Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, operated by the Brooke Grove Foundation, sits on a large 220-acre campus in Sandy Spring, Maryland, with green pastures, trees, and gardens. The campus has many buildings, with space for independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, short-term rehab, memory support, respite care, and long-term care, so people can find the kind of help they need as life changes. The facility holds 168 beds, and about 146 residents live there. It's a place where seniors can walk on peaceful pathways, see meadows and hardwood forests, and sometimes meet Max, the resident dog, out in the gardens.
Although there's no detailed information about how the center works day-to-day, the facility does have a long history-almost seven decades-of caring for older adults, with a focus on helping people recover, regain strength, and keep their dignity. Brooke Grove uses something called the LIFE principles philosophy, which the staff say helps support residents' overall well-being as their needs change. Nursing care and rehab services are both available, with physical therapy programs that many find effective for mobility and independence. Staff include RNs, LPNs, and CNAs, and a director of nursing supervises care, but nurses here average about 31 minutes per resident per day, less than average for Maryland or the nation.
Brooke Grove outperforms state and national averages for some health outcomes, like low rates of depression, no use of physical restraints, good vaccination rates for flu and pneumonia, and fewer outpatient ER visits. Most residents keep their mobility and need less help with daily activities than average, but 88.5 percent have problems with bowel or bladder control, much higher than state and national percentages. The facility also scores well on resident improvement in function and successful moves back into the community. The quality measures rating is high at 4 stars, though the overall Medicare rating is 3 stars, with a lower 2 stars in staffing and 3 in health inspections.
Complaint inspections found a few problems, including late delivery of medical records, delayed dental referrals, and not reporting a possible physical abuse allegation to police as the law requires. The center has at least one deficiency in each of eight measured areas such as resident rights, pharmacy services, assessment, and the environment. Even so, visitors often say the buildings and grounds are well-kept, the atmosphere feels friendly, and people seem content.
People who live at Brooke Grove can choose from different options, like The Cottages for those who want more independence, or other settings for more care, and spend time outdoors, visit with family, and enjoy everyday life with support when they need it. The whole place is focused on respect, dignity, and offering as much independence as possible. Brooke Grove takes both Medicare and Medicaid, and it has enough variety in services and a long community reputation. While the staff and grounds get praise, some areas-like staffing levels or following up promptly on care issues-have received official criticism in past inspections. The facility stays connected to the local community, and people there try to create a calm, active life for residents, but as with every facility, not everything is perfect, and families should ask questions and look around before deciding.
