Page 3 of Best Independent Living in Pennsylvania

Overview of St. Anne’s Retirement Community

Offering a continuum of care across independent living, nursing home, and memory care settings, St. Anne’s Retirement Community is a nursing home in Columbia, Pennsylvania. The 75-bed community is operated by St. Anne’s Retirement Community Inc under owner Jeffrey Funk. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several ways to cover care costs. Its location on Columbia Avenue is in a very walkable neighborhood, with a Walk Score of 77.

The home serves residents needing both short-term rehabilitation and longer-term nursing care. Daily nurse staffing averages 5 hours and 4 minutes per resident. Care is provided by a full-time team of registered nurses, nurse aides, licensed practical nurses, and licensed vocational nurses.

The facility has 24-hour staffing. It also offers rehabilitation services, respite care, and short-term rehabilitation programs for residents recovering from surgery, illness, or a hospital stay.

Anne’s operates three specialized units, including skilled care and personal care options with memory support for residents experiencing cognitive decline, as well as an Original Style Villa. The community has an occupancy rate of 72%. Residents stay an average of 233 days, which is a mix of short-term post-acute residents and those needing longer-term care. Social services, dietary services, and activities and recreation programs are available here.

With the home’s walkable location, many errands and services are within walking distance. The neighborhood setting can be convenient for residents who enjoy walking and family members planning to visit.

Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge is a nursing home with 164 beds on West Ridge Road in Erie, Pennsylvania. Bridget Barber owns the community, which serves residents through traditional residential nursing care, specialized Alzheimer’s and memory care programming, independent living in separate carriage home units, and home-based services for those who prefer aging in place. Families can pay through Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.

Clinically, the home focuses on rehabilitation and ongoing nursing support. Nurses provide care for an average of 4 hours and 58 minutes per resident each day. Nurse aide hours are provided for 4 hours and 22 minutes daily. This hands-on support shows the facility’s commitment to caring for residents. The community also offers respite care, making it a practical choice for those seeking a home for a brief recovery period or a temporary placement.

The facility supports a full range of daily life. Residents have dining rooms, a casual café, a library, an exercise room, and an on-site hair salon for grooming. The chapel, outdoor courtyards, patios, and gazebo are great spaces for spiritual reflection, family visits, and time outdoors. Other amenities include a gift shop and a variety of recreation spaces.

The facility’s current occupancy is 59%, and most residents stay an average of 136 days. That moderate census makes it available for new admissions, while the length of stay is mostly a mix of post-acute rehabilitation residents and those receiving ongoing skilled nursing care. The surrounding area is best reached by car, as there are few walkable options.

Overview of Peter Becker Community

Peter Becker Community is a nursing home in Pennsylvania with 68 beds, serving residents in short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. Donald Bryant owns it, and Peter Becker Community operates it. The home accepts Medicare and Medicaid from families who need to cover both acute post-hospital care and ongoing nursing support.

Residents usually stay for 72 days; the community accepts residents in transition as well as those seeking stable placement. The facility’s current occupancy is 85%.

Clinically, the home provides 4 hours of nurse staffing per resident each day, supported by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing aides. The staffing structure is able to support general nursing and specialized rehabilitation services. Respite care is also available for seniors seeking short-term placement.

Residents’ daily lives at Peter Becker Community are mostly structured around residential living and personal care. There is an active calendar of community groups, fitness programs, and volunteer opportunities.

Chef-prepared meals are made from locally sourced ingredients and served across multiple dining venues. Residents can choose where and how they eat. The campus includes a Creative Arts & Craft Studio and Conference Center for activities and gatherings. For quiet reflection, there is the Chapel and the Pond-Side Labyrinth.

Other amenities are a pharmacy, a gift shop, and a thrift store. Residents and families can take the weekday shuttle and weekly shopping transportation, especially those without cars.

The location earned a score of 48 on the Walk Score scale. Some nearby services are within walking distance, but most trips require transportation. This is usually the situation in many nursing homes located in less-dense areas.

State inspections identified areas for improvement in several parts of the facility, but there were correction plans in places to address to issues.

Trillium Place is an 85-bed skilled nursing and personal care community in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, offering rehabilitation, personal care, memory care, and skilled nursing services, and is part of a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) offering multiple levels of care. It is operated by Robert Bomberger under nonprofit ownership and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.

Trillium holds a 5-star CMS overall rating, with a Health Inspection score 42% above the Pennsylvania average — which is the main reason for its top-tier rating. Quality Measures also run 32% above the state benchmark. Staffing is the counterweight. Total nursing hours average 5 hours and 52 minutes per resident per day, ranking 15th out of 203 Pennsylvania facilities and running well above the state average. However, the CMS staffing sub-rating is 26% below the state figure due to case-mix adjustments.

Across six inspections since 2021, the facility averaged 2.8 deficiencies per year — 40% better than Pennsylvania’s 4.7 average. The facility has no fines, no immediate jeopardy findings, and no substantiated complaints. The two most recent renewal inspections cited routine environmental and medication-management issues; plans of correction were accepted and implemented.

The facility’s occupancy rate is 76%, in line with the Pennsylvania average of 78.7%, suggesting current availability. Volunteer programming is available on-site, and the CCRC designation means residents can move across care levels without leaving the campus.

Trillium Place is best suited for residents who need a clinical continuum — from short-term post-acute rehabilitation through long-term skilled nursing or memory care — within a nonprofit, person-centered setting in Lancaster County.

Overview of Cornwall Manor

Located in Cornwall, Pennsylvania, Cornwall Manor is a 45-bed skilled nursing facility serving residents who need comprehensive medical care and rehabilitation services. Medicare and private pay are accepted, giving families multiple options for covering care costs.

The facility has strong staffing levels. Residents receive an average of 5 hours and 45 minutes of nursing care each day. Residents are supported by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing aides.

Operating at 80% occupancy, residents stay an average of 226 days. The population is a mix of post-acute rehabilitation residents and those needing longer-term care. The facility mainly supports both recovery and ongoing nursing needs.

The home is in a car-dependent area with a Walk Score of 8, so most errands and visits require driving. However, it’s highly accessible by car.

State inspections reviewed areas such as medication storage, controlled substance security, medical documentation, and resident safety equipment. The facility has been working through corrective action plans and staff retraining efforts to address these findings.

Overview of Masonic Village at Elizabethtown

Offering skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services, Masonic Village at Elizabethtown is a nursing home in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. The 135-bed facility is operated by Masonic Villages of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania under the ownership of Thomas Bahney. Families can choose from Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, depending on their financial situations.

The home has a strong nursing presence. Residents receive an average of 5 hours and 32 minutes of nursing care each day. This includes 46 minutes of registered nurse care, 46 minutes of nurse aide support, and 57 minutes of licensed practical nurse or vocational nurse coverage. Residents stay an average of 318 days, including short-term rehabilitation residents and those needing longer-term care.

Rehabilitation and transitional care are central parts of the community, alongside active retirement living, personal care, and home health services. Rehabilitation services and respite care are available for residents recovering from illness, injury, surgery, or a hospital stay. Dining is an important part of daily life. There are fine dining and casual dining options featuring fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients prepared depending on residents’ preferences.

Residents have access to a wellness center, fitness classes, pools, gardens, and a variety of clubs and organizations for engagement and social connection. The community’s Walk Score of 79 means many errands and services are within walking distance. The area is convenient for residents and visiting family members.

State inspections have reviewed areas such as medication management and staff training. Families considering Masonic Village at Elizabethtown should ask how these areas are managed as part of their tour and evaluation process.

Overview of The Heritage at St. Paul Homes

Located on East Jamestown Road, The Heritage at St. Paul Homes is a skilled nursing home in Greenville, Pennsylvania, operated by St. Paul Homes and owned by Brian Mailliard. The facility provides post-acute rehabilitation and long-term nursing care for adults seeking full-day skilled support. Families can choose from Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay to fund either short-term recovery or extended stays.

The Heritage has 125 beds, and 65% are occupied, creating space in a mid-sized community. Residents stay for around 159 days, which is mostly post-hospital rehabilitation cases and those seeking ongoing skilled care. Daily nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 41 minutes per resident and is supported by dedicated nurse aides who provide 3 hours and 56 minutes of daily care.

The home clinically focuses on rehabilitation and recovery. It offers short-term rehab for patients stepping down from acute care, respite services for temporary relief care, and a home-based services program for residents planning to transition back to community living. On-site skilled nursing care and personal care services are also available for residents who require long-term nursing care.

Its Greenville location has a walkability score of 66. Some errands and destinations are within walking distance, though most trips require driving. Families visiting will find the moderately walkable area quite reasonable with foot traffic and nearby amenities.

State inspections identified periodic deficiencies related to documentation practices, equipment security, and medication administration. However, the facility implemented corrective action plans in response to these findings.

Supporting residents who need skilled nursing care and rehabilitation, Homewood Living Plum Creek is a nursing home in Hanover, Pennsylvania. The 149-bed facility is operated by Homewood Living Plum Creek, Inc. under owner Allen Bittinger. Medicare and private pay are accepted, giving families flexible options for covering both recovery and ongoing nursing care. The community is in a very walkable area with a Walk Score of 84, so many errands and services are within walking distance.

The home has an occupancy rate of 58%, with residents staying an average of 101 days. The population is a mix of short-term rehabilitation residents and those receiving longer-term care. Rehabilitation services, respite care, and personal care support are central to the care program. Nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 44 minutes of nursing care each day. These include 46 minutes of care from registered nurses. Nurse aides and licensed practical nurses provide additional hands-on support and clinical oversight throughout the day.

State inspections have reviewed areas such as confidentiality practices, hazardous-material management, medication procedures, facility maintenance, fire safety requirements, and resident documentation. The facility has addressed these findings and implemented corrective actions as required.

The Hanover location is conveniently walkable for visiting family members and caregivers. Families considering Homewood Living Plum Creek for post-hospital recovery or ongoing skilled nursing care should visit the community, tour the accommodations, and learn more about the daily routines and clinical services.

Overview of Masonic Village at Sewickley-Star Points Building

Providing skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services, Masonic Village at Sewickley’s Star Points Building is a nursing community in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. The 64-bed community is operated by Masonic Villages of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania under owner Tracy Leja. Families can choose from Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay to cover care costs. Its location is in a very walkable area with a Walk Score of 87. Family members can visit and run nearby errands conveniently.

The community has an occupancy rate of 67%, and residents stay an average of 246 days. The population is a mix of short-term rehabilitation residents and those needing longer-term skilled nursing care.

Daily nurse staffing averages 4 hours and 49 minutes per resident, which includes about 1 hour and 5 minutes of direct care from registered nurses each day. The level of staffing supports residents recovering from surgery, illness, or a hospital stay and those requiring ongoing skilled care.

Short-term rehabilitation, transitional care, personal care assistance, and 24-hour staffing are available. Memory support is also available for residents living with cognitive changes. Dining has a residential feel rather than an institutional setting. There’s a grill room, clubhouse restaurant, and clubhouse pub serving daily specials and a variety of meal options. Residents join in wellness programs, recreational activities, clubs, and entertainment.

Documentation practices, safety systems, and staff training are important operational areas within the facility. It has focused on compliance and ongoing oversight while serving residents and their families.

Overview of The Inne at Riddle Village

Operated by Riddle Village Inc, The Inne at Riddle Village is a nursing home in Media, Pennsylvania, on West Baltimore Pike. It is a highly walkable neighborhood, with a foot traffic score of 93 out of 100. The community accepts Medicare and private pay. With 76 beds and a current occupancy of 63%, it’s an intimate setting with solid operational scale.

Nurse staffing is provided for 5 hours and 21 minutes per resident, and nurse aides provide an additional 4 hours and 4 minutes per day. This hands-on staffing is in place to support residents recovering from surgery, hospital stays, or managing ongoing medical needs.

Rehabilitation services and respite care are available on-site, with 24-hour nursing coverage, making it a great choice for residents undergoing post-acute recovery. Most stay an average of 69 days, a mix of rehabilitation-focused admissions and some longer-term residents.

The facility had deficiencies in staff training and documenting resident care plans, but corrective actions were implemented. Earlier inspections identified additional compliance issues, which were also remediated.

Residents can dine at one of four restaurants, and there are many amenities for rest and recreation. They also have access to a state-of-the-art fitness center, swimming pool, woodworking shop, and wellness spaces. If they prefer quiet gatherings, there’s a library and community room.

Other programs include bocce ball, shuffleboard, theater, and a resident chorus, providing residents with regular social and group activities. Transportation and housekeeping are available, so families can easily visit and explore the area.