How Many Memory Care Facilities Are in Pennsylvania?

Date Updated: July 26, 2024

Written by:

Rachel Lustbader

Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.

Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers

As of early 2023, Pennsylvania is home to 441 licensed memory care facilities. Most are located within existing assisted living facilities, although several are solely for seniors facing cognitive decline. Each also has its own pricing structure, so monthly fees vary. Typically, a memory care facility’s fee is 20-30% more than a comparable assisted living community. A source isn’t available for the median monthly fee in Pennsylvania, but by adding 25% to the assisted living average of $4,500 published in the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, memory care’s likely median fee is $5,625.

What Memory Care Facilities Provide in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s memory care facilities are all unique, but they have several things in common. Security systems are in place to ensure residents prone to wandering can’t drift away from safe areas. These systems typically include doors with access-control devices, such as keypads, and surveillance cameras in communal areas. Many facilities are designed to induce calm, employing pastel colors throughout and building easily navigable corridors to reduce confusion among residents.

Memory care facilities share many features with assisted living, such as communal dining rooms and lounges, homey bedrooms with private bathrooms and areas set aside for games and exercise. Activities play a part in care, such as arts and crafts that encourage residents to focus and improve hand-to-eye coordination. Within the bedrooms, temperatures are centrally controlled to prevent residents from unintentionally making them too cold or hot. Staff often employs pet therapy and reality orientation therapy to mitigate the advance of memory loss.

How to Pay for Memory Care in Pennsylvania

Medical Assistance, Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program, won’t pay for nonmedical services in a memory care community (but can pay for medical care if the facility provides it). However, the Community HealthChoices Waiver can pay for nonmedical care services, such as help with activities of daily living, including bathing and dressing. To qualify, the senior must satisfy strict criteria relating to income and functional abilities.

Medicare also doesn’t pay for nonmedical memory care services. Consequently, it’s common for families to pay memory care bills by other means. These include reverse mortgages, long-term care insurance and annuities. Veterans and their spouses, including surviving spouses, who receive a VA pension may qualify for VA Aid and Attendance, which can cover some care costs incurred in a memory care facility.