Selecting an assisted living facility in the Villanova area can be a difficult decision to make and the choices can feel overwhelming.
When evaluating prospective homes there are some key factors to look at when assessing the options so that seniors can find the best place for their needs. Some points for evaluation are:
- Services provided - First and foremost, care homes should be assessed based on the assistance they provide. Basic care, activities, medical services, fitness programs, and dining should all be considered. People looking at care homes should determine the level of assistance they require and ensure that they can have the independence amount that is right for them, as well as looking at what pleasure and social activities there are so they can ensure that they’ll enjoy their time there.
- References - Any prospective assisted living Villanova should be able to provide a list of references of other people who live in the residence and of their family members outside of the home. This allows potential residents to speak to people about their real experience and hear their opinions on the pros and cons from their peers.
- Tour - A guided tour of the care home will provide a wealth of information. Prospective residents and their family members can see first hand what the facility and grounds look like, what the rooms include, and can see how other residents are spending their time or interacting with one another. The best care home for that person will just feel right and people will often describe knowing it was the right place from the moment they walked through the door. People are encouraged to trust their instincts and choose the home that gives the them the best impression and feeling.
Cleanliness - It’s important for residents to maintain a high quality of life when they move to an assisted home in Villanova and this means living in a well-kept facility. A home should be spotless and well cared for. The cleanliness and attention to detail can be indicative of the facility’s standards, which can be translated into their quality of care.
- Philosophy of care - Each care home will have it’s own philosophy of care and prospective residents should become familiar with the mission statement of each facility they look at. The values of the home should align with the values of the potential resident and should resonate with the type of care and/or independence they are looking for.
- Customer service - Staff members should be friendly, accommodating, and treat prospective residents with the utmost respect. They should allow as much time as a potential resident needs to have all of their questions answered and they should do so in a kind way that makes people feel welcome and at ease. A person’s first interaction with staff members will give them a good idea of the customer care they can expect to receive if they choose to live there.
With all the luxuries that life affords, it’s easy to get carried away in the thick of things and forget how important it is to maintain good health. Our bodies are tools, in a sense, and they function just as well as we maintain them. Although it’s tempting to think otherwise, it’s never too late for someone to get into peak physical shape, even when it comes to Villanova residents engaged in an 
Keep the Mind Active Through Reading
While maintaining a solid physical foundation at any age is key, engaging the mind on a regular basis is also important in maintaining overall health. A happy, involved mind makes for a healthy body. The value of reading cannot be understated when it comes to feeding the mind with lush intellectual stimulation. Books feed their readers content and, in return, ask that their readers transform the words on the page into vivid imagined scenes. The companionship of a good book can turn a casual night spent in the living room into something truly grand. Aside from the rich enjoyment that books come with, engaging in regular reading is useful in maintaining long-term good health.
Donate Time
As the mind and body require stimulation, so too does the spirit. Dedicating a portion of one’s life to bringing joy and wellness into the lives of others can go a long way in raising the spirits, and high spirits bring about long, healthy lives. Of course, it’s important not to dedicate so much time to others that one misses out on crucial personal time — in this case, as in most cases, a sense of balance is key.
Find Passion in Physical Activity
Physical exercise does not necessarily have to be a chore. Activities that are approached with a sense of passion do not come across as “work”. In that regard, choosing a physical activity that is fun and personally engaging is its own reward, though it also comes with all the benefits that a good workout brings.
Prioritize
Stress can be overwhelming, whether it rears its head without prior warning, or manifests itself with increasing frequency over years. Aside from the immediate sense of discomfort it yields, stress can affect blood pressure, immune system functions, and can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Although removing stress is far easier said than done, stress is something that can be warded off in small steps, such as taking time to prioritize what the truly important things in life are. When listing down life’s priorities, there may come a realization that a lot of stress is derived from trivial circumstances.
Get a pet!
Anyone living a sedentary lifestyle has plenty of reasons to get a pet. Having an animal companion around the house can add a bonus sense of joy to life, and a joyful mindset is the best way to go about healthy living.
When an elderly loved one begins to have trouble caring for themselves, it may be time to have a conversation about assisted living options. By moving into an 
The quality of the food served to residents at an assisted living community is very important; meals should be made with fresh ingredients, and should be nutritious so as to keep residents feeling their best. Any reputable assisted living community should be happy to allow visitors to sample a meal on-site.
To get a true idea for how the community is run, it's best to visit during a busy time when there is a lot of activity. Generally, this will be during the evening hours, when planned activities will be taking place, staff will be helping residents prepare for bed, and meals are being served. 
Finally, if possible, it's always smart to speak one-on-one with family members of current residents during the visit. This will ultimately give the best insight as to how the community is run and the level of satisfaction from family and residents. Not to mention, this could even give a loved one a chance to connect with another resident within the community, helping them feel more comfortable if and when it comes time to move in.
Finding 
For far too long, elder care facilities have treated assisted living residents as invalids who cannot do for themselves. This is not the case. Just because someone needs assistance in some things doesn’t mean that person cannot lead an active lifestyle. Facilities that encourage active lifestyles for assisted living residents will offer activities, such as fitness classes, dances, community events, and even volunteer opportunities that take their physical limitations or constraints into account and show residents how they can overcome them to achieve their fitness goals, get out on the dance floor, and give back to their communities. 
Most people move into assisted living communities because they have specific needs that cannot be addressed or met in their current home situation. It may be mobility needs or progressive cognitive impairments. Look for communities that have qualified caring professionals and programs in place to address the specific needs that are relevant to loved ones. Whether it is on-site physical therapy or memory care wings, it’s important that the most pressing needs are being met by the facility or find one that can address those needs properly. 
People have many complex sides to them. It isn’t enough to find assisted living in Villanova that meets the barest physical needs of food, shelter, and medical supervision for residents. All aspects of care must be met including their spiritual needs, social needs, and intellectual needs. Look for communities that offer a wide variety of activities, lectures, learning opportunities, community involvement, intergenerational opportunities, and more. The more active the residents, the happier they will be in their new homes. 
