What to Look for in a Personal Care Home in Chester County

September 8, 2026

Choosing a personal care home is an important and highly personal decision. Families want to know that an older adult will receive the assistance they need, but quality of life involves much more than care alone. The right community should also feel comfortable, welcoming, and respectful of each resident’s individuality.

Personal care homes throughout Chester County differ in their approach, atmosphere, services, and level of support. Understanding what to consider—and what to ask during a tour—can help older adults and their families find a community that feels right for them.

Individualized Assistance with Daily Life

Many older adults begin considering personal care when everyday tasks have become more difficult. This may include bathing, dressing, grooming, managing medications, moving safely, or maintaining proper nutrition.

When exploring a community, families should ask how each resident’s needs are assessed and how assistance is incorporated into their daily routine. The goal should be to provide appropriate support without unnecessarily taking over the things a resident can and wants to do independently.

Needs can also change over time. Understanding how a community monitors those changes and communicates with residents and families is an important part of the decision.

A Community That Feels Like Home

A personal care home is more than a place where services are provided. It becomes part of a resident’s everyday life.

Pay attention to how the community feels when you visit. Are residents and team members interacting comfortably? Do the shared spaces feel welcoming? Are residents treated with warmth and respect? Does the environment feel like a place where your loved one could settle in and be themselves?

At The Hickman, our guiding promise is, “When you’re here, you’re home.” This reflects our belief that residents should feel known, valued, and comfortable within the community.

Meaningful Relationships with Team Members

The quality of a personal care home is closely connected to the people who provide support each day. Experience and training are important, but so are patience, compassion, and the ability to form genuine relationships with residents.

During a tour, families may want to ask about staff longevity, training, communication, and how team members learn about residents’ preferences and routines. Observing interactions between residents and staff can also provide meaningful insight into the culture of a community.

At The Hickman, relationships are at the heart of daily life. Our team members take time to know residents as individuals, including their interests, preferences, personal histories, and sense of humor.

Choice in Daily Routines

Personal care should not require every resident to follow the same schedule or participate in the same way. Older adults bring a lifetime of habits, interests, and preferences with them when they move.

Ask how much choice residents have in their daily routines. Can they decide how to spend their time? Are both group activities and quieter options available? Can programs accommodate different interests and abilities?

The Hickman’s Community Life programming offers opportunities for movement, creativity, entertainment, social connection, and lifelong learning. Participation is always a personal choice. Residents may join an activity, spend time with friends and family, relax in one of our shared spaces, or enjoy the comfort of their own apartment.

Dining and Mealtime Experience

Meals contribute to nutrition, routine, comfort, and social connection. When comparing personal care homes, review more than a sample menu. Consider the complete dining experience.

Families may want to ask:

• How are residents’ dietary needs and preferences addressed?
• Are alternatives available?
• Where and when are meals served?
• Is assistance available for residents who need it?
• Does the dining environment feel relaxed and welcoming?

Whenever possible, visit during a mealtime or ask whether you can experience a meal as part of your tour.

Location and Family Connection

Location can make a meaningful difference in a resident’s quality of life. A community that is convenient for family and friends may make regular visits easier and help residents maintain important relationships.

The surrounding environment matters as well. Some families may prefer a quiet suburban setting, while others value being part of an established neighborhood or town.

The Hickman is located in the Borough of West Chester, PA, where residents remain connected to the character and activity of the surrounding community. Our location also allows family members to combine a visit with time together in the Borough when appropriate.

Values and Community Culture

Every personal care home has its own culture. Asking about a community’s history, mission, and guiding values can help families understand how those principles influence everyday life.

The Hickman was founded by two Quaker women whose commitment to service established a lasting foundation for our community. Today, the Quaker values of equality, integrity, simplicity, peace, and stewardship continue to inform how we welcome, respect, and care for one another.

Residents do not need to be Quaker to live at The Hickman. People of all backgrounds and beliefs are welcomed and valued within our community.

Questions to Ask During a Personal Care Tour

Before choosing a personal care home, prepare questions based on the older adult’s current needs and what matters most to them. Helpful questions may include:

• What assistance is available with activities of daily living?
• How are individual care needs assessed and reviewed?
• How does the community communicate with families?
• What choices do residents have in their daily routines?
• How are dietary needs and preferences accommodated?
• What programs and opportunities are available?
• What happens if a resident’s needs change?
• What is included in the monthly cost, and which services carry additional fees?
• How does the community help new residents become comfortable after a move?

Families should also trust their observations. Facts and services matter, but so does the way a community makes you and your loved one feel.

Finding the Right Personal Care Home

There is no single personal care home that is right for everyone. The best choice is the community that can appropriately support an older adult’s needs while respecting their preferences, relationships, and individuality.

At The Hickman, residents receive personal care in a close-knit community grounded in meaningful relationships, individual choice, and more than 135 years of service. We invite older adults and their families to visit, meet our team, and experience what it means when we say, “When you’re here, you’re home.”

To learn more about life at The Hickman or schedule a tour, contact us online or call 484-760-6300.