The Heathers - Ringwood sits on three acres of rural land, where old trees, birds, and wildlife make for peaceful surroundings, and the Garifo Family leads the place with a focus on family values, so you usually notice a friendly, caring environment right away because staff call it "La Familia," and they work hard to create a sense of home. The community stays small, with only nine residents in a large, updated seven-bedroom ranch house, with five private suites and two double suites, which means everyone gets plenty of personal attention and privacy, plus private bathrooms in each suite. The common spaces have large fireplaces, screened-in porches, and small reading nooks, and you see large dining rooms where people eat home-cooked meals together, and some residents like joining in cooking or helping plan meals, and the staff always make sure to fit special diets, including diabetes-friendly options.
There's a focus on assisted living and memory care, and the care partners take time to learn every resident's routines and needs. Families can visit as they wish, and staff offer help with dressing, bathing, medication, transfers, and toileting. Memory care programs prioritize activities that help with mental stimulation, and the Enlight Lifestyle Enrichment Program helps match daily activities to each person's interests. For safety and well-being, the house is equipped with emergency alert systems and safety adaptations, with 24/7 supervision, non-ambulatory support, and state licensing, so families know care is always at hand. Residents' days fill up with things like crafts, music, games, gardening out in the yard or greenhouse, and sunset watching, and sometimes they go on excursions to art fairs, farmers' markets, or just out for a walk along the outdoor paths that circle the property's gardens and pavilion.
Community services cover housekeeping, laundry including dry cleaning, linen changes, and all utilities wrapped up into the monthly fee. There's a telephone in each room and technology that helps families keep in touch, which matters when people want update and connection. Residents also get transportation services, and there's parking for visitors. Some people use the on-site hair and nail salon, and the fire pit and outdoor covered areas make for good gathering spots on warm evenings. Move-in coordination helps people settle in at their own pace.
The place has a strong personal approach, with an emphasis on maintaining dignity and respect as needs change, whether for long-term assisted living, memory care for dementia, or short-term respite stays. Each resident has choices between private or shared rooms, and the small community size encourages staff and residents to know each other well. Living at The Heathers - Ringwood means being in a peaceful, secure, and family-like setting where daily life is steady and attentive, and the approach is always rooted in respect and care.
