A. No. A one-time entrance fee and a monthly maintenance fee are required to become a resident at Penney. You retain possession and control of your assets. We will ask you to provide financial information demonstrating ability to pay at least five years of service fees.

No. You do not have to be retired to live at Penney Retirement Community .

A. A typical CCRC offers the full spectrum of living arrangements and care from independent living and assisted living to 24-hour skilled nursing care and memory care.
At Penney Retirement Community that includes a full service rehab center for short term rehabilitation, respite care for care givers and many other support services that enable residents to go no farther than their own campus for routine as well as specialized care. Our campus pharmacy and local pharmacies, offer home delivery of prescriptions. Penney’s housekeeping and laundry services are also available to residents. Our own 24/7 closed-circuit television channels, operated by residents, broadcast our concerts, meetings, lectures, daily/weekly schedules and menus as well as special events and church services. Penney’s Dining Hall provides Take-Out service and makes home deliveries. The local pizza restaurant and even the nearby ethnic deli make deliveries to their fans at Penney. And did we mention that we have a U.S. Post Office right here on campus? That means anything you order online, by phone or catalog can be delivered right to the Penney campus U.S.Post Office or to your door by Fed Ex.
We recognize that one of the challenges for senior couples is the way their aging may vary. While one may develop issues that require specialized care, the other may maintain more stable health. At Penney, we work with a variety of situations and are as flexible as we need to be in order to accommodate each and all of our residents, whatever their needs are. Their needs become our needs and we have dedicated professionals and volunteers who think creatively and compassionately to meet those needs.
“Aging in Place” is not just a catch phrase for us at Penney Retirement Community. It is truly the way we do life together here.

A. You will probably be surprised at how affordable it is to live here compared to living in your current home or other retirement communities. Visit us for a brief presentation and tour. More information, including costs, will be provided when you contact us. Retired ministers and missionaries may apply for financial assistance.

A. Asbury Commons is a 5 minute drive from Penney Retirement Community. There you will find Winn-Dixie with its pharmacy as well as fast food shops, a hair salon/barber shop, exercise gym, gas station, yoga facility and other services. Another 10 minutes from there is the very busy shopping/business/medical district located on Blanding Avenue with its Wal-Mart Superstore open 24/7. For a quieter shopping experience there is the historic town of Green Cove Springs just seven miles down Rt.16. Its beautiful Springs Park may distract you from the shopping you came to do, but the restaurants, grocery, hardware, floral, thrift and coffee shops as well as antiques malls and boutiques should satisfy your shopping needs. Shopping and restaurants are even more plentiful in Fleming Island, which is a scenic 20-minute drive along the St. John River from Penney. The Orange Park Mall is about 25 minutes away and downtown Jacksonville is a 40-minute drive. You will find everything from beautiful upscale malls to artsy, vintage and thrift stores in the Jacksonville area. Serious bargain hunters will be thrilled to know that the St. Augustine Outlet Mall is 45 minutes away. Be sure to check out this website’s “Local Shopping” tab for more details.

A. No. Originally founded for members of the clergy and missionaries, Penney is today a service-oriented community of people coming from diverse professional backgrounds but who have always been involved in volunteer activities.

A. Yes, Penney provides scheduled transportation to local hospitals, medical offices, entertainment facilities and other locations. In addition, many of our residents volunteer their time to drive those who can no longer drive themselves.

A. If there is not space in your home, Penney can provide affordable, overnight accommodations by reservation. Or if you prefer, there are local motels and a 15 minute drive will take you to a charming Bed and Breakfast on the river in Green Cove Springs.

A. Absolutely. The beds next to your home or duplex or in your yard are yours to cultivate if you so desire. In addition, we have a community garden and an orchid house for you to get your hands dirty in. And if that’s not enough, several of the common landscaped areas are tended by green-thumbed residents themselves and you are welcome to join them.

A. Yes. Penney welcomes pets in single-family, duplex and cottage homes. Some small pets are permitted in the Quad apartments after an application is made. Pet-owning residents are asked to acknowledge and abide by our pet policy that most people find very reasonable and appropriate.

A. Like our residents, no two Penney homes are identical. Since nearly every home or apartment has a unique floor plan, they can’t all be pictured on the website. We do, however, post floor plans of homes that are — or soon will be — available CLICK HERE for a sample.

A. Casual clothing is the norm year round at Penney Retirement Community. We enjoy a comfortable, home-like atmosphere throughout the community and want you to feel a part of that, too.

A. When we talk about “volunteerism” at Penney, we are referring to a caring attitude, a sense of responsibility to one another that is borne out in everyday neighborliness. Of course, volunteerism can include organized service activities but our goal is for even that to come from a heart of caring.
At Penney, we see volunteerism as a healthy way of life with many benefits to ourselves as well as others. A strong volunteer community also supports our non-profit status and keeps our costs down.
Volunteering gives residents a large hand in the operations of Penney Retirement Community. Not only do residents “create their own fun” but they actually serve on the Board of Directors and entirely make up the  Association of Residents, the engine behind our activities. CLICK HERE for more information regarding the Association of Residents.
We offer a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. These are both on campus and in nearby communities and will provide you with channels for your skills and passions. But it is the attitude of friendly neighborliness that epitomizes “volunteerism” for us. That’s where the joy comes from. And that’s what makes Penney such a healthy, vital place to live.

A. Sure! About 400 of the roughly 500 residents of Penney Retirement Community enjoy living independently. Furthermore, the goal at Penney Retirement Community is to help our residents remain active, healthy and independent just as long as possible. Many residents live their entire lives in their own homes. However, if you should need more care in the future, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to stay right here at Penney. You will not have to move away from Penney Retirement Community because we aim to meet your needs, even if they change. We will provide for your needs, as you need them, right in the place you call “home”.

A. Our health care homes function for the primary purpose of providing care for our residents. Occasionally there is an opportunity for a “direct admission” from outside Penney into one of the specialized facilities. That would depend on space and staffing availabilities.

A. When you move into your new Penney home you will be warmly greeted by neighbors who will quickly become your friends. As you eat in the Dining Hall and sample any of our activities, you will be embraced as one of the community by staff as well as by residents. At the same time, this friendliness is balanced by an honest respect for each other’s privacy and individuality. Even in this close-knit community, you can find quiet solitude.

Our kitchen works hard to provide delicious meals for residents, morning, noon and night. Sunday dinner and holiday menus are given very special attention. Entrees will always include your choice of red meat, vegetarian alternatives, poultry or fish. Fresh, local produce is used as often as possible and makes its appearance in our popular salad bar. You can even have eggs prepared your way, right in front of you, in the breakfast line. Gluten-free choices are marked as such and so are sugar free baked goods. The kitchen will accommodate some special variations to the scheduled entree when requests are made early in the day. Two week menus are provided in advance to assist those with special dietary needs as they make appropriate choices.

Come for a visit and see for yourself why so many residents love Penney’s Dining Hall.