This year marks the 13th annual Explore Retirement Living Open House. This collaboration of seventeen Retirement Communities in PA, is a unique event that allows guests to visit all of the Lancaster County Life Plan Community campuses during one action-packed day.
While each community is technically the other’s competition, they also realize that Lancaster County holds a coveted position of being one of the best places to retire in the nation, and by working together for an annual event, the communities can pool resources to share this amazing opportunity beyond the county’s borders.
Each community also has individual characteristics and charm that make it uniquely appealing to the wide variety of customers who seek their services. For example, some campuses are located in the rolling green countryside, while others are nestled in suburban townships, or even right in the heart of downtown Lancaster. Some campuses may have under 500 residents, while others are home to over 2,500 residents. Ranges of sizes, styles, and pricing plans of residential apartments, cottages, villas, and carriage homes also varies greatly as does the menu of services through the continuum.
One thing, however, is the common thread of each of these beautiful communities; they are all non-profit organizations that exist to provide their residents with top-quality accommodations, amenities, and services – every step of the way.
Douglas Motter, President of Homestead Village supports the Explore Retirement Living event’s mission, saying; “As a whole, the collective mission of the Lancaster Area Senior Services (LASS) communities is greater than any one individual organization, and by opening our doors for a collaborative event, future residents have the opportunity to learn the scope and quality of life plan community living in Lancaster PA. No other location in the country compares to Lancaster for innovative choices in retirement living. ERL allows future residents to experience this in a casual and fun way – and there’s a lot to learn!”
The Explore Retirement Living Open House event is:
A casual way to see if a Life Plan Community is right for you or your loved ones
- A way to see multiple communities in one day, at a pace that works with your schedule
- A way to talk to gain valuable insights by talking directly to residents who live at each community
- A gentle way to introduce retirement living to older adults, such as aging parents, who may not yet have considered their future plans
- A great way to understand how non-profit retirement communities in pa offer financial stability in retirement, by never asking residents to leave if they experience financial hardship
- Opportunity to learn about wellness programming, clubs, activities and maintenance free retirement living for younger retirees who are looking for the active lifestyle a CCRC offers
How to make the best use of your time at each community:
Print out Homestead Village’s Community Comparison Checklist!
Ask about leadership and Management.
- The governing board of Homestead Village is made up of fifteen volunteers from the Lancaster community with expertise in finance, public relations, medical fields, housing, engineering, law and other areas beneficial to Homestead Village. Currently, four Homestead Village residents serve as directors.
Ask about Amenities and Services:
Amenities and Services at Homestead Village include four welcoming dining venues, Bloom Salon and Spa, two fitness centers, 26’ x 52’ therapy pool, indoor walking track, activities rooms, library, pickleball court, craft room, gift shop, wood shop, chapel, wellness programming, life enrichment programming, and more!
- Transportation to medical appointments, pharmacies, and banks within a 5-mile radius is complimentary for all residents.
- The Bachman Center located at the center of our campus serves as an event venue for concerts, lectures, special lunches and dinners, and a variety of other functions. Soon, The Townstead apartments will also feature a new event venue.
- Homestead Village Home Care services is available to residents on campus, as well as local clients who do not yet live at Homestead. Homestead Village is the only CCRC that has apartments that are also licensed for personal care, so couples can stay together, and residents can get extra help without an extra move. A wellness nurse, social worker, and chaplain are also available to support the residential living neighborhoods. Our care services households are all attached in one central location – making visitation even easier.
- Maintenance free retirement is made possible by our wonderful team of maintenance technicians and grounds crew.
Ask about quality of care and accreditation:
- Homestead Village is accredited by CARF, the accrediting body for continuing care retirement communities and similar organizations. Only select communities hold this distinction. Homestead Village also receives 5-Star ratings from annual surveys by the Center for Medicare Services (CMS).
Ask about Dining:
- At Homestead Village, residents can enjoy Mack’s Coffee and Cream coffee shop, Solis and Luna Restaurants, and the Stauffer Spring House. Our flexible dining dollar program includes dine-in, take-out, ability to pay for guest meals, and delivery for a nominal fee.
Ask about Financial Stability
- The non-profit CCRCs in Lancaster set themselves apart from for-profit retirement communities in PA by reinvesting financial proceeds to achieve excellent staffing ratios, innovating housing and programming, and highest quality of care at all levels of the continuum; therefore strengthening market position and increasing financial stability.
Consider Location:
- Situated on 90 beautiful, tree-lined acres, Homestead is just minutes from the trendy and vibrant shopping, dining, and cultural opportunities of downtown Lancaster. Major highways provide easy access to Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New York City. Proximity to popular grocery stores, pharmacies, and world-class healthcare is also attractive.
Consider availability:
- Average wait lists at Homestead Village are three to five years. Guests may be surprised to learn that this is fairly consistent with many of the retirement communities in the Lancaster PA area. New construction is often the fastest way to secure your spot in the community, and numerous communities are currently building. At Homestead Village, our new Townstead Apartments are slated to be ready for occupancy mid-2026. While researching community opportunities, be sure to inquire as to the availability and timelines.
Ask about Clubs, Volunteer Opportunities, and Ways to get involved:
- From golf, to mah-jongg, pickleball to gardening, educational seminars, resident council and leadership committees, HAM radio club, line dancing club, and more, there are many ways to get involved in campus activities at Homestead Village.
- Residents at Homestead Village may learn about these opportunities in the monthly activity publication, or on the community “app” which is accessible via smart phone or desktop computer.
Conclusion:
After settling into their new home at Homestead Village, Residents always comment that they “should have done it sooner!” So, we encourage you to take that first step in planning for your future by joining us at the Explore Retirement Living Open House!