Frequently Asked Questions

Click on the questions below to get you to the answer.

• Shannondell is a continuing care retirement community, correct?
• And these higher levels of care are located within the Shannondell community?
• Is the charge for these higher levels of care included in their monthly fee, even when they’re still independent?
• What do monthly fees cover?
• Is there an entrance fee to move to Shannondell?
• Do you provide any home sale and/or moving assistance?
• What about my parents’ pet(s), are they welcome?
• And my parents can decorate their Shannondell home as they wish?
• Are our children (grandchildren) welcome at Shannondell?
• I’ve noticed that you have a golf course and outdoor pool at The Club at Shannondell. Is that part of Shannondell at Valley Forge?
• At some point, I’ll want to visit Shannondell, possibly with at least one of my parents. What’s the best way to do this?

  Shannondell is a continuing care retirement community, correct?
  Yes. And as you probably know, continuing care retirement communities, such as Shannondell at Valley Forge, are preferred by adults your parents’ age as they offer the best of both worlds; fostering your parents’ current active, independent lifestyle, while also providing both you and your parents with peace of mind in knowing should their needs change in the future, on-site access to higher levels of care such as personal care (assisted living), dementia care and skilled nursing is available at affordable rates.

  This means that your parents don’t have to worry about becoming a burden to you and your siblings if and when their needs change. And you, as their child, can rest assured that, regardless of their needs, they are receiving top quality daily care administered by professionals who are focused not only on their physical, but also emotional and spiritual well being.

  And these higher levels of care are located within the Shannondell community?
  Again yes. The Meadows at Shannondell, the facility where all of these personal and health care services are housed, is located just a short walk from our independent living residences. So, should one of your parents require a short- or longer term stay at The Meadows, your other parent can continue to live in their nearby residence, yet remain close-by. Maintaining a separate facility for The Meadows ensures that its residents enjoy the utmost in privacy, including private rooms and baths, and 24/7 monitored care.

  Through an alliance with Main Line Health nationally recognized for outstanding care; residents of The Meadows enjoy access to a comprehensive range of top quality health services including respiratory, audiology, podiatry and rehabilitation care provided by Bryn Mawr Rehab.

  Is the charge for these higher levels of care included in their monthly fee, even when they’re still independent?
  No, what you are referring to is called “Life care” and is viewed by many as nothing more than insurance. As part of our continuing care program, your parents only pay for these higher levels of care when they actually use them, which is the preferred fiscal arrangement for most.

  What do monthly fees cover?
  Your parents’ monthly service fee includes most meals and utilities, housekeeping and grounds keeping service, trash service, scheduled transportation, on-site educational and cultural events, concierge service, room service, a debit system for on-site purchases, daily check-in system, 24/7 security, emergency response system and more!

  Is there an entrance fee to move to Shannondell?
  Yes, and it’s fully refundable to your parents or their estate upon completion of their stay as outlined in our Residence and Care Agreement. As with the monthly fees, the amount of the entrance fee is dependent on the type and size of the residence your parents choose, and is usually funded by the equity in their current home. In addition to the entrance fee, your parents are charged an affordable monthly fee to cover the cost of our community’s many provided services and amenities.

  Do you provide any home sale and/or moving assistance?
  Yes. As a value-added service to new residents, our resident real estate manager will work with your parents’ real estate agent to ensure their home is marketed optimally to maximize the sale price, while also seeking to minimize the time spent on the market.

  Additionally, we offer space planning by a professional interior designer and unpacking services the day of your parents’ move. So, from Day One, they can completely relax in their new home at Shannondell. And, as their child, you aren’t faced with arranging for or handling this tiresome task yourself. Whew!

  What about my parents’ pet(s), are they welcome?
  We love pets at Shannondell. Of course, there are size and weight restrictions, but most residents’ pets fall well within these limitations. We offer ample grounds, including an adjacent horse farm, to walk pets and even a dog run where residents can unleash their pets and let them run free with other well behaved canines and felines.

  And my parents can decorate their Shannondell home as they wish?
  Absolutely. Our Design Center at Shannondell offers professional consultants to help ensure that your parents’ home reflects their individual style and tastes. Your parents can choose from dozens of options for finishes, paint, wallpaper, cabinetry, floor coverings, molding, fixtures and appliances. They can even work with their own decorator.

  Are our children (grandchildren) welcome at Shannondell?
  Again, yes. Adult children and grandchildren are a common and welcome sight at Shannondell. You’re always free to join your parents for meals, concerts and musicals in our performing arts theater, or challenge them to bocce, table tennis, billiards, a Wii bowling or tennis game, or any of the other, many activities your parents will enjoy at Shannondell. And if you’re visiting from out of town, your family can reserve one of our guest rooms available for just such an occasion.

  I’ve noticed that you have a golf course and outdoor pool at The Club at Shannondell. Is that part of Shannondell at Valley Forge?
  The Club at Shannondell is a sister facility, just down the road from Shannondell at Valley Forge, and is open not only to Shannondell residents but also the local Audubon community. Our residents who play golf find the green fees extremely reasonable, given that the course is rated by Golf Digest magazine as one of the “Top Places to Play”. And annual swim memberships are also very reasonably priced, In fact, many Shannondell residents become Swim Club members simply to be able to take their grandkids to the pool in the summer months. Meanwhile, Mom and Dad can grab a meal on the patio of Chadwick’s Restaurant & Bar, also located within The Club, or enjoy a round a golf, knowing their kids are having a blast with their grandparents.

  At some point, I’ll want to visit Shannondell, possibly with at least one of my parents. What’s the best way to do this?
  When you and/or your parents are ready to visit Shannondell, your options are many: you can choose to attend one of our performances at the performing arts theater, arrange a private tour whenever its convenient for you and your parents, or attend one of our monthly Lunch & Learns that take place in our Ashcroft Clubhouse from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. During that time, you’ll have the opportunity ask questions, meet some residents and get a peek at some of our community’s top quality amenities. You’ll find reservations and inquiry forms for all of the above options here.

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