What Rydal Park offers and who lives there
Rydal Park is a continuing care retirement community located in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, about 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia. It serves older adults who want to move to a community where housing, meals, and services are all in one place, and where they can stay as their care needs change over time.
The community houses around 600 residents across independent living apartments, assisted living units, and a skilled nursing facility. Most residents move in while still independent and able to manage daily life on their own, then transition to higher levels of care if health changes require it. This structure means you do not have to move to a different building or town if you need help later.
Rydal Park is operated by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), though you do not need to be Presbyterian to live there. The community has been operating since 1927 and is accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
Key Takeaways
- Rydal Park is a continuing care community in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, offering independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing in one location.
- Residents typically pay an entrance fee (which varies by unit type and size) plus monthly fees that cover housing, meals, utilities, and basic services.
- You can tour the community and speak with current residents and staff to understand the daily rhythm and whether it fits your needs.
- Admission requires a health assessment and financial review to confirm you can sustain the monthly payments over time.
- If your health needs increase, you can move within Rydal Park to assisted living or nursing care without leaving the community.
Housing options and what they include
Rydal Park offers independent living apartments in a range of sizes, from studios to two-bedroom units. These are designed for people who can live on their own but want the security of having staff and services nearby. Apartments include a kitchenette or full kitchen, a bathroom, and climate control. Most have a balcony or patio.
Assisted living units are smaller and designed for people who need help with activities like bathing, dressing, or taking medication. Staff are available around the clock. Skilled nursing beds serve people who need medical care, wound care, or rehabilitation after a hospital stay.
All residents have access to dining facilities (usually one or two meals per day included in fees), housekeeping, transportation, activities, and maintenance. The community also has a fitness center, library, and common areas where residents gather.
How the financial structure works
Rydal Park uses a continuing care contract, which means you pay an entrance fee upfront and then monthly fees. The entrance fee is typically between $150,000 and $400,000 depending on the size and type of unit you choose. This fee is partially refundable under most contracts — the amount returned depends on the specific agreement and how long you live there.
Monthly fees cover rent, utilities, meals, housekeeping, activities, and basic health services. These fees vary by unit type and typically range from $3,000 to $6,000 per month, though this can change. If you move to assisted living or nursing care within Rydal Park, your monthly fee may increase to reflect the higher level of service.
Before admission, Rydal Park reviews your finances to confirm you can pay the entrance fee and sustain the monthly costs. They typically want to see that you have enough liquid assets or income to cover fees for several years, even if you live longer than expected. Long-term care insurance, pensions, Social Security, and savings all count toward this assessment.
The admission process and what to expect
The first step is to contact Rydal Park directly and request information or schedule a tour. During a tour, you can see the units, meet residents, and ask staff about daily life, activities, and how the community handles transitions to higher care levels.
If you want to move forward, you will meet with an admissions counselor who explains the contract, answers questions about costs, and discusses your health history and living preferences. You will also have a health assessment to make sure the community can meet your current and foreseeable care needs.
Next comes the financial review. Rydal Park will ask for documentation of income, assets, and any long-term care insurance. This step confirms that you can sustain monthly payments. Once approved, you sign the continuing care contract and pay the entrance fee. Move-in typically happens within a few weeks to a few months, depending on unit availability.
What happens if your health needs change
One of the main reasons people choose a continuing care community is the ability to stay in one place as care needs grow. If you develop arthritis, memory loss, or other conditions that make independent living difficult, you can move to assisted living within Rydal Park. If you later need skilled nursing or rehabilitation, you can move to the nursing facility — again, without leaving the community or starting over with new staff.
The community coordinates this transition with you and your family. Your monthly fee will change to reflect the new level of care, but you remain part of the same community with familiar surroundings and staff who already know your history and preferences.
Questions to ask during a tour
When you visit Rydal Park, bring a list of questions that matter to you. Ask about the ratio of staff to residents, how often housekeeping and maintenance respond to requests, and what happens if you need care at night. Ask about activities and whether they match your interests. Find out how the community handles medication management and what happens if you have a fall or medical emergency.
Talk to current residents if you can — ask them what surprised them about living there, what they wish they had known, and whether they feel safe and well cared for. Ask about the food, the noise level, visiting hours for family, and whether pets are allowed. Ask what the process looks like if you need to move to assisted living, and whether you can visit friends who have already moved there.
Ask about the contract terms: what portion of the entrance fee is refundable, what happens if you move out within the first year, and whether monthly fees can increase and by how much. Ask whether the community has had any violations or complaints filed with the state, and how they handle disputes between residents and staff.
Financial resources and planning
Rydal Park does not accept Medicare or Medicaid for independent living or assisted living, though some skilled nursing care may be covered by Medicare for a limited time after hospitalization. This means you will need to pay out of pocket for most services.
If you have long-term care insurance, check your policy to see whether it covers continuing care communities and what the daily or monthly benefit is. Some policies will pay a portion of your monthly fees. If you do not have insurance, you may want to speak with a financial planner or elder law attorney about how to structure your assets and whether a continuing care community fits your budget.
Some people use a combination of savings, pension income, and Social Security to pay for continuing care. Others sell their home and use the proceeds for the entrance fee and several years of monthly payments. There is no single right answer — it depends on your financial situation and what you want your retirement to look like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tour Rydal Park without committing to anything?
Yes. Tours are free and do not obligate you to move forward. You can visit multiple times, bring family members, and take time to think about whether it is the right fit. Many people tour several communities before deciding.
What if I run out of money after I move in?
This is a real concern, and it is why Rydal Park reviews your finances before admission. If you do run out of money, the community may work with you on a case-by-case basis, but there is no may provide. Some continuing care communities have benevolence funds to help residents in hardship, though this varies. Ask Rydal Park directly about their policy.
Can I get my entrance fee back if I move out?
It depends on your contract. Some contracts refund a percentage of the entrance fee if you leave within a certain time period; others refund less or nothing after a few years. Read the contract carefully and ask the admissions counselor to explain the refund terms before you sign.
Do I have to move to assisted living if my health declines?
No. You can stay in independent living as long as you are safe and can manage daily life, even with some help from staff. The move to assisted living is your choice, though the community may recommend it if they believe you need more support than independent living provides.
How do I contact Rydal Park to learn more?
You can reach Rydal Park by phone at (610) 642-2200 or visit their website to request information or schedule a tour. The community is located at 1300 Meetinghouse Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035.