Memory Care Communities in West Chester, Pennsylvania

Memory care residents in West Chester pay $7,106 per month on average for housing and services. This rate surpasses the state norm by nearly $2,000, and it's about $1,500 higher than the national average. While care costs in Reading are a little higher at $7,150, other neighboring cities tend to have more economically priced care. In Lancaster, rates are competitive at $6,938, and in Gettysburg, seniors pay $5,644 for services. Altoona offers even more economically priced care, with rates coming in at $5,038. 

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we've estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth's 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

In West Chester, memory care facilities charge approximately $7,106 per month for care.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Pennsylvania page.

Memory care is among the costlier senior care options in West Chester, with facilities charging $7,106 for care. This is about $1,400 higher than the cost of standard assisted living, which provides residential services for those without memory impairments. In-home care and home health care cost about $1,770 less than memory care, and seniors who attend adult day health care pay $1,777 for services. Only nursing home care is costlier than memory care at $11,437.

Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services regulates memory care facilities in West Chester and the rest of the state. While these facilities are officially licensed as assisted living facilities, the state enforces a wide range of regulations beyond standard assisted living requirements related to advertising, recreational activities, staffing, staff training and security features.

 

• West Chester is included on the AARP Age-Friendly Network. This designation indicates that the city’s leaders have taken meaningful steps toward creating a safe, enjoyable environment for residents of all ages, including seniors. The organization notes several benefits the city has for those living with dementia and their family members, including high access to public transportation and health care services.
• Pennsylvania’s retiree-friendly income tax laws make memory care in West Chester a financially viable option for many seniors. The state exempts Social Security benefits, pension income and withdrawals from retirement savings accounts, which may help seniors afford local long-term care services.
• Chester County Hospital is located in West Chester proper, giving residents access to a range of medical services and community wellness initiatives. In addition to specializing in fields such as cardiovascular care and diabetes management, the hospital provides links to health-related organizations in the community, including those that serve seniors and families affected by Alzheimer’s.
• West Chester has a comparatively high cost of living, which may be a consideration for those moving to the city for long-term care. On an index calibrated to a national norm of 100, West Chester’s cost of living rate is 124.3, 30 points higher than Pennsylvania’s score. Utilities, housing and groceries are all relatively expensive here, but moving into a memory care facility may make it easier to budget monthly expenses.
• West Chester’s humid continental climate promotes an active lifestyle for seniors and allows for plenty of time to enjoy therapeutic outdoor activities. Year-round average temperatures range from 21 degrees during the winter months to 85 degrees in the summer, and the city gets about 22 inches of snow and 49 inches of rain annually. To accommodate a variety of preferences, memory care communities typically have indoor and outdoor amenities and activities to foster engagement.