Blog Posts
Life in Dictatorship
Excerpted from Our Neighborhood, a new RWC quarterly publication) By Milena Van Sant I lived as a child and young teen under the iron fists of two dictatorships – the Nazis in Germany and
Embracing Uncertainty: Overcoming Fear of the Unknown in Senior Living Decisions
Trying to make a senior living decision – such as whether to remain in your home or move to a retirement community – can evoke many feelings and emotions, among them: fear. More specifically,
Tips for Starting the Dementia Conversation and Managing Memory Problems
Discovering that a loved one is or may be experiencing dementia symptoms due to Alzheimer’s disease or another condition can be one of the most challenging and emotional experiences you face. It’s natural to
Why Do Many Retirement Community Residents Say, ‘I Wish I’d Moved Sooner’?
We often discuss older adults’ reasons for delaying a senior living move. Some of the top justifications for putting off such a move include not wanting to deal with downsizing, not feeling “old enough”
How Will You Fund a Move to a Life Plan Community?
As older adults explore the vibrant lifestyle and peace of mind offered by life plan communities, also referred to as continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), one of the top considerations is how to fund
News Releases
JLyn Henderson ‘Faces Off’ at RWC’s January Show
JLyn Henderson ‘Faces Off’ at RWC’s January Show Deltaville artist focuses her mixed media work on women with attitude With a life-long interest in doodling, drawing and painting women’s faces,
Lancaster Middle School celebrates 20 years of exhibiting in RWC’s December Show
Lancaster Middle School celebrates 20 years of exhibiting in RWC’s December Show Teacher Marilyn Sprouse has proudly curated students’ work since 1999 Lancaster Middle School (LMS) visual arts teacher Marilyn
Military veterans are the stars in RWC November show
Military veterans are the stars in RWC November show Get to know RWC residents who served in U.S. Armed Forces Navy Capt. (Ret.) Larry Treadwell In typical Silent
Holocaust Diary Book Author Coming to RWC Oct. 20
Holocaust Diary Book Author Coming to RWC Oct. 20 Retired North Carolina attorney became a full-time writer in 2014 Timothy Boyce is out on a book tour promoting his new
RWC residents headline art show in October
RWC residents headline art show in October Watercolors are king in annual exhibition Watercolors are the star in the October art exhibition featuring works by Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury residents this year.
Upcoming Events
Health-friendly food bar and blood pressure checks 9 a.m. – noon in the Life Enrichment Center lobby on the third Wednesday of every month.
These events are free and open to Rappahannock Club members and prospective residents:
Dr. Alex Hill, Corporate Director of Quality Improvement, Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay will present Cannability Consulting’s findings about the viability of cannabis use among seniors to manage pain and other ailments at 1:30 p.m. July 23 at RWC.
This informative event is free and open to the public. A coffee reception will follow the presentation, so attendees can mingle and ask questions.
To attend, RSVP to Amy Lewis at alewis@rw-c.org or 804-438-4024.
Read our news release to learn more!
Cottages & Cocktails
Join us for a refreshing summer afternoon at 3 p.m. July 30 as we showcase our beautifully renovated homes during Cottages & Cocktails. This event offers prospective residents a guided tour through several of our recently updated homes. Afterwards, unwind with us on the Thomas Garden Patio for a relaxing cocktail hour.
Space is limited. Required RSVP by emailing Denise Kenner or calling 804-438-4877 by July 23.
View our Wellness/Fitness Calendar and our Activities Calendar to see what may be coming up or of interest. The calendar is full of activities on and off campus.
Tools and Resources
Making the move to a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) is a big decision. To make sure relocating to Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury is the right move for you or your parents, we’ve compiled some handy resources and online tools.
RWC is not just a CCRC, but a Total Life Plan Community. You and your family can choose which works best for your situation. While the fees are higher when you select a Total Life Plan, you are ensured the continuum of care for life from independent living to assisting living to health care and even memory care. In fact, 89 percent of our current residents chose the Total Life Plan for this peace of mind.
Starting the Conversation
It’s common for couples to have different feelings about moving to a retirement community. One spouse might feel ready, while the other is hesitant. Download this brochure for information on how to start the conversation.
Marketing Brochure and Fees
Request our Marketing Brochure and Fees to find out about our various fee structures and refundable plans and about the RWC Foundation that helps ensure that residents whose financial resources have been exhausted in spite of prudent planning can remain at RWC.
Living Options
Situated on 165 wooded acres, RWC has more free-standing homes than most retirement communities – 46 homes with 1 or 2-car garages in a variety of floor plans and up to 2,200 square feet. We also offer 77 cottages and 33 apartments from studio apartments to two-bedroom, two bath – some with a beautiful view of our 7-acre manmade lake.
Virtual Tours
While nothing beats an in-person tour, you can take a sneak peek at a variety of our housing options via our 360-degree virtual tours.
MoneyGauge Survey
One of the biggest misconceptions people have about moving to a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) is that they cannot afford it. Answer 7 questions to find out if RWC is the right financial fit for you.
CCRC Tax Benefit
The IRS allows medical deductions for residents who itemize their deductions from gross income. A portion of the monthly fee may for independent living residents may qualify as a medical expense deduction (usually about a third of the entrance fee or somewhere near 30%) on your taxes. To find out about the current year’s exact percentage, contact RWC’s Marketing Team because the percentage fluctuates.
Finances are not the only consideration, of course. Many people wait to move to a CCRC because they are reluctant to admit that they may need a bit of extra help now or in the future.
Roobrik Tool
You can find out which options for the next stage of life are the best fit for you or your family with this quick survey tool that assesses if it’s the right time to downsize and the potential need for assistance.
RWC Blog
Our blog is full of useful posts about everything from why the holidays are a great time to talk to your parents about moving to a CCRC, why fall is a good time to move, 3 reasons seniors delay the decision to move, the joys of pet ownership for seniors and more! You can find answers to many of the questions within these blog posts
Senior Living Guide Podcast
The Senior Living Guide Podcast dives into topics that are important in the everyday lives of seniors and their caregivers. The host is joined by experts who offer their advice and expertise on these issues.

Jerry H.
“The residents have been most welcoming and friendly. The staff is very helpful, thoughtful and friendly.”

Lloyd and Valda F.
“The freedom of being able to choose just how much, or how little we do, as a couple, or individually each day is a gift. The spontaneity of the RWC lifestyle is an elixir.”

Helene and Peter B.
“These are our 5 favorite things about RWC not in any particular order: our residence and neighbors, the friendly staff, an excellent library, the facilities at the Life Enrichment Center, and especially all who cook, prepare, and serve our food.”
Testimonials
Research testimonials and reviews about any community you are considering. Resident and staff comments can help shed light on what it’s like to live or work in the CCRC.
Other resources that may help with your decision:
- Home Solutions – concierge services that take care of things like picking up your groceries, scheduling appointments, planning special events and more
- FAQs – Answers to frequently asked questions
- Rappahannock Club – Join our future residency club to “try before you buy.”
- Relocation Services – RWC has a list of approved and vetted local Realtors, home staging experts, downsizing pros, moving companies and more. Download our custom moving checklist. Contact RWC’s Marketing Team.
- Support Services – Find out about on-site support services available to residents and the community such as our Fit for Life wellness program, At Home with RWC, Parkinson’s, Memory Care and Grief support groups.