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The 5 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Punxsutawney, PA for 2024

Home to the famous Punxsutawney Phil and the Groundhog Day celebration, Punxsutawney is a vibrant borough with nearly 6,000 residents. It has a large senior community that makes up over 22% of the population compared to the national average of 16.5%, promoting access to social and recreational activities and programs for older adults. Despite the borough’s small size, it is home to Punxsutawney Area Hospital, a general hospital that offers a variety of primary and specialty care services.

In this community, older adults pay $4,080 per month for home care, which includes basic services such as help with personal grooming, medication reminders and meal preparation. Home health care is similar but also includes skilled nursing services to accommodate the needs of those requiring more extensive care. Affordable home care, along with a low cost of living and senior-friendly tax laws, may enable older adults to maintain their preferred standard of living throughout retirement.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Punxsutawney area – complete with services offered and reviews from families who’ve actually used the service. In addition to our in-depth provider listings, we’ve compiled resources to help seniors and their families to access all the tools they need to age in place safely and gracefully.

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Home Care Agencies in Punxsutawney, PA

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Paying for Home Care in Punxsutawney, PA

The Cost of Home Care in Punxsutawney, PA

According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, seniors in Punxsutawney pay $4,080 per month for home care, which is considerably lower than respective state and national rates of $4,576 and $4,481. Few surveyed cities in Pennsylvania have lower home care costs, but in Bloomsburg, fees are slightly lower at $4,004. In the York area, seniors pay $4,576, and in the Philadelphia area, rates exceed the state average at $4,767. In State College, monthly care costs are among the most expensive in Pennsylvania at $4,910.  

Punxsutawney

$4,080

Pennsylvania

$4,576

The United States

$4,481

Philadelphia Area

$4,767

York Area

$4,576

State College

$4,910

Bloomsburg Area

$4,004

The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in Punxsutawney, PA

Punxsutawney seniors have several care options depending on their living preferences and budgets. Home-based care is economically priced, with basic home care services costing $4,080 and specialized home health care coming in a little higher at $4,195. This is over $1,000 higher than assisted living, which offers a similar scope of care for $3,025 per month, but it’s considerably more affordable than adult day health care, which costs $5,417. For some seniors, it may also be a cost-effective alternative to nursing home care, which is the costliest senior care option at $8,973 per month for semiprivate accommodations.  

Home Care

$4,080

Home Health Care

$4,195

Adult Day Health

$5,417

Assisted Living

$3,025

Nursing Home Care (Semiprivate room)

$8,973

Note: Data for Punxsutawney was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Johnstown, was used instead. 

Financial Assistance for Home Care in Punxsutawney, PA

Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources. 

  • Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details. 
  • Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care. 
  • Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state. 
  • Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more. 
  • Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.

Free & Low-Cost Home Care Resources in Punxsutawney, PA

Several agencies and programs meet the needs of older adults in the Punxsutawney region, helping them remain in their own homes through community-based services and supports. Through the following resources, seniors and their families can get information and referrals for free and low-cost services in the community as well as programs that may help lower their living expenses. 

ResourceContactService
Jefferson County Area Agency on Aging(814) 849-3096The Jefferson County Area Agency on Aging provides free information and referral services to older adults in the Punxsutawney region, helping them connect with services in the community that support their independence and safety at home. Through this local nonprofit agency, seniors access the Meals on Wheels program, which delivers fresh, healthy meals to qualifying seniors, as well as nonemergency medical transportation and in-home care. The AAA also provides options counseling to help seniors identify options for paying for home-based care, and it runs a senior center that hosts social and recreational programming for older adults.
PA 2112-1-1 (855) 567-5341PA 211 is a service of United Way of Pennsylvania. Through this free service, seniors can speak with contact specialists who help them identify programs in the community to meet their needs, including medical and wellness services, transportation, home-delivered meals and social and recreational programming. The service can also connect area residents with emergency financial assistance, weatherization and utility assistance programs, which may help them remain in their homes.
Community Action, Inc.(814) 938-3302Community Action, Inc., is a local nonprofit organization that administers a range of free services to qualifying individuals in the Punxsutawney region, including the VITA program, which provides free income tax preparations for income-qualifying individuals, and supplemental nutrition for those facing food insecurity. Its Medical Assistance Transportation Program provides nonemergency medical transportation for older adults, and through its weatherization program, qualifying seniors can improve their home’s comfort and energy efficiency.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program(888) 222-9190The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue administers the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for all qualifying state residents aged 65 and over, widows and widowers aged 50 and over and adults with disabilities. The standard rebate is $650 but supplemental rebates can boost it up to $975, which may help older adults reduce their living expenses and remain in their homes.

Determining Your Loved One’s Need for In-Home Care

Aging can be a difficult process, and loved ones may not always ask for help – often times it’s up to their family to evaluate their need for help around the house. While no two situations are exactly alike, this checklist can help you and your loved ones determine when it’s time to start the search for a home care provider.

Download
Checklist for determining the need for in-home care
Checklist for determining the need for in-home care

Guidelines for Talking About In-Home Care

If you’ve determined that your loved one needs the assistance of a care provider in their home, it may be time for a difficult conversation. Handled correctly, however, this process can bring a family together and ensure that everyone’s concerns are addressed. Use this PDF as a starting point to help the conversation stay as positive and productive as possible.  

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Talking with family and others about a loved one's needs
Talking with family and others about a loved one's needs

Frequently Asked Questions

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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

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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