What is independent living?
As an independent living community, Arbour Square provides apartment-style living for seniors who are still active and engaged in life.We offer services and amenities that are designed to enhance your independent lifestyle. These services include the availability of two meals per day, housekeeping, local transportation to physician appointments and outings, and a full recreational calendar.

How is independent living different than assisted living?
Residents at Arbour Square do not require any type of nursing or nursing related care. Because there are no nurses on the staff at Arbour Square, the monthly service fee (or rent) at Arbour Square is much less than an assisted living community.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC’s) also have independent living. How is Arbour Square different?
There are two significant differences between CCRC’s and Arbour Square. The first is that Arbour Square does not require any large, up-front deposits, buy-in or entry fees. Unlike a CCRC, which may ask for an entrance fee of $150,000 - $350,000, Arbour Square offers a month-to-month lease with no up-front money, so residents stay in control of their own finances. The second difference is that most CCRC’s have health care facilities on their campus. If a resident needs assisted living or nursing home care, they can move to that part of the CCRC to receive that service. At Arbour Square, we encourage you to utilize home health services so that you can remain in your independent apartments as long as possible. However, The Birches at Arbour Square Assisted Living is on the same campus, should an Arbour Square resident require Assisted Living.

What happens if someone at Arbour Square needs more care (e.g. nursing services)?
If someone requires short-term nursing services, The Birches Assisted Living Community is located next door and residents are given priority admission at The Birches. Also, Arbour Square has formed relationships with local home health agencies which can provide care in residents’ apartments. If a resident becomes a danger to themselves or others (for example ~ a resident with dementia begins to wander outside the community), Arbour Square staff will approach the resident and resident’s family about a more appropriate living situation.

Can residents at Arbour Square drive?
Absolutely! Approximately 50% of our residents currently drive.

Can I still cook for myself?
Absolutely! Our one and two bedroom apartments include an electric range/oven and a refrigerator. Studio apartments have a microwave and a refrigerator. Although lunch and dinner are available daily, residents may choose to cook their favorite dishes or baked goods in their apartments.

Tell me about the common areas at Arbour Square.
Arbour Square has many common areas throughout the community. It is our goal that you think of these areas as an extension of your apartment – and part of your home. Common areas in Arbour Square include a general store, Fabulous 50’s Café, Jacqueline’s Beauty Salon, Harleysville Savings Bank, post office, BYOB pub, fitness center, movie theater, fireside lounges, game room, activity room, computer room and library.

What safety and security measures are in place at Arbour Square?
Each apartment comes with an emergency pull cord. In the case of an emergency, residents can pull their cord and be assured that help is on the way. There are two Arbour Square employees who live on-site and a there is also a member of the Arbour Square administrative team that has on-call responsibility. In addition, the Arbour Square building is fully sprinklered. Smoke alarms are hung in each apartment, and fire alarms automatically summon Lower Salford Township Fire Department.

I’m not sure I can afford this. How have other people decided they can make this move financially?
Residents have found Arbour Square to be surprisingly affordable and a good value. Some have moved because the cost of food, taxes, utilities, upkeep on their homes and other expenses were the same or less than what they were currently paying. In other cases, residents have recognized the importance of the socialization, healthier lifestyle, safety and security offered at Arbour Square and have made the decision to tap into savings to make the move. In most cases, the sale of a home provides
the necessary equity to enable residents to live worry-free for many years.