The 3 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Bedford, PA for 2023

Bedford is a quiet community of about 5,000 people, over a quarter of whom are retirement-aged. The city offers a generally comfortable climate and minimal crime, making it a prime option for those seeking long-term care. The community has a local senior center where older adults can participate in social and recreational activities, and the low cost of living and retiree-friendly income tax laws help seniors conserve their retirement income.

The Bedford region is also home to several high-quality assisted living facilities, providing options for older adults who need help with some daily living activities. These facilities provide housing and meals and promote a low-maintenance lifestyle with services, such as housekeeping and linen services. Many facilities have fitness centers and libraries, and some accommodate small pets. The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey shows that in Bedford, assisted living residents pay $5,248 per month for care, which is high compared to the state and national averages.

This guide contains more information on how assisted living rates in Bedford compare to other Pennsylvania cities and an overview of the rules that assisted living facilities follow. It also highlights top resources for older adults in the Bedford region.

Assisted living facilities in Bedford follow regulations set by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. This department publishes up-to-date information on disease control measures and the rules facilities comply with. It also has a portal that enables individuals to report Medicaid fraud or elder abuse, neglect or exploitation. 

• Bedford is one of the cheapest places to live in Pennsylvania, which may help older adults maintain their standard of living throughout retirement. Housing is particularly affordable and may result in competitive assisted living rates.
• The local Area Agency on Aging operates CART Senior Transportation, a ride-share program that provides affordable demand-response services to area points of destination, including medical offices, social services offices, shopping centers and senior centers. This can supplement the services seniors obtain through their assisted living facilities. 
• Pennsylvania’s income tax laws are very friendly toward retirees, which may help older adults afford local assisted living costs. Seniors don’t pay state taxes on their Social Security benefits, pension income or disbursements from retirement savings accounts.
• Bedford seniors have access to budget-friendly health care services, which may benefit those managing medical conditions. In general, health care costs come in about 15% below the national median. Health care provider options are limited, however, with the city having about 70 doctors per capita, about a third of the national average. Residents have access to several hospitals, including Bedford Memorial in Everett and Conemaugh Nason Medical Center in Roaring Spring.
• Crime is uncommon in Bedford, providing the quiet, welcoming environment many seniors seek for their retirement years. On a 100-point crime index based on FBI statistics, the city is rated 11.6 for violent crime and 20.6 for property crime, versus respective national scores of 22.7 and 35.4.
• August and September are the most comfortable months in Bedford, and the city has 5 months in which temperatures are in the 70- to 85-degree range, providing assisted living residents with plenty of opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities. Winter low temperatures are in the upper teens, and summer highs are in the low-80s.

On average, seniors in the Bedford region pay $5,248 per month for assisted living. 

Assisted living is relatively costly in Bedford, with seniors paying an estimated $5,248 per month for care. This is over $1,000 higher than Pennsylvania’s median rate of $4,100 and several hundred dollars higher than the national average of $4,500. In Johnstown, care costs are the lowest recorded in the state at $2,725, and in Pittsburgh, rates are higher but still economical at $3,250. Seniors in Harrisburg pay $4,828 for monthly care. Reading is among the few surveyed cities with care costs higher than Bedford, with residents paying $5,720 for care.

Bedford

Pennsylvania

United States

Johnstown

Harrisburg

Reading

Pittsburgh

Seniors in Bedford pay $5,248 per month for assisted living. For those who need more intensive care, nursing home placement may be a more suitable option, but it’s costlier at $9,125 per month. Seniors may save money by accessing care at home, with in-home care costing $4,957 and home health care costing $4,862 per month. Adult day health care is the most budget-friendly option for seniors in Bedford at $2,167. 

In-Home Care

Home Health Care

Adult Day Health Care

Assisted Living Facility

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

Note: Care cost data for Bedford was not available, so data for the closest city, Cumberland, MD, was used instead. 

PA Code 2800.27 limits how much assisted living facilities can charge for their services. The fees cannot exceed the senior’s monthly income. In Bedford and the rest of Pennsylvania, seniors who already receive SSI might be eligible for assistance for assisted living costs.

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

On average, seniors in the Bedford region pay $5,248 per month for assisted living. 

Assisted living is relatively costly in Bedford, with seniors paying an estimated $5,248 per month for care. This is over $1,000 higher than Pennsylvania’s median rate of $4,100 and several hundred dollars higher than the national average of $4,500. In Johnstown, care costs are the lowest recorded in the state at $2,725, and in Pittsburgh, rates are higher but still economical at $3,250. Seniors in Harrisburg pay $4,828 for monthly care. Reading is among the few surveyed cities with care costs higher than Bedford, with residents paying $5,720 for care.

Seniors in Bedford pay $5,248 per month for assisted living. For those who need more intensive care, nursing home placement may be a more suitable option, but it’s costlier at $9,125 per month. Seniors may save money by accessing care at home, with in-home care costing $4,957 and home health care costing $4,862 per month. Adult day health care is the most budget-friendly option for seniors in Bedford at $2,167. 

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.