Forwood Manor: Comprehensive Review

Forwood Manor is a senior living community at 1912 Marsh Road in Wilmington, Delaware, operated by Five Star Senior Living (part of AlerisLife). The continuing care retirement community spans 13 acres and offers independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation services on a single campus.

At a glance

Types of services offered

Independent living

Forwood Manor has 140 independent living apartments. These are rented with no purchase or endowment required. All residents receive weekly housekeeping, linen service, and access to community amenities.

Assisted living

The community includes 37 assisted living suites for seniors who need help with daily tasks. Services include 24/7 nursing staff, medication management, help with bathing and dressing, housekeeping, three meals daily, and organized activities.

• 24/7 nursing staff and front desk concierge
• Medication management
• Assistance with bathing, dressing, and mobility
• Weekly housekeeping and linen service
• Three daily meals in restaurant-style dining
• Life enrichment activities and social programs

Skilled nursing and rehabilitation

The 72-bed health care center provides 24-hour nursing care, short-term rehabilitation, long-term care for chronic conditions, physical and occupational therapy, and an on-site FOX Rehabilitation gym.

• 24-hour nursing care
• Short-term rehabilitation services
• Long-term care for chronic conditions
• Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
• On-site FOX Rehabilitation gym

Respite care

The facility offers short-term stays for seniors who need temporary care while their regular caregivers take a break, or for those recovering from surgery or illness.

Amenities

Forwood Manor offers a range of amenities across its campus:

Living spaces

• Studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments
• Private bathrooms and kitchenettes in many units
• Cable/satellite TV
• Private patios or balconies in select units
• Individually controlled heating and air conditioning
• Emergency call systems

Community areas

• Library with computer workstations
• Beauty salon and barbershop
• Card and game room
• Fitness center and exercise room
• Wellness center
• Multiple dining venues including private dining room
• Fireplace lounge with grand piano
• Outdoor courtyard and walking paths
• Chapel for religious services

Services

• Scheduled transportation for medical appointments, shopping, and outings
• Concierge services
• Housekeeping and laundry services
• Maintenance of building and grounds
• 24-hour emergency response system
• WiFi and high-speed internet
• On-site therapy services (physical, occupational, speech)

Daily activities

Forwood Manor schedules activities throughout the week: brain fitness programs, exercise classes, happy hour, gardening club, Tai Chi, book club, arts and crafts, live music, religious services, community service, Wii bowling, card games, and social outings. Residents also organize their own groups. One reviewer noted that residents "got together regularly for jigsaw puzzles, something that was organized by the residents."

• Brain fitness programs
• Exercise classes and Forever Fit program

• Happy hour social events
• Gardening club
• Stretching and Tai Chi classes
• Book club
• Arts and crafts
• Live musical performances
• Religious services
• Community service programs
• Wii bowling
• Card games and board games
• Social outings and community trips

Dining experience

The dining program offers restaurant-style meals with menu choices and special dietary accommodations including low-sodium, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pureed, and mechanically chopped options. A professional chef prepares meals, and snacks are available throughout the day. Multiple reviews mention that food quality is "very good" and "restaurant quality," with one reviewer noting their father "has been gaining weight while he's there."

• Restaurant-style dining with menu options
• Private dining room available for special occasions
• Special dietary accommodations including:
  • Low/no sodium options
  • Gluten-free meals
  • Vegetarian and vegan options
  • Pureed and mechanically chopped food for those with swallowing difficulties
  • Thickened liquids as needed
• Snacks available throughout the day
• Professional chef

Pricing information

Monthly rental pricing varies by care level and apartment size:

Independent living

• Studio: Starting at $4,200/month
• One bedroom: Starting at $4,600/month
• Community entrance fee: Starting at $4,500

Assisted living

• Studio and companion apartments: Starting at $6,200/month

Assisted living pricing at Forwood Manor runs above the local Wilmington average.

Comparison with similar facilities in Wilmington

Forwood Manor's main advantage is its full continuum of care, allowing residents to move between independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing without leaving the facility. Here's how it compares to nearby options:

Forwood Manor's strengths include:

• Extensive 13-acre campus with maintained grounds
• No buy-in required (rental model)
• Full continuum of care from independent living through skilled nursing
• Pet-friendly accommodations
• On-site FOX Rehabilitation services

Unlike some competing facilities, Forwood Manor does not specifically advertise memory care services, though it can accommodate residents with mild dementia.

Conclusion

Forwood Manor offers independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing on a single 13-acre campus. The biggest draw is the ability to age in place: residents can move between care levels without leaving the facility.

Its strengths are easy to point to: generous grounds, a range of apartment sizes, a full weekly activity calendar, and a dining program with real menu choices.

Pricing runs above the local area average. The rental model with no entrance fee appeals to some seniors compared to communities that require a substantial upfront payment.

For Wilmington-area seniors who want to age in place with increasing care options and an active social environment, Forwood Manor is worth considering.