How To Find the Best Assisted Living Facility in the Pittsburgh, PA Area
Northland Heights Senior Living
For more information about the author, click to view their website: https://www.northlandseniorliving.com/
Jan 14, 2025
Pennsylvania - Greater Pittsburgh Area
What is an assisted or senior living facility? Can it
benefit you or your loved one? Will you or your loved one like it? Let’s
discuss resources and reasons why assisted living can be beneficial and the
right choice for you or a loved one. Assisted living in short provides care to
the elderly including dining, nursing, and housekeeping. According to the
National Center for Assisted Living, there are more than 800,000 people
residing in assisted living in the United States. Which is about 2% of seniors
in the United States who live in assisted living facilities.
As seniors age, they may need help with hygiene, eating, or
housekeeping activities to live a full life. When needing care assistance there
are different options for you or your loved one. Assisted
living facilities focus on the importance of personal care in a facility for
you or your loved one. Make sure to talk with your loved one about
the choice to move into an assisted living facility.
Isolation and loneliness have been
proven to assist in the decline of an elderly person’s health. As a resident,
daily social activities and conversing with others will help you or your loved
one to broaden important social skills at an older age. Being in an assisted
living facility can drastically improve overall health by simply boosting your
or a loved one’s mood. If you or a loved one are feeling isolated or lonely,
being in a senior living facility will present the opportunity to meet people
and socialize with other residents you may have a lot in common with.
It can be difficult to narrow down an assisted living
facility that’s right for you or your loved one. There are many options
available to help fit you or your loved ones needs. The most important part
when selecting an assisted living facility is making sure it checks all the
boxes. When choosing a community, take time to research and discover what these
facilities have to offer.
Use the following guide to assist in the decision for the
best assisted living facility.
Look for Management and Experience in Assisted Living
Reputation
Having a good reputation in the community is important to
the facility, potential residents and families. The best way to judge a
reputation is by experiencing it, it’s easy to make quick judgements so we
recommend reading reviews, reaching out to residents or families in the area,
and scheduling a tour.
Licensing and Inspections
The state regulates assisted living communities by putting
in place protocols, procedures, and sometimes showing up unannounced to the
facility. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), regulate
nursing homes with evaluations posted on their website but not assisted living
communities. Each state regulates assisted living facilities in place of the
federal government. Each state is different and usually is monitored by the
state’s health department or social services. To learn more, click here.
Longevity of Staff
Having experienced and well-trained staff is crucial to a
properly run facility. Staff who have been around the facility for years know
the residents well, are very familiar with the facility and are experienced.
When assisting residents, you or your loved one want a staff member who knows
what they are doing. Having a connection with the staff is important for
residents to feel comfortable and trust who is taking care of them.
Look for a Friendly Atmosphere and Environment in an
Assisted Living Facility
Facility
Having a clean facility is crucial to choosing the right one
for you or your loved one. The ambience is a big factor to consider when
touring, does it feel comfortable, or does it feel off? Is the facility like
the pictures online or does it look completely different, many facilities do
this to get customers in the door, and it’s deceiving. In the facility, pay
attention if the staff is warm and friendly or if they seem like they don’t
want to be there. Picture yourself or your loved one walking through the halls
or sitting having dinner with residents, it’s important to feel comfortable.
Does the facility appeal to all 5 senses (taste, touch, smell, hearing, and
eyesight)?
Staff
When choosing an assisted living facility, the staff is one
of the most important aspects of deciding. The staff are going to be taking
care of you or your loved one and will be responsible for administering
medicine, help with mobility, running engaging activities, and caring for you
or your loved one’s overall safety. Assisted living staff should be passionate
in this line of work, find people you or your loved one connect with and feel
comfortable around. If you’re looking for ways to see what kind of staff a
facility has, to catch a glimpse, poke around on the facility’s Facebook page.
Doing this allows you to see into the environment and staff at the facility.
Most facilities have social media to keep families and potential residents
updated and to highlight special moments.
Look for Quality Services and Amenities of Assisted
Living
Care
Can you or your loved one’s needs be met? Will the nurses
and staff cater to you or your loved one for your specific required needs?
These are the questions to think about before making the final decision where
to go. 24/7 nursing is important to have when aging, someone to always be there
for you or your loved one in case of emergency. Look into how care is
administered and how it is determined to cater to you or your loved one. Ask
questions on the tour, reach out to the director, and read all the information
the facility will provide you in detail. Also, ask if the facility has
a Quality Assurance Manager.
Transportation
A facility having a service like transportation will give
residents the ability to go to their doctor’s appointments safely or partake in
an adventure off property. It’s a special service not every facility can offer,
families of loved ones can relax knowing they’re safe and provided with the
service of transportation.
Outside Space
Everyone needs fresh air. Having a path to walk on or
somewhere to be able to sit and get fresh air is important, especially in
assisted living, it’s easy to become cooped up a lot of the time. Getting
outside and moving your body will help feelings of isolation or sadness. Ask
the facility if they have outdoor patios and how often they use them. Look for
some vitamin D!
Some facilities offer many different types of amenities
like an ice cream parlor, barber shop, hair salon, library and more!
Look for Safety Features Offered in an Assisted Living
Facility
Security & Call System
If you or your loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s or
dementia, having security implementations such as Wander Guard will help
monitor you or your loved one. If a resident tries to leave the building alone,
it’s a simple way to help avoid accidents and to keep everyone safe. Having a
call system in place will help with the safety of you or your loved one.
Residents can notify nurses if they are not feeling well or have fallen, it’s a
system that helps staff be aware of issues in the building since they can’t be
everywhere at once. The call system is a feature that helps bring families
peace of mind because they know their loved ones are in constant care, which is
better than at home.
Ask for Their Recreational Activities Calendar of
Assisted Living
Interest
Many facilities offer a wide variety of social and
recreational activities for residents, with a lot of diversity to cater to
different interests. When researching facilities, focus on activities that
interest you or your loved one and that seem fun. At an assisted living
facility, there are more options than if at home, but it’s still important to
find activities you or your loved one will enjoy. Facilities that offer a
variety will be super helpful in creating a wonderful atmosphere. Some
facilities offer night owl calendars, the purpose of night owl is to have
residents stimulated if they can’t go to bed or enjoy staying up late.
From indoors to outdoors to exercise classes and happy hours, many
facilities offer a lot of options for residents to socialize.
Family
With the hundreds of activities assisted living facilities
can put together, important activities also include family involvement as well
as the community. Having a facility that enriches and encourages families to
come and visit their loved ones is important to help maintain close bonds.
Holiday parties with family and birthdays can help residents stay connected.
Look for Assisted Living Quality Food Service
Dietary Needs
Most people have different needs or specific restrictions
when it comes to their diet, especially as they age. It can be recommended by
your doctor, an allergy, or a personal choice. Making sure a facility offers
special dietary services is an important feature. While looking, it’s important
to also research if the menu is approved by a dietitian. Food can increase
socialization and overall health in you or your loved one by fueling your body
with nutritious meals. Having food that you or your loved one will like is
crucial to enjoying an assisted living facility. Eating and socializing
promotes a sense of community and food can help residents feel happier and more
comfortable.
Visitors
Look into if residents can have visitors and what that cost
would be. Some residents might not be able to leave the assisted living home
because they are not able, so it’s important to see if the facility allows
family members to have private parties or gatherings.
Ask Questions About Contacts and Fees
It’s important to keep questions like these in mind on the
tour or speaking with the facility employees:
➢ Are there community entrance
fees?
➢ Are there any extra costs?
➢ Can you age in place?
➢ How often do rates increase?
Some facilities charge these fees, and some do not. Each
facility will work differently for everyone based on their financial situation
and each facility offers different services to residents. Find what’s best for
you or your loved one!
This checklist is meant to help get you or your loved one’s
mind thinking about important aspects to consider when discussing moving into
assisted living. There are many attributes that pertain to where you or your
loved one make the choice. It’s important to do the research and investigate
certain features that would help make the decision easier. It can be difficult
to narrow down the right place, especially with cost being a large factor of
where you or your loved one will go. Use resources to help in this decision and
trust your gut!
Let’s further discuss key points on why assisted living
could be the right choice for you or your loved one:
Reason 1:- 24/7 Nursing
Having nurses on site 24/7 is a game changer for you or a
loved one. It gives you and family members peace of mind that there are medical
professionals readily available if anything were to happen. Having a caregiver
who is professionally trained will help residents to live a happier life. As
much as family or friends want to help, they do not have the experience nurses
do. Some facilities do not offer 24-hour nurses because they don’t have enough
staff or money in their budget. They will still have access to nurses but not
24/7 or sometimes only virtually, it’s up to you or your loved one which is
preferred.
It can be hard to accept if you or a loved one needs
assisted living care but recognizing it and finding the best fit is worth the
hardship. The sense of safety you can give yourself or a loved one will be
extremely beneficial to both sides. Usually, families want to do everything
they can and become their own versions of nurses. There comes a point in time
when medical professionals will make the world a difference on both sides,
while also giving the opportunity to gain a group of supporters and advocates
for you or a loved one’s health.
Reason 2: – Having a 24/7 Activities Calendar
Keeping social has its many benefits for seniors. If you or
a loved one are introverted, it’s easy to become lonely and isolated. Being
alone has proven to have negative effects on mental and physical health. Taking
part in socialization may improve your memory and is a way to have fun! The
reason for 24/7
activities is to intrigue every type of resident, whether that be at
late afternoon or 3 in the morning because they can’t go back to bed after
taking their medication. Or they can’t sleep because they miss their family, so
they find a friend to play cards with. The purpose is to always have the
opportunity for residents available regardless of time.
During the day, a resident may be too tired to do anything
but by nighttime, they feel better. This gives everyone the opportunity to
socialize on their own time. Some residents are night owls, others early birds,
both have the chance to do what they want and when. If you or a loved one are
looking for a chance to improve your mental health, consider and participate in
activities that are offered because there are bigger reasons behind them. For
example, playing cards frequently can help improve your or a loved one’s memory
and cognition. Cards help with short-term memory as recalling a move quickly is
important, as well as hand eye coordination. Reminder, social activities will
always be important to a person’s physical and mental health, regardless of age.
Reason 3: – Services and Amenities
Something you wouldn’t be able to enjoy at home but can at a
facility will likely become an incentive on why a senior living facility might
be for you. For example, the adjustment of going from a home with not much to
do unless you could drive there, to a facility with cool amenities like a
beauty parlor and barber shop could be a fun change!
The day-to-day places you had to go each day while living
alone can be right down the hall instead. This saves gas money, car payments,
expenses, or the risk of something happening to you or a loved one
unsupervised. When looking for the right facility for you or your loved one,
pay close attention to the amenities and
the benefits of having them right there. When picking options, have them be
desirable and beneficial to what you or your loved one want.
Reason 4: – Dining
Independence is easy to take for granted, having it taken
away or fighting a loved one over it for their safety is difficult. With
assisted living, loved ones are monitored constantly without being invasive, to
allow the opportunity to still be independent. They can go on walks, take a
yoga class, or participate in field trips all while having nurses assist at
every event they choose to attend. If anything were to happen, they wouldn’t be
alone.
Reason 5: – Feel at Home
If you or your loved one suffers from pain or difficulty
getting around, assisted living can help relieve those struggles and provide
comfort. Having professionals monitor medications or assist with hygiene
activities will help you or a loved one’s quality of life. It’s not a secret as
someone gets older, it is more of a risk for them to be alone or to be doing
activities they’ve always done. Being a resident of assisted living will help
bring an extra level of safety to you or your loved one that families cannot
bring. As safe and secure someone may feel with their own families, it is not
always the solution especially if they have their own lives to live.
Reason 6: – Safety
When an elderly person is living alone, they usually have
housework to upkeep or laundry to fold. But what if the washer and dryer are in
the basement and it’s a hazard to walk down a steep flight of stairs. Not only
does this pertain to safety but joining an assisted living facility can also
allow for more free time. Not worrying about the laundry being folded, the
dishes being clean or the mailbox being completely full.
Pittsburgh is known as one of the best places to live in
Pennsylvania according to Niche.
It is rich in American history and known as the “City of Bridges” having 446 of
them. There are 195 assisted living facilities in the Pittsburgh area, they
offer different opportunities for levels of care and costs.
Pittsburgh is a place where different age groups can find
multiple activities to do. Being in assisted living won’t stop you from still
enjoying the city you live in if you’re able. Look into the local arts and
culture of Pittsburgh, like the Warhol Museum.
When it comes to deciding when to go into assisted living,
it’s important to plan. Coming to terms with accepting help or realizing you or
your loved one needs a change in their environment requires some deep thinking.
There is a lot going into a decision as big as this one: family, pets, current
home, or if facility care is the right choice. Check out this planning guide for
a mental and physical checklist to help you or your loved one feel better
prepared.
If you or your loved one do choose to become a resident at a
senior living facility, the standard is to be well taken care of daily. There
should be multiple employees in each department making sure residents are
comfortable and being cared for. To benefit from the care you or your loved one
receive, it’s important to also continue to care for
yourselves.
In Conclusion
Residing in a senior living facility opens a door of
opportunity and benefits for you or a loved one. With a 24/7
activities schedule to keep you or your loved one engaged and social to the
multiple amenities available. Gain the advantages senior living facilities
offer while feeling comfortable and aging in place. Senior living is not only
about becoming older, but also about finding a place which fits you or a loved
one’s needs best, all while offering opportunities that wouldn’t be available
at home. Having 24-hour nurses physically on property can make a world of
difference with your or a loved one’s health compared to being alone.
Still feel connected to having independence by choosing to
participate in activities and continue to stay active. Senior assisted living
facilities can offer the opportunity of aging in place. The care you receive
can adapt with you or your loved one’s age, resulting in a happier and safer
lifestyle. Its main purpose is to provide comfort and fulfillment to residents
and their families in times of need.
If you’re interested in learning more about senior living
facilities and what they can offer to you or a loved one, research! Call up
potential facilities and schedule a tour to see it in person or a virtual
visit.
Take the information here and process all the opportunities senior assisted living can give to yourself or a loved one. It can transform a person’s way of life as they begin to age and have limited abilities. There are more opportunities for residents with activities and amenities available every day, compared to if they weren’t residents at a facility. Socializing and moving your feet are key factors in staying healthy as everyone ages, cue the live music and midnight movies!
- To view the original version of this article visit www.northlandseniorliving.com/2023/04/03/assisted-living-in-pittsburgh-pa/
- Seniors Blue Book was not involved in the creation of this content.
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These may include orthopedic and postsurgical care, cardiac care, wound care, neurological and stroke care, pulmonary care, and memory care.When comparing skilled nursing communities, families should ask specifically about the clinical services available at each location.Assisted LivingAssisted living can be a good option for older adults who need help with daily activities but still want to maintain as much independence as possible.Support may include assistance with bathing, dressing, medications, meals, and other everyday routines, along with opportunities for social engagement and activities.For families in Holmdel, Middletown, Red Bank, Freehold, and neighboring Monmouth County communities, assisted living can offer an alternative to managing increasing care needs at home.Long-Term CareFor some seniors, rehabilitation is only one step in a longer care journey. Chronic illness, cognitive impairment, disability, or increasing difficulty with daily activities may eventually require ongoing nursing support.Long-term care provides assistance around the clock while also addressing the social and emotional needs that contribute to quality of life.A Local Presence MattersFor families choosing senior care, location can be an important consideration.Being close to home makes it easier for spouses, children, grandchildren, and friends to visit regularly and remain involved in care. That's particularly meaningful in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, where families may live in neighboring communities but still want their loved one to remain close to their established support system.Complete Care has a broad local presence, with communities serving residents throughout the region. Its Monmouth County locations include communities in Holmdel, Long Branch, Ocean Grove, Wall Township, and Shrewsbury. Ocean County options include multiple communities in Toms River and Brick Township.Because services vary by location, families should contact the individual community to determine which level of care and specialized programs are available.What Should Families Look For?Whether you're looking for assisted living in Monmouth County, skilled nursing in Ocean County, or rehabilitation following a hospital stay, consider more than just the building.Ask: What level of care does my loved one need today? What happens if their needs change? What rehabilitation and therapy services are available? Does the community offer specialized clinical care? How involved can family members be in the care plan? What activities and social opportunities are available? How close is the community to family? And whenever possible, visit in person.Notice how staff interact with residents. Ask questions. Talk with the admissions and care teams. Pay attention to whether residents appear engaged and comfortable.These observations can help families understand what daily life may actually feel like for their loved one.Planning Before a CrisisMany families begin researching senior care only after a crisisa fall, hospitalization, diagnosis, or caregiver burnout.Planning ahead can provide more choices and less pressure.Even if your loved one isn't ready for assisted living or long-term care today, learning about senior care communities in Monmouth and Ocean Counties can help your family understand what resources are available if circumstances change.Having these conversations early also gives older adults an opportunity to participate in decisions about their own future.Complete Care in Monmouth & Ocean CountiesFor families looking for assisted living, post-acute rehabilitation, skilled nursing, or long-term care in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Complete Care offers multiple local communities and a range of care services.The right choice will depend on your loved one's medical needs, level of independence, preferences, and family circumstances. Taking the time to understand those needsand exploring local options before a crisis occurscan make the process easier for everyone.Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat types of care does Complete Care provide?Complete Care offers assisted living, post-acute rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and long-term care. Specific services and clinical programs vary by location.Where does Complete Care serve Monmouth County?Complete Care has communities in areas including Holmdel, Long Branch, Ocean Grove, Wall Township, and Shrewsbury.Where does Complete Care serve Ocean County?Complete Care has multiple communities in Toms River and Brick Township, among other nearby locations.What is post-acute rehabilitation?Post-acute rehabilitation helps individuals recover after hospitalization, surgery, illness, or injury. Therapy and nursing services are designed to help patients regain function and return home safely when possible.If you're researching senior care options in Monmouth or Ocean County, NJ, visit Complete Care's Seniors Blue Book listing for more information about available services and local care options.