GROWS is the Grass Roots Organization for the Well-being of Seniors -- a coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated to helping seniors, especially the frail elderly, maintain their independence and dignity.

Begun in 1989, GROWS is dedicated to improving the lives of seniors residing primarily in Montgomery County, MD.

Since 1992, GROWS has been incorporated as a Not-For-Profit 501(c)(3) Organization. All donations to GROWS are tax deductible.

GROWS began as a true grass root effort by individuals who saw gaps in senior services and wanted to take action to improve services and the quality of life of seniors in the County.

Click here to join us!

GROWS wishes to extend a heartfelt "thank you" to:

• Brooke Grove Retirement Village for its outstanding dedication to helping seniors throughout the DC metropolitan area. For the 4th consecutive year, BGRV organized and hosted a highly successful and thoroughly enjoyable silent auction to benefit GROWS. The auction items were varied and terrific, the event -- the music, the food, the scenic grounds, the playful bidding, and the ambiance -- were exceptional, and the entire GROWS organization is deeply appreciative and grateful. Please be sure to review the list of donors and patronize these generous people and businesses.  Click here for the donor list.
• Summerville Assisted Living for donating office space for GROWS.
• Nelson LeRoy, ResponseLink of Montgomery County, for responding immediately and donating major, greatly needed computer service and assistance.

Gold Benefactors are:

• Asbury Methodist Village is a premier Continuing Care Retirement Community with over 75 years of experience. The beautiful 130-acre campus offers independent living apartments and villas; assisted living; and a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center including a dementia special care unit, adult day services, an outpatient rehabilitation clinic, a physician’s clinic, and the Rosborough Cultural Arts and Wellness Center. Seniors not currently residing at Asbury are welcome to take advantage of Asbury’s exceptional health services.
  201 Russell Avenue
  Gaithersburg, MD  20877
  L. Andrew Morgan
  Phone: (301) 216-4100
  Fax: (301) 216-4119
  amorgan@asbury.org
  www.asbury.org


• Brooke Grove Retirement Village, nestled between Washington, DC and Baltimore on 220 acres of secluded meadows and woods in Sandy Spring, Maryland, Brooke Grove is a retreat for residents, families, staff and nature itself. With the addition of "The Cottages," the independent living option, BGRV has become one of Maryland’s newest continuing care retirement communities in the metropolitan area. A tradition of excellence that began in 1950, BGRV also offers skilled nursing, rehabilitative, Alzheimer’s, dementia and assisted living care.
  (301) 924-2811;  www.bgf.org


• The Charles E. Smith Life Communities share a commitment to honoring the elderly with assisted living, independent living, rehabilitation, skilled long-term care, and out-patient medical services and research, on a campus set in the heart of Rockville. A local not-for-profit organization, we encompass Landow House, Ring House, Revitz House, Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, Hirsch Health Center and the Research Institute of Aging—97 years of caring wisdom and experience.
  (301) 881-0300;  www.hebrew-home.org


• Collingswood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center:
  Enriching lives with uncommon care is the driving force behind Collingswood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Our friendly and loving staff creates a warm, family-like atmosphere in our 160 bed facility. There are 28 spacious and comfortable private rooms as well as a top-notch dedicated Rehabilitation/Sub-Acute unit. We also have a secure 38 bed Alzheimer’s unit designed to meet individual residents’ needs. All of our rooms are individually climate controlled and access satellite TV. Our sunny patio and walking garden offer ample opportunities for fresh air and sunshine. Collingswood is proud to be pet friendly. 
  Come by for a tour anytime; our family would look forward to meeting yours.
  (301) 762-8900;  www.collingswoodnursing.com


• HCR-ManorCare Assisted Living Division: HCR-ManorCare is a leading provider of Independent/Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s Assisted Living in Montgomery County.
  Springhouse, located in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Westwood, offers Independent & Assisted Living residents a safe and gracious home full of opportunity, choices, and the helping hand when needed. They offer an individualized approach to meet the needs of assisted living residents and provide Licensed Nurses 24 hours a day.
  Arden Courts, located in Kensington, Potomac and Silver Spring, is 100% dedicated to dementia-specific care and offers a secure and caring environment with specially trained staff to meet the needs of residents in the early to middle stages of Alzheimer’s and related memory impairments. Professional nurses are available 24-hours a day, with a medical director in each building.
  (301) 652-1445;  www.hcr-manorcare.com


• Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health System is the largest provider of mental health services in Montgomery County, Maryland. A member of Adventist HealthCare, Potomac Ridge is a non-profit behavioral health center accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations.  Potomac Ridge provides a comprehensive spectrum of services and treatment options for adolescents, adults and seniors.  Services are provided in a variety of settings including hospital-based programs, residential treatment centers, school programs, residential group homes, outpatient services and community-based services.  Potomac Ridge provides a full array of treatments, from substance abuse to depression to dementia.
  (301) 674-1693;  www.potomacridge.com


• Riderwood, the largest and most popular campus style community in America, provides an unbeatable lifestyle complete with a full menu of services and amenities, including Erickson Health, the nation’s #1 health care program for older Americans. The inviting 120-acre campus is located just one mile from the intersection of Randolph Road and Route 29 (Columbia Pike) in Silver Spring and the heart of the Washington, D.C., metro area.
  3140 Gracefield Rd. Silver Spring, Md 20904. (301) 572-8330;  www.EricksonCommunities.com
  


• Summerville Senior Living at Potomac: This premier assisted living community offers 24 hour wellness care with licensed professionals and certified caregivers dedicated to delivering personalized care and assistance. Residents enjoy an active and secure environment with private suites and many amenities to meet the individual needs of our residents. The community features Summerville’s exclusive SummerBrook program, a separate, secure area in the residence devoted to residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other memory impairments. Summerville at Potomac is a community of care with all the comforts of home.
  11215 Seven Locks Road Potomac, MD 20854.
  Phone: (301) 765-9198;  Fax: (301) 765-9243;  berkman@sslusa.com;  www.sslusa.com

Silver Benefactors are:

• AAA Warman Agency is a family owned and operated in-home healthcare provider serving MD, DC, and VA for the past 19 years. Experienced caregivers meet the agency’s stringent standards and are available to meet home care needs 24 hours a day.a family owned and operated quality full service home care provider.
  301-428-2940;  www.warmanagency.com


• Aspenwood Senior Living Community, located in Silver Spring, offers three levels of Senior Living in spacious apartments. Independent Living is for those who desire nothing but carefree retirement living. If one chooses this program, but also needs an occasional helping hand in the privacy of their apartment, Aspenwood’s Diamond Independence Plus Program is the perfect lifestyle solution. For those who require the peace of mind of 24-hour, customized support services, we recommend our uncompromising Assisted Living Program.
  (301) 598-6424.


• Family and Nursing Care: Family owned and operated since 1968, Family and Nursing Care refers private-duty caregivers to private homes, hospitals, independent and assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities. Service is individually customized to meet the clients’ needs on an hourly or live-in, short or long term basis. The goal remains simple: refer the highest quality caregivers, who will enhance the quality of life for their clients and families. Caregivers are also available who specialize in Alzheimer’s Disease and Hospice Care. Family and Nursing Care is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  (301) 588-8200, www.familynursingcare.com


• Hearing Aids & Audiology, David R. Barwell M.A., C.C.C. -A., Ltd. Located in Gaithersburg, David Barwell has many years of experience as an Audiologist in an Ear Medical Specialist’s office. He has been providing Hearing Aid and Audiology Services in Senior Living Communities in Montgomery County for 9 years with completely portable equipment. These on-site services are very helpful to the residents, families, and home staffs as it avoids the cost, time, effort and stress of taking the residents out. Medicare Provider.
  Phone: (301) 840-5517, Fax: (301) 840-5518


• Holy Cross Hospital Medical Adult Day Center, Caregiver Resource Center, Home Care and Hospice, and Senior Source.
  MEDICAL ADULT DAY CENTER  (301-754-7150): A fun and stimulating environment with structured activities, nursing, and social work services.
  CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER  (301 754-7152): Weekly support groups, educational offerings, and a resource library for those involved in the physical, emotional, spiritual and social care of others.
  HOME CARE AND HOSPICE  (301-754-7740): Skilled medical professionals provide in-home care to patients recovering from illness or injury. Holy Cross Hospice offers special care with understanding and compassion to patients and their families with a life threatening illness.
  SENIOR SOURCE  (301-754-8510): Health and wellness education, health screenings and intellectually stimulating programs for active senior adults. 
  www.holycrosshealth.org


• Holy Cross Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
  Whether the need is for skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation or long-term care, Holy Cross Rehabilitation and Nursing Center provides a courtyard and beautifully landscaped grounds, a non-denominational chapel and a full service beauty salon to enhance our holistic concept of wellness. These amenities complement our professionally rendered clinical and rehabilitative care. Professional services include: administration of IV medication; skilled wound care; physical, occupational and speech therapies; in-patient hospice care; therapeutic activities and social work.
  (301) 388-1403;  www.holycrossrehab.org


• Specialty Care Services is a licensed nursing provider offering Certified Nursing Assistants, Home Health Aides, LPNs and RNs to meet the needs of our patients.  We also offer a wide range of support services to residents in the Maryland, DC and Virginia metropolitan areas. Services include: companionship; meal preparation; bathing and dressing; lifting & transferring; errands and shopping; personal care & hygiene; range of motion exercises; assistance with ambulation; accompaniment to appointments; light housekeeping and laundry.
  (301) 585-6300, www.specialtycareservices.com


• Sunrise Senior Living Services opened more than 20 years ago with a simple, innovative vision: to change the way America ages by providing a better quality of life for seniors. We are proud to serve more than 35,000 people in the US in over 450 communities that cater to Independent Living, Assisted Living, Alzheimer’s Care and Skilled Care needs. In Montgomery County we have 7 locations: Bedford Court, Brighton Gardens of Friendship Heights, Brighton Gardens of Tuckerman Lane, Sunrise of Rockville, and Sunrise of Silver Spring.
  (877) 605-7130; www.sunriseassistedliving.com

Bronze Benefactors are:

• Advanced Nursing and Home Support. Since 1993 we have provided trusted In-Home Nursing and Companion Care to those needing help in MD and DC. We offer affordable and flexible schedules for RN, LPN, CNA and Home Health Aides as well as non-medical Companion Services. We specialize in dementia and respiratory care. 301-933-5554, www.advancednursing.com


• Adventist Home Assistance/Adventist Choice Nursing, two programs help seniors with bathing/dressing, light housekeeping/laundry, meal preparation, medication reminders, shopping/errands; 301-592-4500, www.adventistchoicenursing.com, www.adventisthomeassistance.com


• Care For You, Inc. offers complete non-medical services to make home life easier and more secure. The question is: What do you need to do to stay in your home? Companions; meal preparation; transportation for appointments, outings, errands and shopping; cleaning; laundry; accompanied walks; reading; care coordination; landscape design & lawn care; home maintenance, repair & remodeling; organizing and heavy cleaning; computer instruction; house monitoring; bill paying; accompanied travel. Bonded and insured. Ongoing training and supervision.  Hourly & live-in.
  (301) 650-4169;  www.careforyou.us


• Classic Residence by Hyatt in Chevy Chase is a luxury rental senior living community perfectly suited to your lifestyle. And it is a community that offers you the peace of mind that comes with having a licensed assisted living available on site. Featuring private accommodations for assisted living, Classic Residence by Hyatt in Chevy Chase is the ideal setting for discerning older adults who desire luxury senior living at its finest and peace of mind for the future.
  8100 Connecticut Avenue
  Chevy Chase, MD 20815
  Phone: (301) 915-9203
  Fax: (301) 907-3908
  Karen Jackson-Knight, Lifestyle Director
  www.hyattclassic.com
  


• Genesis Health Care, our skilled nursing centers provide short stay care, long term care, and specialized dementia care (Homestead). We offer our patients and residents outstanding clinical care delivered by highly skilled practicioners in a warm and comfortable setting. 302-521-6257, resource line: 800-205-9342, www.genesishcc.com


• Help Unlimited has been enhancing our elderly clients’ quality of life and peace of mind since 1985 by providing in-home bill paying and personal paperwork management in an ethical, efficient, and competent way.
  301-589-7438


• Home Instead Senior Care, a family-owned and operated agency providing seniors in the Washington, DC metropolitan area with caring and high quality homecare. We offer companionship and non-medical services including meal preparation, laundry/light housekeeping, medication reminders, and incidental transportation. All employees are screened, trained, bonded and insured. NPDA member. 301-588-9710, www.caregivingforseniors.com


• Loving Decisions specializes in a no-fee way of helping you find the best family style assisted living homes. We help identify the best choices, make a selection that works, and coordinate the transition. 301-571-5399, www.lovingdecisions.com


• Options for Senior America, offers affordable, quality, non-medical home care customized to meet the needs of adults and seniors and are licensed, bonded, and insured. Options has been providing care for the elderly in Maryland since 1989. Our qualified, screened, and motivated CNAs and companions are available to live-in or do hourly shifts. We have offices covering the metro DC, VA, and Baltimore areas, guaranteeing speedy and personalized service. www.optionscorp.com, washingtondc@optionscorp.com, 301-562-3100.


• Potomac Valley Nursing and Wellness Center, a unique skilled nursing facility specializing in comprehensive rehabilitation, palliative care, mental health, addiction treatment, and clinically complex cases. Potomac Valley’s renowned mental health program, SUCCESS, is JAHCO-accredited and features a highly individualized, holistic approach to care and recovery. The Rehabilitation Program is particularly well-suited for challenging cases where residents may benefit from psychiatric support to optimize recovery.
  301-762-0700;  www.potomacvalley.com


• Rebuilding Together: Rebuilding Together’s mission is to work in partnership with community volunteers to provide home repairs, accessibility modifications, and links to community resources to keep low-income homeowners living safely and independently in their homes. Rebuilding Together is committed to preserving affordable housing for low-income elderly and disabled homeowners. Our goal is to help low-income homeowners “age in place” in a safe and healthy home.
  301-933-2700; www.rebuildingtogethermc.org


• ResponseLINK of Montgomery County provides the most advanced personal emergency response system on the market today. “Help at the touch of a button” has never been easier to provide for your client or patient. Locally owned and operated, it has systems ready to install on a same-day basis if required. Also available: daily wellness check-in service and medication compliance monitoring.
  301-642-6200


• Right at Home:  Right at Home’s supportive home care services provide seniors and others the ability to remain independent in their own homes. We provide trained, insured and bonded caregivers for a variety of caregiving needs. A steady hand, a bright smile, and the willingness to go to extra lengths are hallmarks of our service.
  301-738-2225;  www.rightathomemd.net

Please thank the above for supporting GROWS’ mission and the well-being of seniors in Montgomery County.

Our Mission

To secure the well-being of Montgomery County seniors through the shared strength of diverse organizations and individuals.

Our Vision

Montgomery County: The national model in meeting senior needs.

What Does GROWS Do?

• Provides opportunities for those concerned about seniors to work with like-minded, individuals and agencies to help seniors and their caring families.
• Educates the community about the needs of frail seniors and their caregivers.
• Builds action coalitions to address policy and service issues in aging.
• Advocates to public policymakers and others about the needs of seniors especially the frail and their caregivers.
• Creates new grass roots services for seniors.
• Supports and promotes effective models of caregiving.
• Provides networking opportunities for senior service providers, other organizations and businesses and seniors and those who care about seniors.

Senior Needs 2000 & Beyond

GROWS Senior Needs Study 2000 identified major issues and needs of seniors. These were identified primarily through a telephone survey of over 105 senior service professionals and leaders. Click here for a copy of the results of the survey.

GROWS Programs & Initiatives

• Project ElderLink:  A Public Awareness Campaign to link seniors and caring families with programs and services. This initiative is the result of the Senior Needs 2000 Study which documented the difficulty that consumers and professionals have in understanding and accessing services, benefits and programs. Project ElderLink is a multi- faceted initiative of education and outreach. It includes a multilingual brochure with local key contact points for service access, and translation of the brochure and the popular Senior Resource Guide (published by the Senior Beacon) in to Spanish. For copies of Project ElderLink materials call the GROWS office at 301-765-3325 .
   
• Public Concerns Advocacy and Education:  GROWS has established an active public concerns committee that pays close attention to upcoming issues for seniors, presents testimony to public officials on their behalf and educates the public and policy-makers about issues of aging.
   
• Senior Service Network Meetings:  A monthly meeting of providers of services to the elderly that fosters greater coordination and collaboration among services. The monthly programs for senior service providers include a networking continental breakfast and a topical presentation. Written announcements are distributed at each meeting. Most meetings are free and are held the first Thursday of January, February, March, April, May, September, and October, at 8:15-10:30 AM at the Holiday Park Senior Center. (See the Calendar of Events for topics and dates)
   
• Scarves for Seniors: "Scarves" is a project conducted each November and December to collect warm clothing for low income seniors. Underway since 2002, more than 1500 items were collected and distributed in 2006 to residents of housing operated by the Housing Opportunities Commission.
   
• Professional Networking Extravaganza:  This event is GROWS’ annual fundraiser attended by over 225 professionals each year. The Extravaganza not only raises fund but improves service to seniors by providing a structured opportunity for professionals to build linkages with their colleagues.

How to Become a Member

If you are a senior, a provider of services to seniors or someone who cares about seniors in Montgomery County, please consider joining GROWS. Click here to join us!