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

Reading, Pennsylvania, is a large city located an hour to the northwest of Philadelphia. It has 95,112 residents, of whom 10.2% are seniors aged 65 and older. Reading is one of Pennsylvania’s more livable cities. Its cost of living, which is 20 points below the national average, makes it an attractive option for cost-conscious seniors. Being so close to Philadelphia, it’s also close to many entertainment venues, fine dining and sports events.

Assisted living is the ideal option for seniors who can no longer age in place but need some help with the activities of daily living such as grooming, transportation, and shopping. Seniors who need 24/7 help with these activities or medical assistance usually require a nursing home facility. They pay an average of $3,950 a month for assisted living in Reading. That’s about $50 a month less than the state average.

This guide looks at the cost of assisted living in Reading and nearby cities. Seniors will get an idea of the benefits and drawbacks of living in Reading. Finally, they can find suggestions about freely available resources for seniors in the area.

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Assisted Living Facilities in Reading, Pennsylvania

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What to Consider About Assisted Living in Reading

The Department of Human Services, Bureau of Human Services Licensing regulates assisted living residences and personal care homes in the Keystone state. The department works with each assisted living location to help them follow the rules and regulations. The department also conducts regular inspections.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Reading

  • Reading’s cost-of-living is 23 points below the national average, making it a desirable location for seniors who carefully watch their budgets — however, the cost of health care in Reading is six points above the national average.
  • Reading has an ideal climate for Pennsylvania. While it receives seven more inches of rain than the national average of 38 inches, it receives ten fewer inches of snow, about 18 inches. Reading also records 203 sunny days a year, only two days less than the national average.  It scores 7.2/10 on the Best Places Comfort Index making it one of the most comfortable places to live in the state.
  • Crime is a serious issue in Reading. The violent crime rate is 40.1/100, about 18 points higher than the national average of 22.7. Property crime in Reading remains high but is only five points above the national average of 35.4/100. Fortunately, seniors who live in assisted living don’t have to worry about crime rates since most facilities employ strong 24 x 7 security measures to protect residents.
  • Seniors aged 65 and older can ride for free on the BARTA Fixed Route bus. Seniors need to fill out an application form to receive a special card that gives them access to the buses every day.
  • Most physicians who work in the city are registered with Medicare and eight hospitals lie within proximity of Reading, including the Surgical Institute of Reading and the Reading Hospital and Medical Center
  • Low-income seniors aged 65 and older and widows and widowers aged 50 and older are eligible for a rebate on their property taxes. The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates can boost it to $975 a year.

Paying for Assisted Living in Reading

According to the Genworth Cost Of Care Survey 2020, seniors in Reading pay an average of $3,950 a month for assisted living. That’s $5 a month less expensive than the Pennsylvania average of $3,955 a month. Assisted living in Reading is $350 a month cheaper than the national average of $4,300.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

Gettysburg, the famous Civil War battle site, averages $3,443 a month. That’s approximately $500 a month less expensive than Reading. Harrisburg, the state capital, costs $4,857 a month, about $900 a month more expensive. Lancaster, in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, is only slightly more costly at $4,050 a month. The state’s largest city, Philadelphia, averages $5,550 a month, $1,600 a month more expensive than Reading.

Reading

$3,950

Pennsylvania

$3,955

The United States

$4,300

Gettysburg

$3,443

Lancaster

$4,050

Harrisburg

$4,857

Philadelphia

$5,550

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Seniors have several options for care in Reading. Home care averages $4,481 a month. Home health care, like home care but includes medical assistance, costs $4,576 a month. Adult day care remains the least expensive option, averaging $942 a month. A semiprivate room in a nursing care facility has the highest cost, averaging $11,724 a month.

Home Care

$4,481

Home Health Care

$4,576

Adult Day Health Care

$942

Assisted Living Facilities

$3,950

Nursing Home (semiprivate room)

$11,724

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Reading

Reading 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 Reading

Seniors searching for assistance in Reading will find many valuable options and resources. Some resources will help low-income seniors pay for costs of assisted living. Others will connect them with senior service centers in their community, where they’ll find fitness, nutrition, and socialization activities.

ResourceContactService
Berks County Office on Aging(610) 478-6500The Berks County Area Agency on Aging coordinates activities with other organizations in the county to meet the needs of seniors. When the agency finds a hole in the coverage, it attempts to fill the gap. Some of its services are operating senior centers, transportation, referral services for long-term care facilities, adult day care centers, caregiver support centers and protective services for adults in assisted living and nursing facilities.
SeniorLAW Center(877) 727-7529Through the statewide PA SeniorLAW helpline, this organization provides many legal services to help older Pennsylvanians. This help can include direct representation in many areas of civil law, housing issues, exploitation or abuse of seniors, wills, powers of attorney, advanced medical directives and consumer protection. The organization's goal is to pursue justice for seniors in matters of civil law.
Medical Assistance and Payment of Long-Term Care Services(800) 692-7462This program is designed for low-income seniors who live in assisted living facilities or who are aging in place. Eligible seniors have access to financial assistance, assistance for caretakers, long-term care support and health care benefits. Eligibility is based on income and age. Seniors can check their eligibility through the state government's COMPASS website.
Office for Veterans Affairs(215) 381-3040The Office for Veterans Affairs operates six veterans' homes throughout Pennsylvania. These facilities provide assisted living for senior veterans and eligible spouses. Veterans' survivors may also be eligible. These facilities will provide residents with the assisted living care they need while also offering them the opportunity to take part in a vibrant, more extensive community.
Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman(717) 783-8975The volunteers that comprise the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program provide an essential service for seniors. Their job is to ensure that seniors are safe from abuse and neglect in senior care facilities in Berks County and across the state. They investigate these complaints and then work out a solution between the senior and the facility.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Reading

Reading-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

Frequently Asked Questions

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We transitioned my mother-in-law to MMS in early November 2023 following a long hospital stay. After researching several facilities, MMS stood out as the most exceptional multi level care facility...

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Our tour was very nice at Manor at Market Square. Everything seemed fine, and there was nothing that I disliked. The staff who assisted us was very friendly. Their cleanliness was very nice; it was...

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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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