Senior Living at Country Meadows Retirement Communities
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Senior Woman and Retirement Community Staff
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about living at Country Meadows

No matter if you just started your search or have narrowed your selection, you likely have questions about senior care or retirement homes. From our experience in helping many families, we have answers to many of those questions. Below are answers to the most FAQs we hear from families:

Is there a difference between a "nursing home" and a "retirement community"?

Though at times used interchangeably, there is a real difference. A “nursing home” casually describes a 24-hour skilled nursing facility for seniors who need constant supervision and medical support. It is typically more hospital-like than a retirement community since the staff administers healthcare assistance. A “retirement community” offers one or more life stage services such as independent living, personal care, memory care or rehabilitation. Residents vary in their assistance levels but do not require full medical attention. Some retirement communities do offer skilled care as part of their services on the same campus but even then, that area of the building or campus is dedicated to 24-hour medical assistance.


Are Assisted Living and Personal Care Communities the same thing?

In Pennsylvania, personal care homes (PCHs) and assisted living residences (ALRs) are both licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; however, they vary in the depth of care provided. A PCH provides housing, meals and assistance with medications and personal care tasks. An ALR can offer several skilled care services (such as IV care under RN supervision) to supplement the non-medical services available in a PCH. Residents may be able to age in place for a longer time, making care in a skilled nursing facility unnecessary. In order to be licensed in Pennsylvania as an ALR, several higher level requirements for the structure and staff must be met. Some Country Meadows campuses offer assisted living care, while the remaining ones provide personal care services.


What are the costs to live at Country Meadows?

We offer different levels of care, each at different rates to accommodate many needs. We welcome the chance to review what you’re looking for to then quote the appropriate level of care. To get a general idea of cost and what is included in our costs, visit our floor plans and pricing page.


Is the cost covered by Medicare?

Costs for living in a retirement community are not covered by Medicare as they are “private pay” (the resident is responsible for payment). For eligible residents* living in a skilled nursing facility, a portion of a care is covered by Medicare A:

  • Days 1-20 at 100% of cost (including medications)
  • Days 21-100 covered after co-payment (Co-payment may be covered by secondary insurance.)

*Based on eligibility. Coverage is not guaranteed.


Is there a buy-in fee?

No—we offer all-rental month-to-month apartments with no buy-in fee.


Can I see a floor plan?

We offer a range of apartment styles in many configurations. We work with families to find the best fit. To get a general idea of our floorplans options, visit the floor plans and pricing page.


Can couples with different care needs live together?

Yes—we offer special shared living options, affording spouses with different care needs to stay together whether it’s living independently with your spouse in Assisted Living or Personal Care, supporting a spouse’s early-stage memory loss in Assisted Living or Personal Care or staying together in a secure Memory Care neighborhood. Schedule a personalized visit to see the different options yourself.


Can I bring my car?

Certainly. For your added convenience, we offer transportation to shopping, doctors’ appointments, churches/synagogues and other destinations.


Do you accept pets?

Not only do we accept them, we welcome them! In fact we have on-campus Pet Care Coordinators to help with your pet caregiving while away on vacation or at any time you need an extra hand. Ask our team about details.


What do I look for when considering a retirement home?

When evaluating your options, there should be a balance of practical considerations with quality measures. To help, check out these useful tips.


While these are FAQs, you may have other questions more specific to your circumstances. Feel free to contact our team any day of the week—we’re here to help you however we can.

Contact Us
Contact us today!
  • Allentown: 610-395-7160
  • Bethlehem: 610-865-5580
  • Forks of Easton: 484-544-3880
  • Frederick: 301-228-2249
  • Hershey: 717-533-1880
  • Mechanicsburg: 717-975-3434
  • Nursing & Rehab Center: 610-882-4110
  • South Hills of Pittsburgh: 412-257-4581
  • Wyomissing: 610-374-3122
  • York South: 717-741-5118
  • York West: 717-764-1190
  • Corporate Office: 800-322-3441