The 5 Best Memory Care Facilities in Lackawanna County, PA for 2024

Approximately 211,000 people call Lackawanna County home, and about one in five of those who live in this northeastern Pennsylvania county are aged 65 or older. This age group is most prone to Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, which impact 280,000 seniors across the state — a number expected to grow to 320,000 by 2025, according to the Alzheimer's Association. 

There are three memory care facilities in Lackawanna County to care for local seniors with Alzheimer's. These and all such facilities in the state are called assisted living residences and are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging or the Department of Public Welfare.

• The cost of living in Lackawanna County is 90, compared to the state and national median of 100, due largely to the extremely affordable housing costs at 64. Families moving to Lackawanna County to be closer to loved ones in memory care might have extra room in the budget to cover more expensive healthcare here. 
• Lackawanna County has a higher violent crime rate at 41.4 than the U.S. national average of 31.1. However, property crime at 40.1 is more in line with the national median of 38.1. Families of seniors in memory care might feel more comfortable asking staff what steps the facility takes to safeguard residents.
• In Lackawanna County, the air quality is 71, which is much higher than the national average of 58, according to the EPA's National Air Toxics Assessment, which measures the impact of air quality on respiratory conditions and cancer risks. Seniors with chronic respiratory conditions, such as COPD and asthma, may breathe easier here on most days.
• With a temperature range of 18 to 81, Lackawanna County offers plenty of seasonal changes for memory care residents to experience. However, the county garners a Sperling's Comfort Index of 47 out of 100 (best), compared to the U.S. average of 54. The county's extreme temperatures in January and July may prompt families to ask what steps are taken to keep their loved ones comfortable during extreme weather events.

Memory Care costs in Lackawanna County start around $6,130 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 Lackawanna 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.

Lackawanna 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.