Home Care in Pennsylvania
With its mild summers, highly rated hospitals and zero income tax on retirement income, Pennsylvania has much to offer older adults in their golden years. Five of the state's cities made the list of U.S. News Best Places to Retire, including Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and the capital of Harrisburg. Seven Pennsylvania cities and counties have joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, indicating that elected leadership actively works toward building a great place to live for residents of all ages. Pennsylvania is home to many seniors, with 18.7% of the state's residents aged 65 or above.
Pennsylvania has a SeniorScore of 73, which is one point higher than the national average of 72. The SeniorScore is calculated on a 100-point scale and rates how comfortable a city is for older adults in four categories: Health & Safety, General Quality of Life, Finances and Recreation & Leisure. The state's best score was a 70 in Health & Safety, mainly thanks to its high number of Medicare-registered physicians, hospitals and home health care providers. Pennsylvania's lowest score was 59 in General Quality of Life due to a high rainfall level and low public school safety rating.
This guide provides an overview of home care costs in Pennsylvania and explores a number of free home care resources and financial assistance options.
Top Home Care Agencies in Pennsylvania
Located at 2792 Egypt Rd Ste 2 in Norristown, Pennsylvania, Visiting Angels is a in-home care company offering personal care services as well as in-home nursing services. They offer various personal services like assistance with mobility, meal preparation assistance, reading, ...
Located at 1623 Morgantown Rd in Reading, PA, HealthSouth Reading Rehabilitation Hospital is a home care service provider that offers in-home nursing services and personal home care. For almost 12 years, they have been serving clients throughout the Reading area. ...
Better Home Care is a home healthcare service provider located in Feasterville Trevose, Pennsylvania at 1046 Bustleton Pike, 1st Floor. They provide home care services as well as home healthcare for seniors. They have been in operation in Feasterville ...
Keystone Care is a home healthcare company located in Wyndmoor, PA at 8765 Stenton Ave. They offer home care services and in-home health care to senior clientele. They have been serving seniors in the area since 2009. They provide ...
Located at 8301 Roosevelt Boulevard, 6th Floor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Deer Meadows Home Health and Support Services, LLC is a senior home health care provider that offers in-home nursing along with personal home care. Since 2010, they have been providing ...
HealthsouthHarmarville Rehabilitation Hospital is a senior home health care service provider located in Pittsburgh, PA at 320 Guys Run Rd. They offer in-home personal care and home healthcare to senior clientele. Since 2004, they have been providing care to ...
Revolutionary Home Health is a senior home care provider located in Olyphant, PA at 1619 Main St. They offer personal care services along with home health services to senior clientele. They have been serving clients in the area since ...
Located in Pittsburgh, PA at 5035 Clairton Blvd, Advantage Home Health Services is a home care provider offering personal care services as well as home health services. They have been in operation in Pittsburgh for nearly 12 years. They offer ...
Home Instead Senior Care is a senior in-home care company based in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania at 615 5th Ave Ste 202. They provide personal care as well as in-home medical services for seniors. They offer a variety of personal services ...
Located in Radnor, PA at 240 Radnor Chester Road Suite 100, Main Line Health Home Care and Hospice - Home Health is a home healthcare provider offering personal care along with in-home nursing care. For almost 52 years, they have ...
Ameribest Home Care is a senior home health care provider located in Philadelphia, PA at 926-928 Race Street Suite 2a. They provide in-home health care along with personal care for senior clients. They have been serving clients in ...
Located in Pittsburgh, PA at 5824 Brownsville Rd, Comfort Keepers is a home healthcare service provider offering in-home health services and in-home personal care services. They provide different medical services like colostomy support, cardiac support, speech therapy, administration of injections, ...
Located in Allentown, PA at 1251 S Cedar Crest Blvd Suite 201a, Revolutionary Home Health Allentown Office is a senior in-home care company offering home care services and in-home nursing. For nearly 8 years, they have been helping customers throughout ...
Located at 1220 Valley Forge Rd 13 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, Personal Health Care is a home care company that offers in-home nursing care along with in-home personal care services. For nearly 33 years, they have been providing care to ...
Located at 130 Buffalo Rd Ste 105 in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, Home Instead Senior Care is a home health care service provider that offers home care and also in-home health services. They provide a variety of personal services including reading, medication ...
Located in Jamison, PA at 2500 York Road, Suite 140, Bayada Home Health Care Inc is a home healthcare provider that offers personal care along with home healthcare. For nearly 15 years, they have been serving customers in the Jamison ...
Located in Exton, Pennsylvania at 557 Exton Cmns, Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services is a senior home healthcare company offering home care and also home health care. They offer multiple personal services such as dressing assistance, transportation assitance, providing companionship, ...
Caregivers America Home Health Services is a home healthcare company based in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania at 718 South State St. They provide home care as well as home health services to seniors. For almost 11 years, they have been ...
Located at 332 W Pike St in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, Visiting Angels is a home health care service provider offering home healthcare as well as home care services. They provide multiple personal services including companionship, help with errands, medication assistance, spiritual ...
Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at 12265 Townsend Rd, Holy Redeemer Home Care-Pa is an in-home care provider that offers personal care services as well as in-home health care. For almost 45 years, they have been serving clients in the Philadelphia ...
The Cost of Home Care in Pennsylvania
According to the Genworth 2019 Cost of Care Survey, rates for home care in Pennsylvania are $4,385 per month, which is only slightly more expensive than the national average of $4,290. Regular home care provides nonmedical services, such as meal preparation and help with chores. Home health care typically involves skilled nursing services and costs seniors $4,481 per month in the state compared to the national average of $4,385.
The Cost of Home Care in Pennsylvania Compared to Nearby States
The cost of home care in Pennsylvania is cheaper than several surrounding states but more expensive than some others. In New York, seniors pay about $4,767 per month for home care and $4,957 for home health care. Costs in New Jersey are almost the same, with both home care and home health care costing $4,767. Prices in West Virginia are some of the lowest in the region; seniors there pay $3,432 for both types of care.
| Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care |
Pennsylvania | $4,385 | $4,481 |
The United States | $4,290 | $4,385 |
New York | $4,767 | $4,957 |
New Jersey | $4,767 | $4,767 |
West Virginia | $3,432 | $3,432 |
Ohio | $4,290 | $4,385 |
The Cost of Other Senior Care Options in Pennsylvania
Seniors in Pennsylvania have other care options, including assisted living, adult day care and nursing home care. The least-expensive choice is adult day care, costing $1,457 per month. This service lets seniors reside at home, and care is provided at a community-based center. Assisted living is the next-cheapest option at $3,913 per month. At an assisted living facility, residents receive room and board, personal care and meals. A semiprivate room at a nursing home facility is the priciest option, costing about $9,733 per month.
- In-Home Care: $4,385
- Home Health Care: $4,481
- Adult Day Care: $1,457
- Assisted Living Facility: $3,913
- Nursing Home Care: $9,733
The Cost of Home Care in Pennsylvania's Top Cities
Home care costs can vary considerably across the state of Pennsylvania, with rates ranging between $3,821 and $4,671. Prices are highest near the borders of New York and New Jersey. Philadelphia is the most expensive place for care in the state and surpasses the national average by more than $400. Bloomsburg offers the best value for home care in Pennsylvania; in that area, seniors pay about $470 less than the average nationwide.
| Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care |
Pennsylvania | $4,385 | $4,481 |
Philadelphia | $4,671 | $4,671 |
Scranton | $4,385 | $4,576 |
Lancaster | $4,624 | $4,767 |
Harrisburg | $4,385 | $4,385 |
Pittsburgh | $4,385 | $4,385 |
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Pennsylvania
Aging Waiver
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services offers Aging Waivers to low-income residents aged 60 and above. These waivers can cover the cost of daily home care, including transportation, meal delivery and general personal assistance. Seniors may also be able to receive free medical supplies, skilled nursing services and mental health counseling. The program helps pay for accessibility accommodations that make it safer for seniors to live at home. To qualify, residents should need the level of care that would typically require a skilled nursing facility. Seniors must submit an application to their local Area on Aging in order to receive services.
Contact Information
For more information, seniors can call the Office of Long-Term Living Bureau of Participant Operations at (717) 787-8091.
Help At Home (OPTIONS)
The OPTIONS program provides a variety of free home care services to Pennsylvania residents 60 and up. Volunteers can deliver meals to a senior's home and assist with general daily living activities. The program's care management team creates a custom care plan for seniors, helping to ensure that their personal needs are met. Supervised adult day services are also available for seniors with functional impairments, such as dementia or Parkinson's disease. Other program services may include pest control, home safety modifications and free medical equipment. Skilled nursing and nonemergency medical transportation are available to eligible residents.
Contact Information
To apply, seniors should contact their local Area on Aging office.
Living Independence for the Elderly
LIFE is a managed care program for Pennsylvania residents aged 55 and up that provides a comprehensive package of free support services. LIFE volunteers can provide light housekeeping, meal delivery and assistance bathing or dressing. Free transportation is available to medical appointments or a local LIFE center. Medical services offered at a LIFE center may include primary care, optometry, physical therapy and dental work. Seniors are assigned a LIFE care team that ensures health and social needs are being met. To receive free services, seniors need to meet specific financial eligibility criteria.
Contact Information
Seniors interested in services can apply for the LIFE program nearest to them. For questions about the program, call 1 (844) 824-3655.
More Ways to Pay for Home Care
Since the programs mentioned above might not cover all the costs associated with home care, and not everyone may be eligible, alternative payment methods will often need to be explored. Some of these alternatives include out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read SeniorAdvice's Guide to Paying for Home Care to find out more about your payment and financing options.
Pennsylvania Home Care Rules and Regulations
In Pennsylvania, home care agencies provide seniors with in-home care, while home health care is provided by home health agencies. Both types of care are regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which mandates that all care agencies are licensed in accordance with state law. Agencies must also adhere to strict caregiver hiring practices and sanitation guidelines. The Department of Health reserves the right to conduct unannounced inspections at any time.
Scope of Care | In-home care aides provide general assistance with daily living tasks, including meal planning and preparation, errands, phone calls, transportation and grocery shopping. Home health care consists of skilled nursing services, medication administration, therapy and general personal care. |
Care Plan Requirements | Home health care agencies must create a personalized care plan before beginning service that should include medical needs, medications, activities permitted and dietary requirements. Plans should be reviewed by a physician every 60 days. The department doesn't provide plan requirements for home care agencies. |
Medication Management Requirements | Home care aides may assist a client with self-administration of medications. Home health care workers can administer medications as prescribed by the client's doctor. |
Staff Screening Requirements | All home care and home health care applicants must pass a criminal background check and tuberculosis screening. |
Staff Training Requirements | Care workers must pass a competency examination or hold a nurse aide certification earned by completing an acceptable training program, such as the 120-hour program offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. |
Medicaid Coverage | Medicaid recipients in Pennsylvania may have medical and nonmedical costs covered by an HCBS waiver. |
Reporting Abuse | Abuse and neglect can be reported to the Department of Aging at 1 (800) 490-8505. |
Free Home Care Resources in Pennsylvania
Seniors in Pennsylvania have access to many programs and services that help older adults maintain their independence and safely age in place. Below, we've compiled a few of the most helpful resources:
APPRISE Medicare Counseling
Pennsylvania residents can receive free Medicare counseling from the APPRISE program, which helps seniors understand plan options and benefits. APPRISE counselors provide education about what's covered under Medicare Parts A and B, as well as Medigap policies. The program also assists with application questions and appeals. Counselors can direct seniors to financial assistance programs that may help pay premiums, deductibles and co-pays.
Contact Information
Seniors can speak with an APPRISE counselor by contacting their local Area Agency on Aging or calling the helpline at 1 (800) 783-7067.
Area Agencies on Aging
Pennsylvania's 52 Area Agencies on Aging offer a variety of services across the state's 67 counties, including transportation, health education, legal aid and home-delivered meals. Agency volunteers can direct seniors to helpful local resources or provide a referral to a case manager. The agencies operate programs in a community setting at many senior centers; in-home services may also be available.
Contact Information
Seniors can contact the Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging at (717) 541-4214 or locate the local Area Agency on Aging that serves their county.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
The rebate program helps low-income seniors save on rent or property tax, with an average maximum benefit of up to $650 per year. Seniors who live in Scranton, Pittsburgh or Philadelphia can receive a 50% increase in benefits due to high income taxes in those cities. Households that pay more than 15% of income in property taxes and have income of $30,000 or less are also eligible for a 50% benefit increase. The program is open to Pennsylvanians 65 and up or widows and widowers aged 50 and above.
Contact Information
Seniors can request an application for the program from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue or call 1 (888) 222-9190 for more information.
Weatherization Assistance Program
The Weatherization Assistance Program can help seniors with high utility bills by reducing energy wastage around the home. A local weatherization agency goes through an energy audit before performing services, which may include properly sealing windows and adding insulation in walls and crawl spaces. The program also offers repair or replacement of nonworking heating systems. To qualify, individuals must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
Contact Information
Seniors should contact the Weatherization Assistance Program agency nearest them to request services.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
LIHEAP offers cash grants to Pennsylvania residents who need help paying their heating bills; grants range from $200 to $1,000 based on income, household size and fuel type. Grants are a one-time payment paid directly to a household's utility company. Crisis grants are available for those in danger of having utility service terminated or for individuals with less than a 15-day fuel supply. Both renters and homeowners may qualify for a grant.
Contact Information
Seniors can apply for LIHEAP via COMPASS or their local county assistance office. For questions, call the LIHEAP hotline at 1 (866) 857-7095.
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs provides a wide variety of programs and benefits for former service members. Disabled veterans are exempt from all real estate taxes and can receive yearly hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for free. The state offers temporary financial assistance for veterans that can help pay for basic necessities, as well as the Military Family Relief Assistance Program for emergency aid.
Contact Information
Seniors can view available programs on the state's Veteran Affairs page.
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
PLAN helps low-income seniors gain access to free legal services throughout Pennsylvania. Residents can get help with age discrimination, unlawful evictions, bankruptcy and many other civil issues. Services may include legal education and court representation. To receive assistance, seniors must have an income that's 125% or lower than the poverty level.
Contact Information
To get help, seniors can search for their nearest Legal Aid Network provider or call (717) 236-9486 for more information.
Meals on Wheels Pennsylvania
Meals on Wheels operates 125 programs across the state that deliver nutritious food to seniors in need. Depending on the specific program, other services may include transportation, safety check visits, home repairs and help paying for vet bills. In general, seniors must be aged 60 and up to qualify. Meals are typically either free or low-cost, depending on ability to pay.
Contact Information
Seniors who'd like to request meal delivery should contact their local Meals on Wheels program.
Other Cities in Pennsylvania