Those three words start so many conversations as people request information about the Masonic Homes at Elizabethtown. Many have heard of the campus, and some have even visited. When the time comes that services may be needed, the first thought is: "How do I...?"

How do I find out about eligibility and the costs?
Lodge and Eastern Star chapter secretaries have been provided with up-to-date information regarding cost and eligibility and can be contacted by the Masonic member, family members, or friends of the applicant. You can call the Admissions & Resident Services Department at the Masonic Homes 1 (800) 422-1207 to request that a brochure be mailed to you or to speak to the marketing counselor.

How do I find out how long the waiting list is?
For accurate information, the Admissions & Resident Services Department should be contacted. The staff can assess needs and recommend the living area that best meets those needs.

Through a phone call, e-mail, or regular mail, staff members can inform you about what accommodations are available and provide a time frame regarding an approximate admission date.

How do I get an application for the Masonic Homes?
For Residential Living, Assisted Living, and Masonic Health Care Center applications, you are asked to contact the lodge secretary of either the person coming into the Masonic Homes or the person sponsoring the applicant. The lodge secretary will fill out a "Request for Application" form, and will verify the Masonic affiliation. Eastern Star members can contact their chapter secretaries and ask that a letter be sent to the Masonic Homes stating the Eastern Star affiliation. That request form or letter is then forwarded to the Admissions & Resident Services Department, and a call is made to the contact person to find out how the application is to be handled.

How do I get assistance with the application?
When the Request for Application is received by the Admissions & Resident Services Department, an admissions counselor is assigned to the applicant. The counselor will visit the applicant(s) at their home and assist with completing the application.

How do I know if my application is approved?
When applying for admission to the residential living, assisted living, or health care areas, the admission counselor will compile all the needed information.

Upon receiving the application and all required forms (which the counselor will provide) the application will be submitted to the Committee on Masonic Homes for review. They will determine if the application will be approved.

When the application is approved, the applicant will receive an approval letter with required paperwork and suggested list for needs. The Admissions & Resident Services Department will contact the applicant to schedule an appointment to sign papers.

How do I know what to bring on admission day?
The paperwork provided to applicants prior to admission day is especially helpful for family members who may be handling their loved one's affairs. It allows some time to compile needed medical cards and papers, as well as clothing and personal items. The Masonic Homes staff will review special requests, such as furniture or personal items that are being brought along.

Many more questions may come to mind. The informational brochure is an excellent source to find many answers to these questions. You can request that a brochure be sent by calling Admissions at 1 (800) 422-1207; by sending an e-mail to admissions@masonichomespa.org; or, print this page and send the coupon to Admissions & Resident Services Office, Masonic Homes, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.