Beyond the Basics
Amenities That Make Senior Living Feel Like Home
Today’s senior living experience looks far different than it did even a decade ago. What once centered primarily on safety and support has evolved into something broader—communities that foster independence, connection, and joy. Across Central Virginia, senior living providers and in-home care agencies are designing spaces and programs that go beyond the basics, blending comfort with creativity and care with community.
Everyday Comforts, Thoughtfully Designed
At Runk & Pratt Senior Living Communities, daily convenience and modern wellness go hand in hand. “It’s the everyday support—done reliably—that truly changes the day,” said Vickie Runk, CEO of Runk & Pratt Companies.
“Chef-prepared meals, housekeeping, dependable transportation, and on-site nursing oversight keep life simple and safe. What’s new is how we combine those comforts with modern wellness and engagement: therapy that comes to you, brain-health and fitness built into the calendar, and technology that reduces risk without feeling intrusive.”
Residents, she said, benefit most from the freedom that consistency allows. “Home starts with choice,” Runk said. “Our apartment-style options let you set your pace, then step out to shared dining, clubs, worship services, and outings. The goal is a world without walls—bring services in, and keep people connected by going out.”
Bringing Care Home
For those who prefer to age in place, BrightStar Care provides a full continuum of in-home services designed to meet clients wherever they are. “Our agency’s goal is to provide the right type of assistance that allows residents of all ages to remain safely and comfortably in their homes—wherever ‘home’ is—an apartment, single family, or a senior living neighborhood,” said Jenifer Alty Massie, Regional Sales and Marketing Director, speaking alongside Regional Director of Operations Andrew Butler and owners Kerry and Rob Massie.
From companion care and meal preparation to skilled nursing, the agency’s model is built on flexibility. “We tailor the care to the client’s current needs,” Alty Massie said. “Care is provided wherever the client calls home.”
BrightStar is also the only home care agency in the area accredited by The Joint Commission—a distinction that reflects their focus on excellence. “That third-party oversight assures we meet a higher standard in home care,” she said. “As their needs change, we change with them.”
Connection and Compassion
At Bentley Commons at Lynchburg, connection is both a philosophy and a practice. “They are very appreciative that we provide 24/7 nursing care with LPNs/RNs on staff and/or on call to give care for our residents, as well as having a MD/Nurse Practitioner who comes to see them in their home on a weekly basis,” said Kristi Taylor, Director of Community Relations.
The community’s design and programming encourage residents to live with confidence and autonomy.
“It’s important to us that our residents feel a sense of pride when they’re at home with us,” Taylor said. “We encourage them to make their apartments their homes and encourage them to move about the community as independently as they can, to connect with their peers in a variety of ways during activities and meals, and to let us know how we can best support them when they need a little extra help.”
From its large apartments and pet-friendly policies to its in-house therapy team and fenced backyard walking path, Bentley Commons offers a space where residents can remain active and social—while knowing help is always nearby.
“With tenured staff that care about our residents like their own family,” Taylor said, “everyone gets the care they deserve.”
A group of four multi-ethnic seniors sitting together on patio furniture outdoors, talking and smiling, drinking tea or coffee. One of the men and the African American senior woman are toasting with their cups. They are in retirement, relaxed and enjoying spending time with friends.
Culture and Community at The Summit
For The Summit, a LifeSpire of Virginia community in Lynchburg, amenities are important—but people come first. “It’s not even the services or amenities, it’s the people and the culture,” said Brenda Dixon, Marketing Director. “While The Summit offers a beautiful campus with 125 acres, a lake, and walking trails right in the heart of Wyndhurst, along with robust event programming, it’s the truly interactive, welcoming, and inclusive nature of the people who live and work here that makes the biggest difference.”
That same spirit drives the community’s ongoing $80 million expansion, which will include multipurpose spaces for gatherings, volunteering, clubs, and entertainment. “People want choices and they want to make decisions for themselves,” Dixon said. “By creating spaces, organizing events, and designing programming that supports the people who live here, we foster relationships, independence, and a strong sense of community.”
The expansion’s showpiece—Blue Ridge Commons—will feature a 14,000-square-foot wellness center and a saltwater pool with retractable doors and massive windows. “This design gives people the experience of being indoors while feeling outdoors,” Dixon said. “With easy access to go back and forth when the weather is nice, it creates a truly unique and appealing space.”
Hospitality Meets Heart
At Westminster Canterbury Lynchburg, wellness and hospitality intertwine to create a vibrant, engaging environment. “With home maintenance gone, our residents have more time to spend doing as they wish,” said Trish Chapman, Director of Marketing.
Residents enjoy three distinct dining venues, each with its own personality. The Canterbury Café offers soups, salads, brick-oven pizzas, and alfresco dining; the James River Grille provides a relaxed, country-club atmosphere with fresh, locally inspired fare; and the Dogwood Dining Room delivers an elegant dinner experience with seasonal menus and fine dining favorites like lobster tail and scallops.
“Our amenities are designed to enhance not just daily living, but the overall sense of community and well-being,” Chapman said. “Whether sharing a meal with friends, attending a concert, walking the nature trail, or joining a fitness class, residents have countless opportunities to build meaningful relationships and stay engaged in community life.”
Creativity also thrives at Westminster Canterbury, where residents enjoy access to an art studio, woodworking shop, and heated indoor pool for group fitness and water aerobics. “Our Wellness Center embodies a holistic philosophy, offering spaces and programs that nurture physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being,” Chapman said. “Our Person-Directed Living program ensures that care and services adapt to each individual’s preferences and needs.”
As a continuing care retirement community, Westminster Canterbury offers 5-Star healthcare—fully owned and operated on campus. “This ensures that residents receive the highest level of service, attention, and continuity of care—all within a warm, welcoming environment they’re proud to call home,” Chapman said.
A Shared Mission: Living Fully
Whether it’s Runk & Pratt’s multisensory memory support rooms, BrightStar’s at-home flexibility, Bentley Commons’ family-like atmosphere, The Summit’s resort-style amenities, or Westminster Canterbury’s emphasis on wellness and choice, Central Virginia’s senior living leaders share a single mission:
to help residents live with freedom, connection, and joy.
“We’re family-owned and local, so we know people by name and build programs that truly matter here,” Runk said. “Our continuum—independent living, assisted living, memory support, and daytime adult day—keeps friends together and keeps care personal when needs change.”
Alty Massie echoed that sentiment. “What truly sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to being a trusted resource and guide for families navigating the complexities of aging and care,” she said.
From independent living to continuing care, the message is the same: home should feel open, vibrant, and full of possibility—no matter where you find it.