Greenspring, a continuing care retirement community, developed and managed by Erickson Living in Fairfax County, on March 22 opened Dogwood Commons, the new four-story, 77,500 square-foot assisted living and memory care addition to its continuing care neighborhood. The first Dogwood Commons residents moved into the building on Feb. 5, 2019.

“Dogwood Commons is an important and much-anticipated addition to Greenspring’s continuum of care,” said Executive Director Chandra Kumar. The facility addition helps to meet the growing demand for specialized senior care in our region, she said.

Speakers at the event included Kumar, Donna Epps, Continuing Care Administrator; Del. Vivian Watts; Roy O’Connor, Greenspring Board Member; Jackson Bain, Greenspring Board Chair; Betty Christman, President of the Greenspring Resident Council; Peggy Trotter, Garden Ridge Resident; Jeff McKay, Fairfax County Supervisor; and Alex Robbins, Office of Congressman Gerry Connolly.

More than 200 attended the celebration, including residents, family members, employees, health care providers, elected officials and community partners.

The new building is part of Greenspring’s multi-phase, multi-year plan to expand and renovate its existing assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing care residences, along with amenity spaces. Dogwood Commons provides 53 assisted living apartment homes and 26 memory care suites. The new apartment homes range in size from studios to one-bedroom floor plans. Living spaces include a full, private bath and a kitchenette. Some apartment homes will feature private, screened porches.

The new memory care residences have been designed to meet the specialized needs of residents by providing a stimulating, nurturing and amenity-rich environment. The Dogwood Commons Suites feature private bedrooms and full baths. Common areas available for use by all Greenspring residents include multi-purpose, activity, meeting and programming spaces, living rooms, a billiards and games lounge, a library and a card game room, as well as a theater.

When the multi-year project is complete, Greenspring’s continuing care neighborhood will have a total of 176 assisted living apartment homes, 59 memory care residences and 62 skilled nursing residences.