Assisted Living in Pennsylvania
Seniors looking for an assisted living community in Pennsylvania will find no shortage of options for them. Pennsylvania is a thriving family-friendly state with seniors making up 18.2% of the population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. There are 857 assisted living communities in Pennsylvania that cater to seniors, and residents can expect to pay slightly less than the national average to live in such facilities, with a typical facility charging $3,913 per month.
Learn more about Pennsylvania and get the information you need to make informed decisions about assisted living for your family.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Assisted Living in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has a senior score of 73%. This means it ranks higher than the national average as a place for seniors to live, based on metrics such as access to health care and recreation, availability of senior living facilities and overall quality of life.
SeniorScore™ for Pennsylvania
The SeniorScore™ is calculated based on over 100 variables, some of which are shown below. The final score is curved based on a linear curving method. For More info visit senioradvice.com/seniorscore.
- Pennsylvania's SeniorScore™ of 73 is higher than the national average of 72.
- Pennsylvania has high access to Medicare registered healthcare providers.
- Pennsylvania has a high number of hospitals within the state.
- Pennsylvania has a high number of senior living facilities within the state.
- Pennsylvania has a high number of home healthcare providers operating in the state.
- The average life expectancy in Pennsylvania is 78.5, compared to the national average of 78.6.
- Pennsylvania has an average overall property crime rate compared to national averages.
- Pennsylvania has a high overall violent crime rate compared to national averages.
- 31% of the population in Pennsylvania are seniors, compared to 29% nationally.
- Pennsylvania has 704 golf courses in the state.
- Pennsylvania has an average number of municipal parks throughout the state.
- Pennsylvania has 5,808 churches in the state.
- The property taxes average 3.61% of total income in Pennsylvania, which is significantly higher than the national average of 2.79%.
- The property taxes average 1.43% of property value in Pennsylvania, which is significantly higher than the national average of 1.09%.
- The average sales tax in Pennsylvania is 7.00%, which is higher than the national average of 6.97%.
- The average state income tax in Pennsylvania is 3.07%, which is lower than the national average of 3.38%.
- The mean household income in Pennsylvania is $69,518, which is higher than the national average of $64,580.
- Pennsylvania's median household income is $54,921, which is higher than the national average of $51,560.
- The average per capita income in Pennsylvania is $27,854, which is higher than the national average of $25,611.
- Assisted living costs in Pennsylvania average $41,203 per year, which are lower than the national average of $42,700.
- Nursing home costs in Pennsylvania average $109,426 per year, which are significantly higher than the national average of $92,481.
- Costs for adult daycare in Pennsylvania average $16,456 per year, which are lower than the national average of $17,931.
- Costs for home healthcare in Pennsylvania average $46,533 per year, which are higher than the national average of $46,197.
- The unemployment rate is about 8.11% in Pennsylvania, which is lower than then national rate of 8.26%.
- The overall cost of living in Pennsylvania is high compared to national averages.
- 0.66% of the senior population in Pennsylvania are financially responsible for at least one grandchild.
- Pennsylvania receives an average of 41.6 inches of rain per year.
- Pennsylvania has an average annual temperature of 50.2 degrees fahrenheit.
- Pennsylvania has an average low temperature of 39.1 degrees fahrenheit.
- Pennsylvania has an average high temperature of 60.2 degrees fahrenheit.
- Pennsylvania has an average population density of 1,085 people per square mile.
- Pennsylvania has an average public school quality ranking.
- Pennsylvania has a very low public school safety ranking.
- Pennsylvania has an average graduation rate of 87.66%.
Pennsylvania scores well for health and safety, offering good access to Medicare-registered healthcare providers and having a high density of hospitals, home healthcare providers and senior living facilities. The average life expectancy in the state is 78.5 years. Seniors living in Pennsylvania can take advantage of access to numerous municipal parks, churches and golf courses.
Property taxes in Pennsylvania are higher than average, and there is more rain and cold weather in the state than in many other parts of the country. Other reasons general quality of life scored low has to do with average to low public school system rankings. These are some issues that reduce the senior score.
Top Assisted Living Facilities in Pennsylvania
Situated in the Hawthorne area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Powerback Rehabilitation is a 150 unit nursing home facility. The encompassing area has a dense population, with roughly 36,000 poeple living in the zip code of 19146. With an average ...
ManorCare Health Services-Lansdale is a 170 room nursing home facility. It is located at 640 Bethlehem Pike in Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania. The facility is in a mostly well-to-do area, with an average household income of $77,772. With approximately ...
Crestview Center is a 180 bed senior care community situated nearby the Village Shires area of Langhorne, Pennsylvania. The community is in a predominantly upper class area, with a median household income of $82,821. It is densely populated, ...
Old Orchard Health Care Center is a 180 bed skilled nursing facility located in Easton, Pennsylvania. The encompassing area has a dense population, with roughly 27,000 people residing in the 18045 zip code. It is a primarily middle ...
St. Monica Center For Rehabilitation and Healthcare is located within the Whitman area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is a 180 unit nursing home facility. The facility is in a largely middle class area, with an average family income ...
St. John Neumann Centrr For Rehab and Healthcare is located in the Northeast Airport neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is a 226 room nursing facility. With roughly 34,000 people residing in the zip code of 19116, the neighboring ...
Located within the Mount Lebanon area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Concordia of The South Hills is a 46 room senior community. The surrounding area has an average population density, with approximately 14,000 residents in the zip code of 15243. ...
Brinton Manor is a 92 bed senior housing community located in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. The community is in a largely affluent area, with a median household income of $99,375. With roughly 19,000 poeple living in the 19342 zip ...
The Meadows at Shannondell is a 60 unit senior housing facility. It is located at 6000 Shannondell Dr in Audubon, Pennsylvania. The community is in a largely middle income area, with an average family income of $74,361. ...
St. Martha Center For Rehabilitation and Healthcare is located at 470 Manor Ave in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. It is a 120 unit nursing care facility. With about 48,000 people residing in the 19335 zip code, the encompassing area is ...
Bryn Mawr Terrace is a 120 bed senior housing facility. It is located at 773 East Haverford Rd in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with around 22,000 people residing in the zip code of ...
Powerback Rehabilitation 1700 Pine Street is a 99 unit nursing home facility situated in Norristown, Pennsylvania. With about 43,000 individuals living in the zip code of 19401, the surrounding area is heavily populated. It is a primarily middle ...
Located close to the West Goshen area of West Chester, Pennsylvania, Park Lane At Bellingham is a 64 bed senior care facility. With a median household income of $86,098, the facility is in a generally upscale area. ...
Situated within the Lexington Park area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Deer Meadows Retirement Community is a 206 unit senior community. With an average per-household income of $45,095, the community is in a generally middle class area. It is heavily ...
Located at 2029 Westgate Dr in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, ManorCare Health Services-Bethlehem is a 217 unit nursing care facility. The community is in a largely middle income area, with a median per-household income of $64,939. With roughly 39,000 people ...
Abramson Center for Jewish Life is a 324 bed senior housing community located in North Wales, Pennsylvania. The community is in a generally wealthier area, with an average household income of $85,216. It is heavily populated, with approximately ...
Manorcare Health Services - Yeadon is a 198 bed nursing facility located nearby the Clearview neighborhood of Yeadon, Pennsylvania. With an average per-family income of $56,020, the community is in a primarily middle class area. It has a ...
ManorCare Health Services-King Of Prussia is a 150 room nursing care facility. It is located at 600 West Valley Forge Rd in King Of Prussia, Pennsylvania. The neighboring area has a dense population, with around 24,000 people residing ...
ManorCare Health Services-Oxford Valley is located at 1480 Oxford Valley Rd in Yardley, Pennsylvania. It is a 150 bed skilled nursing facility. The neighboring area is heavily populated, with around 52,000 people residing in the zip code of ...
Located at 885 Macbeth Dr in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, ManorCare Health Services-Monroeville is a 120 unit nursing care facility. The neighboring area has a dense population, with approximately 29,000 people residing in the zip code of 15146. With an ...
The Cost of Assisted Living in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's assisted living facilities have a median cost of $3,913 per month. This means that it is slightly more expensive than the national average. However, it compares favorably to some neighboring states, with only West Virginia having a lower median cost for assisted living care. These costs follow a similar trend to the cost of living index, which looks at the overall cost of housing, bills, groceries and other expenses.
- Pennsylvania: $3,913
- Massachusetts: $5,640
- New York: $4,630
- Ohio: $4,331
- West Virginia: $3,750
The Cost of Assisted Living in Pennsylvania's Top Cities
Living in Pennsylvania's largest city, Philadelphia, is far more expensive than living in other parts of the state. The cost of living index compares the cost of energy, food, health care, housing and transportation. By those metrics, Philadelphia is 25.1% more expensive to live in than the national average, while Erie is the cheapest area at 10.1% below the national average for cost of living. Care home and assisted living prices can be slightly different, however. It's important to look at assisted living costs for each city to get a fair comparison.
- Philadelphia: $4,875
- Pittsburgh: $3,265
- Allentown: $3,700
- Erie: $3,538
- Reading: $3,463
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Pennsylvania
Seniors who live in assisted living facilities or nursing homes have a different set of expenses compared to the average adult. The cost of assisted living, adult day care and nursing home services can vary massively. In general, nursing homes are the most expensive because residents in those facilities tend to require specialist care around the clock. In-home care may cost more than assisted living facilities because of the need for a dedicated carer to attend the property. Adult day care facilities are at the lower end of the price spectrum.
- Assisted Living: $3,913
- In-Home Care (homemaker): $4,385
- Home Health Care (home health aide): $4,481
- Adult Day Care (Adult Day Health Care): $1,457
- Nursing Home Care: $9,733
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Pennsylvania
PA Domiciliary Care Program
Address: Pennsylvania Department of Aging, 555 Walnut Street, 5th Floor Harrisburg, PA 17101-1919
Phone Number: (717) 783-1550
Website: https://www.aging.pa.gov/service-provider-quicklinks/domiciliary-care-service-providers/Pages/default.aspx
The Domiciliary Care Program, or 'Dom Care', is designed to give adults who require assistance with the activities of daily living the opportunity to reside in a homelike environment that matches their needs and preferences. Dom Care homes tend to be smaller than traditional care homes and cater to just a handful of residents. This makes the Dom Care program suitable for seniors who would prefer a more family-like care environment.
To be eligible for the Dom Care program, a prospective resident should be over the age of 18, and require sufficient assistance with the activities of daily living that they are unable to live independently. It is possible to participate in the Dom Care program as a private payer. To be eligible for financial assistance, an individual's income should be no more than $771 per month. A married couple seeking to enter Dom Care as a couple while receiving financial assistance is permitted to have an income of up to $1,157 per month.
Community HealthChoices
Phone Number: 844-824-3655
Website: https://www.enrollchc.com/learn
The Community HealthChoices Program is a Medicaid managed care program that is aimed at adults who are eligible for Medicaid Assistance and Medicare. It is also available for those who require nursing home care. It is not purely for seniors; however, it is something that many seniors are eligible for and choose to make use of. CHC offers medical benefits and long-term support services seniors can receive while in assisted living in order to help them avoid an unnecessary nursing home placement.
Eligibility for the CHC is primarily based on Medicaid and Medicare eligibility, although seniors who require nursing home levels of care may be able to make use of the program even if they are not eligible for both programs. Medicaid eligibility is based on income and asset assessments. The state of Pennsylvania allows certain assets to be exempted from the eligibility assessment. Contact your local County Assistance Office for advice.
Pennsylvania Assisted Living Rules and Regulations
Assisted living facilities in Pennsylvania are managed by the Department of Aging, Office of Long Term Living, Department of Licensing in Pennsylvania.
Scope of Care | Assisted Living Residences can provide personal care services and assistance with the activities of daily living, as well as nursing home levels of care. Personal care homes are not permitted to provide nursing home care. |
Care Plan Requirements | Assisted Living Residences should work with residents to build a care plan, and support aging in place. There are additional provisions for special care units that support residents with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. |
Medication Management Requirements | Personal care homes provide limited personal assistance with the activities of daily living. Assisted Living Residences have greater scope to assist with medication administration and other similar services. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Criminal history background checks are required for both types of facilities. |
Staff Training Requirements | All staff at Assisted Living Residences, including administrative staff, are required to receive dementia-specific training and undertake regular refresher courses. Caregivers and property administrators are required to have extensive training relating to their job responsibilities before having contact with residents. |
Medicaid Coverage | The state does not cover ALRs or personal care homes under the Medicaid State Plan. |
Reporting Abuse | Any concerns should be reported to the long-term care ombudsman at 717-783-8975 or [email protected]. |
Free Assisted Living Resources in Pennsylvania
PA Link to Aging and Disability Resources
PA Link helps Pennsylvania residents access Aging and Disability Resource Centers, giving them information about services and support available in their area. There are links in all 67 counties to improve access to long-term care and support seniors by promoting community-based solutions, guiding consumer-directed decision making and empowering residents regardless of their age, physical ability or financial resources.
Contact: Call 1-800-753-8827
Community HealthChoices
Community HealthChoices aims to coordinate health care coverage and improve the quality of the health care experience for seniors, reducing stress, and also saving seniors money. The goal of the program is to simplify access to health care and support, allowing seniors to enjoy a higher quality of life. The former Aging Waiver and Independence Waiver programs for community-based aging are now a part of Community HealthChoices. The program is run by the Department of Human Services. Roll-out began in January 2018 with the introduction of services in the southwest, with coverage expanding across the state over the following two years.
Contact: Call 844-824-3655
LIFE - Living Independence for the Elderly
LIFE is a program designed to support seniors who have some degree of independence, allowing them to remain a part of the community while streamlining access to health care services, supportive care, pharmaceuticals and occupational therapies. This managed care program is open to those over the age of 55 who require nursing facility levels of care. LIFE providers assess seniors to determine whether their needs could be safely served in the community.
Contact: Call 844-824-3655
Pennsylvania Agencies
Department of Aging
Phone Number: (800) 753-8827
Website: https://www.aging.pa.gov/
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging coordinates services for seniors in the state, including community centers, adult day centers and assisted living facilities. It also offers support for seniors who are looking to access care and provides advice on financial assistance and affordable care options. The Department of Aging is a good point of call for those who have concerns or questions about a specific facility or who need information about assistance programs.
Area Agencies on Aging in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Area Agencies on Aging offers assistance for seniors and their families, connecting them with a variety of programs and services. There are area agencies in each of the Pennsylvania countries. Each county can offer guidance relating to benefits, assistance programs and the availability of assisted living properties or at-home services in their area. While many benefits and assistance programs are federal or state-wide, it is worth seeking advice about local programs.
Veteran Affairs Offices in Pennsylvania
The Veteran Affairs offices in Pennsylvania can help veterans who are looking for assisted living services by directing them to suitable facilities and also assisting seniors who wish to access veteran benefits to cover the costs of assisted living.
Contact the Veteran Affairs Office in Pennsylvania for advice relating to support and assistance available to veterans. If you are a veteran yourself, or you are looking for assisted living support for a veteran, then they may be able to help you access tax exemptions, medical benefits or other support to reduce the financial burden associated with long-term care. There are some facilities run for and by veterans that may be able to offer additional support to those who have served.
Social Security Offices in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is covered by the Social Security Administration's Philadelphia Region, which includes Pennsylvania, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. There are 131 field offices across the region. You can find their locations and more information about them on the SSA website.
Social Security includes a number of benefits such as Medicare, disability and retirement. Some people who are considering moving into an assisted living facility may be able to claim related benefits that would offset some of the costs of staying in the property. Benefit calculators and other tools are provided on the SSA website along with guidance for those looking to apply for themselves or on the behalf of others. Seek advice before making and decisions about benefits, especially Medicare and Medicaid, to ensure that you get the most out of your eligibility.
Other Cities in Pennsylvania