Assisted Living in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is a senior-friendly state – all retirement income for residents 60 and older is exempt from state taxes, and the sales tax rate of 6% is lower than average. According to the United States Census Bureau, 21.8% of the state’s population is elderly. Many of the elderly in the state live on fixed, limited incomes and need assistance in paying for and locating affordable assisted living facilities.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Pennsylvania

When starting the search to find a quality assisted living facility for yourself or an elderly loved one, it’s important to compare each facilities amenities, the type of care services they offer, and what financial assistance is available to help pay for the services you or your loved one. The directory below gives details and in-depth information on over 150 facilities in the state of Pennsylvania.

Paying For Assisted Living in Pennsylvania

The Cost of Assisted Living in Pennsylvania

The monthly median cost of assisted living in Pennsylvania is $3,750, which is cheaper than the national average of $4,000. According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care Survey, assisted living in Pennsylvania is also less expensive than the median in all but one neighboring state, West Virginia.

 

While the cost of Assisted Living is fairly consistent throughout the state, Scranton is the one exception coming in at $1,600 below the state average. The Philadelphia Area is the most expensive region in the state at $1,318 above the national average of $4,000.

 

While nursing home care is relatively cheap in Pennsylvania when compared to the rest of the nation, it’s still considerably more expensive than assisted living. Other than independent living which doesn’t provide assistance with activities of daily living, assisted living communities are the cheapest solution for long-term care in the state. While nursing home care is relatively cheap in Pennsylvania when compared to the rest of the nation, it’s still considerably more expensive than assisted living. Other than independent living which doesn’t provide assistance with activities of daily living, assisted living communities are the cheapest solution for long-term care in the state.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Aging Waiver Program

The Aging Waiver is the division of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging that services frail elderly who are eligible to receive nursing home care but prefer to live and receive care in their home or communities. There are no caps, but some counties may have a waiting list.

Assisted living residents interested in the Aging Waiver must complete an in-person assessment to determine eligibility. If eligible, the resident, along with his or her representatives, will create a care plan with an Area Agency on Aging manager. It’s important that the care plan includes all the services the resident will need, as well as how often he or she will need them. If the services needed are not included in the care plan, they won’t be covered by the Aging Waiver.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants need to qualify for Pennsylvania’s Medicaid and meet certain income, asset limits and functionality requirements. If you’re 60 or older and will be the only one in your home, the qualifications for Medicaid include:

• Must meet the level of care needs for a Nursing Facility
• Be a legal U.S. resident who lives in Pennsylvania
• Annual income must not exceed $2,250 (in 2018), and your assets must be $8,000 or less

How to Apply

To get more details about eligibility requirements and start an application, contact your local Area Agency on Aging office. You can also call (918) 933-4900 or (800) 435-4711.

More Ways to Finance Assisted Living

Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

• Veterans Benefits: Veterans can take advantage of several different pension programs to help cover the cost of assisted living. For more information, see the article on benefits.va.gov.

• Life Insurance Policies: Even if a spouse or loved one hasn’t died, certain types of life insurance policies can be used to pay for assisted living. More information is available at longtermcare.acl.gov.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance is a type of insurance policy that pays for long-term care when it becomes necessary, including the cost of assisted living. For more information on the benefits and drawbacks of this financing method, visit longtermcare.acl.gov.

• Reverse Mortgages: Reverse mortgages allow seniors to access the equity from a home that they own, and these funds can be used to pay for assisted living. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers a federally insured reverse mortgage program.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Pennsylvania

Living Independence for the Elderly Program

Seniors 55 or older and eligible for or already receiving Medicaid or Medicare may find help with health and home care services through the Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) program. For Pennsylvania seniors who reside in an assisted living community, LIFE pays for prescription drugs, home modifications, in-home medical equipment, and supplies, plus more. It does not cover expenses for room & board.

LIFE is not available in all Pennsylvania communities. Click here to search for communities where LIFE is available.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Like many states, Pennsylvania maintains a Long-Term Care Ombudsman program that is free and confidential. The Ombudsman is tasked with:

• Educating residents, facility staff and the community on residents’ rights
• Providing assistance to residents with exercising their rights
• Addressing questions in regards to billing and charges, including Medicaid and Medicare
• Handling service change, transfer, discharge or discontinuance appeals
• Making referrals to long-term care programs and related services
• Investigating and resolving complaints about long-term care facilities and any long-term care services by residents or their family and friends

Area Agencies on Aging

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) is a network of hundreds of nonprofit organizations across America that provide federally funded services to adults over 60 in their local areas.

Pennsylvania has many Area Agencies on Aging that offer comprehensive information on various kinds of programs and community supports for seniors.

Veterans Affairs

Pennsylvania has VA centers to help veterans and their spouses with financing options for various kinds of care. These offices can provide guidance on your eligibility and direct you to the best support options for you.

Social Security Offices

Pennsylvania’s Social Security Offices offer another great resource for seniors and elderly caregivers looking for assistance. By contacting or visiting a Social Security office, you can get a better understanding of your or your loved one’s social security benefits and the types of assistance available to help pay for assisted living expenses. Below is a list of Social Security Offices in Pennsylvania.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Pennsylvania

Assisted Living Assessments

Documents required prior to admission to an assisted living facility in Pennsylvania include a medical evaluation as well as an initial assessment and support plan. The assessments can be completed 15 days after admission if the resident:

• Is being admitted directly from an acute care hospital
• Is escaping an abusive situation
• Has no alternative living arrangement

Assisted Living Admission Requirements

Unless assisted living facilities have approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, they cannot accept residents who:

• Are dependant on a ventilator
• Have stage 3 and 4 bedsores and vascular ulcers that are not in a healing stage
• Require continuous IV fluids
• Have an infectious disease that requires isolation or special precautions
• Have NG tubes
• Require physical restraints
• Need continuous skilled nursing care 24-hours a day

Assisted Living Scope of Care

Assisted living facilities are required to define the scope of services it provides to residents in writing. Assisted living communities in Pennsylvania typically offer the following services:

• Assistance with instrumental activities of daily living (e.g. preparing meals, housework, laundry, shopping, etc.)
• Assistance with activities of daily living (e.g. eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, etc.)
• Personal care
• Hospice care and services
• Nutritious meals and snacks
• Daily social and recreational activities
• Basic cognitive support
• 24-hour supervision, monitoring, and emergency response
• Help with self-administration of medicine or medication administration
• Skilled nursing
• Occupational and physical therapy
• Behavioral health services

Assisted Living Medicaid Policy

Medicaid does not directly cover the cost of assisted living. However, elderly who qualify for nursing home coverage from Medicaid can opt for assisted living and use the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Aging Waiver. Although the waiver does not cover the cost of room and board, it will cover home and support services.

Assisted Living Facility Requirements

Rules for assisted living facilities in Pennsylvania include:

• They must provide physical accommodations and safety equipment for residents with a disability.
• Unless the resident agrees to share their living unit with another resident, he or she must have his or her own unit, and the facility cannot require residents to share a unit.
• There must be accessible or adaptable doors for wheelchair use.
• Lockable doors must be provided.
• Living units and bathrooms must have an emergency notification system unless the resident has an alert device.
• Safety bars in bathrooms and slip-resistant surfaces must be installed in bathtubs and showers.

Medication Management Regulations

In order for staff to be allowed to give residents their medications, they must be a registered nurse, licensed physician’s assistant, certified registered nurse practitioner, licensed practical nurse, or graduate of an approved nursing program under the supervision of a professional nurse or staff who has completed the medication administration training.

Staffing Requirements

Pennsylvania assisted living facilities are expected to provide enough staff to fulfill services identified in residents’ assessment and support plans. Additionally, a licensed nurse must be available in the facility or on call at all times.

An administrator’s responsibilities in an assisted living facility include administering and managing, providing assisted living services, or if the administrator cannot provide the services, he or she can direct qualified staff to carry out the services and supervise them. The administrator is also responsible for maintaining or supervising the maintenance of financial and other records.

Staff Training Requirements

Before an assisted living facility hires an administrator, the administrator is required to complete the following training:

• An orientation program approved and administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
• A 100-hour standardized Department-approved administrator training course
• A Department-approved competency-based training test with a passing score

The requirements for working as direct care staff in an assisted living facility are:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must have a high school diploma, GED or be a nurse aide currently active on the Pennsylvania registry
• Cannot have a drug or alcohol addiction
• Must not have a medical condition that would keep him or her from providing the necessary assisted living services with reasonable skill and safety
• Must have the ability to communicate in a mode or manner the resident can understand

Background Checks for Assisted Living

In accordance with the Older Adults Protective Services Act (OAPSA), applicants with prohibitive offenses (see § 10225.503 in the OAPSA) are not allowed to work in Pennsylvania assisted living facilities.

The assisted living facility is required to document all background checks on the Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Record Check form or through the e-patch program.

Requirements for Reporting Abuse

Pennsylvania Assisted Living Facilities must follow the state and federal laws and regulations to ensure the safety and well being of all residents. If you suspect the facility is not in compliance with the laws and regulations, you can file a complaint through the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Ombudsman by calling (717) 783-8975.

If you suspect your loved one is being abused or you are the one being abused, you should report any form of abuse (physical, mental, sexual, neglect, abandonment or exploitation) by calling the 24-hour elderly hotline at (800) 490-8505.

Pennsylvania COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living Facilities

Note: The following information was compiled and most recently updated on 2/13/22. Since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving crisis, be sure to contact your assisted living facility or local Area Agency on Aging for the most up-to-date information.

COVID-19 Rules in Pennsylvania
Are loved ones allowed to visit residents in their assisted living community?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are residents required to quarantine after their loved ones visit?	No
Are loved ones required to wear masks when visiting residents?	Yes
Are Hairdressers and other non-medical contractors allowed in assisted living communities?	Yes
Are visitors screened for elevated temperatures before entering the assisted living community?	Yes
Are residents allowed to leave the assisted living community for non-medical reasons?	Yes
Are residents who leave required to quarantine when they get back to the assisted living community?	No (Conditions Apply)
Are assisted living communities required to cancel all group outings?	No
Are assisted living communities allowed to host group activities within the community?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are staff members regularly checked for elevated temperatures?	Yes
Are staff members regularly tested for COVID-19?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are residents regularly screened for COVID-19 symptoms?	Yes
Are residents regularly checked for elevated temperatures?	Yes
Are residents regularly tested for COVID-19?	Yes (Conditions Apply)

 

Sources: www.dhs.pa.gov www.cms.gov