The 5 Best Memory Care Facilities in State College, PA for 2024

In State College, a city of about 41,000 residents, the need for effective dementia care solutions is greater than ever. While only 6% of residents are aged 65 and over, the age group most likely to develop Alzheimer's, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports a surge in Alzheimer's-related deaths in recent years. Between 2016 and 2020, the number of people who died from Alzheimer’s in the State College region increased by 83%. This significantly outpaced the 35% increase in the number of deaths from all causes. At the beginning of this reporting period, Alzheimer’s was the primary cause of only 5.5% of deaths in the region, compared to 7.4% of deaths in 2020.

For many State College families, memory care facilities provide a safe, nurturing environment for loved ones living with Alzheimer's and similar disorders. These facilities offer dementia-informed therapies and recreational activities, along with secured indoor and outdoor common areas, promoting residents' cognitive and physical health. 

This guide outlines some of the benefits and drawbacks of moving to State College for memory care.

 

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services licenses all memory care facilities in State College through its Office of Long-Term Living, Bureau of Human Services Licensing. The department enforces rules for opening and operating memory care facilities and sets minimum standards for building security, one-on-one personal care services and staff training. It also investigates reports of substandard care or housing conditions.

• State College residents enjoy a seasonal climate with changing scenery throughout the year, which local memory care residents may experience through community outings and on-site events and activities. Over the course of the year, temperatures range from 21 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, and they’re rarely below 7 degrees Fahrenheit or higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The warm season lasts from late May until mid-September, and the cold season spans December 1 through early March.
• The Centre County Office of Transportation provides door-to-door services to State College area residents, which can supplement transportation services available through memory care facilities or let families visit loved ones in long-term care without relying on a private vehicle. Riders in State College can schedule pickup and drop-off times between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and they can arrange services between 2 months and 24 hours in advance.
• In Pennsylvania, all Social Security income is exempt from state income tax. The state also doesn’t tax payments from retirement savings accounts, and those aged 60 and over don’t pay taxes on their pension income. These retiree-friendly tax laws may make memory care in State College affordable for some seniors.
• State College has very good air quality, with the typical year having only 1 day in which pollution levels are high enough to affect vulnerable individuals. Based on this, the American Lung Association gives the region an A for its low ozone pollution levels and a B for 24-hour particle pollution. The region also has a passing score for annual particle pollution levels, which may make it a favorable environment for memory care residents with heart or lung conditions.
• Mount Nittany Medical Center, which is located in State College, is a 260-bed acute care hospital that offers a full range of medical, diagnostic and community services. Its physician group has over 170 health care providers across 30 specialties, including neurology. To promote access to care, many local memory care facilities provide concierge and care coordination services.

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we've estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth's 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

Memory care facilities in State College charge $5,648 per month for services.

 

In State College, residential memory care services typically cost $5,648 per month, which is in line with the national norm of $5,625 but hundreds of dollars higher than Pennsylvania’s average of $5,125. Local care costs are moderate compared to rates in nearby cities, including Lebanon, where fees exceed the local norm at $5,960, and Harrisburg, where rates are 7% higher than in State College. In contrast, individuals may find more affordable care by considering facilities in Altoona, where fees are 11% lower than in State College, and Williamsport, where memory care residents pay $4,208 for services.

 

Memory care residents in State College pay an average monthly rate of $5,648 for services, which is high compared to most other senior care types in the city. For example, seniors who live in their own homes typically pay $4,767 per month for care whether they arrange basic in-home care or home health care or attend adult day health care facilities. For seniors without memory impairments, assisted living is considerably more cost-effective at $4,518 per month. However, memory care costs about 39% less than nursing home care, which offers 24-hour medical support and full assistance with daily living activities in an institutional setting.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Pennsylvania page.