The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Lancaster, PA for 2024

The age-friendly city of Lancaster has about 60,000 people and a senior community that makes up 9% of the population. While the city has a relatively young population, recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that Alzheimer's-related deaths are increasingly common among older residents. In 2020, about 7.3% of deaths in the region were linked to this disease, which is slightly higher than the 7.2% reported in 2016. During this period, the total number of Alzheimer's-related deaths went up by 22%, going from 297 instances in 2016 to 362 in 2020.

Alzheimer's is a complex disease, and many families find it challenging to provide dementia care as their loved ones' conditions progress. Fortunately, there are several memory care facilities to choose from in the Lancaster region. These communities have trained caregivers who provide companionship, around-the-clock monitoring and personalized care, and they have open floor plans that reduce confusion and support self-direction. Through this guide, readers can find out what care costs in the Lancaster region and what resources are available to help them make informed decisions.

5,672 seniors live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a town with a total population of 59,708. According to US News, Lancaster is the best place in the country to retire, and this town certainly has a lot to offer seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. There are three memory care facilities in Lancaster and nine nearby in Lititz, Maytown, Ephrata, York, Lebanon, Palmyra and Hershey.

Pennsylvania offers two types of memory care facilities: assisted living residences and personal care homes. Assisted living residences are licensed by the Department of Aging, Office of Long Term Living, Division of Licensing. These facilities may provide nursing home care and other services to four or more adults. Personal care homes are licensed by the Department of Public Welfare, Adult Residential Licensing. Personal care homes also house four or more residents but cannot provide nursing home care. Both types may operate in one building under a dual license.

 

• Lancaster has high crime rates, so it is a good idea to ask about security protocols at the memory care facilities you visit. Violent crime in this city is more than twice the national average, and property crime is around 60 percent higher than the national average.
• The American Lung Association gives Lancaster County a failing grade on its annual particle pollution levels, so the air quality in this town may worsen the condition of seniors with cardiovascular conditions. Lancaster was rated at number eight out of 187 metropolitan areas for its annual particle pollution levels.
• Lancaster is home to world-class medical facilities, including those specializing in brain health and dementia care such as Lancaster General Hospital, and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in the event of medical emergencies or illness.
• Lancaster has exceptionally low housing costs, sitting 32 points lower than the national average, and the overall cost of living is seven percent less than the national average. For seniors with a limited budget, these are important considerations.

 

Memory Care costs in Lancaster start around $5,887 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 Lancaster 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.

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.