Sunrise at Hunter Mill — Local services in Oakton

A Volunteer’s Perspective on Sunrise of Hunter Mill:

From my introduction to Reminiscence by a friend who invited me to meet her mother and my deciding that residential living was in order for my Alzheimer’s diagnosed husband, I have enjoyed building relationships with residents and staff throughout the community. My now deceased husband received compassionate care during his residency and then I was literally challenged to become a volunteer by a coordinator. Eleven years and several months later I am both pleased and grateful to be serving as Community Deacon and facilitator of weekly “Through the Bible” studies in both Assisted Living and Reminiscence/Memory Care.

Before Covid-19 struck in March 2020 I was a daily presence taking on such tasks as care for dogs and cats who lived among the residents. Daily walking of the current dog—three over the years--freed up staff for other duties and enabled me to get familiar with adjacent neighborhoods and meet neighbors who might be searching for the care Hunter Mill provides. I made sure that Casanova had food and water and a clean litter box and at the end of his feline life I joined two staff members for his final visit to Hunter Mill Animal Hospital. There were tears aplenty for this long-time and well-love cat who lived in Reminiscence. I enjoyed taking our dogs and cats for veterinary checkups and other visits as needed. Nala, the young cat our Executive Director adopted from the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, was an energetic delight but sadly in May 2020 she died and I was invited to be present for her burial. I look forward to our adopting more dogs and cats when the time is right.

I began a Bible study almost by accident in June 2017 and it continues to this day. It fluctuates in numbers as members ascend to Reminiscence or to God’s presence to await the return of Jesus Christ. During the pandemic interlude I brought notes and articles to read and church bulletins for residents. The Activities and Volunteer Coordinator retrieved them from the community’s entry door and carted them through the hallways. When I was invited back for a day by our current Executive Director and a return to Bible study in September 2020 I was thrilled. Occasionally we go on pause due to a Covid positive test but that’s become more and more a rare occasion. Not long after, I was invited for another day for a program of my choosing and thus came Through the Bible study in Reminiscence. With assistance from a Life Enrichment Manager and care managers the activity room is alive with residents, as we respond to gospel music, prayer, hymn singing, and a lesson from the Bible. Perhaps, too, residents will be again worshiping in sanctuaries of nearby churches, a Sunday outing that brings a special blessing.

Tuesday and Friday gatherings with residents bring joy to my heart and permission to bring church bulletins on Sundays enables a quick check in with them and with staff. Perhaps the day will come when I am welcome to drop by on any day. As Community Deacon I am available to everyone for prayer, a few words of Scripture, smiles, and quick conversations not necessarily faith-based. On a recent Sunday I was able to assure the sons of a Reminiscence resident that I had been present to her during her days of decline, lifting her in prayer, Scripture recitation, and gently holding her outstretched hand in the reality this visit would likely be the last. And they were pleased to know she had been present for Friday Bible study when she was able.

When I retired as a public school teacher I thought lesson plans were past tense. Writing them for our Through the Bible groups gives me opportunities to still practice the skills of writing and engaging participants. Volunteering in meaningful service brings social engagement, personal connections, the discipline of a schedule, cognitive exercise, and a healthy outlook toward making a difference in the...

Sunrise of Hunter Mill in Oakton, VA is the best assisted living accommodation our independent 88-year-old aunt could get, after she was treated at a skilled nursing facility and required additional physical therapy services late last year.

From the moment the Director of Sales invited me to tour this location and have a look at its available bedrooms, to my initial introduction to Hazel, Head of the Care Team, and ultimately the warm welcome of Executive Director Isha, Sunrise of Hunter Mill has proven to be the perfectly safe and happy place for my aunt. It is also fully staffed with highly qualified, professional and friendly personnel who always make us feel very welcome as part of the Sunrise family. My aunt is truly lucky to have very kind and caring persons around her who attend to her every need 24/7, 7 days a week.

The premises at this location are always nice and clean, full-course meals and snacks are regularly served, and a daily list of activities is posted in the lobby for ease of recall and voluntary participation by residents, family members and guests. A monthly calendar of events and activities are also provided electronically in advance.

As family members who live more than 600 miles out of state, we are always concerned about my aunt's safety and well-being when she used to live alone and started having difficulty maintaining her own house. At Sunrise, we are always informed by the Care Team and in-house nurses of her whereabouts, especially by Hazel, Maggie, Anne, Sumi, Janet, Adama, Angelica, Manisha and Jean, her main physical therapist. I also sometimes directly receive photos and videos of her enjoying her stay, as well as formal communication of her monthly overall health, medication and wellness progress. We likewise truly appreciate the consistent updates through the Sunrise Smile portal, with anecdotal and individualized memorable messages by Emilie, of the many activities my aunt and other residents enjoy, including vivid photos and encouraging videos diligently posted by others -- Hazel, Isha, Miguelita, Amelie, Adama, Jonathan and Chef Mario, to name a few.

What appeared to be a temporary facility arrangement, while she was recovering from a bad fall at her own house, has become my aunt's longer-term home for the past seven months. It now feels like her primary home as she's always eager to go back to Sunrise when we've taken some time enjoying the outdoors or simply spending the entire day outside the facility when we visit her.

For others who may be in a similar situation with their loved ones, I would recommend taking that first step of touring this particular location at Sunrise of Hunter Mill, as an alternative. Sending my heartfelt thanks to the entire Sunrise Family for taking very good care of my aunt day in, day out for the last seven months -- my aunt is safe, healthy and happy in her current home!

*Update after one year of residence at Sunrise of Hunter Mill on 11/24/24:

We are so lucky to have a place my aunt can call her home now! Her health, safety and overall well-being are addressed at all times in a timely manner by professional, kind, friendly and happy staff and managers.

She always looks forward to our visits and has only good words about her overall day-to-day living at Sunrise when we ask how she is doing at her new home.

When we take her out for day trips and longer travels that are more than a week, she is always looking forward to coming back to her own bedroom at Sunrise. To us, this is a sure indication of how she also considers it her permanent address going forward.

Thank you so much to the capable and welcoming smiling faces of Isha, Hazel, Maggie, Anne, Sumit, Jonathan, Janet and all the caring staff at Sunrise! Our aunt is lucky to be taken care of...

Sunrise Hunter Mill (SHM) is a very special place because of their staff - who are TRULY remarkable. I first gained insight into SHM when my son volunteered there. He talked about how nice the staff was and how much they cared for the residents. My mother suffered a stroke a number of years ago and my father, despite severe arthritis, cared for her for years. It was obvious that my father wouldn't be able to care for my mother forever and I began looking for alternatives. I approached the Director of Sales and she couldn't have been nicer or more patient. She understood my father's reluctance to relinquish my mother to SHM's care and always made me comfortable by providing in-depth answers to my questions, providing tours for my father and me and carefully explaining every aspect of SHM's care. When the time inevitably arrived when my father was no longer able to care for my mother, I moved my mother in and the time has flown by since then. It's hard to put into words the extraordinary level of sincere interest and care provided by the caregivers. The nurses stay on top of all my mother's medications. The nurse practitioner reaches out to me regularly with questions about my mother's care. The personal care staff are patient, kind and understanding with my mother's limitations. The occupational and physical therapists have made strides with my mother's mobility I didn't think were possible. The activity directors DO NOT STOP! My mother (who's mostly confined to a wheelchair) has been taken on local shopping trips, scenic drives and on lunches to dining spots in the area. Additionally, there is ALWAYS something going on at SHM whether it's group stretching exercises, painting classes, karaoke (something my mother had never, ever, ever done before and now loves), cooking classes, musical presentations, games and even bible study classes. Also my mother loves the food. The building is nice and the location is great...but what makes SHM amazing is the incredible staff that obviously and genuinely cares about doing the best...