Today’s senior living communities offer more activities, amenities, and floor plans than ever before, and that’s all well and good. Just as important, however, is finding a community that reflects the way you want to live.
Since 1967, Friends House, a not-for-profit Life Plan Community in Sandy Spring, Maryland, has been building an active adult living culture that offers residents opportunities to engage, contribute, and grow every day. Central to this philosophy are six core Quaker-inspired values, or “testimonies,” which are known by the acronym SPICES: simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship. Taken together, these testimonies empower our residents to not only age well, but also to age with intent and fulfillment.
Simplicity: Prioritizing Spiritual Depth and Clear Purpose
Have you ever toured a senior living community that looked pretty on the outside, yet still felt a bit … artificial? At Friends House, our thoughtfully designed homes and apartments are built with sustainability in mind, and our shared spaces are designed to nurture the pleasures of connecting with nature and sharing time with others.
Another way Friends House cultivates the pillar of simplicity is by making it easy for our residents to age in the comfort of their own community. A full continuum of care, including assisted living or skilled nursing, makes transitioning from one level of care to the next easier for older adults and their families. While our residents’ needs may change, their home, neighbors, and support network never have to.
Peace: Building a Society That Loves and Cares for One Another
When you consider our commitment to Quaker-driven values, it’s no surprise that volunteering is a vital part of life at Friends House. Here, giving back takes many forms, both within the community and beyond—and many projects are resident led.
For example, our Gardening Committee joins resident and non-resident Master Gardeners to manage specialty plots and hold seasonal plant sales. Some of the harvested produce is also donated to the community bench, a shared space where residents and team members can pick up fresh fruits and vegetables. Indoors, volunteers at the Elephant Shop, our resident-run thrift store, turn pre-loved treasures into funding for activities that enrich life across our community.
Others find satisfaction in managing our 1,500-book library, organizing community activities and day trips, and arranging transportation for neighbors in need as part of our Free Rides program. You’ll also find volunteers from our Montessori Inspired Lifestyle Program providing engagement and companionship to residents in Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing.
Integrity: Aligning Beliefs with Actions
As a not-for-profit Life Plan Community, every decision we make is guided by our mission—not by shareholders. Resources are reinvested into the community, our team members, and the people who call Friends House home.
In 2025, Friends House was also awarded a Maryland Governor’s Citation recognizing our integrity, trust, and service to the community. It was a meaningful acknowledgment of the engaged residents, dedicated team, and shared values that shape life here.
Community: Connecting with Others Who Value Kindness, Respect, and Growth
Spontaneous chats along the walking trails. Working toward a shared project or cause. Discovering a mutual passion for art, gardening, or literature. At Friends House, community is cultivated naturally through everyday interactions. While scheduled activities have their place, the most meaningful connections happen during the everyday moments that blossom into a sense of belonging.
In our community gardens, residents gather not only to plant vegetables, flowers, and herbs, but also to engage in lively conversation with their neighbors. Inside the ArtSpace, people of all abilities explore watercolor painting, sculpture, nature photography, and other creative pursuits in an atmosphere filled with encouragement and collaboration. Through the doors of our well-appointed woodshop, residents perfect their skills, learn new techniques, and share insights with other eager craftspeople.
Equality: Believing That Everyone Has a Divine Spark
Quaker history is rich with stories of early abolitionists and advocates for the underserved. Friends House continues that tradition as an Inclusive Life Plan Community that treats all individuals with fairness and respect.
You’ll find a diverse array of engaging, vibrant residents from all backgrounds, cultures, and creeds at Friends House. Yet, they all share a spirit of acceptance and inclusivity that manifests itself every day through shared decision-making, thoughtful conversations, and a sense of responsibility to one another.
Stewardship: Treating the Earth and Its Resources with Respect
Leaving a better world for future generations is an essential Quaker-inspired principle, one that is woven into the fabric of Friends House. Our senior living community goes beyond Montgomery County, Maryland’s requirements for energy efficiency and applies best practices for sustainability in design and construction, using guidance from LEED for Homes.
Residents, too, play an active role in caring for the land and shaping our community’s eco-minded practices—which has an added benefit of improving their own health. Our resident-led Garden Committee, for example, recently introduced new green composting bins to help neighbors contribute kitchen scraps and plant materials that enrich the garden’s soil. It’s a simple improvement that reinforces their dedication to environmentally conscious living.
A New Chapter in Our Story of Aging Well
Our proposed North Forest Addition reflects everything that makes Friends House special among senior living options near Sandy Spring, MD. Featuring spacious new residences, it will be a truly unique place where people of all backgrounds can thrive together.
Ready to experience Friends House for yourself? Call 240-390-3265 to learn more.
