Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury, founded in 1985, sits on 165 acres in Virginia's Northern Neck and serves older adults from the Middle Peninsula and nearby regions. The not-for-profit community offers a longtime home for seniors of all faiths, with an Episcopal and Presbyterian affiliation but an open, welcoming culture for everyone. The campus has a mixture of living options-from apartments and cottages to freestanding homes, suites, and private or semi-private rooms-set among landscaped grounds with peaceful walking trails, community gardens, and places to just sit outdoors or gather with pets. Inside, you'll find Westlake Apartments, the Birdsong House for memory care, the 18,000-square-foot Life Enrichment Center with an aquatics area and exercise rooms, and amenities like a woodworking shop, library, game room, art classes, and an indoor pool. There's the Rappahannock Club and a casual lakeside grille for daily dining plus the Lancaster Room for formal meals on weekends. They use Grind Dining™, which helps residents with chewing or taste issues enjoy safe and appealing food. Meals come furnished, and residents can also enjoy others' company at activities, outings, and art shows or the longstanding Viewpoints speaker series.
Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury operates as a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), offering a full range of living and care choices. These include independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, hospice, and respite care. The Birdsong House specializes in support for people with mild to moderate memory challenges. Their care team provides help with dressing, bathing, medication, and other daily needs, and there's always a registered nurse ready to assist twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The health and wellness program is led by administrator Ms. Shanee Jones. Seniors with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia have activities and therapy designed for them, with safe, thoughtfully designed spaces. Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury's clinic brings primary care, rehabilitation (including physical, occupational, and speech therapies), and medication oversight to residents, while an emergency medical center and surgery options sit close by. Residents have housekeeping, laundry, 24-hour security, and transportation for appointments or outings.
Finances work in a few different ways here, with entrance and monthly fees that depend on which type of home someone chooses. Options for payment include declining refund and 50% refund plans, with fees returning at 2% per month until half is refunded. Staff help families and residents with payment plans and retirement planning. The on-site banking branch and access to Chesapeake Wealth Management's advisors bring convenience on money matters. For those not moving in, the At Home with RWC program provides support and services to people who want to stay in their own homes in the wider community.
Amenities support both busy and peaceful lifestyles, from chef-prepared dining and a library to a spa, hair salon, barber, and fitness centers. Residents can find walking trails, community events, a pet-friendly policy, casual or formal dining, a creative arts studio, golf courses nearby, and transportation for daily needs. The staff offer concierge services, planned outings, and daily help tailored to each individual. Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury has 38 assisted living beds and 42 beds total for assisted and skilled nursing together, making it a small and easy-to-navigate place for care. The community's newsletter, rotating exhibitions, spiritual life options, and thoughtful activities keep people engaged. Residents and families find a reliable, steady place here, where every service focuses on comfort, safety, and a sense of belonging.