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

Harrisburg has numerous colleges and universities in the surrounding area, which may factor in why the 65+ community comprises a below-average 11.1% of its 50,000 residents. Despite this, the city has plenty to offer seniors, such as competitive taxes and quality health care, both of which help it appear on lists of the best places to retire in Pennsylvania.

Many Harrisburg seniors find assisted living a good solution to the challenges of aging. These facilities take on typical household chores for their residents, such as cleaning, cooking and laundry, and providing staff to assist with personal care. They also manage social programs that entertain residents and encourage new friendships. According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, Harrisburg’s typical senior pays $4,828 per month for assisted living. This is about 15% more than Pennsylvania’s median fee, although the gap with the national average is narrower.

This guide reviews the pros and cons of living in Harrisburg and compares its median fee for assisted living with some neighboring cities. It also examines costs for other types of senior care and lists some free resources suitable for assisted living residents.

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Assisted Living Facilities in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

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What to Consider About Assisted Living in Harrisburg

The Department of Health licenses, regulates and monitors assisted living providers in Pennsylvania. It operates from offices covering the state’s four regions, each with the authority to make unannounced inspections to determine if facilities continue to abide by the terms of their licenses. The department can remove licenses from assisted living facilities that don’t meet minimum standards.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Harrisburg

  • Harrisburg’s seniors, like their peers throughout Pennsylvania, don’t pay taxes on their retirement income. This includes their Social Security benefits and distributions from IRAs and 401(k) plans. Pennsylvania’s sales tax of 6% is above-average but generally in line with its neighboring states.
  • A major factor in Harrisburg’s appeal is the cost of living, which has an average index of 74.9, compared to 100 for the United States and 92.5 for Pennsylvania. Health care costs are above the norm, but more common costs, such as groceries and transportation, are below average. 
  • Crimes involving violence in Harrisburg are more common than average in Pennsylvania. Gov. Wolf has provided significant funding to support local organizations working to reduce the problem to tackle the issue. Crimes of property are slightly above the norm for Pennsylvania but below the national average.
  • Sperling’s BestPlaces gives Harrisburg a comfort index of 7.2 out of 10, placing it among the most pleasant places to live in Pennsylvania. Although January typically sees temperatures of around 22 degrees, the summer months compensate, with temperatures averaging 85 degrees in July. Snowfall is a little below the national average and rainfall a little above. Air quality could be better, but the water quality is notably above the national average.
  • Despite its relatively small population, Harrisburg has excellent health care facilities. More than 10 hospitals serve its residents, including the high-performing UPMC Harrisburg Hospital and the nationally-ranked Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The city’s number of physicians registered to treat Medicare beneficiaries is also far above the norm for the country.
  • Capital Area Transit provides shared-ride paratransit services for Dauphin County residents aged 65 and older who are unable to use fixed-route services. The Senior Shared Ride Program provides curb-to-curb transportation at a discounted rate, while the ADA Complimentary Service provides door-to-door rides for residents with physical or mental impairments. Capital Area Transit also operates a Medical Assistance Transportation Program to take eligible residents to and from their medical appointments.

Paying for Assisted Living in Harrisburg

The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey found the average monthly fee for assisted living in Harrisburg is $4,828. This indicates the city’s seniors typically pay an additional $728 per month when compared to the state average of $4,100. The difference isn’t so great with the national average of $4,500, although $328 per month still equates to $3,936 annually.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

Although significantly more than the state average, Harrisburg’s median fee of $4,828 isn’t unusual in the region. In Chambersburg, the median is only $5 per month less, at $4,823, while York’s seniors are more likely to pay more, at around $5,510. However, some nearby cities are more affordable, although still above the state average. They include Gettysburg ($4,515) and Lebanon ($4,768). 

Harrisburg

$4,828

Pennsylvania

$4,100

United States

$4,500

Lebanon

$4,768

York

$5,510

Gettysburg

$4,515

Chambersburg

$4,823

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Adult day health care offers basic levels of care with fewer overheads for its providers, resulting in the most affordable median fee of $1,629. Despite the differences in their services, home care (non-medical) and home health care (medical) share an average fee of $4,767. Assisted living is the least costly option offering care and accommodation at $4,828, while the most expensive is nursing home care, at $10,828 for a semiprivate room.

In-Home Care

$4,767

Home Health Care

$4,767

Adult Day Health Care

$1,629

Assisted Living Facility

$4,828

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$10,828

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Harrisburg

Seniors who receive SSI and need to live in an assisted living facility may qualify for the state to pay a supplement to the facility.

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

Financial Assistance 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 Harrisburg

Harrisburg’s seniors don’t need to cope with problems on their own, as many government agencies and nonprofit organizations can provide free assistance on a range of issues. They include accessing durable medical equipment, resolving disagreements with care providers, and, for veterans, accessing professional counseling services. Some organizations can help seniors volunteer their time, and others can improve socialization opportunities.

ResourceContactService
Harrisburg Vet Center(717) 782-3954The Harrisburg Vet Center offers free and confidential counseling services to veterans of the U.S. military, their spouses and children. It can aid and support those dealing with various psychological issues, such as grief, depression, PTSD and the cognitive effects of military sexual trauma. The center can also refer vets trying to cope with suicidal thoughts, addictions and substance abuse.
Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging(800)-328-0058Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging is a multi-resource agency that doesn't charge fees for any of its services. They include the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, which is an advocate for the rights of seniors in assisted living facilities with the power to investigate complaints. The agency can also help seniors plan for their long-term care, learn more about Medicare and Medicaid and inform them about government benefits they may be entitled to.
Changing Hands Equipment Reuse Program(717) 737-3477Operating from its base in Camp Hill, UCP of Central Pennsylvania manages the Changing Hands Equipment Reuse Program. It enables citizens with durable medical equipment no longer used to donate them so others in the community can benefit. The nonprofit organization loans a wide range of devices free of charge, including wheelchairs (powered and manual), walkers, rollators, scooters and canes.
GO-60 Program(717) 948-6020Penn State Harrisburg manages the GO-60 program, which allows adults aged 60+ to enroll in undergraduate programs without paying for tuition. Seniors can gain up to six credits per semester, and there are no restrictions on the subjects available for study.
Dauphin County Volunteer Program(800)-328-0058The Dauphin County Volunteer Program enables seniors to help their community. Volunteer opportunities include delivering hot meals to homebound seniors, working in one of the county's senior centers, transporting seniors with no other means of travel and educating others about Medicare.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Harrisburg

Harrisburg Assisted Living Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Assisted Living Facilities 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

Reviews of Communities Nearby

Assisted Living

Mim

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

Review of Brookdale Harrisburg

My brother is in Brookdale Harrisburg. The appearance is nice. The rooms are clean. They have one room where they play games. The regular people that work there are very good. They are very...

Provider response

Thank you for choosing Brookdale and taking the time to share your feedback. We would welcome an opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have and encourage you to contact our management team.

Read more

Assisted Living

Reviewer#RD0825u

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

Review of Ecumenical Retirement Community

My mother was at Ecumenical Retirement Community. They had more activities. The facility is older, but it's still very clean. They had wonderful food like you can get ice cream any time you wanted.

Provider response

Even though Ecumenical does have beautiful buildings, our treasure is the amazing team of co-workers who deliver care to residents with gently hands every day. And yes, the ice cream is definitely...

Read more

Assisted Living

Kelli

I visited this facility

Review of Brookdale Harrisburg

Brookdale Harrisburg was beautiful and clean. The people were friendly, and I loved it. The apartments looked like they were a nice size. They had some amenities in them, and they were clean. They...

Read more

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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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