About us

ADF is a 501 (c) (3) organization that built, owns, and operates Knollwood Life Plan Community in NW Washington D.C.

Our History

1959
BUILDING A HOME AND COMMUNITY FOR VULNERABLE WOMEN

When it became apparent that aging widows and female relatives of US Army servicemen lacked the ability to sustain themselves, ADF was established to build a community for them. Our 1959 “Founding Mothers” – bold, spirited, solutions-driven, and growth-minded – had the vision to create a place of “security, companionship, and purposeful living” that would serve as “a shining example” for others.

1962
RETIREMENT ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE IN NEED

President Dwight D. and Mrs. Mamie Eisenhower personally led a world-wide fundraising campaign so the newly founded ADF could purchase a 16-acre property and build a community where people would age with dignity and grace. Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson presided as guest of honor on opening day in Januar y 1962, welcoming 15 women to their new home. At the same time, our founders established a donor-supported Financial Assistance Fund – active and vital to this day – to ensure any woman living in our facility was guaranteed meals, room and care through the rest of her life. By July 1963, our organization was home to 166 women.

1970-1979
PROVIDING SKILLED CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH DECLINING HEALTH

People with compromised cognitive and physical health needed high-level care, often round-the-clock. In response, with the continued support of concerned donors, we expanded, enhanced, and modernized our facilities. We delivered skilled nursing care so people could age with dignity and feel purposeful at every stage of aging.

1980-1989
EXPANDING HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES TO HELP MORE OLDER ADULTS

With advances in healthcare, it became clear more people needed our services. We responded by expanding our community to male and female officers of all seven uniformed services, as well as their female relatives. As our community grew, so did our reputation as a leader in healthy aging.

1990-1999
PEOPLE CARING FOR PEOPLE

As care needs became more complex, we pursued an unprecedented expansion to broaden and strengthen our health and wellness programs. We upgraded our skilled nursing services by establishing a federally-certified Health Services Center licensed to provide round-the-clock long-term care and rehabilitative therapies for people living in our community, as well as the general public.

Further, we expanded our community to be able to serve 45 people who needed 24/7 assistance with activities of daily living, such as grooming, bathing, and dressing. This vast expansion in person-centered care ensured that people would enjoy purposeful living at every age and stage of life.

2000-2009
SERVING PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA

As the century turned, we further expanded to meet the needs of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Committed donors funded the building of a state-of-the-art Special Care Center to serve people with cognitive impairments. ADF collaborated with a panel of experts from the Alzheimer’s Association and communities with acclaimed special care programs to develop a dementia care program that reflected the latest research and practices.

2009-2022
APPLYING INNOVATION TO TRANSFORM THE EXPERIENCE OF AGING

Over the past decade, we initiated numerous important innovations to improve health and well-being for people in our community—as well as to inform the aging community at large through research and information-sharing. ADF re-committed itself to the bold spirit of leadership, innovation, solutions, and growth envisioned by our early founders, who imagined ADF as “…a shining example of the American way…” that would “…point the way to development of similar residences…”

The Challenge

In the next 40 years, nearly ¼ of the American people will be age 65 or older. Properly caring for an older population is a tough social challenge.

Sadly, some non-profit communities lag in identifying, implementing, and offering innovative, high-quality, and effective services. At Knollwood, innovation, creativity, and commitment to the individuals we serve guide every decision we make.

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People are living longer than ever before. With advanced age comes many challenges such as depression, isolation, cognitive and physical decline. Knollwood supports older people and addresses these challenges in ways not even imagined 60 years ago. These changes in demographics and services demand change and new solutions.

Donors played an essential role at the beginning. They continue to play an essential role today. Our fundamental promise, residents would pay only modest rent and those who lacked resources would be welcomed and supported with funds raised through private, charitable contributions.

Mission & Vision

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Mission Statement

Provide a compassionate community with exceptional wellness care and purposeful living for older adults who served our nation.

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Our Vision

To be a national leader in developing and implementing an innovative health and wellness experience for older adults, inspiring our residents and other communities by excellent example.

ADF/Knollwood is uniquely equipped to serve as a leader in healthy aging.

 

Our Guiding Principles

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Integrity

Committed to acting with honesty, trust, and transparency.

C

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Community

Devoted to providing a caring, compassionate, socially engaging community with top-notch health and wellness experiences so our residents thrive.

A

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Accountability

Excellently stewarding resources, pursuing our mission and vision with honor, communication, and a focus on long-term thinking.

R

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Respect

Always striving to treat our residents, guests, and teammates with dignity, distinction, and authenticity.

E

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Excellence

Consistently Pursuing the highest levels of quality and value in all that we do.

Leadership

As board members and senior leadership at Knollwood, our responsibility is to safeguard Knollwood for future generations

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Knollwood

The boutique community of choice for people who want to live in the city yet be tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood. Our intimate campus— surrounded by the beauty of Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C.— is an invitation to come explore. You can bring your own life with you while enriching each day with new and exciting experiences both inside and outside of the community.

Stories from the community

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