New Year brings with it the excitement of all kinds of possibilities! When you clinked glasses, shared a kiss and cheered as the clock struck midnight, what did you hope for? Remember: The confetti was falling; the kazoos were blowing; the neighborhood was alight with festive partygoers ringing in the holiday together. As the familiar tune of “Auld Lang Sign” began, what were some of the things you wanted 2023 to bring?
News
Holiday time is here – bring on the cheer! From the holiday tree lighting to numerous holiday get-togethers, and the delicious aroma of freshly baked cookies filling the air outside the Bistro, the holiday season brings joy to our hearts at Friends House!
Whether our residents are lighting their menorahs, sipping eggnog, planning their Kwanzaa Karamu, or simply looking ahead toward the new year, the Friends House community is spreading joy – now and all year long. Moving from a long-term, family home into senior living can be an adjustment, we know, especially during the holidays. That’s why we work so hard to sustain our community as a warm and welcoming home for seniors. Here’s what sets Friends House apart:
Tis the season for turkey, traditions, and most importantly, thanks – Thanks for the time spent with family and friends, thanks for health and happiness, thanks for a wonderful staff and great residents, and thanks for selfless volunteers who have shared hundreds of hours at Friends House. Finally, we’re thankful for you: our loyal supporters.
Friends Helping Friends.
Friends House was first established with the intention of providing affordable homes and health care options for low- to moderate-income seniors. For more than 55 years, we’ve tirelessly worked to create a modestly-priced, inclusive community. While we offer a variety of living and care options for every budget, occasionally residents still need a little help from friends.
With the support of amazing people like you, Friends House has been able to make a difference for many seniors who live here. Sometimes savings and pensions fall short of the costs of care, which is why the donations we receive are so important to us. The costs with which residents occasionally need help are crucial to their health and quality of life, but many of these charges are not covered by insurance or government assistance. In the past year alone, Friends House has provided more than a million dollars in otherwise uncompensated care and services. We hope no one at Friends House will ever need to consider doing without the services they need to enjoy life in this community.
At Friends House, we’re passionate about building a community through caring – caring for our residents, our employees, and our world. Built on the Quaker values we affectionately refer to as SPICES, one of our essential founding principles is sustainability. While we’ve been committed to environmentally conscientious living from the very start, Friends House continues to incorporate eco-friendly strategies as we grow toward the future. Not only does a green approach to retirement living help the world around us – it contributes to happier and healthier lives for our residents. Continue reading…
Originally founded by Quakers (Religious Society of Friends), Friends House Retirement Community, Inc. was first established with the intention of providing affordable homes for low- to moderate-income seniors. Growing on that philosophy, we’ve welcomed older adults of every race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, and religious affiliation to our progressive Life Plan Community/CCRC since our inception in 1967. So, what have we learned over the last 55 years of service and how does Friends House stand out among the rest? Keep reading to find out!
News from Friends House: Summer 2021 Newsletter
Baltimore, MD—Today, Maryland Department of Health (MDH) Secretary Dennis R. Schrader was at Friends House Retirement Community in Sandy Spring, Montgomery County, as he continues to visit vaccination clinics across the state.
“It was important to have seen today’s vaccination activities at Friends House Retirement Community up close and personal as we continue to vaccinate our older adult population throughout the state,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dennis R. Schrader. “It is these direct partnerships that are part of our ground game that is enabling congregate care settings to get even closer to breathing a sigh of relief in the face of this pandemic.”
Secretary Schrader visited Friends House Retirement Community for the senior assisted living facility’s third vaccination clinic. In partnership with the Maryland Department of Health, Friends House has vaccinated 320 residents and staff.
Vaccinating Maryland’s 65+ population remains a top priority. To date, Maryland has fully vaccinated 73.3 percent of residents 65 and older and 83.9 percent of residents 65 and older have received at least one dose.
Secretary Schrader, Dr. Melissa Welch, DNP, FNP-BC, MDH Director of Community and Facility Initiative, and Mr. Philip Burkhold, Chief Executive Officer, Friends House Retirement Community.
The Friends House Board is delighted to announce that Philip L. Burkholder has agreed to be the next CEO of Friends House Retirement Community. As many of you know from meeting and talking with him, he has much experience in the field, having most recently been the Executive Director of ACTs Retirement-Life Plan Communities Fairhaven in Sykesville, Maryland since February, 2018. He has also served as the CEO of United Zion Retirement Community in Lititz, Pennsylvania, and the Executive Director of Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford, Pennsylvania, among other positions. Phil will officially start as CEO at Friends House on November 16th, 2020, and before then, will be communicating with Ron Jennette, the Interim CEO, and others at Friends House to learn as much as he can before he begins. We welcome Philip to Friends House and are looking forward to working with him. He and his wife hope to stay temporarily in one of the cottages at Friends House while they look for permanent housing, and we know everyone will welcome them and enjoy getting to know them.
Sincerely,
Ramona Buck
Clerk, Friends House Board
A letter from our CEO reflecting on the events from this past week.
Click here
At this time, based on federal guidance, indoor visits are permitted into our community Health Care Centers.
The well-being of our residents and staff is always a top priority at Friends House Retirement Community. Friends House has long been prepared for these types of events, not just with its own policies, procedures and flexibility to adapt — but also through its communications with other local health systems as well as the CDC and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Our focus is on infection prevention and control. Please follow these well-advised guidelines:
Do not visit if you have:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Congestion
- Gastro-intestinal symptoms
- A feeling of illness, such as cold or flu onset
We greatly value and appreciate the opportunity to serve those entrusted to our care, and we do so with competent, caring and compassionate staff who seek to make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve.
Thank you for your support and understanding.
Click on the green bar below for visitor requirements and on link(s) below that for community updates.
Click Here for Visiting Requirements
2022 Updates
September 23, 2022 Update and Meet & Greet
2021 Updates
2020 Updates
COVID-19 Information Sheet(s)
How to Protect yourself Prevent the Spread
What you should Know Stop the Spread
Maryland Department of Aging
The Maryland Department of Aging has great informational videos, 30 Second PSAs, downloadable resources and a button to register for the Senior Call Check In program.
For more information on COVID-19 from the Maryland Department of Aging click here