Home ▸ Blog ▸ Why We’re a Top-Ranked CCRC

When you’re looking for a retirement community, it makes sense that you’d choose the best fit for yourself. But how do you define “the best”?  If a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) with exceptional services and amenities in Richmond’s dynamic West End sounds like the best to you, Lakewood may be the place you’re looking for. We’re consistently ranked among the best retirement communities by Richmond, Virginia residents — and our own residents couldn’t agree more! In fact, we’re up for another award — The Richmond Times-Dispatch “The Best” 2022! 

Here are just a few reasons we’re an extraordinary choice for senior living:

Eco-Friendly Programs

We’re forward-thinking. From our sustainable approach to dining — which includes using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients — to planting pollinator-friendly gardens, Lakewood incorporates earth-friendly strategies to reduce our carbon footprint and support the environment. Another eco-conscious initiative: our on-campus bee colony, which is thriving among our pollen-rich wildflower gardens.

Community Involvement

Senior living isn’t about withdrawing from the world. At Lakewood, residents are active in the local community and in larger causes. Residents volunteer to pack box meals for those in need, and team up to raise money for Alzheimer’s care and research. We partner with a local high school, Cristo Rey, creating work study opportunities for students, and our residents are active in their mentorship program.

Exceptional Dining

Fresh, healthy and delicious, Lakewood’s dining options offer residents an ever-changing variety of cook-from-scratch meals made from seasonal ingredients. Our chef-led culinary team prides itself on providing a culinary experience that combines good nutrition with great taste — one of the many reasons we achieve Culinary Gold Standards certification every year.

Wellness Opportunities

In keeping with our drive to number among the best retirement communities, we strive to create a culture of wellness in our community. With a state-of-the-art fitness center, heated indoor pool, and group exercise classes, we make fitness fun and inviting. Our wellness coordinators and certified fitness trainers encourage residents to pursue the activities they enjoy. Prefer a morning constitutional to morning Tai Chi? Our scenic walking trails have a high-tech surface that’s easy on your joints and feet. Is gardening your favorite form of exercise? Raised garden beds give you a place to hum along as happily as our pollinators.

Of course, movement is only one dimension of wellness. Winding down is as important as revving up. Here, residents can book a session with our on-campus massage therapist, or curl up with a good book in our library reading room. 

To ensure easy access to health care, we partner with Align Senior Clinic so residents can receive primary care services in their residences. We also have an on-site Wellness Clinic for checkups, tests and vaccinations.

Cultural Enrichment

“Creative passion lifts us from a mundane existence to one filled with wonder,” writes artist and creativity coach Jill Badonsky in “The Awe-manac: A Daily Dose of Wonder.” From concerts and choir to art classes and woodworking, residents have abundant opportunities to pursue their creative passions. On-campus galleries give resident artists a place to display their work. Outings to cultural attractions in the surrounding community – such as the Richmond Ballet and Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – provide residents with ample doses of health- and satisfaction-boosting culture.

A Full Continuum of Care

There’s a wonderful sense of security that arises from living in an active, friendly community where you know you can get the support you need if your health changes. In addition to Independent Living, we have a full continuum of care that includes  Assisted Living, Memory Care, Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing — all on the same campus. If you experience a health setback, a nurse navigator will help you develop an individualized care plan, offering guidance and facilitating communication with appropriate medical personnel. 

Learn More About Our Top-Rated Continuing Care Retirement Community

Want to see for yourself why we’re one of the best retirement communities in Richmond’s West End? Schedule an in-person visit. You can sample our delicious fare, walk the gardens, view resident art, and experience for yourself the welcoming, active lifestyle at Lakewood. Contact us to schedule your tour.