The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Altoona, PA

Opened in 2012, Graystone Manor Bellmeade is a comfortable, homelike senior care facility where pets are welcome. The single-story facility features a restaurant-style dining room, large patio area and beauty salon. Organized games, exercise classes and social activities are available each day, and meals are served in the bright restaurant-like dining hall. There's a large wheelchair-accessible covered patio with plenty of seating areas, and a cozy sun room that's popular with residents during the winter months.

Located just a few blocks east of Route 36, Hillview Chateau is a small, one-level senior living facility. Family members are welcome to drop by at any time, as the community has open visiting hours, and caregivers are on-site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the building, and there's a spacious living room where residents can gather to socialize. Each personal care suite includes a private patio that connects to the landscaped courtyard.

Celebration Villa of Altoona is a single-story, ranch-style facility where seniors can rest easy knowing that professional, compassionate caregivers are always happy to lend a helping hand. Residents are encouraged to join the many recreational and social activities offered daily, including trips to nearby restaurants, crafting workshops and holiday parties. Religious services are held on-site each week, and a church luncheon is served in the dining room once a month. We featured Celebration Villa of Altoona on this 10-best list because its staff members focus on helping residents make meaningful social connections with one another to create a strong sense of belonging for every senior.

Founded by the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged & Infirm in 1965, Garvey Manor is a nonprofit, faith-based continuing care facility. Each personal care suite is equipped with an emergency call button that connects with on-site caregivers, and most suites are large enough to accommodate married couples. There's a large Catholic chapel on-site where daily Mass and other devotional services are celebrated, and meatless meals are served every Friday in the dining room.

Situated in a quiet residential area on the site of a former orchard, The Winds at Mattern Orchard provides seniors with the ideal mix of gentle support and independence. Resident assistants focus on treating each senior with respect and dignity, and services include scheduled courtesy transportation, weekly housekeeping, and daily social and recreational programming. Each apartment home includes a full-size refrigerator, sink and microwave; telephone service; wall-to-wall carpeting and oversize windows.

Presbyterian Village At Hollidaysburg is a large faith-based senior living community where residents can access a wide range of long-term care services. Open to those aged 62 and older who are looking for a maintenance-free retirement lifestyle, this facility offers a vibrant social engagement program that includes resident gardening clubs, visits with pet therapy animals and intergenerational volunteer projects. The bright, spacious apartments feature en suite laundry centers, open-concept kitchens and private balconies, as well as convenient keyless entry systems. We featured Presbyterian Village at Hollidaysburg on this 10-best list because it offers seniors a lively, vibrant atmosphere and strong sense of community.

Established in 1974, Homewood at Martinsburg is a spacious, three-story continuing care community. Each assisted living apartment is equipped with a full kitchen, large closets, one or two bedrooms and a barrier-free bathroom. Residents can contact on-site caregivers by activating the in-house emergency call system located in every suite, and a licensed nurse is always available. There's a large, on-campus wellness center with a heated indoor swimming pool and cardio equipment, and the daily activity program includes a number of senior-friendly fitness classes.

Autumn View Personal Care is a single-story facility where seniors receive assistance with activities of daily living, transportation to local medical appointments and access to a wide range of recreational programs. Three home-cooked meals are served each day in the dining room, and there's a full-service beauty salon and barber shop that offers haircuts, perms and manicures. Each semiprivate and private room includes TV and phone service, and visitors are welcome at any time of day.

Cambridge Ebensburg Retirement Community is an up-to-date senior living facility that offers a host of amenities and services. Primary physician care is available at the in-house medical clinic, and X-ray, blood work and rehabilitation services are available on-site. The community features a movie theater, beauty salon and activity room, with daily recreational programming organized by a full-time activation coordinator.

Seniors who are looking for a cozy assisted living community that's surrounded by beautiful country views and woodlands may find that Forest Hill Personal Care Home fits the bill. Known for its friendly, homelike atmosphere and peaceful surroundings, this facility provides around-the-clock support, three homemade meals each day and assistance with transportation to local medical appointments. Rehabilitation therapy is available on-site, and the discrete WanderGuard resident monitoring system helps to keep seniors safe and secure.