Best Senior Living: The Willows at Meadow Branch, a Caring Star
The mission of The Willows at Meadow Branch is "to provide individualized, quality care in a comfortable and safe surrounding." Administrator Linda Duvall believes that she and her staff live by this mission every day. Family owned and operated, The Willows at Meadow Branch is located in historic Winchester, Virginia, secluded from major highways and the sound of traffic. The staff strives to create a family-like atmosphere where everyone feels they have a purpose. "My father likes speaking with the owner, which is very important to him," says a family member of a resident. "It's a very upbeat place to live -- attitudes are positive; residents enjoy one another's company; they have a variety of activities, great entertainment, special events where family members are invited, a chaplain on staff, great food, and several special places to sit and visit with friends or family," says another. Residents can expect to find a wide array of themed nights, opportunities to be involved in the community, spiritual programs, and many other ways to cultivate an active lifestyle.
We talked to Administrator Linda Duvall about how she led a team of passionate and skilled caregivers toward The Willows at Meadow Branch's recognition as one of the best communities in assisted living, a 2014 Caring Star. 
Though work in senior living is definitely a rewarding career, many would agree that it's not the most glamorous profession. It takes a special kind of person. What led you to choose this path and inspired your passion for assisted living?
Linda Duvall, administrator: First of all, I'm not that special, but I get to come to work every day and be surrounded by special people. The staff that works here and the residents that live here are truly the special ones. The staff is amazing. The love and dedication they have for the residents comes from the heart.
Actually, I did not choose this path; it chose me. I answered an ad for a bookkeeper at an assisted living facility. I did not know what I was getting into, but I soon fell in love with the residents. When the opportunity came to become the administrator in training, I jumped at the chance. I have been in assisted living for 25 years, and I am so glad that I answered that ad.
As administrator of an assisted living community, you oversee a wide range of responsibilities and serve as a leader for residents and their families, as well as for staff. What keeps you motivated, and what do you most enjoy about your role?
LD: The residents, their families, and the staff keep me motivated. The residents are wonderful. They have so many interesting and fascinating stories to tell. The families are so supportive and involved with their loved ones. Almost daily, a resident or family member stops by my office to tell me something positive about the staff or the facility. The staff is some of the most caring, positive, and hardworking people I have met. They love the residents, and it shows.
The Willows at Meadow Branch received the Caring Stars award of service excellence in 2014. This award is based on consumer reviews in Caring.com's Senior Care Directory. Why do you think families are so enthusiastic about your community? What's the secret of your success?
LD: That is easy -- it's the wonderful, positive, caring staff that works here. They truly care about the residents. We -- the residents and staff -- become a second family, "the Willows Family." The success of the Willows is a direct result of the fantastic people who work and live here. I remind the staff that the residents do not live where they work but that they work in the residents' home.
Tell us something special about your community that the reviewers didn't mention -- what are you known for? What traits make your community particularly unique? We'd love to hear about some specific activities, services, or stories from daily life at The Willows at Meadow Branch.
LD: When you walk in the door of The Willows, it's like you have arrived home. The atmosphere is peaceful. The surroundings are beautiful. You will always find a smiling face to greet you. Our activity personnel always have something going on that you can take part in. Our Christmas celebration starts at Thanksgiving and continues to New Year's with seven beautiful Christmas trees, glorious decorations, a tree-lighting ceremony, fireplaces with festive mantels, parties, and many visiting choirs.
Then when things calm down from the busy holiday season, we put on the Ritz with our Winter Wonder Years Ball in celebration of every resident who turns 90 or above during the coming year. Everyone dresses in their party attire with hairdos, nails painted, and corsages or boutonnieres. There is a huge birthday cake along with more food, music, and lots of fun.
Winter days are wiled away with music and chats with staff and residents by the fireplace. Warm weather brings the first outdoor picnic of the year, complete with grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, and homemade ice cream. June brings our annual pig roast. Residents and their families and staff and their families get together for an evening of food, fellowship, and fun. The staff puts on a "Hee-Haw" skit, including Minnie Pearl and all the "Hee-Haw" characters. Of course, everyone dresses for the occasion in bib overalls, blue jeans, and bandanas. After the skit, everyone helps themselves to barbecued pig, cole slaw, baked beans, cornbread, and all the fixins' prepared by our amazing chef and her staff. It's just a great evening with residents, staff, and families laughing and enjoying the time together. The hot summer days brings our ice cream social, with homemade ice cream, entertainment, and social chats with residents, families, staff, and the surrounding community. There is always something for our residents to do.
How is your community using the feedback it receives in online reviews? (Have you incorporated consumer comments into staff communications and training? Modified programs or services as a result of reviews? Other?)
LD: We take all feedback very seriously. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our services to our residents and their families.
Is there anything I haven't asked you about your community, online reviews, or senior care that you'd like to mention about The Willows at Meadow Branch?
LD: I believe our director of nursing summed it up best when she stated, "There is a passion and a ministry that beats within the heart of our staff, not only to cater to our residents' wishes but to encourage companionship and maintain a sense of purpose and usefulness." It's an honor to have been chosen for the Caring Stars Award, and it means a lot to me and the staff here. I just want to thank all the wonderful people who have been a part of The Willows at Meadow Branch over the years. They have enriched my life beyond measure, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to serve them.
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Comments
Hello Van Raps, Caring.com has a team of Family Advisors that may be able to assist in determining the cost and other information on this community. To reach a Family Advisor, 7 days a week, you can call (800)-325-8591.
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This is a very lovely and caring facility! I have friends who had family there and I , myself used to work there and loved how the staff got involved in all aspects of caring for the residents including putting on Holiday shows, and creating an atmosphere of compassion and family for everyone!