Assisted Living Facilities In Pennsylvania
Assisted living (AL) is a senior care option that’s ideal for people who need assistance with some daily tasks — such as meals, personal care, and basic medical services — but don’t require the level of care that a nursing home may provide.
These facilities typically offer individual assisted living apartments with shared, communal spaces, such as dining areas and rooms for socialization.
You can also find specialized care at some facilities, such as memory care, services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, care for medical conditions, and more.
Specialized care may be available for chronic conditions such as:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Pulmonary disease
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s disease
- Urinary incontinence
- End-stage renal disease
Read on to learn more about assisted living homes in Pennsylvania, including what to expect from assisted living, how it differs from nursing homes, and the cost of a residential assisted living facility.
What Is Assisted Living for Seniors?
At an assisted living home, you’ll find a wide range of care related to activities of daily living (ADL). ADL services may include:
- bathing or showering
- using the restroom
- dressing
- getting in and out of a wheelchair, bed, or chair
- eating
- walking
Assisted Living Services
What does assisted living provide in Pennsylvania? While services vary from facility to facility, you can expect to find a home-like community with several common services, many of which are listed below.
Assisted living facilities in Pennsylvania generally offer amenities and services such as:
- 24-hour assistance
- up to three meals daily
- programs focused on health and wellness
- housekeeping services
- an on-site clinic
- medication management
- personal care services (ADL services)
- haircutting services
- emergency care
- transportation
- laundry services
- social gatherings and entertainment
- massage therapy
Assisted Living Vs. Nursing Homes
An assisted living home is a safe space for older adults to reside and get 24-hour supervision and care.
A nursing home offers the most intensive level of care, providing services for older adults in a medical environment rather than a home-like community as with assisted living.
The biggest difference between the two options is that nursing homes offer skilled nurses who can help seniors who have complex medical issues and need constant care.
If your loved one has an ongoing serious medical condition that requires full-time care, a nursing home might be the right option. Or, if your loved one only needs assistance with daily life tasks, senior assisted living could best suit their needs.
Assisted Living Cost in Pennsylvania
The average cost of assisted living in the U.S. is $4,000 monthly and $48,000 annually.
Keep in mind: The more specialized the service and the higher the level of care, the greater the cost.
How to Pay for Assisted Living
Q: What fees are there for assisted living?
A: You can expect to pay an up-front fee, known as a reservation deposit. This might equal out to up to two months of rent — about $8,000 based on the U.S. average.
You’ll then be charged monthly rent and fees for any additional services not provided in your chosen care package.
Q: Who pays for assisted living?
A: The cost of assisted living may be covered in part by Medicaid, Medicare, other sources of state funding, senior care programs offered by the VA, or private health insurance.
However, this coverage is often limited, as most health insurance plans do not cover long-term care. These plans may cover certain services, but won’t pay for the majority of the expenses — the rest must be paid out of pocket.
For example, Medicaid may cover medical expenses (such as medications and doctor’s visits), but won’t always cover the cost of room and board or additional services provided in an assisted living home.
Q: How do you pay for assisted living?
A: You may pay for services on an all-inclusive or a fee-for-service pricing model.
With the all-inclusive model, the individual will pay a flat rate that covers all room and board, as well as additional services offered by the assisted living home. If you choose a fee-for-service model, you’ll only pay for the services you use.
You can cover the cost of assisted living in a few ways:
- Private funds
- Funds from a life insurance settlement
- Taking out money from a reverse mortgage
- A bridge loan
Q: What’s covered in the cost of assisted living?
A: Base fees (monthly rent) will cover a range of expenses, such as meals, housing, and care.
Some of the other expenses include:
- Utilities
- Electric bills
- Rent
- Events and programs
- Housekeeping
- Basic medical care
- Medication management
- ADL services
If you’d like additional care, you may need to pay extra fees. Additional services outside of your base payment might include:
- Specialized memory care
- Pet fees
- Transportation services
- Haircutting or barbershop services
- Special care for certain medical conditions
- Internet
When It’s Time for Assisted Living
Many people do not see a need for assisted living because their loved ones are still active and mentally alert. However, assisted living is designed to help aging adults who could simply benefit from extra support with daily life.
It might be time for assisted living if:
- Your loved one is independent but could use help with daily tasks. This includes transportation, taking their medicine, and personal care. Assisted living communities provide a secure place for your loved one to live and receive 24-hour care.
- Family doesn’t live nearby. If there are no relatives or trusted friends close to your aging loved one, they might benefit from living in a space where they can get all of the care they need.
- You need peace of mind. If your loved one has a bad fall, experiences issues with memory, or has trouble maintaining their property or living space, the staff at a senior assisted living home will be available to care for all of their needs.
- Your loved one wants more socialization. Many seniors live alone and don’t often have the chance to see other people. These living communities encourage socialization by providing common areas for dining and socializing, social calendars with events and clubs for different interests, and other programs for connection.
How to Find Senior Assisted Living in Pennsylvania
Beginning the process of finding an assisted living home for your loved one can be intimidating. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through it alone.
You can browse our comprehensive directory of assisted living facilities in Pennsylvania to find a home that’s best for your loved one. There are dozens of options for assisted living in Pennsylvania, so you can find the right care for the senior in your life.
Written by Aging with Care
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