This webpage will help Pennsylvania residents understand the costs associated with assisted living, home care, and adult day care throughout the state. It also explores the various payment options and financial assistance programs available to assist in caring for the elderly, be that in residential care or for aging in place at home.
The programs outlined here are comprehensive of what is available from the state of Pennsylvania, but is not comprehensive of what is available at a national level. When searching for assistance, it is important to explore all avenues to find the most appropriate program for the situation. To aid in this search and to find assistance nationwide, our Resource Locator Tool is invaluable.
Pennsylvania Eldercare Costs for 2024
Assisted Living / Memory Care
The statewide average monthly cost of assisted living in 2024 is $5,550, according to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey. The geographic areas of the state with the most expensive assisted living are the urban centers of Philadelphia, Erie and Harrisburg. In these areas, the average monthly costs are approximately $6,456 – $8,418. The areas of Allentown and Lebanon are fairly consistent with the statewide average. The least expensive region by far is Gettysburg with an average monthly cost of $3,800. Other regions for assisted living with fairly low average monthly costs include Scranton, Johnstown, and Williamsport, where the costs are approximately $4,362 – $4,500 per month.
Individuals with Alzheimer’s who reside in assisted living memory care units, which provide an increased level of care and security, should expect to pay an additional 20-30% each month.
Home Care
Statewide in 2024, per the Genworth Cost of Care Survey, Pennsylvania residents can expect to pay an average hourly rate for home care of $21. The most expensive areas of the state for home care are Philadelphia, Allentown, and Pittsburgh, with hourly costs between $25 and $28. The most affordable home care can be obtained in Erie and State College.
Home health care, provided by health care professionals, is also an option for elderly care and costs on average $10 more per hour than home care.
Adult Day Care
Non-residential adult day care is often the most affordable option for individuals who wish to remain living at home but require some supervision or assistance. Statewide, Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey indicates that in 2024, the average cost is $112 per day.
Pennsylvania Medicaid Financial Assistance Programs
Medicaid Programs & Waivers for the Elderly
Background
Medicaid (not to be confused with Medicare) is a program that is jointly administered by the federal government and the state of Pennsylvania. Via this program, assistance is provided to low-income elderly residents. The state Medicaid plan pays for nursing home care and some personal care. However, there are also Medicaid Waivers that provide services to the elderly and disabled in their homes or in the community in order to prevent or delay nursing home placement.
Programs and Waivers
A relatively new managed care waiver program, Community HealthChoices (CHC), became available statewide in January of 2020. CHC provides a broad range of home care and support services, which can enable an individual who might otherwise require nursing home care to remain living at home. Services include personal care, personal emergency response systems, home delivered meals, respite care, and home / vehicle modifications, as well as other medical and behavioral health services. Individuals who were enrolled in the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) Waiver were automatically enrolled in CHC, and the PDA Waiver was phased out.
Another program, Services My Way (SMW), gives beneficiaries the flexibility to determine their own care requirements and to select the individuals or organizations that will provide the services they require. While not technically a waiver, this program allows CHC participants an option to self-direct their care. With this option, certain family members, such as adult children, may be paid as caregivers.
Medicaid Eligibility
Medicaid has restrictive eligibility requirements based on an applicant’s income and their financial resources. Applicants are permitted monthly income of up to $2,829 as of 2024. This figure is set at 300% of the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR). They are also permitted to have up to $8,000 in countable resources (assets).
Some assets, such as a motor vehicle and home, are considered non-countable assets, provided they are in use by their owners. Furthermore, for the home to be exempt, the applicant’s equity interest in the home must not be greater than $713,000. (If a non-applicant spouse lives in the home, there is no equity interest limit.) Household furnishings, personal items, and burial plots are also considered exempt assets.
The eligibility rules differ for married couples with just one spouse applying for nursing home Medicaid or a Medicaid waiver. Married applicants are able to allocate a portion of their income (up to $3,853.50 / month) to their non-applicant (community) spouse. This rule is to prevent the non-applicant spouse from having too little income from which to live. If the non-applicant spouse already has monthly income equal to or above this figure, a transfer of income is not permitted.
In addition, the non-applicant spouse is able to retain 50% o the couple’s joint assets, up to $154,140 (in 2024). If the couple’s assets are under $30,828, the non-applicant spouse can keep all of the assets, up to this amount. This not only proves beneficial to the community spouse, but also lowers the applicant spouse’s countable income and assets.
Pennsylvania Non-Medicaid Assistance Programs
The Pennsylvania Domiciliary Care program is a non-Medicaid assistance program that is offered as an alternative to assisted living or home care. Often referred to as Dom Care, this program pays a fixed amount to help seniors live in the homes of caregivers. Personal care assistance is covered in addition to room and board.
Another program is the PA Options Program, through which home support and services are provided. Benefits include personal care, home health, home modifications, durable medical equipment, assistive technology, counseling, and adult day care.
In the area of prescription assistance, Pennsylvania offers the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE and PACENET) programs. These programs are designed for lower income, elderly state residents who do not qualify for Medicaid.
To make home modifications or purchase assistive technology for the home, there are zero interest and low-interest loans, as well as grants from the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF).
Another option is LIHEAP, which provides reduced energy costs for heating and cooling one’s home.
PACE Programs in Pennsylvania
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a joint initiative between Medicare and Medicaid to help seniors get the care and services they need in the community rather than transitioning to a nursing home for care. Because Medicaid differs in each state, PACE eligibility varies between states.
Some of Pennsylvania’s PACE services include primary and specialty medical care, adult day care and nursing care along with physical, occupational and speech therapy. To meet eligibility requirements, applicants:
- Must be 65 years of age or older
- Must be a Pennsylvania resident for at least 90 days prior to the date of application
- Cannot be enrolled in the Department of Human Services Medicaid prescription benefit
- Must have a total gross total income of less than $14,500 for single persons and combined total income of $17,700 or less for married couples
How To Get Started With PACE in Pennsylvania
To get started with PACE in Pennsylvania, those interested can visit one of the providers’ websites listed below or Pennsylvania’s Medicaid website.
|
PACE Provider
|
Contact
|
Areas Served
|
|
Mercy Life PA (Trinity)
|
(215) 339-4747
|
Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties
|
|
InnovAge Pennsylvania LIFE
|
(855) 922-3791
|
Allegheny, Germantown, Pennypack, St. Bart’s, and at Henry Ave in Philadelphia
|
|
Albright LIFE
|
(717) 381-4320
|
Lancaster, Chester, Lebanon, Lycoming, Union, Clinton and Northumberland counties
|
|
Community LIFE
|
(866) 419-1693
|
Allegheny, Bedford, Washington, Westmorland, Fulton and Somerset counties
|
|
SeniorLIFE Washington
|
(877) 988-5433
|
Altoona, Edensburg, Greene, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Indiana, Johnstown, Lehigh Valley, Reading, Uniontown, Washington and York
|
|
LIFE NWPA
|
(844) 456-5433
|
Crawford, Eerie, Mercer, Venango, Warren, Forest, McKean, Elk, Clearfield, Cameron, Clarion and Jefferson counties
|
|
SeniorLIFE Ebensburg
|
(814) 472-6060
|
Greene, Washington, Fayette, Westmorland, Indiana, Cambria, Blair, Berks, Leigh, Northampton, York and Dauphin counties
|
|
LIFE Pittsburgh
|
(412) 388-8050
|
Beaver, Butler, Washington and Allegheny counties
|
|
SeniorLIFE Lehigh Valley
|
(610) 954-5433
|
Leigh and Northampton counties
|
|
LIFE Beaver County
|
(724) 378-5400
|
Beaver and Lawrence counties
|
Other Financial Options for Care
In addition to the state specific options that help pay for care, there are many non-profit and federal options. Use our Resource Locator Tool to find other programs that help pay for or reduce the cost of care. There are also programs that help veterans with assisted living and there are eldercare loans available in Pennsylvania.
Finding Affordable Care in Pennsylvania
Given the large variance Pennsylvania sees in the hourly cost of home care, the daily cost of adult day care, and the monthly cost of assisted living, one of the best ways to manage the cost of care is to find affordable care. To help families in doing so, we’ve partnered with several organizations that maintain large databases of care providers. These organizations all provide free services that match an individual’s specific care needs with care providers in their preferred geographic area. Click here to find affordable care.
Top Cities for Senior Care in Pennsylvania
For more information about the costs and resources available in Pennsylvania cities, click on the links below.
Top Cities for Memory Care
Top Cities for Assisted Living
