Pennsylvania senior home care agencies and services directory

Finding Home Care in Pennsylvania

Senior home care in Pennsylvania is designed to allow seniors to maintain independence while receiving the care they need in familiar settings. You’ll have to decide whether a licensed medical professional or a non-medical paraprofessional would be a more appropriate fit. Home care options cover everything from weekly assistance and therapy to 24-hour skilled nursing care. Today, there are about 1,293 home care agencies in PA with an average monthly cost around $3,993.

Home Care in Pennsylvania - Cost Comparison

Depending on the licensing of your caregiver and the services they are providing, your costs will vary throughout the state based on location and availability. Medical services like skilled nursing care or hospice will usually cost more than weekly personal care, so it's important to understand an individual's needs before moving forward with a home care option in Pennsylvania.

There are a number of cities throughout PA that have senior home care agencies and the median monthly cost ranges from:

Highest Cost: Bloomsburg Area $4,290
Lowest Cost: Johnstown $3,457

City	Homemaker Services Monthly Costs	Home Health Aide Monthly Costs
Allentown	$4,105	$4,105
Bloomsburg	$3,718	$3,718
Erie	$3,909	$3,813
Harrisburg	$4,290	$4,290
Lancaster	$3,909	$3,909
Philadelphia	$4,195	$4,290
Pittsburgh	$4,290	$4,385
Reading	$3,670	$4,004
State College	$4,195	$4,195
Rest of State	$3,813	$3,813

Recreation & Attractions in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is a state with many diverse attractions and history. Visitors and residents can visit places like the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia or the iconic Gettysburg Battlefield. Philly also has plenty of museums and is an entertainment capital of the East Coast. For a more laidback experience, head to Intercourse to enjoy some fine Amish style cooking and craftsmanship. The rest of the state has pristine wilderness and natural beauty in places like the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.

In Pennsylvania, there are still many things to do as a senior who may be less mobile than before. There are senior centers throughout the state that provide senior-oriented activities such as exercise classes, game nights, crafts, and book clubs. Specialized senior trips are also available to places such as Gettysburg, Longwood Gardens, or Reading Terminal Market.

Pennsylvania's Climate, Geography & Culture

The climate in PA supports four seasons with hot summers, cold winters, and moderate springs and falls. The average high temperature during the summer is 84 degrees and the low for the winter is 19 degrees. The state gets more precipitation when compared to the rest of the United States averaging 42 inches of rain and 37 inches of snow annually over approximately 130 days of measurable precipitation. In terms of humidity, Pennsylvania is considered pretty comfortable. The climate does vary across the state with the southeastern part being warmer and the northwestern part being much colder and snowier.

Pennsylvania was founded as a Quaker Colony by William Penn as an effort to promote religious tolerance. Since then, the state represents a fantastic mix of demographics between its many urban areas and rural populations. Places like Lancaster county represent the heart of Dutch Country and feature many Amish-owned farms and businesses that produce quality food, goods, and services throughout the state. You'll find everything from seemingly forests and fields to unique and diverse city centers.

Crime & Safety in Pennsylvania

When searching for home care, it can be helpful to learn which places are generally safer than others. In terms of violent and property crimes, rates in PA are lower than the national average. Here are some of the safest places to consider any type of senior care in Pennsylvania:

Location	Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents	Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Kennett	0.00	0.00
Paint Township	0.38	0.00
West Mead Township	0.39	1.16
Turtle Creek	0.94	1.13

(source: safewise.com)

PA's Home Care Regulations & Laws

All Medicare-certified home health agencies in PA are overseen by both state and federal legislation (42 CFR 484.36), requiring them to employ health aides and professionals who have been trained and evaluated by the approved programs. In Pennsylvania, a standard 75 hours of training, along with 16 hours of supervised clinical training and an additional 12 hours of continuing education every 12 months is needed to maintain a home care certification.

Payment Options for Pennsylvania Home Care

Seniors paying for home care in Pennsylvania can do so in a variety of different ways, each with its own advantages based on your unique financial and health situation.

Besides using one’s own savings to pay for care, others may choose to pay through a reverse mortgage, by opening a home equity line of credit or by converting their life insurance policies.

Otherwise, seniors may look to Medicare to receive coverage for their copayment and deductibles for medical home care through the Medicare Supplemental Insurances program. However, keep in mind that Medicare does not cover non-medical home care whatsoever. If this is an issue, it may be necessary to look to the other remaining methods of payment.

U.S. veterans can receive assistance for home care by using the Improved Pension or Homebound and Aid & Attendance Pension. To apply for these benefits, contact your local Veteran’s Association or Area Agency on Aging for more details and eligibility requirements.

Finally, another option for low-income seniors and their families is to receive Medicaid insurance. Keep in mind that the rules, eligibility requirements, and benefits of Medicaid are state-specific and are different in every state. Home care is referred to as Home and Community Based Services in terms of Medicaid coverage.

Senior & Elderly Rights for Home Care in PA

As a patient receiving home care in Pennsylvania, you are guaranteed a set of rights and protections. To start, caregivers must inform you of your rights before administering any care, making you aware of the fact that you can choose which services you'd like to participate in.

If at some point you are unable to make your own medical decisions, you can appoint a family member or legal representative to do so in your place. At all times, you Constitutional rights should be respected along with your personal privacy and property.

Pennsylvania Home Care: Medical Record Rules & Regulations

Patients in Pennsylvania, or their legal representative, may make a written request to view or obtain a copy of their medical records. Access must be provided within a reasonable amount of time and, and a copy should be provided in no longer than 30 days. If a copy is desired, a reasonable fee may be applied to cover costs.

Details of your mental and physical health are included in your protected health information which includes medical records, billing records, claims adjudication records, and other private documents. By reviewing your information you’ll always be able to make any corrections needed with the supervision of your healthcare provider and ensure the overall accuracy of these records.