About Us
History
Your support has powered our growth and
advancement for the past 60 years
1959
Community Living
For Those Who Sacrificed
Led by Lydia Taylor and Rosamond Davis, the Army Wives’ Council in Washington, DC is formed to build a retirement facility for Army widows, as they received little pension at the time. President Dwight D. Eisenhower personally involves himself in fundraising activities for this important effort.
1962
Retirement Assistance
For Those In Need
Later renamed Knollwood Military Life Plan Community, Army Distaff Hall opens with 15 residents. A permanent Financial Assistance Fund is established for residents with limited means. To this day, the fund serves about 10% of our residents.
1979
ADF Celebrates
20 Years of Quality Care
ADF celebrates 20 years of success in delivering top-quality housing, health, and wellness care to Knollwood residents. Our facility has undergone several renovations and expansions, including the addition of a fully licensed nursing facility—the Health Services Center.
1993
State-of-the-Art
Facility and Community
After continued ADF expansion and growth efforts, Knollwood’s Health Services Center is now federally-certified and state-of-the-art, offering skilled nursing, rehabilitative therapies, and long-term care. Further, the community now offers 40 assisted living apartments with 24/7 care.
2008
Person-Centered
Dementia Care
Recognizing the need to serve residents with cognitive impairment, ADF builds a modern Special Care Unit for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Further, 22 new independent living apartments and a new cafe are unveiled.
2014
Renewed Commitment
and Strong Leadership
ADF’s Board of Directors renews its commitment to delivering unparalleled care and meeting the needs of the next generation of veterans, who will have increasingly complex health and wellness needs. General John M. Keane, USA (Ret.) serves as Chairman of the Board.
2019 and beyond
Innovative Solutions
for An Aging Nation
Looking to the future of America, a nation with a rapidly increasing segment of older adults, ADF embraces an expanded leadership role to identify and apply new care approaches and share outcomes with communities nationwide to help all older Americans live better.
1959
Community Living
For Those Who Sacrificed
Led by Lydia Taylor and Rosamond Davis, the Army Wives’ Council in Washington, DC is formed to build a retirement facility for Army widows, as they received little pension at the time. President Dwight D. Eisenhower personally involves himself in fundraising activities for this important effort.
ADF Commits to:
Collaborating
Collaborating with experts and convening great minds and organizations to contemplate our nation’s aging crisis.
Applying
Applying innovation at Knollwood to determine the impact of promising new initiatives that promote health and wellness in older adults.
Sharing
Sharing our transformational results achieved at Knollwood with communities nationwide to inspire implementation of similar programs.
© 2020 The ADF | Diversity Statement • Privacy Policy
Offer insights and subject matter expertise into innovations and trends in Older Adult care.
Lend marketing, business, and technology expertise and support on a pro bono basis.
Provide financial support to ensure worthwhile projects and programs receive adequate funding.
Deliver in-kind support or donate products, including private-labeled goods.
Provide financial support through grants.
Lend credibility to study results and promote nationwide dissemination of best practices and proven approaches.
Offer ideas, advice, and counsel on new and promising approaches to healthy aging.
Provide program development and implementation support, including data collection and analysis.
Design and conduct formal research projects to be carried out at Knollwood and publish results so that transformational results are shared with others.
Bring skill and expertise to Knollwood through resident and student rotations.
