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The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Downingtown, PA for 2024

Located in the heart of Chester County about 30 miles west of Philadelphia, Downingtown is a charming community with a walkable downtown region and easy access to high-quality health care amenities. The community has nearly 8,000 residents, over 13% of whom are aged 65 and over. While its cost of living is high compared to most Pennsylvania cities, senior-friendly tax laws may make it financially feasible for those with budgetary considerations. Low crime rates provide peace of mind to older residents, and four distinct seasons offer changing scenery throughout the year. 

The Downingtown region is home to numerous assisted living facilities. These facilities provide meals, personal care services, housekeeping and maintenance and scheduled activities in an inviting residential setting. They’re well-suited for those unable to safely or comfortably live alone but don’t require 24-7 medical monitoring or nursing services. On average, assisted living residents in the Downingtown region pay $5,550 per month for services. 

This guide outlines some benefits and drawbacks to consider before moving to Downingtown and an overview of local senior care costs, including assisted living. It also highlights some local and state resources that help older adults navigate the process of choosing the best care solutions for their needs. 

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Assisted Living Facilities in Downingtown, Pennsylvania

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What to Consider About Assisted Living in Downingtown

Assisted living facilities in Downingtown comply with standards set by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. This department enforces regulations regarding fire safety, maximum capacity, scope of care, care planning and move-in and move-out procedures. It also provides comprehensive information on residents’ rights and complaints procedures. 

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Downingtown

  • Downingtown’s overall cost of living is about 17% higher than the state median, marking it as one of the more expensive Pennsylvania cities to live in. This is primarily due to high housing-related costs, including mortgage and rent payments and utilities. Assisted living may provide older adults with more control over these monthly expenses.  
  • Violent crime is relatively uncommon in Downingtown, with most recent FBI crime statistics showing that this type of crime occurs at a lower rate in this region than in similarly sized communities such as East Fallowfield Township and Valley Township. Property crime is more common but still occurs at a low rate compared to the United States as a whole.  
  • Downingtown is among the more comfortable places to live in Pennsylvania. Summers are warm with high temperatures in the mid-80s. July tends to be muggy, but humidity levels are generally low throughout the rest of the year. Winters are cold with lows in the 20s, and residents see nearly 30 inches of snowfall annually, most of which comes in February. 
  • Health care costs are comparatively high in Downingtown, with expenses related to doctor’s office visits and hospital stays exceeding the national average by about 15%. However, there are more physicians per capita than in the typical U.S. city, which may benefit those managing chronic conditions. Chester County Hospital in West Chester and Brandywine Hospital in Coatesville are the closest major medical facilities. 
  • Older adults in Downingtown benefit from retiree-friendly state tax laws that may free up more money for assisted living expenses. Social Security benefits are fully exempt from taxation at the state level, as are pension payments and disbursements from retirement accounts. Property taxes are relatively high, which may make residential community living more economical for some.  

Paying for Assisted Living in Downingtown

According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, assisted living residents in Downingtown pay approximately $5,550 per month for care. This is considerably higher than the state median of $3,955 and the national average cost of $4,300.    

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

At $5,550 per month, assisted living fees in Downingtown are the highest in Pennsylvania. In State College, rates are comparably high at $5,340. In Lebanon, rates are consistent with the national average at $4,420 per month, and in Altoona, fees are more economical at $3,723. The Scranton area is the cheapest surveyed region in Pennsylvania for this level of care, with local facilities charging $2,450 per month for services. 

Downingtown

$5,550

Pennsylvania

$3,955

The United States

$4,300

Altoona

$3,723

Lebanon

$4,420

State College

$5,340

Scranton Area

$2,450

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Older adults in Downingtown have several senior care options to choose from depending on their living preferences and budgets. The most affordable option is adult day health care, which includes daytime care in a community setting for $1,842. Home-based care, including homemaker services and specialized home health aide care, costs $4,767. Assisted living is several hundred dollars higher at $5,550 per month. Nursing homes offer the highest level of care and are the most expensive, with facilities charging $11,285 for shared rooms and $12,498 for private. 

Homemaker Services

$4,767

Home Health Aide

$4,767

Adult Day Health Care

$1,842

Assisted Living Facility

$5,550

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$11,285

Nursing Home Facility (private room)

$12,498

Note: Care cost data for Downingtown was not available, so data for the closest city, Philadelphia Area, was used instead. 

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Downington

Downington seniors who meet certain eligibility requirements for the Pennsylvania Department of Aging waiver may qualify for financial assistance in order to pay for care within one of the city’s assisted living facilities. In addition, if you receive SSI and need to live in an assisted living facility, the state can pay a supplement to the facility if you qualify.  

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Pennsylvania page.

Paying for Assisted Living Facilities in Pennsylvania

More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

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

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

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Pennsylvania page.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Lansdale

Older adults in Downingtown can talk to several local agencies for one-on-one help with making informed decisions regarding their long-term care. The following table features programs and organizations that help prospective and current assisted living residents utilize community-based supports, identify ways to cover care costs and connect with local social and recreational activities. 

ResourceContactService
Chester County Aging Services(610) 344-6350Chester County Aging Services administers a range of programs to those aged 60 and over in Downingtown and surrounding cities within the county. It offers information on assisted living facilities within the county, including tips on choosing a facility. It also has a health insurance options counseling program to help older adults with Medicare understand their health insurance coverage and compare private insurance options.
Brandywine Valley Active Aging(610) 269-3939Brandywine Valley Active Aging is a local nonprofit organization that hosts social and recreational programs for older adults. Its Downingtown campus is located at Brandywine Grace Church and offers congregate morning and noontime meals daily, age-friendly aerobic and endurance classes, creativity programming and educational opportunities.
Veterans' Affairs(610) 344-6375Chester County’s Veterans’ Affairs Office is open for scheduled appointments on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It assists veterans and their eligible dependents in obtaining local, state and federal benefits, including those that may help cover assisted living expenses.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program(717) 783-8975The statewide long-term care ombudsman office advocates on behalf of seniors in assisted living. The office resolves complaints regarding the standard of living in long-term care facilities and empowers residents by helping them understand their rights. It also hosts biweekly virtual meetings in which participants can ask questions, share concerns or gather information.
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program(610) 834-1040RSVP offers an array of in-person and online volunteer opportunities for Downingtown residents aged 55 and over. Through this program, individuals can support reading and math literacy for children, help seniors connect with community-based resources and provide free managerial assistance to local nonprofit organizations. In exchange for their service, seniors receive supplemental liability insurance, one-on-one help with finding volunteer opportunities that fit their interests and recognition at community events.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Downington

Downington-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Pennsylvania are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Pennsylvania page for more information about these laws.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Pennsylvania

Reviews of Communities Nearby

Assisted Living

Reviewer#RD0920hp

I visited this facility

Review of St. Martha Villa

I toured St. Martha Villa. The person with the information was fine. But the facility was not nice. It was much smaller, narrower, darker, and older than the other place. The building didn't flow...

Read more

Assisted Living

LewisRon87

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

Review of Simpson Meadows Retirement Community

A good friend of mine was a resident at Simpson Meadows for about 5 years. It was good until the director retired. Now there is a clown running a circus(literally). The new director is beyond...

Read more

Assisted Living

Sharon

I visited this facility

Review of St. Martha Villa

This is a very nice facility; I simply could not afford to go there for assisted living. I would need 24 months of assets in payments which I do not have. Independent living going into a personal...

Read more

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Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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