The Best Independent Living Communities in Mercer County, PA

"I found a place for when my mother-in-law is ready to go. It's The Lakes at Jefferson in Mercer. We toured their 2nd floor, which is the 24-hour care facility. The 1st floor has no assistance at all. They said when you're on the 2nd floor, they clean your place, wash your clothes, tell you of your medicines, and anything that you would need medically. They also take you to any appointments. It's like you're walking into the most beautiful wedding reception hall or even like a gentleman's club back in the day that you would see in movies because the floors are just stunningly beautiful. It has couches and beautiful furniture all over, and even a pool table that's just beautiful. The colors of the whole place, even the flowers, it's all beautiful. When you walk in, they have this big, long white counter and it's all refreshments that anybody can have, even if you're going for a visit. There are beautiful tables and chairs. It's so state-of-the-art. When I walked in, I thought my mother-in-law would love this place. I've seen other ones that look so run down and this is the nicest one I've ever seen. It doesn't even look like you're going to a nursing home. I did not talk to the staff, but I was introduced to a couple. What I liked is that that particular day they had a large van and any of the residents that wanted to go to Kaynak's are going on that trip that day. Those that didn't (because it was around Easter when I went) could come to help stuff eggs because they have a huge egg hunt for any family members, children, or even the local residents. They put on shows and entertainment, and they're outdoors. They have beautiful patios with fire pits and a waterfall thing. It's just nothing like I've ever seen that could be associated with the nursing home. If I go and visit, they have a private lounge room that's just like a living room with a big-screen TV. It's small enough to make it intimate, but large enough that if you had eight people with you or the whole family, you're all comfortable. I loved their meals too. They have an area where they post for the whole month, what they're having every day. They also have alternatives if you don't like that. I was just impressed, from top to bottom. I didn't meet any staff or personally talk to them, but I was introduced to one of their members who was in charge that day. I did not try their food, but the menu looked like something I would want. They even have a Taco Tuesday, where they literally have like a taco truck that comes out. They have certain things that happen weekly for the residents, aside from what they also cook inside the place. They have specialty trucks that come with special food. They had a hair salon right on-site and a workout area, a beautiful gym. The only thing that was different was just something that I did not expect from the phone call. When I went there, was the room that I got quoted was a price of $2800 a month for a semi-private (so there would be two people in that room). If you want the private one all to yourself, it's $4500 (which my mother-in-law doesn't have). The semi-private area was still really nice. The bathroom was huge and then the other room adjoined to that just looked like a hotel. It has 2 beds, a TV, a little kitchenette, a little sink with a refrigerator, and its own dressers. They just had a hotel look. "

"Whispering Oaks was very nice and very clean. I've also already eaten a meal there, and it was very good. The place is very secure, safety-wise, and it's a reasonable price for independent living compared to the other places I visited. It had a chapel, they call it a community room, but to me it was a chapel because it had a piano, a place where a pastor could preach, and a big video screen. There were lots of activities there, too. I could go out back and have my family over to do a cookout on the grounds. They have a grill and a gazebo out back on a patio. They also have a nice porch in the front with hanging baskets, so it's very nice. My interaction with the staff was very nice. The people who assisted me were all very helpful. The place has studios and two-bedroom apartments. They have different floor plans at different prices, too. They will also give you a thing to put around your neck to let them know that you have fallen. It's not connected to the ambulance because those ones on TV that call the ambulance, you have to pay for those even if you're a member, and that adds up after a while. The thing they have will call my daughter; she's their priority. She'll come and help me instead of calling an ambulance, and I like that idea more. I've eaten there, and the French fries were real potatoes. They have a chef, and they waited on me fairly quickly. They don't take it like restaurants, where they go around and get tables, and you put your order in. I only had lunch there, but I noticed that the food for lunch and dinner was the same, with a variety of options. I had a chili dog with French fries, and it was very good. They also had a pastrami sandwich and broiled fish."

"My mother is in John XXIII Home. The reason we choose it is because we are familiar with it, and we have other family members that have gone there. The staff seems to be very caring and knowledgeable. The facility is very clean. The rooms are very spacious. It is a place that has people that she knows. When I am there, they have like a picnic and they have like hamburgers and hotdogs and stuff, but as far as I know, my mother says the food is very good. I think she is doing more there than she did when she was living by herself. "

"Liberty Arms is a beautiful place. However, they didn't seem to think they can handle my mom's needs. It was kind of they've already made up their mind before they came to see her. And I know they gave her a very good evaluation. The rooms there were kind of odd-shaped with an odd setup. The staff would make sure everybody gets down to the dining room during meal time, and if somebody is missing they'll go look for them. Or if someone would need assistance they'll take them to the dining area. "

"The place was the nicest home I've been in. Doesn't smell like peeothers said. Activities dailyand church available if you need it. Staff was excellent. Became friends with two great cna"s. If you rang the bell they came right away.breakfast need to change.. I was there for rehab.jeremy and pt. staff never gave up on me.love all of you.wish my insurance would let me stay longer for rehab."

"We've placed my aunt in Sycamore Place. It was very clean and very inviting, and the management is very professional. They were very helpful. I met the manager and she was very informative, showed me around, and was very personable. She went above and beyond to help us get in earlier than we anticipated. The rooms were all set up the same. It's not overly spacious, but spacious enough for comfortable senior living. The air quality was good, the rooms were clean, and it was just a nice environment. They have public transportation aside from activities."