Pennsylvania Senior Living Statistics & Facts

Almost four in 10 residents of Pennsylvania are 50 or older, which is the seventh-highest percentage in the country, and the state’s median age is 40.8 years, No. 8 among all states. But apart from being older than the average state, Pennsylvania is a good representation of national rates in other areas.

The state’s median household income for seniors is slightly lower than the national average for those 65 and older, and Pennsylvania and the U.S. as a whole have a nearly identical rate of labor force participation among people over 55. However, the state’s median age has gone up by one of the slowest rates since 2010, perhaps indicating that the state’s median age rise may be cooling off.

What else can we learn about the state of seniors in Pennsylvania, including notable seniors who hail from the state and what resources are out there for older adults in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania's Senior Living Costs

Pennsylvania has a housing index of 96.60, which means that it is cheaper than average to retire here. You can get a one bedroom apartment in this state for an average of $759 a month (compared to the US average of $825 a month), or a two bedroom apartment for an average of $941 a month (compared to the US average of $1,027 a month).

Let's take a look at the monthly costs of living in Pennsylvania for seniors. The average home health care costs are approximately $4,195 a month. Home health care services allow elderly people to live comfortably in their own homes while receiving help with housekeeping, completing everyday errands, and meal prepping.

Adult day care costs an average of $1,343 a month in Pennsylvania. This fee allows seniors to stay at a supervised facility during the day while their caregivers are busy tending to their other obligations. Adult day care does not include skilled nursing care, so it's perfect for those who are mostly independent but could use some social activities to keep them busy, and therapeutic and health services as needed.

Pennsylvania has assisted living facilities scattered throughout the state, including Allegheny and Montgomery County, to serve elders requiring more help with their everyday tasks. For an average of $3,450 a month, seniors can get personal care and health services they need to thrive and live comfortably.

Those who need round the clock care and supervision will benefit from staying at a nursing home in Pennsylvania. The cost for a semi-private room is roughly $9,277 a month, while a private room is about $10,007 a month. While this is the costliest form of living, it also offers plenty more for seniors. This is especially the case if they are not able to take care of themselves and don't have caregivers at home to supervise them. Personal care, medication, housing, supervision, skilled nursing care 24/7, and therapies and rehabilitation are just some of the many things that seniors get at a nursing home.

Living Options for Senior Pennsylvanians

Pennsylvanian retirees have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to living options. Seniors can opt for independent living, assisted living, memory care, or nursing home care depending on individual needs. Learn more about each option below and determine which one suits you best.

Independent Living

Pennsylvania is home to more than 700 independent living facilities. Seniors who are active, healthy, and don't require 24/7 nursing care are suitable for independent living. It costs anywhere from $508 to $4,222 a month to stay at an independent living facility in Pennsylvania.

The state also offers a plethora of apartment choices for seniors 55+ or 65+. Typically, residents of active senior communities are able to take advantage of useful amenities like fitness centers, walking trails, meeting rooms, pools and jacuzzis, and more.

Assisted Living

860 assisted living facilities operate in Pennsylvania to provide seniors with attentive caregivers, healthcare, and access to local activities and social opportunities. At an assisted living facility, seniors can expect to get assistance with housekeeping duties, laundry, transportation, meal services, and 24-hour safety surveillance.

It costs anywhere from $925 to $7,677 a month to stay at an assisted living facility in Pennsylvania. It is cheapest in the East Stroudsburg area, and priciest in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington city areas.

Memory Care

Life is tough when you have trouble remembering. Pennsylvania has more than 600 memory care facilities throughout the state to help seniors dealing with Alzheimer's, dementia, and other memory-related ailments. Patients of memory care facilities can expect to have their individual issues assessed and customized care provided accordingly. This way, they are able to get through each day without too much frustration brought on from memory loss. These facilities are also monitored 24/7 to prevent patients from getting lost, and then breaking down as a result of it. The average cost of memory care in this state ranges anywhere from $1,341 to $11,131 a month.

Nursing Homes

Observing state trends, Pennsylvania's population is getting older each year. Since year 2010, the state's 65+ population has grown by 8.9%. As a result, Pennsylvania offers a wide range of adult day care centers, hospices, and respite care provided by more than 1,900 senior living providers.

There are more than 120 adult day care facilities in Pennsylvania that operate to keep seniors engaged physically, mentally, and emotionally. At day care centers, the elderly can expect to take part in activities such as daily walks, challenging puzzles, art therapy, aquatics, and more. It costs anywhere from $900 to $5,130 a month to be enrolled at an adult day care center in this state.

Seniors who are terminally ill and approaching the end of their lives will need extensive care, counseling, and medications to manage their physical and emotional pain. Hospices in Pennsylvania exist to do just that, and even provide counseling services to families before and after a patient's death. The state is home to more than 570 hospices and it costs anywhere from $3,330 to $6,000 a month. The fees are either fully or partially covered by Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance.

It's only natural for caregivers to feel exhausted every now and then when caring for and supervising an aging loved one. Enlisting the help of a respite care facility can help a lot for both the caregiver and the senior. Respite care facilities provide tender loving care for the elderly while caregivers take a break and recharge. There are more than 790 respite care facilities in Pennsylvania, with monthly costs ranging from $6,960 to $19,575.