The 5 Best In-Home Care Services in Punxsutawney, PA for 2023
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.
Directory of Home Care Services in Punxsutawney, PA

Home Instead – State College, PA
2100 E College Ave, Suite B, State College, PA, 16801

VNA of Indiana County
850 Hospital Road, Suite 3000, Indiana, PA, 15701

Guardian Home Care Specialties
900 Porter Ave, Scottdale, PA, 15683

Guardian Elder Care
8796 Route 219, Brockway, PA, 15824
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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.
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.
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.
Resource
Contact
Service
(814) 849-3096
The 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.
2-1-1
(855) 567-5341
PA 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.
(814) 938-3302
Community 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.
(888) 222-9190
The 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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions
What types of services can a home care agency in Punxsutawney, PA, provide?
In Punxsutawney, home care agencies provide two main types of service, including companion care and personal care. Companion care is focused on alleviating boredom and loneliness for older adults who live alone. Common services may include playing card or board games, providing transportation and accompaniment for medical appointments and helping with physician-ordered exercise programs. Personal care services include activities that older adults would otherwise be able to do if not impaired by age or disability. These may include help with personal grooming, meal preparation, light housekeeping and laundry and mobility assistance.
How many home care agencies are there near Punxsutawney, PA?
Despite Punxsutawney’s small population, area seniors can choose from four agencies that provide home care services. Overall, these agencies rate 3.3 out of 5 stars, indicating a wide range of experiences with caregivers. To find the right agency for their needs, seniors can work with one of Caring.com’s Family Advisors, who are trained to help individuals navigate the hiring process and can be reached by calling (800) 973-1540.
What is the average cost for in-home elderly care in Punxsutawney, PA?
Seniors in Punxsutawney pay $4,080 per month for home care, making it among the more affordable cities in the United States for this type of care. This monthly rate is based on an annual average of $48,963 and assumes 44 hours of weekly care at an hourly rate of $21.40. Older adults with limited income may qualify to obtain free or low-cost community-based services such as meal delivery, transportation and daily check-ins.
What is a nonmedical home care service?
Nonmedical home care services are nonspecialized services that don’t require medical training or certifications to perform. Some examples of this type of care may include meal planning and preparation, grocery shopping, transportation to local destinations, conversation and companionship, light housekeeping and help with bathing or dressing. These services may help older adults who need an extra hand throughout the day avoid nursing home or assisted living placement and remain safely in their homes.
Assisted living homes vs. home care: how to decide?
Assisted living facilities and home care agencies offer similar care services in different environments. For many individuals, price is a key factor in determining the right option for their needs. In Punxsutawney, seniors pay $3,025 for assisted living. Home care is costlier at $4,080 and doesn’t include living expenses, making it prohibitive for some. Aside from pricing, seniors may also consider whether isolation is a potential factor or if the expense and responsibilities of owning and maintaining a home are burdensome.