The 5 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Hazleton, PA for 2023
Hazleton is located in the east-central region of Pennsylvania and has nearly 30,000 residents. The city has a very affordable cost of living and retiree-friendly tax laws, which may make it a financially viable option for older adults researching regional care options, and it offers reliable public transit services. The city is home to one of the state’s best-known teaching hospitals, providing easy access to high-quality medical services.
Hazleton also has a range of assisted living options for older adults who need some assistance. These facilities consist of comfortable apartments or suites and offer personal care services, meals and snacks, recreational activities and housekeeping services. According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, Hazleton is among the most cost-effective cities to obtain assisted living, with local facilities charging approximately $3,570 per month for services.
This guide highlights the cost of assisted living in Hazleton and compares it to other cities in the state and alternative care options. It also lists some local agencies and programs that help seniors make decisions regarding their care.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Hazleton, PA
The Corrigan House
350 Hazle Twp Blvd, Hazleton, PA, 18202
Laurels Senior Living Community
23 FAITH DRIVE, Hazleton, PA, 18202
Providence Place Senior Living of Drums (Hazleton)
149 S Hunter Highway Route 309, Drums, PA, 18222
Fritzingertown Senior Living Community
159 South Old Turnpike Road, Drums, PA, 18222
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is a Caring Star Community
Earning a Caring Star means this community is among the best Senior Living commuities in America.
What to Consider About Assisted Living in Hazleton
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services regulates assisted living facilities in Hazleton. This department publishes resources to educate the public on disease control measures, residents’ rights and public financing options. It also conducts inspections to ensure comfortable, sanitary environments and enforces regulations related to staffing, staff training, scope of care and nutrition services.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Hazleton
- Seniors in Hazleton don’t pay state income taxes on Social Security benefits or withdrawals from retirement savings accounts, and those aged 60 and over don’t pay state taxes on pension income, which may help older adults who rely on this form of income to afford local assisted living expenses. Property taxes tend to be high, but seniors can avoid this expense by transitioning to residential facilities.
- Hazleton is one of the cheapest cities in Pennsylvania to live in, which may make it an appealing option for those with budgetary considerations. The overall cost of living is about 25% lower than the national median, mainly due to the city’s affordable real estate. This may correlate with affordable residential care costs.
- Crime in Hazleton has been on the rise in recent years, with most recent data indicating that property and violent crime occurs at a higher rate locally than in the state and nation as a whole as well as in nearby and similarly sized cities. Older adults in Hazleton may gain peace of mind by transitioning out of a private home and into an assisted living facility.
- Compared to the rest of Pennsylvania, Hazleton’s weather is relatively cool. Summer high temperatures are around 80 degrees and winter highs are in the low 30s, and the city gets about 50 inches of rain and 47 inches of snow every year. Seniors who live in assisted living facilities benefit from transportation services and indoor activities during the winter months.
- Health care expenses are about 5% costlier in Hazleton than in the typical U.S. city, which may be a consideration for older adults. The city is home to Lehigh Valley Hospital – Hazleton, which is among the largest and oldest teaching hospitals in the state.
- Hazleton Public Transit operates nine fixed bus routes in Hazleton and surrounding communities, and Luzerne County Transportation Authority has 16 routes that operate throughout the county. These services can supplement the transportation services provided by assisted living facilities.
Paying for Assisted Living in Hazleton
Assisted living facilities in Hazleton charge $3,570 per month for services, making it among the most affordable cities in the nation to obtain care. Statewide, facilities charge $3,955 per month, and nationally, the average rate is higher at $4,300.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
While the $3,570 charged for assisted living in Hazleton is low compared to the state median, several other Pennsylvania cities have even more budget-friendly care. Rates in Scranton are the lowest in the state at $2,450. In Gettysburg, fees are closer to Hazleton’s median at $3,443, and in Reading, older adults pay $3,950 for this level of care. Philadelphia has one of the highest monthly assisted living rates statewide at $5,550.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
At $3,570 per month, assisted living is among the most economical senior care options in Hazleton. Adult day health care rates aren’t available for the city, but statewide, it’s the cheapest type of care at $1,517 per month. Seniors who obtain in-home care pay $4,004 per month for either homemaker or specialized home health aide services. Nursing homes have the highest rates, with residents paying $8,578 for semiprivate rooms and $8,912 for private accommodations.
Note: Care cost data for Hazleton was not available, so data for the closest city, Bloomsburg, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Hazleton
Hazleton seniors who meet certain eligibility requirements for the Pennsylvania Department of Aging waiver may qualify for financial assistance in order to pay for care within one of the city’s assisted living facilities. In addition, if you receive SSI and need to live in an assisted living facility, the state can pay a supplement to the facility if you qualify.
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Pennsylvania page.
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 Hazleton
Older adults in Hazleton can reach out to various organizations and programs for help with identifying and obtaining services in the community, including financial planning, health insurance options counseling and legal assistance. The following table also features resources that support older adults’ quality of life through social and recreational programs and volunteer opportunities.
Resource
Contact
Services
(570) 459-1441
The Hazleton Active Adult Center provides a range of social and recreational activities for older adults. At this center, members participate in holiday celebrations, informational and educational workshops and congregate meals. The center also hosts health insurance options counselors who can help older adults understand their Medicare coverage.
(570) 822-1158
The Area Agency on Aging serves older adults in Hazleton and the surrounding region through information and referrals, advocacy and options counseling. It administers APPRISE, the state’s health insurance counseling program for seniors. Through this program, older adults receive free, unbiased one-on-one help with determining the best Medicare coverage options for their needs, comparing long-term care insurance plans and determining eligibility for Medicaid. The agency has volunteer programs for older adults, including the Foster Grandparent Program and RSVP, and it operates senior centers throughout the region.
(570) 706-3960
The county’s Veteran Affairs Office helps veterans in Hazleton access local, state and federal benefits, including VA health care enrollment, disability compensation, veterans’ and survivors’ pensions and Aid and Attendance benefits, which can help qualifying individuals cover assisted living costs. The office can also help veterans obtain copies of their military records and ID cards.
(717) 783-8975
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates on behalf of older adults in Hazleton’s assisted living facilities. Ombudsmen help residents understand their rights under state and federal laws and work on their behalf to resolve issues related to quality of care. The program also operates the Virtual Family Council, which features biweekly online meetings with the ombudsman and a team of local experts who answer families’ questions, address general concerns and share information.
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Hazleton
Hazleton-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Pennsylvania are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Pennsylvania page for more information about these laws.
