Ann's Choice is a continuing care retirement community in Warminster, Pennsylvania

Ann's Choice is a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) located in Warminster, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It operates as a nonprofit organization and serves older adults who want to move to a community where housing, dining, activities, and healthcare services are all available on one campus. Unlike independent senior apartments, a CCRC like Ann's Choice is designed so you can stay in the same community as your care needs change — moving from independent living to assisted living or skilled nursing if necessary.

The community sits on 120 acres and includes residential neighborhoods, a wellness center, dining facilities, and a health center. Ann's Choice is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), which means it has met standards for quality and safety in continuing care.

Key Takeaways

  • Ann's Choice is a nonprofit continuing care retirement community in Warminster, Pennsylvania, where you can live independently and access assisted living or nursing care without moving to a different facility.
  • The community requires an entrance fee (sometimes called a founder's fee or community fee) plus monthly service fees, and the entrance fee structure varies depending on the residence type and contract you choose.
  • Ann's Choice offers independent living apartments, assisted living, and skilled nursing care all on the same campus, so your housing and care can change as your needs do.
  • You should visit the community in person, review the resident contract carefully, and understand what happens to your entrance fee if you leave or if the community closes.

Housing options and what they include

Ann's Choice offers independent living residences in a range of sizes, from one-bedroom to three-bedroom floor plans. These are apartments or cottages where you live on your own, manage your own household, and come and go as you wish. The community also operates an assisted living neighborhood for residents who need help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, or medication management, and a health center that provides skilled nursing care for people with more complex medical needs.

When you move to Ann's Choice as an independent living resident, you typically have access to common amenities: dining options (usually including one or more meals per day), fitness and wellness programs, social activities, transportation services, and maintenance of your residence. If you later need assisted living or nursing care, you can move to that level of service within the same community rather than relocating to a different facility.

Entrance fees and monthly costs

Ann's Choice uses an entrance fee model, which means you pay a substantial upfront cost when you move in, plus monthly service fees for as long as you live there. The entrance fee is sometimes called a founder's fee, community fee, or initial payment. This fee varies based on the size and type of residence you choose and the contract structure you select. Monthly fees cover utilities, meals, activities, maintenance, and access to healthcare services.

The entrance fee structure at a CCRC like Ann's Choice typically comes in two main forms: an all-inclusive contract, where your monthly fee covers most services including assisted living and nursing care if you need it later, and a fee-for-service contract, where your monthly fee covers independent living, but you pay additional charges if you move to assisted living or nursing care. The difference matters significantly over time, so you should understand which type of contract you are considering and what it covers.

You should ask Ann's Choice directly about current entrance fees and monthly costs, because these change and vary by residence size and location within the community. You should also ask what happens to your entrance fee if you move out, if you pass away, or if the community closes — some contracts refund a portion of the entrance fee, while others do not.

How to visit and what to look for

The best way to understand whether Ann's Choice is right for you is to visit in person. You can tour the independent living residences, the assisted living and nursing areas, the dining facilities, and the activity spaces. During your visit, pay attention to the cleanliness and maintenance of common areas, the friendliness of staff, and whether the social activities and programs appeal to you.

Ask to speak with current residents if possible — they can tell you honestly what daily life is like, how responsive management is to problems, and whether they feel the community is worth the cost. Ask staff about staffing levels, turnover, and how the community handles emergencies or health crises. Request a copy of the resident contract and take time to read it carefully, or have a family member or attorney review it with you. The contract is a legal document that spells out your rights, what you pay for, what happens if you need to leave, and what the community's obligations are to you.

Understanding the resident contract

The resident contract at Ann's Choice is the legal agreement between you and the community. It covers the entrance fee, monthly fees, what services are included, how fees can increase, what happens if you need to move to assisted living or nursing care, and what happens to your entrance fee if you leave or pass away. Some contracts also spell out the community's right to ask you to leave if you need more care than they can provide.

Before you sign, make sure you understand: whether your contract is all-inclusive or fee-for-service; what the entrance fee covers and whether any of it is refundable; how much monthly fees can increase each year; whether you have a trial period to change your mind; and what your options are if you need to leave the community. Pennsylvania has regulations for continuing care communities, and the state requires that communities provide certain disclosures and protections. You can contact the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance if you have questions about CCRC regulations or complaints about a community.

Financial planning and long-term costs

Moving to a CCRC like Ann's Choice is a significant financial commitment. You should think carefully about whether you can afford both the entrance fee and the ongoing monthly costs, and whether those costs fit into your overall retirement budget. Some people use savings or the proceeds from selling a home to pay the entrance fee. Others use a combination of savings, investments, and monthly income like Social Security or pensions to cover monthly fees.

You should also think about what happens if your financial situation changes — if you run out of money, if you need to move out, or if you pass away. Some CCRCs have financial information programs or scholarships for residents who face hardship, though these are not may provide. Ask Ann's Choice whether they offer any financial aid and under what circumstances. You should also understand the community's policy on what happens if you can no longer afford the monthly fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a CCRC and a regular senior apartment building?

A CCRC like Ann's Choice is designed to provide housing and care across your whole lifespan as a senior. You can start in independent living and move to assisted living or nursing care without leaving the community. A regular senior apartment building is usually independent living only, with no on-site healthcare or assisted living services. A CCRC requires an entrance fee and a long-term commitment; most senior apartments do not.

Can I get my entrance fee back if I move out?

That depends entirely on your contract. Some CCRC contracts refund a portion of the entrance fee if you leave; others do not refund anything. Some contracts refund the fee only if you leave within a certain time period. You must read your specific contract or ask Ann's Choice directly what their refund policy is before you move in.

What if I need more care than Ann's Choice can provide?

Most CCRCs, including Ann's Choice, have limits on the level of care they can provide. If you develop a condition that requires care beyond what the community offers — such as 24-hour psychiatric care or specialized dementia care — the community may ask you to move to a facility that specializes in that care. Ask Ann's Choice what their care limits are and what happens if you need to leave.

How do I know if a CCRC contract is fair?

Read the contract carefully and ask questions about anything you do not understand. Consider having an attorney or financial advisor review it. Look for clear language about entrance fees, monthly costs, what services are included, refund policies, and the community's right to increase fees or ask you to leave. Compare the contract to those of other CCRCs in your area if possible.

Is Ann's Choice covered by Medicare or Medicaid?

Medicare and Medicaid do not pay entrance fees for CCRCs. Some Medicaid programs may help pay for assisted living or nursing care if you live at a CCRC and meet income and asset limits, but this varies by state and by the specific services you need. You should contact your state's Medicaid office or ask Ann's Choice directly about whether Medicaid can help pay for care services if you become may be able to access.