Ashby Ponds

Connie

We have been here in Ashby Ponds for two months now. The biggest reason why we have chosen this place is that it's close to our son, his wife and our grandchildren. It also has the most amenities of all the places we looked at. It has swimming pools, ponds, gyms, you get one meal a day, lots of activities, and all kinds of clubs and things like that. They have an exercise room, water aerobics, and exercises that you can do both on the property and in the water. They have crafting ideas, ceramics, and just every kind of crafty thing you'd want to do. There are lots of options. The staff is extremely friendly and extremely attentive to the needs of the community. There are seven restaurants open in this facility. All the foods and all the restaurants are good. There are some glitches in some of the equipment that they're working with. They're still working on getting the pool heating system repaired, and that was one of the draws. As for activities, they are always doing something. There are hundreds of things to do around here. As for value for money, this is not for everybody, but I would give it a 5. You come in with a huge amount and then you pay a monthly rent, and then on top of that, when you pass or when you move out, you get 90% of that big chunk back. So it's a little different than the other places we looked at.

Mike

We did a tour of Ashby Ponds. That just was too big, and it's farther away than we want to be. I'd rather be in a few miles of, you know, our friends and neighbors and people that we know that'll probably be useful for a while anyway. It was a very nice physical tour of the buildings. There were two or three of the different styles and sizes of apartments. There was a group meeting, I guess there are about 40 or 50 of us and each couple person was assigned a resident to be their liaison, which was kind of a neat thing. I mean, you had a point of contact who was not somebody who was a marketing person, but somebody who lived there. You could feel like you get on more honest answers. I thought that was a nice touch. They had the speakers, a couple of the employees, and then one of the residents got up and talked about various different activities and whatnot. I thought it was well organized. It was the first onsite tour after some level of Covid restrictions had been lifted. So, you park, then they had a bus that took you to the meeting building. It's all very well organized and it was all very nice. The place is huge, it was 1500 people or so. It was probably more overwhelming than we were ready for. You kind of get lost in that, so maybe something a little bit smaller would be good. That was the value of that. It was a good data point, we decided we didn't want something that was a thousand plus people; so that was good. There are much smaller ones around here and it's consistent. Those two things kind of work together. It had a full suite of amenities or activity areas from, a woodworking shop to kind of like those neighborhood bars. They had groups of guys get together and organize, routine golf outings. It had on-site amenities, physical amenities. Plus, it had a fairly very active group of residents who then kind of organized other activities that may have very well been off-site like the golfing was at local golf courses. So, I thought it is very well established in terms of its activities and what's going on. What's nice about it is that they have many buildings, but each set of buildings sort of has its own little social area. It has a restaurant or two, and maybe a bar is not the right word, but an area for cocktails before dinner. The dinners are sort of structured so that you can get to meet people. There is this kind of a social aspect to how things are done so that you kind of inadvertently, you don't get forced to, but you get to meet your neighbors; I think that's important. It had a hair salon. It had, at least, two pools, underground parking for one car per apartment, and then surface parking for an additional vehicle. It had lots of walking trails, which was a big deal and outdoor grill areas. If you went to a resort, you had a lot of that kind of amenities. They're a very great facility, very well organized, nicely presented. You couldn't ask for anything more. They give you free lunch, it was excellent. It was a box lunch, that's all they could do back in the COVID days, but it was pretty upscale for me. It was very nice. The staff was very professional. It is truly grand.

LS

The Ashby Ponds community is beautiful. From our initial impression, it's a very nice, well-run facility. The staff who gave the tour was very knowledgeable, she knew the property and she said this is the second one of these properties she's worked at. And in fact, her in-laws lived there, so she had a personal connection with it too. The downside to this one is it's a very large community, it has multi buildings, and my mother is not very mobile. It's one of those that's continuing care, so they've got the big upfront fee you'd have to deposit, and you'd have to make up your mind on that. That's a place where I could find a lot of stuff to do. They had it all. They have a fabulous indoor pool, they have several amenities like that. The residents were very active. We saw residents building military facilities, playing dominoes, you name it and they have it. It's close to a hospital, it's close to a mall and close to restaurants.

Heather

I visited Ashby Ponds. I didn't like it. They charge a huge entrance fee to get into it. The rooms were really small, but the facility itself was great. It looked big and spacious and all of that, until you get to the rooms, which were so small. The living room had even a weird shape, and it's very, very narrow. They've got an amphitheater, a big church place in there, and they've got a lot of bells and whistles in the actual facility itself. It's just the rooms were very, very small. The staff was very knowledgeable, helpful and seemed nice.

E. M.

I live in Ashby Ponds. There are 1,500 residents here, that's how large it is. We have all of the amenities that you would want, but right now everything is limited. We don't eat in the dining rooms except by a limited appointment. Most of our meals are by takeout. The exercise rooms and the swimming pool are all by appointment. We're not allowed to have visitors except in our apartments but by a limited number. Everything is pretty much still a very tight quarantine. Fortunately, the health record here has been exceptional. They have independent living, assisted living, and dementia/Alzheimer's. Right now, we're not happy with the way things are, but that's not their fault. The one complaint that everyone seems to be having, and I guess it's because everything has become so routined, is that we like a little more variety in the food menu. However, that is probably due to the circumstances.

Maxthecat

My husband and I were invited to lunch and to tour the facility. We listened to the sales people explain what the community has to offer. First of all, it is very expensive and goes to 5-10% every year. They did tell us they have never asked anyone to leave but a few people have run out of money. The unit you pick is based on the entrance fee. We were only interested in something around $400,000. The unit was very small and in need of repair and updating which you can do. You can choose to upgrade appliances, floors, etc. It's a nice idea, not for us.

Ashby Ponds Insider

I have found it very difficult to eat healthy at Ashby Ponds. One year after my September 2015 move to Ashby Ponds, I discovered that my LDL cholesterol had risen 44 percent. I met with Ashby Ponds’ Director of Dining Services, the chef, and dietician. They acknowledged the problem. Three years on, despite the efforts of residents, the problem persists. While a few “Healthier Choice” items have been added to menus, the overall dining experience has declined. It appears that Ashby Ponds still doesn’t have a plan to provide healthy meals to residents in independent living. We’re charged over $600 per month for one meal a day. One resident was told that if she can’t handle the food, go find another place. Ashby Ponds healthy eating criteria don’t include added sugar, one of three known killers. The other two are salt and saturated fat both of which one gets in generous amounts at Ashby Ponds. Too much sugar can cause insulin resistance, obesity and diabetes. Too much salt can cause water gain and high blood pressure which can lead to heart failure, heart attack and stroke. Statins to reduce cholesterol (I had to double my dosage) can aggravate these problems, and cause memory loss, confusion, and muscle damage. The 122-page, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines may be summarized as follows: eat real food; eat a variety of food; eat in moderation; consume less than 10 percent of calories per day from added sugars; less than 10 percent from saturated fats; less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day of sodium. These guidelines are the product of a massive effort by many committees inside and outside the government. New 2020-2025 guidelines will be out before long. Ashby Ponds is years behind in providing healthy meals to residents in independent living. Here’s my challenge to Ashby Ponds: consistent with the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines, prepare a healthy eating plan for a week of dinners at any Ashby Ponds restaurant.

LenoreP

My father was in assisted at Ashby Ponds in Ashburn. He was almost 94 and was originally in their independent living area for almost two years. My father had stage 4 kidney disease and was being seen by Dr. Ro, their resident internist. In February he started complaining of tremendous pain and went to Dr. Ro. No tests were done and he was told to take Motrin. A few weeks later he began falling out of bed and still nothing was done. He finally was taken to the hospital and they found he had such a bad kidney infection, he almost died. He also had at least a dozen kidney stones which were taken care of two weeks later after the infection began to subside. Dad also was losing weight because the infection caused him to sleep a lot, the food was so bad, and noone came to wake him for meals. A few weeks later he fell twice in one day and the second time broke his hip. The doctors at the hospital told us he needed surgery and that he would not survive the injury. We put him in hospice at Ashby ponds and the care go even worse. He was 94 and a Holocaust survivor. The only thing we requested is to let him die with dignity. they did anything bu that. If not for his three children by his bedside daily, he would have laid in wet diapers, been given little pain medication, and not been fed. He finally did pass away at 7:30 in the evening. To make things even worse they this company already had, they called my sister at 1 a.m. and told her she needed to come get the body. We were devasted by the lack of care, empathy, and just common sense on the part of the staff and administration. Everyone knew about my father and just let him die with no dignity and in pain. Thank god we lived nearby and were able to care for him as best we could. The entire 6 months he was there was a nightmare. I would stay as far away as possible from that place!

Provider Response

Newish2018

-Apartments are well appointed, good storage and closet space, good size kitchen with modern appliances, comparatively lots of windows with nice exterior views. -Good quality construction, attentive to fixing wherever/whenever repairs are needed. -Multiple restaurants and pubs, offering a variety of different menus, each menu having many selections to please the residents' food preferences. Food excellent, well prepared, good quality, good sized portions. Those in charge seek feedback from residents regarding how the food is, what improvements or changes recommended. And they respond to to those inputs. -Grounds are well maintained, lots of attention to flowering plants. -Both interior of buildings and exterior grounds are kept very clean. Staff constantly tending to ensure maintained that way. -Management and Leadership are excellent to work with, helpful, solution oriented, friendly, personable. They remember peoples' names and their stories. -All the staff are friendly, helpful. They seem to always be working, tending to every detail necessary to maintain the cleanliness, comfort, attractiveness and enjoyment of the facility. -Many walking paths on the grounds. Also, as all the buildings are connected via glassed-in enclosed walkways, one can get in good long walks without every having to get outside, which is good during rainy, snowy or icy weather. -There are gyms and an indoor swimming pool (another in the future). -Every apartment gets its own covered, reserved parking space. -There is a bus system that is continually running to assist residents to travel to different buildings and restaurants on the campus. -There are many activities, clubs and featured programs; some are from local universities, most are put on by and feature the residents themselves. -The residents all seem friendly, happy and anxious to help others.

missycrissy

The apartments have wonderful views and great appliances. The staff is fast to fix anything that breaks. The staff is very friendly and are quick to learn your name. There are so many wonderful activities that it is hard to chose what to do. There is something to interest everybody and if your choice is not available you can start your own club. The residents are all friendly, well educated and have traveled, so conversations are fun and educational.

She01

Ashby Ponds is a very upscale community. It has a huge buy-in, you get one meal a day, the food is superb, it’s very clean, and the people are very nice. It’s very big, and you almost need a wheelchair to get around. It’s all connected, you never have to go outside, but to us, it was just too big. They have a pool, workout room, bocce ball, and a dog park. It’s really a superb place. They have an in-house chef that prepares the food the way you want it.

daughterofresident1

My parents have been there 3 years. One of the reasons we chose it was if we needed help with care, we assumed they had some available. They have none. If you have an issue, you’re on your own. They also have only 1 rehab/assisted living and no guarantee you can get a room there if needed. My parents have also told me the food is terrible and I have been there a couple times and truly can’t even eat it. They charge a huge down payment and monthly fee, these shouldn’t be lacking. It is an immaculate building and like that they have what they need in 1 place.

AED

My parents recently moved into Ashby Ponds. While there are many good amenities, the managing is poor. We never heard anything from the sales/marketing person once we signed. We've had to call numerous times for things to be fixed or appointments to be made. They never respond to the first call or email. Overall a real disappointment! Think twice about it. They get you in and then good luck.

Walter H.

Ashby Ponds is a brand-new place and it is very large. Everything is first class, but it's also expensive. The deposit is huge. There were so many people there. They also accept pets. There were lots of rooms, and there were apartment-type accommodations. The staff is good, and they even have my name on a parking place. The food is also very good, but you only get one meal per day, and you take care of the rest. Everything you want to do, they have it.

Elena781878

We have decided to move to Ashby Ponds. I thought it was the best. They are top quality and close to family. I like the area because it’s an open space. It has a lot of amenities and large apartments with a lot of light and space. My husband has been sick and has a lot of support if he needs doctors and nurses. The food is OK. I will have one meal a day, so the other two meals are up to me, which is fine.

Fortunate family

I was very favorably impressed by the people, services and facilities at Ashby Ponds. My relative was distraught at losing a spouse and did not want to move from their home. The transition was was difficult because of grief. Within six months, his attitude improved considerably. After one year, he was very happy and appreciative of his surroundings. He has made wonderful friends, enjoys the activities and has received excellent care. Ashby Pond is a blessing.

Anne856715

Ashby Ponds was very pleasant. The rooms were very nice. The person who showed us around was very personable. Their meal plan was variable. They were very clear about the number of activities they had available, like lots of arts and crafts and theater. The community was very large, so because of the size, you can do just about anything you’re interested in. There was an attractive bike path outside.

John243658

Ashby Ponds was pretty nice and clean and had some nice facilities. They had a nice dining room, a library, and some art classes. It’s on a good area of land. What we liked about it was the fact that their walking area was enclosed, so that you could have a good long walk. You don’t have to go to the mall; you could stay on the property and walk around, and if there is bad weather, you don’t have to worry about that because you could walk around the property where the buildings are all connected by enclosed hallways. I know they offer activities for tours and physical activities and entertainment because the membership director told us some of the things that they do. All of the residents seemed pretty happy. They are pretty comprehensive in their list of sevices that they provide.

HappyDaughter818

My Mom is a resident here and she is so happy and thankful she chose Ashby Ponds. To clear up some confusion in the other postings I read listed on this site... it is by no means "out in the boonies". It is in the middle of a huge residential area, up the street from where the Redskins practice. There are shops and a huge mall 5 mins down the road. Those who live in DC might consider it far outside the beltway but yes, there is life outside of DC and Loudoun is a bustling, gorgeous area of VA to live in. The apartments are NOT all alike. There are many floorplans to choose from. My Mom was able to choose the floorplan she wanted along with the colors of tile, cabinets and countertops. There are moderately sized apartments, very large ones and many sizes in between. Once you move in you are NOT expected to pay for local transportation, unless of course you choose to hire a private taxi for transport. Ashby Ponds provides local transportation to many places including the post office, grocery stores, shops and the mall, all free of charge. They also have a shuttle bus that runs throughout the community to provide transport within Ashby Ponds. My Mom has met so many people and developed wonderful, close relationships with other women in the community. Countless times she has told me she can't believe how lucky she is to live in such a beautiful place, to have made so many friends and that she is happier than she could've ever imagined being, after having lost my Dad suddenly back in 2014. Ashby Ponds is very safe and secure and the staff takes excellent care of the residents. My Mom had a medical emergency last month and the staff were there in minutes after she pulled the emergency cord in her apartment, caring for her and evaluating her condition. It makes me breath easier, knowing she is safe and in good hands. Every location within Ashby Ponds can be accessed via internal hallways and bridges. This means that my Mom and her friends need not ever step foot in any ice and snow during the months when the weather can get dicey in this area. She parks her car in an enclosed, parking garage under her building. Ashby Ponds has exceeded our expectations and I will continue to tell anyone and everyone how happy we have been with our choice to have my Mom move here.

Patricia508003

Ashby Ponds was nice; the people and the accommodations were nice too. I like the fact that they had different dining rooms, and the only thing I dislike about it was that it was so far out in the boonies when I call. They do have a bus service, computer classes, physical therapy, and cooking classes. The apartments that I saw were extremely nice and nice laid out. They had granite tops and a nice kitchen. If the location were better, I would move in tomorrow.

Jack Hood

We have lived here just over two weeks and everything has exceeded our expectations. The security is the tops, food is fine restaurant quality and the neighbors/staff very friendly and helpful.

Schottman

Once you have paid the downpayment and have moved in and paying the monthly payments, should you want to go anywhere with transportation, you must pay privately. Not included!. If you want to take an exercise swim class, must pay for that too. Frankly I find that this place nickels and dimes residents horribly.

anonymous74630050

I like Ashby Ponds. Everything in it is very elegant and clean. The only thing is that it is huge, and I do not know if I will be happy in anything quite that big. I do not like anything too small either, but it is too big. It has a pool, bathtubs, and a gym. The rooms are like in any other places -- they are all about the same. The staff is very nice, and they have a list of activities.

Caring65681650

If we would decide, so far, it looked like that Ashby Ponds would probably the one we would go to. It had a lot of wide open places. It was lovely and a fairly new facility. It was really clean and bright. We were just really pleased with the whole atmosphere of the place. The young lady who assisted us was very helpful, and they had other presentations. We had been out there two or three times to attend some functions.