Masonic Village at Elizabethtown

Pros

• The Masonic Village at Elizabethtown is a beautiful, welcoming, and well-maintained retirement community.
• The staff are friendly, helpful, and attentive, making residents feel at home.
• The campus offers a wide range of activities, crafts, clubs, and events that keep residents engaged.
• On-site amenities, including a doctor, bank, post office, and hair salon, provide convenience and independence.
• The grounds are beautifully landscaped and the facilities are meticulously clean.
• Families feel reassured that loved ones are safe, secure, and well cared for on campus.
• The on-site dining and meal options are excellent, with diverse menus and responsive service.
• The overall atmosphere is friendly and community-oriented, with residents forming welcoming friendships.

Cons

• The reviewer described the rehabilitation center care as absolutely appalling and disgusting, noting that staff covered up an accident and failed to escort a fall-risk patient.
• The daughter claimed the Elizabeth Town Masonic Lodge has shifted to a profit-driven business, prioritizing money over promised care for long-standing members.
• The Roosevelt 4th floor was described as severely understaffed, with the room dirty and no nurse on the floor.
• The reviewer called the costs extremely high, including an expensive entry fee that makes it unaffordable.
• The apartments were criticized as small, dark, and cramped, with low ceilings.
• There was a lengthy memory-care wait list, reportedly two to three years.
• The meals were described as unacceptable on at least one occasion, with frozen meatballs served.

Review

This community is best suited for active seniors and families who want an all-in-one continuing care campus where independence can be maintained while knowing strong on-site health and support services are available as needs evolve. Masonic Village at Elizabethtown shines for those who prize a beautiful, well-kept setting, a bustling social calendar, and the reassurance of on-campus medical, dental, banking, and salon services. It rewards residents who want to stay engaged through crafts, music, clubs, and organized outings, with ready access to transportation and a network of residents who value community and stability. For a household seeking a small, intimate, budget-conscious setting, or a campus that prioritizes minimalist services, alternatives deserve serious consideration.

Yet this is not the right fit for everyone. Alternatives should be weighed by those who cannot absorb the upfront and ongoing costs, or who prefer a more modest footprint with fewer amenities. The campus is vast, and some families encounter sticker shock from entry fees and monthly rates described as very high or expensive. For individuals who anticipate needing a more modest, rental-only option or who want closer proximity to a particular town or rural setting with fewer moving pieces, a smaller, less expensive community may deliver better alignment with expectations and finances. The size and scope of Masonic Village can feel overwhelming to those seeking a simpler retirement experience.

The core advantages are substantial enough to offset many downsides when the loved one is planning for long-term, on-site care. The campus operates as a comprehensive ecosystem: independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing sit on one campus with seamless transitions, reducing the anxiety of moving again as health changes. On-site medical and wellness services, a library, market, bank, post office, and hair salon create genuine convenience. The grounds are consistently praised as immaculate and tranquil, with walking trails and expansive outdoor spaces that encourage daily activity. A culture of friendliness from staff and residents helps new arrivals settle in quickly, and resident mentors provide practical guidance during transitions.

Where the trade-offs show up, they tend to cluster around cost, space, and occasional service gaps. Several reviews flag the price as a primary barrier, including comments about costly entry fees and high monthly costs that put the community beyond reach for some families. In practice, the same pros - on-site care, rich activity options, and a secure, self-contained environment - become the practical justification for the expense, but that arithmetic demands careful planning. There are occasional reports of cramped or darker independent living options and rooms that feel small compared to the sprawling campus design. And while the majority praise staff and care, there are individual accounts of staffing pressure and uneven experiences in certain care settings, underscoring the reality that even excellent campuses can struggle with capacity or communication on busy days.

For families evaluating this community, a disciplined due-diligence approach pays off. Prospective residents should quantify total cost of care over the long horizon, confirm current wait times or availability for memory care and rehab, and tour inside the specific building types under consideration (independent living apartments, cottages, or suites) to assess natural light, space, and layout. Ask for detailed outlines of on-site services, daily activity calendars, and meal program options to confirm alignment with personal routines. Investigate transportation schedules, access to on-site clinics, and the process for ongoing transitions - how easily one can shift from independent living to assisted living or memory care without relocating off-campus.

In sum, Masonic Village at Elizabethtown stands out as a premier option for families seeking a vibrant,SERVICE-anchored retirement campus with broad care levels, robust programming, and the reassurance of staying within a single, connected community. It excels for those who can justify the cost by valuing extensive on-site amenities, on-site healthcare, and the security of aging in place. Those prioritizing affordability, smaller-scale environments, or a lighter-service model should compare carefully with other communities, bearing in mind that the strongest argument to choose Elizabethtown is the depth of resources and the palpable sense of belonging it cultivates - an environment where residents frequently say they feel at home, looked after, and actively engaged in life.

This part of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania offers a variety of amenities and services that may be appealing to seniors looking for a peaceful and convenient place to live. With multiple physicians' offices, pharmacies, and a hospital nearby, residents have access to quality healthcare options. There are also several restaurants and cafes within a short driving distance, providing ample dining choices. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, there are parks and trails close by for leisurely walks or picnics. The presence of a transportation hub like Harrisburg International Airport allows for easy travel when needed. Overall, this area provides a comfortable and supportive environment for seniors looking to settle down in Elizabethtown.

Physicians

• Sudbrink Oral Surgery Pc (1.1 miles)
• Norlanco Family Medicine (2.8 miles)
• Hearing & Ear Care Center (5.2 miles)
• Susquehanna Family Medicine (6.8 miles)
• Eden Park Pediatric Associates (7.1 miles)
• PinnacleHealth FamilyCare Middletown (8.2 miles)
• Gastroenterology Associates of Central PA PC (8.4 miles)

Restaurants

• T J Rockwell's (2.1 miles)
• River House Bar & Grill (5.4 miles)
• Bube's Brewery (6.2 miles)
• Twisted Bine Beer (6.5 miles)
• Tattered Flag Brewery & Still Works (7.2 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (7.3 miles)
• Parma Pizza & Grill (8 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (4.8 miles)
• Starbucks (8.9 miles)
• Manchester Cafe (8.9 miles)
• Panera Bread (9.5 miles)
• Coffee and Cream (9.7 miles)
• Starbucks (9.9 miles)
• Desserts Etc By The Hershey Pantry (10.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Geyers United Methodist Church (5.2 miles)
• First Baptist Church (10 miles)
• Lebanon Valley Brethren Home (11.1 miles)
• Palmyra United Christian Church (11.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (5.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (7.1 miles)
• GIANT Pharmacy (7.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (8.5 miles)
• Penn State Hershey University Physicians Center Pharmacy (8.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (9.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (9.3 miles)

Parks

• Shank Park (7.8 miles)
• Bullfrog Valley Park & Trail (8.7 miles)
• York Heritage Rail Trail (9.6 miles)
• John Rudy County Park (9.7 miles)

Transportation

• Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) (8.4 miles)
• Avis Rent A Car (11.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center Academic Support Building (8.8 miles)
• Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank (9 miles)
• Kcb Properties (10.3 miles)
• Good Samaritan Hospital Ambulatory Services Center (10.7 miles)