The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Bethesda, MD for 2023
Bethesda is a census-designated place northwest of Washington, D.C. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 19% of its 61,000 residents are in the 65+ age group, which is above the national average of 16.5%, suggesting the area particularly appeals to seniors. Bethesda has a laid-back quality when compared to the nation’s capital, which is only 20 minutes away. It has plenty to offer seniors who value their leisure time. Pike and Rose in particular is crammed with popular shops, restaurants and entertainment venues.
The aging process can make some daily tasks, such as cleaning, more challenging for seniors. No one wants to give up their independence, which is why assisted living can be a solution. Seniors get to retain their autonomy in a safe, comfortable environment while staff take care of the daily chores. Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey reveals that the typical monthly fee for assisted living in Bethesda is $6,000, which is above the state and national averages of $5,000 and $4,300, respectively.
This guide covers costs in more detail, discusses some pros and cons of living in Bethesda and provides a list of helpful resources for seniors and their families.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Bethesda, MD
Sunrise at Fox Hill
8300 Burdett Road, Bethesda, MD, 20817
My mother has lived at Fox Hill for several years. It has been a wonderful environment for her. The staff is terrific. The caregivers are excellent and very kind. There is a nice variety of acti
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My mother has lived at Fox Hill for several years. It has been a wonderful environment for her. The staff is terrific. The caregivers are excellent and very kind. There is a nice variety of activities taking place all the time. She is very happy there.
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My mother has lived at Fox Hill for several years. It has been a wonderful environment for her. The staff is terrific. The caregivers are excellent and very kind. There is a nice variety of acti
… (read more)
My mother has lived at Fox Hill for several years. It has been a wonderful environment for her. The staff is terrific. The caregivers are excellent and very kind. There is a nice variety of activities taking place all the time. She is very happy there.
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Bartholomew House
6904 River Road, Bethesda, MD, 20817
Bartholomew House is a very loving, caring, comfortable, and intimate place because it is small. It is a little bit more like a larger home, and it smells very clean. The food is good, and it has a gr
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Bartholomew House is a very loving, caring, comfortable, and intimate place because it is small. It is a little bit more like a larger home, and it smells very clean. The food is good, and it has a great caring staff. They really feel that it is more than their job, and they put their heart and soul into the residents. It doesn’t have the extra amenities that some people might like, but they are extra caring with the residents which is the most important thing to me. The staff just goes above and beyond what you would expect. They communicate with me, and they reach out to me. They take the lead in my dad’s care very proactively. You would not have to worry about your loved one there.
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Bartholomew House is a very loving, caring, comfortable, and intimate place because it is small. It is a little bit more like a larger home, and it smells very clean. The food is good, and it has a gr
… (read more)
Bartholomew House is a very loving, caring, comfortable, and intimate place because it is small. It is a little bit more like a larger home, and it smells very clean. The food is good, and it has a great caring staff. They really feel that it is more than their job, and they put their heart and soul into the residents. It doesn’t have the extra amenities that some people might like, but they are extra caring with the residents which is the most important thing to me. The staff just goes above and beyond what you would expect. They communicate with me, and they reach out to me. They take the lead in my dad’s care very proactively. You would not have to worry about your loved one there.
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Sunrise of Bethesda
4925 Battery Lane, Bethesda, MD, 20814
Sunrise of Bethesda is a beautiful facility. The people are very nice, and they’re taking good care of my mother to the extent that they are able to. It’s the management that’s at fault. They tell you
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Sunrise of Bethesda is a beautiful facility. The people are very nice, and they’re taking good care of my mother to the extent that they are able to. It’s the management that’s at fault. They tell you they’re doing things that they don’t do. I’ve got a camera in my mother’s room, which they know about and they’ve approved, so they know that I can see what they’re doing or not doing, and it still doesn’t matter. They say they’re having one-on-one activities in this situation we’re in now, but my mother doesn’t have any activities at all other than they get her up and take her downstairs and out to the patio. Other than that, she’s sitting in a chair in her room looking at the TV, except for the days when I have an agency person there. They don’t really do anything for her. They bring her meals in Styrofoam containers, they change her bed, or they clean up and they leave. There’s no engagement at all. I had to get an agency person 24 hours a day and yet they still put her at level three. They didn’t do anything differently than they’ve been doing before, and they’re charging me at level three. They’re lovely people, but they don’t do what they say they’re going to do. The food is very good, but they are lacking in their activities. They went to a movie once nine months ago and they were doing shopping trips supposedly, but that stopped quickly. They used to have somebody on the piano downstairs in the lobby, and they have their own bus to take people on outings, but they don’t use it. They don’t have enough staff members.
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Sunrise of Bethesda is a beautiful facility. The people are very nice, and they’re taking good care of my mother to the extent that they are able to. It’s the management that’s at fault. They tell you
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Sunrise of Bethesda is a beautiful facility. The people are very nice, and they’re taking good care of my mother to the extent that they are able to. It’s the management that’s at fault. They tell you they’re doing things that they don’t do. I’ve got a camera in my mother’s room, which they know about and they’ve approved, so they know that I can see what they’re doing or not doing, and it still doesn’t matter. They say they’re having one-on-one activities in this situation we’re in now, but my mother doesn’t have any activities at all other than they get her up and take her downstairs and out to the patio. Other than that, she’s sitting in a chair in her room looking at the TV, except for the days when I have an agency person there. They don’t really do anything for her. They bring her meals in Styrofoam containers, they change her bed, or they clean up and they leave. There’s no engagement at all. I had to get an agency person 24 hours a day and yet they still put her at level three. They didn’t do anything differently than they’ve been doing before, and they’re charging me at level three. They’re lovely people, but they don’t do what they say they’re going to do. The food is very good, but they are lacking in their activities. They went to a movie once nine months ago and they were doing shopping trips supposedly, but that stopped quickly. They used to have somebody on the piano downstairs in the lobby, and they have their own bus to take people on outings, but they don’t use it. They don’t have enough staff members.
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Avalon Homes Inc
7020 Armat Dr, Bethesda, MD, 20817
I can’t say enough about the blessed, loving care we received with Avalon Residential Living for my dear Mother, Marie, who had Vascular Dementia, and had difficulty managing for dad at home. Marian
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I can’t say enough about the blessed, loving care we received with Avalon Residential Living for my dear Mother, Marie, who had Vascular Dementia, and had difficulty managing for dad at home. Marian and Karen at Avalon 4 (see the website) were blessed angels, and took loving care of mom. I can’t say enough about the care and support they provided. For a person with dementia, a home setting with 7-8 other women is the best, and Avalon Residential Living was the best! Contact Avalon Residential Living to see if there are any openings in McLean or Falls Church, VA, or Potomac or Bethesda, MD. 301-656-8823; info@avalonresidentialliving.com
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I can’t say enough about the blessed, loving care we received with Avalon Residential Living for my dear Mother, Marie, who had Vascular Dementia, and had difficulty managing for dad at home. Marian
… (read more)
I can’t say enough about the blessed, loving care we received with Avalon Residential Living for my dear Mother, Marie, who had Vascular Dementia, and had difficulty managing for dad at home. Marian and Karen at Avalon 4 (see the website) were blessed angels, and took loving care of mom. I can’t say enough about the care and support they provided. For a person with dementia, a home setting with 7-8 other women is the best, and Avalon Residential Living was the best! Contact Avalon Residential Living to see if there are any openings in McLean or Falls Church, VA, or Potomac or Bethesda, MD. 301-656-8823; info@avalonresidentialliving.com
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Larmax Homes
7102 Bells Mill Rd, Bethesda, MD, 20817
I would consider Larmax Homes. It’s the one I had an actual in-person tour of. I like the house a great deal. It was small but the room that was available was too small, that’s why I didn’t choose it.
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I would consider Larmax Homes. It’s the one I had an actual in-person tour of. I like the house a great deal. It was small but the room that was available was too small, that’s why I didn’t choose it. They had us touring very carefully. We wore masks and gloves. We didn’t touch anything, and we just walked through. The staff seemed very nice. I met a number of staff. A lot of the residents had shared bathrooms, and I did not want my mother sharing a bathroom with anybody. It’s a private home that has been turned into a residential facility. The yard was kinda small.
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I would consider Larmax Homes. It’s the one I had an actual in-person tour of. I like the house a great deal. It was small but the room that was available was too small, that’s why I didn’t choose it.
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I would consider Larmax Homes. It’s the one I had an actual in-person tour of. I like the house a great deal. It was small but the room that was available was too small, that’s why I didn’t choose it. They had us touring very carefully. We wore masks and gloves. We didn’t touch anything, and we just walked through. The staff seemed very nice. I met a number of staff. A lot of the residents had shared bathrooms, and I did not want my mother sharing a bathroom with anybody. It’s a private home that has been turned into a residential facility. The yard was kinda small.
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Brightview Bethesda Woodmont
4907 Rugby Ave, Bethesda, MD, 20814
We currently have a place for my dad. We ended up going to Brightview Bethesda Woodmont. My dad has moved in. It’s a very nice small community in an urban setting with very caring staff. The meal is p
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We currently have a place for my dad. We ended up going to Brightview Bethesda Woodmont. My dad has moved in. It’s a very nice small community in an urban setting with very caring staff. The meal is pretty good food. However, it was very, very expensive. They have a lot of activities. They might need more physical activities, but they have lots of different activities and lots of things to keep them going, so that’s great. They have an exercise area but it’s very small. It doesn’t have outdoor space, but it’s next to a lot of public trails. My dad’s room is small but very nicely appointed and very clean.
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We currently have a place for my dad. We ended up going to Brightview Bethesda Woodmont. My dad has moved in. It’s a very nice small community in an urban setting with very caring staff. The meal is p
… (read more)
We currently have a place for my dad. We ended up going to Brightview Bethesda Woodmont. My dad has moved in. It’s a very nice small community in an urban setting with very caring staff. The meal is pretty good food. However, it was very, very expensive. They have a lot of activities. They might need more physical activities, but they have lots of different activities and lots of things to keep them going, so that’s great. They have an exercise area but it’s very small. It doesn’t have outdoor space, but it’s next to a lot of public trails. My dad’s room is small but very nicely appointed and very clean.
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Vitality Living Arlington
3821 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA, 22203
We toured Vitality Living Arlington. It was large, very clean, very warm, and very welcoming. It was a very impressive place. They have very friendly staff, too. They have the ability for transportati
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We toured Vitality Living Arlington. It was large, very clean, very warm, and very welcoming. It was a very impressive place. They have very friendly staff, too. They have the ability for transportation to go out all the time. They also have a library and a salon. It was a bigger facility, but it was just as nice. We did not try the food, but the residents were praising the food because they were eating then.
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We toured Vitality Living Arlington. It was large, very clean, very warm, and very welcoming. It was a very impressive place. They have very friendly staff, too. They have the ability for transportati
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We toured Vitality Living Arlington. It was large, very clean, very warm, and very welcoming. It was a very impressive place. They have very friendly staff, too. They have the ability for transportation to go out all the time. They also have a library and a salon. It was a bigger facility, but it was just as nice. We did not try the food, but the residents were praising the food because they were eating then.
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Ingleside at Rock Creek
3050 Military Road NW, Washington, DC, 20015
Rooms are very small(500 sq. ft.) though uinits with lots of windows, have beautiful views and lots of light! They were wonderful when my family member came, but since Covid and the aftermath, they a
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Rooms are very small(500 sq. ft.) though uinits with lots of windows, have beautiful views and lots of light! They were wonderful when my family member came, but since Covid and the aftermath, they aare nvery short staffed and the turnover of management, senior positions and helping staff continues at a rapid pace. It is the most expensive facility in the country and has not been living up to its promises. Van unavailability has resulted in missed appointments, many activities and programs are in another building at the other end of the facility, so if a resident is not fully independent and mobile, they are unable to attend oor utilize the pool, gym, lectures, library, etc. There isn’t anyone able to accompany a resident who needs help. Residents get their laundry done, but may not get it back. Facility looks beautiful, but ask MANY questions related to the above.
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Rooms are very small(500 sq. ft.) though uinits with lots of windows, have beautiful views and lots of light! They were wonderful when my family member came, but since Covid and the aftermath, they a
… (read more)
Rooms are very small(500 sq. ft.) though uinits with lots of windows, have beautiful views and lots of light! They were wonderful when my family member came, but since Covid and the aftermath, they aare nvery short staffed and the turnover of management, senior positions and helping staff continues at a rapid pace. It is the most expensive facility in the country and has not been living up to its promises. Van unavailability has resulted in missed appointments, many activities and programs are in another building at the other end of the facility, so if a resident is not fully independent and mobile, they are unable to attend oor utilize the pool, gym, lectures, library, etc. There isn’t anyone able to accompany a resident who needs help. Residents get their laundry done, but may not get it back. Facility looks beautiful, but ask MANY questions related to the above.
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Sunrise of Silver Spring
11621 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20904
I went to Sunrise of Silver Spring and I met Lamar and the manager. It was a lovely facility and the people seemed happy. I was there while they had an activity going on and they had lots of participa
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I went to Sunrise of Silver Spring and I met Lamar and the manager. It was a lovely facility and the people seemed happy. I was there while they had an activity going on and they had lots of participants, so I found that impressive. The only thing that was a challenge for me is the cost. It exceeded what is available to cover my mom’s services.
I saw a single and a shared space, and I thought they were both impressive. I saw the residents having lunch while I was there, as well as having finished a religious service. I was pleased to see those activities going on.
The dining area was an open space and it looked as if people could choose where they sat, as opposed to being assigned spaces. There were groups of people, and tables with a few people, and I saw one table where there was one individual, but everybody looked content.
The person at the front desk was very pleasant. I walked in and they had a welcome sign. They said they were expecting me, so they were welcoming me. I met the director. They were very pleasant and informative. I was impressed. However, it wasn’t something that I could consider because it was well above affordability.
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I went to Sunrise of Silver Spring and I met Lamar and the manager. It was a lovely facility and the people seemed happy. I was there while they had an activity going on and they had lots of participa
… (read more)
I went to Sunrise of Silver Spring and I met Lamar and the manager. It was a lovely facility and the people seemed happy. I was there while they had an activity going on and they had lots of participants, so I found that impressive. The only thing that was a challenge for me is the cost. It exceeded what is available to cover my mom’s services.
I saw a single and a shared space, and I thought they were both impressive. I saw the residents having lunch while I was there, as well as having finished a religious service. I was pleased to see those activities going on.
The dining area was an open space and it looked as if people could choose where they sat, as opposed to being assigned spaces. There were groups of people, and tables with a few people, and I saw one table where there was one individual, but everybody looked content.
The person at the front desk was very pleasant. I walked in and they had a welcome sign. They said they were expecting me, so they were welcoming me. I met the director. They were very pleasant and informative. I was impressed. However, it wasn’t something that I could consider because it was well above affordability.
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Sunrise of Arlington VA
2000 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA, 22207
This is one of the first – if not the first – Sunrise ever built. Therefore, rooms are a bit smaller than newer homes. But this is also a part of the charm in that it is smaller. At 92 mom would get l
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This is one of the first – if not the first – Sunrise ever built. Therefore, rooms are a bit smaller than newer homes. But this is also a part of the charm in that it is smaller. At 92 mom would get lost in the long corridors of many I have seen. She is a modest woman with whom she relates to many of the simpler amenities. She can walk out of her space and into the thick of things. Staff and Caregivers are very nice and happy. The place is very clean and the food is great. What more can one ask…. Thx
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This is one of the first – if not the first – Sunrise ever built. Therefore, rooms are a bit smaller than newer homes. But this is also a part of the charm in that it is smaller. At 92 mom would get l
… (read more)
This is one of the first – if not the first – Sunrise ever built. Therefore, rooms are a bit smaller than newer homes. But this is also a part of the charm in that it is smaller. At 92 mom would get lost in the long corridors of many I have seen. She is a modest woman with whom she relates to many of the simpler amenities. She can walk out of her space and into the thick of things. Staff and Caregivers are very nice and happy. The place is very clean and the food is great. What more can one ask…. Thx
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Brookdale Potomac
11215 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, MD, 20854
Brookdale Potomac was good. The staff was very informative, very friendly, and very welcoming. The rooms were very nice. It was our second choice. It looked a little older than the other one we visite
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Brookdale Potomac was good. The staff was very informative, very friendly, and very welcoming. The rooms were very nice. It was our second choice. It looked a little older than the other one we visited, but it was fine.
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Brookdale Potomac was good. The staff was very informative, very friendly, and very welcoming. The rooms were very nice. It was our second choice. It looked a little older than the other one we visite
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Brookdale Potomac was good. The staff was very informative, very friendly, and very welcoming. The rooms were very nice. It was our second choice. It looked a little older than the other one we visited, but it was fine.
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Grand Oaks Assisted Living
5901 MacArthur Boulevard, NW, Washington, DC, 20016
Grand Oaks Assisted Living is situated in Washington, D.C., just southeast of Turkey Run Park. Visitors are impressed by the facility’s menu, which includes hot sandwiches, soups and salads as appetiz
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Grand Oaks Assisted Living is situated in Washington, D.C., just southeast of Turkey Run Park. Visitors are impressed by the facility’s menu, which includes hot sandwiches, soups and salads as appetizers. Grand Oaks Assisted Living provides transportation to places within an 11-mile radius, and the most popular destinations include the Kennedy Center and museums in the city. Other amenities include a beauty salon, business center and heated pool. In their spare time, residents are fond of relaxing in reclining chairs in the terraces and gardens that overlook the scenic neighborhood. The facility also offers tai chi, art and exercise classes.
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Grand Oaks Assisted Living is situated in Washington, D.C., just southeast of Turkey Run Park. Visitors are impressed by the facility’s menu, which includes hot sandwiches, soups and salads as appetiz
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Grand Oaks Assisted Living is situated in Washington, D.C., just southeast of Turkey Run Park. Visitors are impressed by the facility’s menu, which includes hot sandwiches, soups and salads as appetizers. Grand Oaks Assisted Living provides transportation to places within an 11-mile radius, and the most popular destinations include the Kennedy Center and museums in the city. Other amenities include a beauty salon, business center and heated pool. In their spare time, residents are fond of relaxing in reclining chairs in the terraces and gardens that overlook the scenic neighborhood. The facility also offers tai chi, art and exercise classes.
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Chevy Chase House
5420 Connecticut Avenue, Northwest, Washington, DC, 20015
Chevy Chase House is located in Northwest Washington, D.C., just south of the Maryland state line. Residents and visitors love the location on Connecticut Avenue, which puts them within walking distan
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Chevy Chase House is located in Northwest Washington, D.C., just south of the Maryland state line. Residents and visitors love the location on Connecticut Avenue, which puts them within walking distance of many shops and a bus stop. Residents appreciate the modern feel of the facility and the spacious living areas, and they give Chevy Chase House high marks for the quality food in the dining room and bistro. Residents enjoy amenities such as a library and beauty salon and engage in several activities, including movie nights, tai chi, exercise classes and lectures.
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Chevy Chase House is located in Northwest Washington, D.C., just south of the Maryland state line. Residents and visitors love the location on Connecticut Avenue, which puts them within walking distan
… (read more)
Chevy Chase House is located in Northwest Washington, D.C., just south of the Maryland state line. Residents and visitors love the location on Connecticut Avenue, which puts them within walking distance of many shops and a bus stop. Residents appreciate the modern feel of the facility and the spacious living areas, and they give Chevy Chase House high marks for the quality food in the dining room and bistro. Residents enjoy amenities such as a library and beauty salon and engage in several activities, including movie nights, tai chi, exercise classes and lectures.
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Sunrise of McLean
8315 Turning Leaf Lane, Mclean, VA, 22102
Nestled in a neighborhood 15 minutes from Washington D.C., Sunrise of McLean is in McLean, Virginia, close to Tysons Galleria Shopping Mall and the Virginia Hospital Center. Residents’ family members
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Nestled in a neighborhood 15 minutes from Washington D.C., Sunrise of McLean is in McLean, Virginia, close to Tysons Galleria Shopping Mall and the Virginia Hospital Center. Residents’ family members describe the facility as clean and beautiful with delicious food, spacious rooms and a diligent, caring staff. Visitors give high marks for its homey environment and the many activities offered, including bingo, board games, social hours, clubs, group outings and a dance instructor who provides hours of fun and exercise each week.
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Nestled in a neighborhood 15 minutes from Washington D.C., Sunrise of McLean is in McLean, Virginia, close to Tysons Galleria Shopping Mall and the Virginia Hospital Center. Residents’ family members
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Nestled in a neighborhood 15 minutes from Washington D.C., Sunrise of McLean is in McLean, Virginia, close to Tysons Galleria Shopping Mall and the Virginia Hospital Center. Residents’ family members describe the facility as clean and beautiful with delicious food, spacious rooms and a diligent, caring staff. Visitors give high marks for its homey environment and the many activities offered, including bingo, board games, social hours, clubs, group outings and a dance instructor who provides hours of fun and exercise each week.
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Brighton Gardens of Friendship Heights
5555 Friendship Boulevard, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815
We did an in-person tour of Brighton Gardens of Friendship. We liked the facility, we liked the location very much. The negative there was the food didn’t look very good, they had it out on display fo
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We did an in-person tour of Brighton Gardens of Friendship. We liked the facility, we liked the location very much. The negative there was the food didn’t look very good, they had it out on display for lunch, and it did not look all that appetizing. The staff was great, the staff that we met were fabulous. The apartments are very spacious. They seem to have all the types of care you would need.
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We did an in-person tour of Brighton Gardens of Friendship. We liked the facility, we liked the location very much. The negative there was the food didn’t look very good, they had it out on display fo
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We did an in-person tour of Brighton Gardens of Friendship. We liked the facility, we liked the location very much. The negative there was the food didn’t look very good, they had it out on display for lunch, and it did not look all that appetizing. The staff was great, the staff that we met were fabulous. The apartments are very spacious. They seem to have all the types of care you would need.
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The Jefferson
900 North Taylor Street, Arlington, VA, 22203
The Jefferson doesn’t tell you the cost upfront. The staff is very friendly, and it’s a really nice place. I was not expecting them to say that we’ll be paying $10,000 a month. They’re very expensive,
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The Jefferson doesn’t tell you the cost upfront. The staff is very friendly, and it’s a really nice place. I was not expecting them to say that we’ll be paying $10,000 a month. They’re very expensive, but they don’t tell you that upfront. They discuss everything else, and then they get to the money. I would just like to be informed of the price before I sit there for an hour. The place was very clean; when I was there, no one was cleaning the floors or anything, but everyone was just really nice.
The rooms were decent sized, but they’re pretty small for what you pay. You don’t really have a view of anything. The rooms are very small compared to how much they charge you. They have a gym, a small courtyard, and a library.
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The Jefferson doesn’t tell you the cost upfront. The staff is very friendly, and it’s a really nice place. I was not expecting them to say that we’ll be paying $10,000 a month. They’re very expensive,
… (read more)
The Jefferson doesn’t tell you the cost upfront. The staff is very friendly, and it’s a really nice place. I was not expecting them to say that we’ll be paying $10,000 a month. They’re very expensive, but they don’t tell you that upfront. They discuss everything else, and then they get to the money. I would just like to be informed of the price before I sit there for an hour. The place was very clean; when I was there, no one was cleaning the floors or anything, but everyone was just really nice.
The rooms were decent sized, but they’re pretty small for what you pay. You don’t really have a view of anything. The rooms are very small compared to how much they charge you. They have a gym, a small courtyard, and a library.
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The Residences at Thomas Circle
1330 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20005
The Residences at Thomas Circle is located in the heart of Washington, D.C., just east of Rock Creek Parkway. Guests speak highly of outings to magic shows, museums and cultural events. Residents are
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The Residences at Thomas Circle is located in the heart of Washington, D.C., just east of Rock Creek Parkway. Guests speak highly of outings to magic shows, museums and cultural events. Residents are also fond of a dedicated activities director who posts a weekly calendar in the dining area. Favorite activities include tours of the parkway, stargazing at night and fast-paced bingo games. Visitors also take note of an outdoor garden and tables with umbrellas for socializing, and they compliment the staff for their knowledge and professionalism.
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The Residences at Thomas Circle is located in the heart of Washington, D.C., just east of Rock Creek Parkway. Guests speak highly of outings to magic shows, museums and cultural events. Residents are
… (read more)
The Residences at Thomas Circle is located in the heart of Washington, D.C., just east of Rock Creek Parkway. Guests speak highly of outings to magic shows, museums and cultural events. Residents are also fond of a dedicated activities director who posts a weekly calendar in the dining area. Favorite activities include tours of the parkway, stargazing at night and fast-paced bingo games. Visitors also take note of an outdoor garden and tables with umbrellas for socializing, and they compliment the staff for their knowledge and professionalism.
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is a Caring Star Community
Earning a Caring Star means this community is among the best Senior Living commuities in America.
What to Consider About Assisted Living in Bethesda
The Office of Health Care Quality, which is a division of the Maryland Department of Health, is directly responsible for ensuring the state’s assisted living facilities conform to standards. The division has the authority to issue licenses to facilities that comply and revoke them from those who pass the threshold for upheld violations.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Bethesda
- In addition to Bethesda’s own well-regarded hospitals, such as the Suburban Hospital and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, there are also some of the world’s finest medical facilities within close range. These include the nationally ranked Inova Fairfax Hospital and John Hopkins Hospital, ranked No. 3 in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
- Figures published by Sperling’s Best Places reveal the cost of living in Bethesda to be significantly higher than the national average. Taking 100 as the average, Bethesda is 189.2. Housing costs are the primary driver. Most categories are closer to the national average, and health, at 92.6, has below-average costs.
- As Sperling’s figures reveal, transportation can be costly in Bethesda. However, there are more affordable ways of getting around Montgomery County. Connect-a-Ride (CAR) is a free service that finds the least costly means of travel for seniors who need to attend medical appointments, run errands or visit friends. Where possible, this can include arranging an escort for particularly vulnerable seniors.
- Bethesda’s climate is relatively stable, which can be favorable for seniors as they aren’t so exposed to temperature extremes. The coldest month is January, where temperatures range between 28 and 39 degrees F. In July, temperatures of 88 degrees F are normal.
- According to Neighborhood Scout, Bethesda has some of the most encouraging crime statistics in the country. Although no area is crime-free, the chances of becoming a victim of violent crime in Bethesda is 1 in 1,689 (the state average is 1 in 220). Despite the area’s wealth, the property crime figures are also positive, at 1 in 122 compared to the Maryland average of 1 in 51. It should also be noted that seniors are less likely to be victims of crime than all other age groups.
- Bethesda’s air quality is negatively affected by its proximity to the nation’s capital. However, it outperforms most areas in cleaning up contaminated land, playing an important role in the EPA’s Superfund program.
Paying for Assisted Living in Bethesda
Families comparing assisted living costs will notice that they can vary greatly between cities, but Bethesda is pricy at $6,000 per month. The following data from the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey shows the differences in Maryland, including the costs of alternative types of senior care.
The Cost of Living in Nearby Cities
Averaging $6,000 per month, Bethesda’s assisted living costs are almost the most expensive in Maryland, surpassed only by the city of California, at $6,200. They’re also above the state and national averages, but Bethesda’s proximity to Washington, D.C., the fifth most expensive city in the country, is clearly a factor. More affordable assisted living is available in Salisbury, where costs average at $5,500, and in Baltimore, which is $5,000. The most affordable city in Maryland is Hagerstown where seniors typically pay $4,500.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Adult day care centers offer the most affordable care for seniors at $1,842. Homebound seniors can get home care services for $4,576, and limited home health care for $4,767. While $6,000 is high for assisted living, the most costly care is nursing home care. A typical semiprivate room in Bethesda costs $10,190 per month, and seniors who want privacy pay $10,646 for a private room.
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Bethesda
Seniors in the Maryland area may be eligible for assistance with funding from the Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy program.
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Maryland page.
More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living
While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:
- Veterans Benefits
- Life Insurance Policy
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Reverse Mortgage
For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Maryland page.
Free Assisted Living Resources in Bethesda
Maryland offers many resources to seniors and their families, including those who may be considering assisted living or another type of senior care. The following examples are only some of the resources that are available.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
| VA Aid and Attendance Benefits | (301) 400-2465 | U.S. military veterans and their spouses who currently reside in senior living facilities can apply for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit. It’s a monthly payment added to the VA pension that’s intended to help them meet some of their costs. Payments are unique to each vet. The maximum monthly payments are $1,881 for individual veterans, $1,209 for surviving spouses and $2,230 for couples. Vets unsure if they qualify can use the free tool provided online by VeteranAid.org. |
| Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program | (240) 777-3369 | Seniors in residential care communities can take their complaints to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman. The ombudsman has the authority to investigate complaints about assisted living communities, including those made by residents’ families, and to pursue resolutions. Additionally, the department holds information about licensed facilities that families can access on request. This may include information about upheld charges of violating standards. |
| State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) | (301) 255-4250 | Adults aged 64 and older who want to know more about Medicare before enrolling, and those who already benefit from Medicare, can use this free service to learn more about the various plans. Counselors can provide one-on-one and confidential services for free, which typically include advising seniors on the best Medicare plans for their circumstances. This may also include private health care insurance plans. However, the counselors won’t try to sell insurance because their role is to exclusively support seniors. |
| Montgomery County Senior Centers | (240) 777-6840 | Montgomery County operates seven senior centers, each welcoming adults aged 55 and older. Although each center is unique, there are some common services that apply to all. These include what is known as “55+ Active Adult Programs.” Included in the itinerary are fitness classes that range from tai chi to weight training. There are also educational classes for seniors who want to learn more about computing, European languages and nutritional health. Additionally, centers run their own entertainment programs and organize trips to cultural attractions in the surrounding areas. |
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Bethesda
Bethesda-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Maryland are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Maryland page for more information about these laws.
