Caring.com
Caring.com

(800) 558-0653

In-Home Care in Pennsylvania

With 18.7% of Pennsylvania’s 13-million-plus population composed of people aged 65 and older, more than 2.4 million seniors call the Keystone State home. The overall cost of living is slightly lower than the national average and the lack of state income tax on retirement income can help seniors stretch funds further. The sales tax rate is also lower than average, as are crime rates. Pennsylvania has several high-performing hospitals, including the nationally-ranked Hospitals of Pennsylvania University and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside and Lancaster General Hospital.

Seniors have varied care choices in Pennsylvania, including in-home care and home health care. In-home care refers to non-clinical care provided by an aide, whereas home health care is the provision of medical care from a nurse, rehabilitation therapist or other health care professional. In Pennsylvania, in-home care and home health care cost an average of $4,957 per month.   

This guide provides an overview of in-home care in Pennsylvania. It compares the costs of long-term care and in-home care throughout Pennsylvania and in nearby states. You’ll also find a section on financial assistance, including Medicaid and Medicare, and a list of affordable resources for those aging at home.

The Cost of In-Home Care in Pennsylvania

According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, in-home care in Pennsylvania costs an average of $4,957 per month. Neighboring Ohio shares the same median cost, and both states are on par with the U.S. average. Individuals receiving in-home care in West Virginia typically pay around $3,527 per month. Average fees increase to $5,148 in Maryland. Rates rise further in New Jersey and New York, where in-home care costs $5,529 and $5,339, respectively.

Pennsylvania

$4957

The United States

$4957

West Virginia

$3527

Maryland

$5148

New Jersey

$5529

New York

$5339

Throughout Pennsylvania, the costs of in-home care vary widely. Pittsburgh and Lancaster share the same average monthly cost of $5,339, representing the state’s highest rates for in-home care. At $5,329 per month, average rates are similar in Philadelphia. Prices drop slightly in Gettysburg, where seniors can expect to pay $5,291 each month. There are further savings in the state capital of Harrisburg and Scranton, where in-home care costs $4,767 and $4,576 per month respectively. At $3,813 per month, Johnstown has some of the state’s most affordable costs for in-home care.

Pittsburgh

$5339

Philadelphia

$5329

Harrisburg

$4767

Gettysburg

$5291

Scranton

$4576

Lancaster

$5339

Johnstown

$3813

In Pennsylvania, in-home care is more affordable than nursing home care, with average monthly rates of $4,957 and $10,403, respectively. Home health care costs the same as in-home care. At $4,100 per month, assisted living is a little more affordable than in-home care. However, seniors must live in a residential community rather than at home. In common with most states, adult day health care is the most affordable long-term care option in Pennsylvania, with an average cost of $1,625 per month.

In-Home Care

$4957

Home Health Care

$4957

Nursing Home Care

$10403

Assisted Living

$4100

Adult Day Health Care

$1625

Does Medicaid Cover Home Care in Pennsylvania?

Traditional Pennsylvania Medicaid, known as Medical Assistance, doesn’t cover non-medical home care. However, there is a Medicaid waiver program that pays for supportive services to enable older adults to remain at home. This program is known as the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver.

Read More

Home Care Waiver Programs in Pennsylvania

Community HealthChoices Waiver

The Community HealthChoices Waiver replaced or absorbed the previous Aging Waiver, Attendant Care Program and Independence Waiver. The managed care program provides supportive services to enable eligible seniors to receive care at home rather than in an institutional setting. Care is personalized to meet individual needs and services may include:

  • Assistance with activities of daily living
  • Help with personal care
  • Home modifications
  • Assistive technology
  • Respite care
  • Nursing
  • Rehabilitation therapies
  • Counseling
  • Nutritional consultation
  • Home-delivered meals
  • Transportation

Seniors can choose their own managed care organization (MCO) for the provision of services and, in some situations, family members may be paid to provide care.

To qualify, individuals must be aged 60 or above and need a nursing home level of care. They must also be permanent residents of Pennsylvania and be either a U.S. citizen or qualifying non-citizen. There are income and asset limits too. An applicant’s annual income mustn’t exceed $30,276. Single seniors are subject to an asset limit of $2,000, while for joint-applicant couples the asset cap is doubled to $4,000. For couples where only one spouse applies for waiver services, the claimant spouse has an asset limit of $2,000 and the non-applicant spouse has an enhanced limit of $137,400.

You can contact the Health Care Coverage Consumer Service Center at 866-550-4355 to apply for waiver services.

How to Know if You’re Eligible for Medicaid in Pennsylvania

To be eligible for Medical Assistance, applicants must satisfy income and asset requirements. For single claimants, the maximum permitted income is $10,357.20 per year. Applicants from two-person households have an annual income limit of $15,531.60. Asset caps are $2,000 and $3,000 for those from one- and two-person households, respectively.

2022 Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in Pennsylvania

2022 Basic Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in Pennsylvania

NameIncome limits*Asset limits
Single Person$10,357.20$2,000
Two-Person Household$15,531.60$3,000

*Per year

Further eligibility requirements apply for Pennsylvania Medicaid. Applicants must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or legal alien
  • Live in Pennsylvania on a permanent basis

How to Apply for Medicaid in Pennsylvania

Seniors can conveniently apply for Pennsylvania Medicaid online via the COMPASS portal. You can also download an application form and return it by post or hand it to your local County Assistance Office (CAO). If you prefer, you can also visit a CAO to complete an in-person application. Alternatively, call the Consumer Service Center for Health Care Coverage at (866) 550-4355 to apply over the telephone.

What Information You Will Need

Medicaid has strict eligibility requirements and applicants must provide detailed information in support of their applications. You’ll need to include information about all income and countable assets. For your convenience, gather pay stubs, tax returns, recent bank statements, benefit award letters, health insurance policies and details of assets to hand. You’ll also need your Social Security number, and may be asked to provide proof of identity, citizenship status and in-state residency.     

How to Get Help Applying for Medicaid

If you need assistance completing an application form or wish to check eligibility or claim statuses, Pennsylvania has several resources that can help. You can also obtain information about services and advice related to service provision. Contact these resources for assistance:

ProgramContactAreaServedServices provided
COMPASS Helpline(800) 692-7462Entire StateIndividuals can call the COMPASS Helpline for assistance completing applications. Advisors can also answer questions related to eligibility and provide general information about Medicaid. The Helpline is available between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. on weekdays. The COMPASS website is also a useful source of information and features an eligibility checking tool.
County Assistance OfficesLocation DependentEntire StateSeniors may call or visit their local County Assistance Office to connect with knowledgeable caseworkers. Caseworkers provide information on Medicaid, other benefits and long-term living services. They can advise on eligibility and help with applications.
Pennsylvania Health Law Project(800) 274-3258Entire StateThe nonprofit Pennsylvania Health Law Project provides assistance, representation and legal counseling to ensure individuals receive all health care benefits they are entitled to. Services include appealing adverse decisions and claim stoppages and helping resolve eligibility issues.

Does Medicare Cover In-Home Care in Pennsylvania?

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

  • Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
  • Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
  • Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
  • Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

Other Financial Assistance Options for In-Home Care in Pennsylvania

While the above programs help many people finance in-home care, they will not cover all costs for everyone. There are other ways to pay for in-home care, including out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance and more. Read Caring.com’s Guide to In-Home Care Costs to learn more about these alternative payment options.

Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in Pennsylvania

Although aging at home provides diverse benefits for older adults, living alone can present challenges for seniors. Several organizations in Pennsylvania offer free or affordable programs and services to help older adults maintain a good quality of life and overcome challenges associated with aging in place.     

ResourceContactAreaServedService
Area Agencies on AgingLocation DependentEntire StatePennsylvania has a statewide network of Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) that provides services for people aged 60 and above. It offers senior-focused information and signposts to relevant external programs. Services include benefits guidance, tax advice, options counseling, legal, health screenings, home-delivered meals and transportation.
Weatherization Assistance ProgramLocation DependentEntire StateLow-income seniors can obtain free weatherization services in Pennsylvania. Services are provided by local partner agencies and include insulation and ventilation, draft reduction and replacement or modification of heating systems. The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) seeks to make homes more energy-efficient which reduces bills and enhances comfort.
SeniorLAW Center(877) 727-7529Entire StatePennsylvania’s SeniorLAW Center provides free civil legal advice and representation for those aged 60 and above. Areas include housing, debt, benefits, abuse, wills, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, exploitation and consumer issues. Seniors may make an appointment to visit one of the center’s five offices, located in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Chester, Bucks and Delaware counties. Alternatively, advisors can assist over the phone via the statewide HelpLine, available between 10 a.m. and 12 noon Monday through Thursday.
Help at HomeLocation DependentEntire StateOperated by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and administered by local AAAs, the Help at Home (OPTIONS) program provides services to support people aged 60 or over who live at home. Services are free or subsidized, depending on an applicant’s income. Statewide services include home-delivered meals, help with personal care, care management and adult day care, while localized services may also include home modifications, assistance with housekeeping tasks, pest control and assistive technology.
Transportation Programs(717) 783-1550Entire StateThe Pennsylvania Department of Aging operates two transportation programs for those aged at least 65. The Free Transit Program allows free travel on fixed-route local transport. Seniors can obtain a senior citizen transit identification card from select local transit operators. The Shared-Ride Program provides door-to-door transportation for a reduced fare.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program(866) 857-7095Entire StateThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides one-time cash grants to low-income households to assist with energy bills. Grants are sent directly to fuel providers and credited against a person’s bill. Amounts vary depending on individual circumstances. If you find yourself in an unexpected emergency situation you may also qualify for a crisis grant. The crisis program may assist in cases of lack of fuel, disconnection of heating services, equipment breakdown and a notice of termination of utility services.

In-Home Care Laws and Regulations in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is responsible for regulating home care providers in the state. The DOH conducts on-site compliance checks and interviews with staff and patients to ensure continued compliance. The table below gives an overview of the rules and regulations in the State of Pennsylvania. 

TopicRule
Scope of CareHome care agencies may provide assistance with activities of daily living, personal care, homemaking, companionship, respite, and any other non-skilled services that a patient may need. 
Care Plan RequirementsPrior to administering service, home care agencies must provide patients with information regarding the services they will receive, the identity of the person providing care, all costs and fees associated with care, and the hours when care will be administered. Patients have a right to be involved in the care planning process.
Medication Management RequirementsHome care providers may assist patients with self-administered medications. 
Staff Screening RequirementsAll staff must undergo a criminal background check and child abuse screening. Those who will have direct contact with patients must be screened for tuberculosis. 
Staff Training RequirementsCare providers must either have a nursing license or pass a competency exam. Those who do not have a nursing license must also complete the Department of Health nurse aide certification or a training program approved by the state. Administrators should review staff competency at least once per year. 
Medicaid CoverageThe Community HealthChoices and LIFE waiver programs will cover some or all of the cost of in-home care for those who qualify. 
Reporting AbuseAbuse should be reported to the office of the long-term care ombudsman at 717-783-8975 or LTC-ombudsman@pa.gov. 

How to Find an In-Home Care Provider in Pennsylvania

Whether you are looking for yourself or a loved one, finding a quality home care provider can be a stressful process. When you hire an in-home care aide you’re placing a lot of trust in the hands of the person by inviting them into your home, so you’ll want to be diligent in your search. At Caring.com, we’re here to help – we’ve created a helpful checklist below that can help guide you through the process of both determining your needs and finding a home care agency that will provide the best care possible.

Download
Finding a Home Care Provider Checklist
Finding a Home Care Provider Checklist

Find Home Care Agencies Near You

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.

What you can do with Caring

  • Search the Caring database

    Quickly search the largest online senior living and senior care directory

  • Read reviews and expert guidance

    Read our authentic consumer reviews and content by experts

  • Speak to a Family Advisor for free

    Guided, expert advice to find the best community or agency for you

  • Take a tour to decide yourself

    We’ll help you book tours or get in touch with local agencies

Home Care in Pennsylvania

28 Results

Didn't find what you were looking for?

Caring's Family Advisors are here to help you with questions about senior living and care options.

Call us at (855) 948-3865

1

2

Home Care in Pennsylvania

Abbottstown

Counties

Adams County
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

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

Our Services

  • Senior Living Directory

  • Senior Care Directory

  • Caregiving Resources

  • Sitemap

  • Terms of Use

  • Privacy Policy


© 2024 Caring, LLC. All rights reserved.