always, as I reflect on the end of my mother’s life. I am so very grateful to be left with that kind of positive feeling in the end. I give my greatest thanks to everyone at Larmax.

I don't usually write reviews, but I know how important - and difficult - the decision is to find the best place for your aging parent. When we were looking, all we knew of was the large private corporate facilities and we definitely did not want one of those. My mother had been in one before and it was awful. Residents with dementia were simply parked in the hallway, others were wandering into my mother's room, bothering her or taking her things. Staff was overworked and turnover was high. My mother has been at one of the Larmax homes in Virginia for over six years now, and I visit every week so I've seen firsthand the care that she gets there. We were so relieved to find a place like Larmax with its small group setting and personalized care. The houses are beautifully decorated with special touches to make it feel like a home - not a facility. Residents have full access to all of the common rooms, even the kitchen. My mother's home is one of three in a row, which is great for sharing resources and activities among the homes, especially for those more social residents. Meals are prepared by professional chefs who are focused on nutrition and great taste. There are no colorless, overcooked meals there! In addition, her home has fun engagement programs with a dedicated art room and piano room; they do gardening, cooking, and club activities; they offer cultural and restaurant outings; and they even bring pets and therapeutic horses to the home. Most importantly, the staff is wonderful and caring, always responsive and available to answer questions, while staying on top of residents' needs with individualized attention. No place is perfect, but Larmax comes close and is always striving to be better. Our family has the peace of mind knowing that my mother is safe and well taken care of, and that Larmax is her forever home.