Annandale Healthcare Center

It is certified for 222 beds and has about 210 residents on a typical day, which makes it a large home that usually runs close to full. In a building this size, ask how residents are grouped into units, who would be on your family member's direct care team, and whether there is a wait list for the type of care you need.

Its website lists physical, occupational, and speech therapy, memory care for people with Alzheimer's or dementia, hospice and respite care, on-site dialysis, wound care handled by dedicated physicians, and cardiac care. It also describes programs for substance-use treatment, pulmonary and post-surgical care. Ask which of these are running today, whether dialysis is done inside the building, and whether memory care includes a secured unit, since the website does not spell that out.

Federal regulators rate the home 1 out of 5 stars overall, the lowest score, with health inspections also at 1 star, 35 deficiencies, and one fine of about $90,896 on record. Staffing is rated 3 stars and quality measures 4 stars, with long-stay quality measures at 5 stars. These ratings come from government inspections and reporting, not family reviews, so use them to guide the questions you ask rather than as the whole story.

The inspection record is the main concern here, so ask what inspectors cited, which problems affected residents, and what has been fixed since. Ask to see the most recent inspection report and the plan of correction. With more than 200 residents, also ask how the home keeps care personal and how families are told about changes in a resident's condition.

The home is run as a for-profit corporation and is part of the CommuniCare group, a chain of about 121 facilities across six states. Its admissions page describes 24-hour admissions, government certification, and private-pay options, but does not list specific managed-care or veterans' contracts. Ask directly whether your insurance plan is accepted before you commit.

The same operator runs other Virginia homes, including Mount Vernon Healthcare Center in nearby Alexandria and Cedars Healthcare Center in Charlottesville. You can reach Annandale at 703-256-7000, the number listed on its website next to the Columbia Pike address. Call ahead to arrange a tour and to confirm current bed availability and accepted insurance.