Our story

Arcadia  is a family-owned and operated assisted living founded by Donna Poole. Donna’s mission comes from the heart. In 2003, her grandmother had major surgery and could no longer live alone. “I didn’t feel like a large institution could give her the care that she deserved, so I turned my dining room into her bedroom and either hired help or cared for her myself around the clock.” She did all of this even though she had three young children and her own business to run. In 2006 Donna licensed her home as an assisted living facility and began taking in other residents who needed care, including her father with dementia. 

In 2009, Arcadia moved from Donna’s house to an expanded facility on Kent Island where she converted a single family home into an assisted living facility. Arcadia is a comfortable home environment. In 2012, Donna’s mother moved in after a serious fall.“I tell residents’ families that Arcadia will care for their loved ones like their own family because our family has lived here too”. 

“This is a family business!” Donna’s daughter, Jessie, runs the office. Manager Vickie Bogdanowicz, who helped Donna care for her grandmother nearly 15 years ago, works alongside her daughters Tamara and Nicole. Donna says, “This cannot be ‘just a job.’ You have to love making a difference in the lives of the people you care for. I like to tell my staff that the residents do not live in your workplace, you are working in their home."

Arcadia likes to keep its residents busy! From Chesapeake College art and yoga classes, to Zumba Gold to cornhole and bingo; there is always something going on in their large living room. The residents love the performances from local musicians throughout the month, and are always looking for more!

Arcadia is licensed to care for 15 residents with private and semi-private rooms. Residents receive 24-hour care by licensed and trained staff, as well as the individualized attention from registered delegating nurse. Other features of Arcadia include: delicious home-cooked meals, medication administration, on-site physician and rehab visits, laundry services and call buttons for emergencies. The home includes a dining room for shared meals, a bright living room with recliners and a big-screen TV, and outdoor spaces for walking and enjoying the sunshine. 
Our grandmother, "Nanny", Margaret


Kent Island, MD

Owner Donna with her mom, Irene 

senior assisted living