Buckingham's Choice sits in Adamstown, Maryland, and offers retirement living for people aged 55 and older, and there's a mix of apartments, single-story cottages, and villas, with sizes ranging from cozy one-bedroom spots at 454 square feet for assisted living, all the way up to roomy three-bedroom, three-bath homes stretching to 3,260 square feet, and many of the residences have basements or bonus rooms, so folks who like a little extra space or maybe like to keep old keepsakes might find that handy, and the whole place has nice views of the mountains, a pond, and those nature paths that wind around for walking or sitting on benches. Independent living is a big part of Buckingham's Choice, where over 200 cottages are independent units for seniors who don't need health services, and if you want to bring your own in-home care, you're allowed, though they also have their own team for in-home assisted living help. Assisted living is available for folks who need some support, and you don't have to already live there to move in, which seems practical, and those apartments come with up to one bedroom and one bathroom, meant for people who still want their own space but need a hand with daily routines. There are between 41 and 50 licensed private care beds in the nursing center, which has Medicare certification and a 4-star CMS rating, but you won't find any semi-private or memory care rooms, so families needing memory care will have to look elsewhere.
The staff can help out with skilled nursing and rehabilitation therapy on-site, and there's respite care for short stays. For fun and hobbies, the place can keep a person busy, since you find a library, movie theatre, woodworking shop, billiard rooms, a three-hole chip and putt golf course with a pro shop nearby, and even a fitness center with classes like aerobics and yoga, or you can swim in the indoor heated pool. Other practical bits include an ATM, a bank, a hair salon, a gift shop that carries clothes and presents, a chapel for quiet time, art studio, and meeting rooms for groups. Folks can eat at a restaurant that serves lunch and dinner and has a bar, or use the formal dining room for gatherings.
Notice periods for monthly fee or charge changes run 60 days, and fees aren't small, with single occupancy monthly rates running from $2,660 to $7,252, and double occupancy rates from $4,577 to $9,169, plus entry fees that start at $211,900 and can reach $764,900, depending on the type of unit, but there's a 50% refund option on some contracts, and the Acts' Type A Life Care Contract is available, which is supposed to help keep costs steady during retirement. Buckingham's Choice is run by Acts Retirement-Life Communities, a not-for-profit group, and has a website at actsretirement.org if you want to see more. The location is about halfway between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., so it's possible for families to visit, or for residents to enjoy city trips. Overall, Buckingham's Choice gives a wide mix of living options and plenty of spaces for hobbies or quiet time for older adults who want a comfortable place with steady health care options nearby.
