Wednesday, July 27 2022 10:09

Guide to 55+ and Retirement Communities in the Brandywine Valley

Written by Marci Tomassone

Our annual guide to 55+ and retirement communities in Chester County and beyond

To view as a PDF, click here.

55+ Communities for the Fit, Active and Independent

There are a variety of communities in our area built and managed for active seniors living an active and healthy lifestyle, with amenities geared toward that group. Whether you’re looking for a townhouse, condo, apartment or single home, these communities cater to older adults and offer settings that generally feel like resorts. They’re designed to make retirement healthier and more enjoyable.

West Chester

Harrison Hill Apartments
610-430-6900; HarrisonHillApts.com
Harrison Hill’s 5 stories offer 114 apartment homes comprised of one bedrooms and one bedrooms with dens. Residents enjoy the company of others at “Monday Mingle,” holiday festivities, chili fests, ice cream socials, games and more. Harrison Hill is a truly unique and homey community.

Hershey’s Mill
610-436-8900; HersheysMill55Plus.com
Hershey’s Mill, a gated 55+ community, is situated around an 18-hole championship private golf club featuring casual and formal dining. Their premier community also offers Tiger Turf-coated tennis courts, pickleball, bocce courts, winter paddleball, shuffleboard and horseshoes, as well as miles of walking trails and protected interior paved roads for biking. Visit during their Community Open House on Oct. 16 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Independent Living Communities with Continuing Care and Life Care Options

Many seniors are currently independent, but want or need, for themselves or their spouse, to live with support — moving from independent living to assisted living, followed by skilled nursing and several kinds of specialized facilities. When the sequence is combined on a single campus, it’s called a continuing care or life care community. Those listed have strong “independent living” programs.

Ambler

The 501 at Mattison Estate
215-461-4880; The501.com; SageLife.com
Offering independent living, assisted living and memory care. A short walk to downtown Ambler, it’s a location nestled next to Lindenwold Castle. It’s your access to walking trails and neighborhoods — and a bustling borough with its own restaurants, nightlife and shopping. And that’s all just outside the walls. Inside, you get access to countless amenities, dining options, fitness facilities and so much more. It’s senior living where you can do something new and different every day, and never repeat yourself.

Exton

Exton Senior Living
610-594-0200; ExtonSeniorLiving.com
Exton Senior Living, recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a 2022–23 Best Assisted Living Senior Community, offers beautifully appointed personal care apartments, restaurant-style dining, a spacious activity center and numerous social and recreational events. Whether you need memory care, a short-term stay or a year-round home, they are here for you.

Glen Mills

Glen Mills Senior Living
610-358-4900; GlenMillsSeniorLiving.com
Glen Mills Senior Living is a well-appointed senior living community with 90 personal care suites, as well as respite care and short-term stay apartments for older adults with specialized needs. Their skilled, friendly and compassionate team members are available 24 hours a day to deliver personalized service for every resident.

Kennett Square

Kendal-Crosslands Communities
844-907-1800; KCC.Kendal.org
Customizable cottages and apartments adjacent to Longwood Gardens on an over 500-acre, accredited arboretum campus. Two LifePlan Communities and two 50+ neighborhoods. Amenities: several indoor and outdoor pools, art studios, gardens, hiking trails, dog park, tennis courts, therapy, fitness, multiple dining venues, two libraries and putting greens, all with 5-star rated healthcare. Member of Leading Age, FSA and accredited by CARF-CCAC.

King of Prussia

Anthology of King Of Prussia
484-392-5011; AnthologyKingOfPrussia.com
Anthology of King of Prussia is a senior living community that invites residents to enjoy a rich and vibrant lifestyle. Offering independent living, personal care and memory care, the community provides residents with the best in hospitality and care, so they can live their story in a beautiful, meaningful way. For more information, call or visit their website.

Lancaster

Homestead Village
717-397-4831; HomesteadVillage.org
Homestead Village has a charming small-neighborhood feel and is just minutes away from the trendy and vibrant shopping, dining and cultural opportunities of downtown Lancaster. Residential options include cottages, villas and spacious carriage homes. Apartments at Homestead Village are dual-licensed for personal care, so residents can get extra help, if needed, without an extra move. Now reserving new Townstead apartments.

Malvern

Echo Lake
484-568-4777; LivingAtEchoLake.com; SageLife.com
The Main Line’s newest retirement community — retirement living, reinvented. At the leading edge of the “aging well” movement, Echo Lake has a comprehensive fitness and wellness center, innovated dining built around the latest trends in nutrition and a catalog of programming that dares you to explore … think resort, think country club, think spa … then let your imagination run wild. Independent living, assisted living, memory care.

Media

Riddle Village
610-891-3700; RiddleVillage.org
Riddle Village is a life care community that offers amenities including a fitness center, putting green, indoor parking, personal trainer, four unique restaurants, a flexible dining program and much more. Riddle Village has 10 spacious apartment styles ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments.

Multiple Locations

Acts Retirement-Life Communities
888-521-3651; AboutActs.com/CountyLinesMag
For nearly 50 years, Acts Retirement-Life Communities have provided Pennsylvania seniors with gracious living options, superb on-campus amenities and a maintenance-free, resort-like lifestyle that allows them to enjoy all the things they love most without all the worries. Best of all, Acts Life Care® lets residents pay for future care in today’s dollars should their needs change.

Newtown Square

Dunwoody Village
610-359-4400; Dunwoody.org
At Dunwoody Village, living starts with comfort and care. With services and amenities that promote wellness to a welcoming and inviting community of residents and staff, Dunwoody’s suburban setting on 83 picturesque acres offers a continuum of care that offers peace of mind. Call for a tour of the newly renovated and expanded Community Building and see for yourself what makes Dunwoody Decidedly Different.

Paoli

Daylesford Crossing
610-640-4000; DaylesfordCrossing.com; SageLife.com

Daylesford Crossing is one of the Main Line’s favorite supportive living communities … completely personalized care, uniquely sophisticated surroundings and unparalleled hospitality. Boutique sized, with 78 supportive living and specialized memory care apartments, Daylesford Crossing is perfectly located right in the heart of the western Main Line. Personal care and memory care.

Rosemont

The Mansion at Rosemont
610-632-5835; TheMansionAtRosemont.org
The Mansion at Rosemont is a premier boutique senior living community set amid the lush grounds of the historic Beaupre Estate in the heart of the Main Line. Boasting unmatched architectural beauty in addition to newly renovated apartment homes and cottages, the only thing more beautiful than the community itself is the warmth of the people who call it home.

Wallingford

Plush Mills
610-690-1630; SageLife.com
Plush Mills is different. You feel it when you walk through the door — upscale décor, comfortable atmosphere and the feeling that this is a place where people know what it means to live well. With 157 independent and supportive living apartments, Plush Mills is just the right size — big enough to count on, small enough to care. Independent living and personal care.

West Brandywine

Freedom Village at Brandywine
484-288-2601; FVBrandywine.com
Life is good here
… The best retirement is when you have more time to do what you want, with an abundance of choices for dining, socializing, fitness and fun. At Freedom Village at Brandywine, you can enjoy a carefree, maintenance-free lifestyle where you’re welcomed like family. Their Life Care plan gives you access to a full continuum of care if you ever need it. Independent living, assisted living, memory care and rehab. Visit them today.

In-Home Care and Services for Seniors

For those who choose to stay in their homes as long as they can and need clinical or assistive care, there are many options to choose from. These providers offer everything from companionship to nursing care, transportation to and from appointments, house cleaning and more.

Multiple Locations

Surrey Services for Seniors
Devon, Beryn, Broomall, Havertown, Media
610-647-6404; SurreyServices.org
Surrey brings people and resources together, creating a vibrant community of older adults. Enjoy the Devon fitness center, exercise classes, clubs, chef-prepared lunches and opportunities to volunteer. Surrey offers transportation including wheelchair rides, RN Care Management and personal care. Visit the Surrey Consignment Shop for furniture, art, china, silver, jewelry and home décor.


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