Birmingham Green, a senior living facility in Manassas, Virginia, has been recognized as the top nursing home in Northern Virginia by Newsweek Magazine. The center ranked #1 among nursing homes with over 150 beds in Northern Virginia and #2 statewide in Newsweek's "America's Best Nursing Homes" list for 2025.
This recognition reflects Birmingham Green's commitment to providing exceptional long-term care and maintaining high standards of service quality. The ranking is based on a comprehensive evaluation that considers various factors, including:

• Quality metrics
• A national online survey
• Accreditation data
• Google reviews

Denise Chadwick Wright, CEO of Birmingham Green, emphasized the facility's dedication to creating a supportive and respectful environment for residents. Under her leadership since 2017, Wright has implemented several initiatives to enhance resident care and staff engagement.

• Some key achievements at Birmingham Green include:
• Implementing wellness programs like Eden Philosophy training
• Launching the Birdsong tablet initiative to combat resident loneliness
• Achieving Bronze level Quality Awards from the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living
• Earning a 4-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Aaron Rebuck, Nursing Home Administrator at Birmingham Green, highlighted the facility's focus on personalized attention to residents' physical, emotional, and social needs. This holistic approach to care aligns with the vision set forth by the facility's founders over 90 years ago.
Birmingham Green's success can be attributed to its dedicated staff and leadership team's commitment to continuous improvement and resident-centered care. This recognition by Newsweek serves as a testament to their efforts in providing high-quality long-term care services to seniors in Northern Virginia.
Birmingham Green is deeply committed to serving individuals from all income levels, ensuring that high-quality care is accessible to everyone in the community. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Birmingham Green has a long-standing tradition of providing affordable senior living options, allowing residents with limited resources to receive the care they need without financial burden. The facility offers various programs and partnerships, such as the Virginia Auxiliary Grant program, to support low-income residents. This commitment to financial accessibility aligns with Birmingham Green's mission to create a nurturing environment where all residents can thrive, regardless of their economic background. By prioritizing inclusivity and support, Birmingham Green continues to fulfill its founding vision of being a welcoming home for all seniors in Northern Virginia.

The VHC Health Senior Resource Guide is a comprehensive resource provided by VHC Health (formerly known as Virginia Hospital Center) aimed at assisting seniors, their families, and caregivers. The guide typically includes information on a wide range of topics relevant to older adults, such as healthcare services, community resources, wellness programs, legal and financial planning, housing options, and support services. It serves as a valuable tool to help seniors navigate the complexities of aging, access necessary services, and maintain a high quality of life.

The senior prom holds a special place in the hearts of high school graduates, marking a milestone filled with anticipation, outfit selections, and fond memories. However, as time passes, opportunities for such extravagant affairs become scarce. At Chesterbrook Residences a non-for-profit assisted living founded by three faith-based congregations , we're determined to change that narrative.
With the generous support of Women Giving Back, a local non-profit dress organization, residents are outfitted with complimentary prom attire through personalized dress fittings. Our dedicated volunteers craft corsages and boutonnieres for each attendee, while Chef Lloyd Moss and his culinary team orchestrate a delicious sit-down dinner.
Every detail, from decorations to photo backdrops, is arranged to ensure an unforgettable experience. Live music sets the stage for an evening of dancing and lighthearted fun!
This year, we're honored to once again welcome Sheriff Stacey Kincaid and her department, to help dance the night away. In a special highlight, we are proud to announce that one of our esteemed residents, aged 107 and a former member of the U.S. Air Force, was recently recognized with a Living Legend proclamation from the Military Women’s Memorial in 2023. Her remarkable life story and contributions continue to inspire generations.
As we prepare for another unforgettable evening, we extend an open invitation to the community to join us in celebrating seniors at every stage of life. Our Senior Prom isn't merely a dance; it's a testament to the vitality and enduring bonds within our residences

A current state regulation imposes a framework on Administrator in Training (AIT) programs which is disadvantaging small providers by not allowing communities with fewer than 20 beds to become training facilities for administrators. This not only limits these important options with the ability to train and grow their staff from within but also places an unnecessary financial and logistical burden on our operations, hindering their mission to provide exceptional care.
 
In response to this, a petition has been submitted to amend this regulation, aiming to create a more equitable training standard that recognizes the unique needs and contributions of small assisted living facilities. This change would allow providers owning multiple licensed ALFs within a reasonable travel distance, with a combined total capacity of at least 20 residents, to qualify as eligible training facilities. 

The Alexandria Commission on Aging (COA) is seeking nominations for its annual Excellence in Aging Awards.  The submission deadline is Friday, March 29 at 5 p.m. The awards program will be held at City Hall (301 King Street) in the Vola Lawson Lobby on Tuesday, May 14. 

The COA, which advocates for the needs of older residents in Alexandria, created the awards to honor individuals — regardless of age — as well as an organization, that has provided service to older Alexandrians or demonstrated superior contributions in advancing issues and projects that favorably affect older Alexandrians.
Award winners will be recognized in four award categories:
​

• Annie B. Rose Lifetime Award – Presented to an individual who has served seniors for at least 10 years. 
• Lois Van Valkenburgh Excellence in Aging Award – Presented to an individual citizen with at least one year of service to seniors.
• Excellence in Aging Award for an Organization – Presented to an organization that has made an outstanding contribution to Alexandria seniors.
• Public Service Award – Presented to a City employee who has advanced, improved or otherwise contributed to making Alexandria a more livable community for all ages during the course of their job.

To nominate someone and see a list of past award recipients, visit www.alexandriava.gov/aging.
For more information contact Pamela Austin at 703.746.5738 or email [email protected].  

The VHC Senior Health Department is hosting the 2nd Annual Happy Hearts Social, an event for older adults in the community to celebrate Valentine’s Day with entertainment, refreshments and fellowship. Last year, we enjoyed music, dancing and some delicious sweets.  Please spread the word to your clients and friends in the community. (PDF below with registration info)
 
We are looking for sponsors who would like to support this event and join us on February 14th, 1-3 PM at Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington. Here are some ways to become a sponsor (we welcome other ideas, too):

• Take home favors (e.g., sweets, single rose, picture frame)
• Drinks (e.g., punch, coffee, bottled water)
• Hors d’oeuvres/easy snacks
• Desserts
• Entertainment (e.g., raffle prizes, musicians)

 
In return, sponsors will be recognized in the party program and included in emails that are sent to registered guests.
 
Kate Chutuape, MPH
Manager, Senior Health Department
[email protected]
 
VHC HealthTM | For You. For Life.
Office: 703.558.6859

Senior Services of Alexandria (SSA) is pleased to recognize and thank The Landing Alexandria for supporting SSA programming enabling seniors within the City of Alexandria to receive vital services with a donation of $10,000 to start off the
holiday season!
Thanks to the generous support of community partners like The Landing Alexandria, SSA is able to provide assistance to local seniors in critical areas including nutrition, community, transportation, and information. Undesignated donations like The Landing’s are key because they allow SSA to use funds where needed, like to supply Meals on Wheels and fee-free grocery delivery. SSA’s mission is to help seniors age with dignity, and this generosity plays a key role in fostering independence and self-sufficiency and in creating an inclusive environment for Alexandria
seniors.
"SSA staff and Board of Directors were thrilled to receive this donation in support of our work in Alexandria," Mary Lee Anderson, SSA’s Executive Director, said. "The Landing has been a wonderful partner since they opened in 2021, opening their beautiful space for SSA Board meetings, and sponsoring our annual spring Gala. This donation will make a huge difference in the lives of Alexandria’s most vulnerable older adults by supporting our work to help them stay safe in their homes and connected to the community."
Richard Ludlow, Executive Director of The Landing Alexandria, shared, “We are honored to support the important work that Senior Services of Alexandria does for older adults in the Alexandria community. We value our partnership with SSA because we strive to lift up local seniors so they can achieve the highest quality of life.”
Thanks to volunteers and to donors large and small, SSA is able to support Alexandria seniors 365 days per year. Individuals interested in supporting the mission and vision of Senior Services of Alexandria can do so by applying to volunteer here or visiting seniorservicesalex.org/donate/ to donate. Gifts in any amount are appreciated this holiday season!

​The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) released the new Virginia State Plan for Aging Services, which examines current and future needs of older Virginians.
Developed every four years by DARS, this plan fulfills federal requirements to receive Older Americans Act funding through the Administration for Community Living and state law requiring a Virginia strategic aging plan. The plan is effective Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2027.
DARS’ multi-method approach included conducting a statewide needs assessment, engaging with stakeholders and soliciting public comment.
DARS conducted the Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults, hearing from almost 9,000 older Virginians about their needs and preferences.
“The Commonwealth is committed to elevating aging services and this plan equips us with the priorities and resources needed to make Virginia a great place to grow older,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources John Littel.
“This comprehensive plan serves as a blueprint to enhance the lives of older Virginians so that they can comfortably age in their own homes and communities,” said DARS Commissioner Kathy Hayfield. “Serving as the backbone of the aging network, Virginia’s 25 area agencies on aging provide vital services, such as home-delivered meals, in-home services and caregiver supports. Last year, they served 69,000 Virginians. DARS is proud to uplift their work through this plan.”
Virginia Center on Aging at Virginia Commonwealth University held 31 in-person and virtual focus groups and interviews with older adults, caregivers, advocacy organizations, aging and long-term care service providers, universities and state agencies. The center also conducted an analysis on older Virginians needs as evidenced in state and national data, trends and reports.
The University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center Demographics Research Group compiled demographic data on older adults to assist with updating the funding formula for area agencies on aging and to create a more robust depiction of older Virginians. With nearly two million adults aged 60 and older in Virginia, some emerging findings were:

• Older residents contribute $38.5 billion annually to their communities and the commonwealth through paid and unpaid work
• About 79 percent of older residents rated their overall quality of life as excellent or good
• Older Virginians listed their top concerns about aging in place in their current homes as: financial reasons (52%), health reasons (44%) and the home not being suited for aging in place (27%)
• Other overall concerns reported included:
  
  • Housing needs (45%)
    
  • Access to information (42%)
    
  • Financial challenges (30%)
    
  • Mobility or transportation needs (24%) •
• 41 percent of older Virginians are estimated to need assistance with chore services, such as heavy housework or yard work
• 37 percent of older Virginians are estimated to need home repairs or maintenance assistance, such as door or window repairs or weatherization DARS has used these findings to help obtain a three-year, $1.17 million U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant for home modifications for older adults living in rural areas.

DARS anticipates that the plan and accompanying data and materials will support a coordinated effort across the public and private sectors to better serve older residents.
To access the State Plan for Aging Services and related materials: https://vda.virginia.gov/stateplans.htm
To learn more about aging services in Virginia or to find your local area agency on aging: https://easyaccess.virginia.gov/ or www.dars.virginia.gov or call 2-1-1.