Pennsylvania has almost 2 million citizens over age 65.
Pennsylvania ranks third in the U.S. by percentage of the population age 65 and older (behind Florida and West Virginia), and 1 in 5 Pennsylvanians are 60 or older.2 Pennsylvania ranks fourth in the U.S. by number of population over age 85, those who are the most intensive users of nursing home care.
By 2020, Pennsylvania’s 60 and older population is expected to be 25% of the total population --- more than 3 million people.4 By 2020, the number of people age 85 or older is expected to increase 10% to more than 360,000 residents.
Nursing Homes provide around-the-clock medical care and daily living assistance to residents who are the sickest or who may be recovering from a hospitalization and need short-term rehabilitation. Nursing homes provide our frailest and most vulnerable residents with quality care while maintaining their dignity, giving families peace of mind.
Personal Care Homes - also known as assisted living residences -- help people who need help with day-to-day living including cooking, bathing and personal hygiene, but do not need round-the-clock medical attention. Personal-care homes do not provide 24-hour nursing care, but they can provide limited medical services such as assistance with insulin injections or medications.
Home & Community-based Services give residents access to long-term care assistance in their own homes or at a nearby community setting. These residents typically do not need as much care and assistance as residents in personal care homes or nursing homes.
According to the Genworth Financial Cost of Care 2007 Survey, the average cost of a one-bedroom unit in a Pennsylvania personal care homes exceeds $2,700 a month. For nursing home care, costs can exceed $5,000 a month. If you are looking for care for yourself or a loved one, you must understand how you are going to pay for it.
Many people believe—wrongly—that Medicare, Social Security or Medicaid will pay for their long-term care needs. Medicaid does cover nursing home care for the impoverished, and Medicare may cover some of the cost of nursing home care for those who require short-term rehabilitation, but both require individuals to meet certain physical and medical standards. And generally speaking, neither covers the cost of personal care/assisted living.
Pennsylvania’s 52 Area Agencies on Aging are a great source of information for issues and concerns affecting older people and their caregivers. Specific services at each agency vary throughout the state, but each agency offers a wide array of programs to help seniors get the help and information they need.