Asbury Towers Retirement Community stands as a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Greencastle, Indiana, serving seniors with independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing options under one roof. Choosing a retirement community is one of the most significant financial and emotional decisions you will make—yet many families rush the process without understanding what actually matters.
A 2024 survey by the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care found that residents who toured at least three communities before deciding reported notably higher long-term satisfaction than those who chose after a single visit.
This article breaks down five practical things to know about Asbury Towers Retirement Community, from costs and care levels to daily life and contract details, so you can evaluate it with confidence.
1. Understand the Full Continuum of Care Offered
Asbury Towers Retirement Community operates as a full-service CCRC, which means residents can transition between care levels without relocating to a different campus. This structure matters because it protects you from the stress of finding new housing if your health needs change.
The community offers three primary care tiers:
- Independent living: Apartments or cottages for seniors who manage daily tasks independently
- Assisted living: Help with bathing, dressing, medication management, and meals
- Skilled nursing: 24/7 medical care for chronic conditions or post-surgery recovery
According to LeadingAge, a national association of nonprofit aging-services providers, CCRCs like Asbury Towers typically report higher resident retention rates than standalone assisted living facilities because the built-in care progression reduces forced moves. One common scenario: a couple moves into independent living, one spouse later needs assisted living, and both remain on the same campus—eliminating the emotional toll of separation.
How to apply this: Request a written outline of exactly which services are included at each care level and which trigger additional fees before you sign anything.
2. Examine the Fee Structure and Contract Types
The financial model at Asbury Towers Retirement Community depends heavily on the contract type you select. CCRCs generally use three contract categories, and understanding the differences can save you from unexpected costs later.
| Contract Type | What It Covers | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Life care (Type A) | Unlimited assisted living/skilled nursing for a higher entry fee | Monthly fee stability over time |
| Modified (Type B) | Set number of care days included; extra days billed separately | How many days are included annually |
| Fee-for-service (Type C) | Lower entry fee; pay market rates for care as needed | Current daily rates for skilled nursing |
The entry fee at many Indiana CCRCs ranges widely—often from the low six figures to over $300,000 depending on unit size and contract type—though exact figures vary by community and are not published uniformly. Ask for the current rate sheet and a sample contract before comparing Asbury Towers Retirement Community to alternatives.
How to apply this: Request a side-by-side cost comparison for all three contract types from the admissions office, then calculate your projected 10-year cost under each.
3. Evaluate Daily Life and Resident Satisfaction
A retirement community is more than its care services—it is where you will live every day. Asbury Towers Retirement Community emphasizes a faith-based, nonprofit mission rooted in its United Methodist heritage, which shapes everything from dining to activities.
Resident feedback from platforms like Caring.com and A Place for Mom often highlights the community's smaller size as both a strength and a limitation. Smaller communities typically offer more personalized attention and tighter social bonds, but may have fewer activity options than large corporate campuses.
The Indiana State Department of Health publishes inspection reports for skilled nursing facilities, and reviewing Asbury Towers' latest survey results gives you an objective look at care quality.
How to apply this: Schedule a meal during your tour, sit with current residents, and ask them directly what they would change about living at Asbury Towers Retirement Community.
4. Verify Licensing, Accreditation, and Inspection History
Before committing to Asbury Towers Retirement Community, verify its regulatory standing. Skilled nursing components in Indiana are licensed and inspected by the Indiana Department of Health, while assisted living falls under separate residential care facility rules.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) maintains a public database called Care Compare where you can look up the skilled nursing portion of Asbury Towers by name. This tool shows staffing ratios, health inspection results, and quality measures compared against state and national averages.
A community with consistent above-average staffing and few serious deficiencies is a stronger candidate than one with repeated citations.
How to apply this: Pull the latest CMS Care Compare report for Asbury Towers Retirement Community and review the staffing star rating first—research consistently identifies staffing as the strongest predictor of care quality.
5. Plan Your Move-In Timeline and Waitlist Strategy
Asbury Towers Retirement Community, like many established CCRCs, may maintain a waitlist for certain unit types, particularly independent living apartments with desirable floor plans. Waitlists for popular CCRCs can stretch from several months to multiple years depending on turnover.
The admissions process typically follows this sequence:
- Initial inquiry and information packet
- Campus tour and care needs assessment
- Financial qualification review
- Waitlist deposit or direct unit selection
- Contract signing and move-in coordination
A practical tip from senior living advisors: join the waitlist before you are ready to move. Many residents report that starting the process 12 to 18 months early gave them more unit choices and reduced the pressure of a rushed decision.
How to apply this: Contact the admissions office now to ask about current waitlist length for your preferred unit type, and ask whether the deposit is refundable if you change your mind.
Frequently Asked Questions About asbury towers retirement community
What is the minimum age to live at Asbury Towers?
Most independent living residents at Asbury Towers Retirement Community must be at least 62 years old, though assisted living and skilled nursing admissions may accept younger adults with qualifying medical needs. Verify the current age policy with admissions, as exceptions sometimes apply for spouses.
Does Asbury Towers accept Medicare or Medicaid?
The skilled nursing section of Asbury Towers Retirement Community typically accepts Medicare for short-term rehabilitation stays following hospitalization. Medicaid acceptance varies by bed availability and state contract status, so confirm current participation before assuming coverage.
Are pets allowed in the independent living units?
Many CCRCs including Asbury Towers Retirement Community permit small pets in independent living with breed, size, and weight restrictions. Expect a pet deposit and possibly monthly pet rent. Assisted living and skilled nursing areas usually prohibit pets except for approved therapy animal visits.
What happens if I run out of money while living there?
Nonprofit CCRCs like Asbury Towers Retirement Community sometimes maintain benevolent care funds that subsidize residents who outlive their assets through no fault of their own. Ask about the community's specific benevolent care policy and qualification criteria before signing a contract.
Can I try living there before committing permanently?
Some communities offer short-term respite stays in assisted living or guest suites for prospective residents. Ask Asbury Towers Retirement Community whether a trial stay is available—this gives you a realistic preview of daily life before making a long-term commitment.
Conclusion
Choosing Asbury Towers Retirement Community requires looking beyond brochures and tour-day impressions.
- Understand the continuum of care so you know exactly what services each level includes
- Compare contract types carefully—fee structures differ dramatically in long-term cost
- Verify inspection history and staffing data through CMS Care Compare before committing
- Start the waitlist process early to maximize your unit options
- Ask current residents about daily life, not just the admissions staff
Your next step is simple: request the current fee schedule, pull the latest inspection report, and schedule a meal visit at Asbury Towers Retirement Community. Doing these three things this week will put you ahead of most families making this decision.
