The Best Memory Care Communities in Cumberland County, PA

The population of Cumberland County is 250,066, and 18.1 percent of the population is estimated to be 65 or older, which is the most common demographic to be diagnosed with dementia. About 11.6 percent of the population enrolled in Medicare have cognitive ailments and may benefit from care in an Alzheimer's Special Care Unit (SCU), as they're called throughout Cumberland County and the rest of Pennsylvania.

The Office of Long-Term Living is responsible for overseeing and licensing the operation of the state's SCUs, such as the four in Cumberland County.

• Compared to the U.S. median cost of living of 100, Cumberland County is only 2.1 points higher at 102.1. Housing and transportation are equal to the national average but higher than the state average of 89. However, healthcare is 13 points greater than the U.S. norm, which may be taken into account when families choose an SCU for a loved one. The reasonable costs may enable families to save money by relocating to Cumberland County to be near a senior in care.
  
• Cumberland County's temperate climate is near the national yearly averages with 43 inches of rain, 30 inches of snow and 196 sunny days as compared to 39, 26, and 205, respectively. Summertime highs reach the mid-80s, and January lows drop to 22 degrees.  Sperling's Comfort Index gives the county a rank of 50, which is four points lower than the national average. Seniors' families might want to ask facility staff about measures they have in place to protect residents from harsh weather conditions.
  
• The violent crime rate of 29 in Cumberland County is lower than the U.S. average of 31.1, and the property crime rate is 28.6 compared to the national norm of 38.1. SCUs provide a secure environment for their patients, so families can feel confident that their loved ones are safe.
  
• Seniors aged 60 and older in Cumberland County and the rest of the Keystone State enjoy exemption from taxes for their pensions, retirement accounts, and Social Security benefits. In addition to the savings presented by the low sales tax, families may be able to stretch a fixed income to include more funds for memory care.

Memory Care costs in Cumberland County start around $5,758 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,694 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Cumberland County and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

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

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.

Cumberland County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in Pennsylvania are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Pennsylvania page for more information about these laws.