The historic city of Reading is home to around 88,000 residents and an estimated 10.3% of its population is aged 65 and older. Senior residents can access medical services at Reading Hospital, which is nationally ranked in one procedure and rated as high-performing in 11 others by U.S. News & World Report. Other notable medical facilities in the city include Reading Health Systems Trauma Center and St. Joseph Medical Center.
Nursing homes provide care to seniors who require full-time medical supervision but don’t need hospital treatment. Care is administered by registered nurses and certified caregivers. Consequently, nursing homes are generally the most expensive senior care option available. According to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey 2020, the average monthly cost of a semiprivate room in a Reading nursing home is $11,724, which is significantly higher than the national average of $7,756. Seniors who don’t require this level of care may consider more affordable options, such as assisted living and home care services.
This guide provides an overview of the costs of nursing home care in Reading and surrounding areas, as well as the costs of alternative options. In addition, it lists free resources for seniors.
Directory of Nursing Homes in Reading, PA
1623 Morgantown Rd, Reading, PA, 19607
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Reading is very clean. When they come in and scrub a room, they move you out and clean it. That place shines. The therapy is great. There’s always somebody
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Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Reading is very clean. When they come in and scrub a room, they move you out and clean it. That place shines. The therapy is great. There’s always somebody coming in and checking on my mom. They have great communication. The caseworker is constantly calling and checking on not only her but my niece as well, which you don’t get a whole lot. Even the doctors called me to ask what my question would be, and I just found that very good. She likes their food, too.
The staff is great. You can see her getting better in her therapy and even the nurses that come in to give her medicine, greet her by her first name. They wait until she takes her medicine, which is a big concern of mine since she has a swallowing problem. They cut her nails yesterday and they said they were going to paint them today, so that was nice.
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Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Reading is very clean. When they come in and scrub a room, they move you out and clean it. That place shines. The therapy is great. There’s always somebody
… (read more)
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Reading is very clean. When they come in and scrub a room, they move you out and clean it. That place shines. The therapy is great. There’s always somebody coming in and checking on my mom. They have great communication. The caseworker is constantly calling and checking on not only her but my niece as well, which you don’t get a whole lot. Even the doctors called me to ask what my question would be, and I just found that very good. She likes their food, too.
The staff is great. You can see her getting better in her therapy and even the nurses that come in to give her medicine, greet her by her first name. They wait until she takes her medicine, which is a big concern of mine since she has a swallowing problem. They cut her nails yesterday and they said they were going to paint them today, so that was nice.
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21 FAIRLANE ROAD, Reading, PA, 19606
I can tell you that the staff at Golden Living was very caring and supportive. They make my parents feel very welcome there, and we feel like they are being well cared for. The place is very clean. Ho
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I can tell you that the staff at Golden Living was very caring and supportive. They make my parents feel very welcome there, and we feel like they are being well cared for. The place is very clean. However, personally, my parents complain about the food a little bit, but that’s just may be them because everything I have seen looks like it will be good.
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I can tell you that the staff at Golden Living was very caring and supportive. They make my parents feel very welcome there, and we feel like they are being well cared for. The place is very clean. Ho
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I can tell you that the staff at Golden Living was very caring and supportive. They make my parents feel very welcome there, and we feel like they are being well cared for. The place is very clean. However, personally, my parents complain about the food a little bit, but that’s just may be them because everything I have seen looks like it will be good.
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1000 East Wyomissing Blvd., Reading, PA, 19611
We go to Wyomissing Health and Rehabilitation Center to see my father-in-law once or twice a week. There were some issues in the beginning, but they were taken care of. The room he is in seems fine an
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We go to Wyomissing Health and Rehabilitation Center to see my father-in-law once or twice a week. There were some issues in the beginning, but they were taken care of. The room he is in seems fine and clean. The staff seems fine. I know they’re understaffed; however, my father-in-law seems to be getting good care.
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We go to Wyomissing Health and Rehabilitation Center to see my father-in-law once or twice a week. There were some issues in the beginning, but they were taken care of. The room he is in seems fine an
… (read more)
We go to Wyomissing Health and Rehabilitation Center to see my father-in-law once or twice a week. There were some issues in the beginning, but they were taken care of. The room he is in seems fine and clean. The staff seems fine. I know they’re understaffed; however, my father-in-law seems to be getting good care.
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5501 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading, PA, 19606
Berkshire Center is nestled in the suburb of Exeter on the outskirts of Reading, Pennsylvania just moments from the Morgantown Expressway, medical facilities and shopping centers. Visitors note the hi
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Berkshire Center is nestled in the suburb of Exeter on the outskirts of Reading, Pennsylvania just moments from the Morgantown Expressway, medical facilities and shopping centers. Visitors note the high-level of care offered by the staff and the delicious meals offered in the restaurant-style dining room. Berkshire Center residents are proud of the wide range of activities offered by the facility including lectures, social hours, outings, shopping trips and arts and crafts. Loved ones and residents mention the large number of medical facilities available on-site including occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy and a 24-hour nursing staff.
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Berkshire Center is nestled in the suburb of Exeter on the outskirts of Reading, Pennsylvania just moments from the Morgantown Expressway, medical facilities and shopping centers. Visitors note the hi
… (read more)
Berkshire Center is nestled in the suburb of Exeter on the outskirts of Reading, Pennsylvania just moments from the Morgantown Expressway, medical facilities and shopping centers. Visitors note the high-level of care offered by the staff and the delicious meals offered in the restaurant-style dining room. Berkshire Center residents are proud of the wide range of activities offered by the facility including lectures, social hours, outings, shopping trips and arts and crafts. Loved ones and residents mention the large number of medical facilities available on-site including occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy and a 24-hour nursing staff.
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2000 CAMBRIDGE AVENUE, Wyomissing, PA, 19610
I’ve been to The Highlands at Wyomissing to visit a friend who was there. It’s a beautiful facility but the staff is going downhill very much over the past two years. They have everything that you wou
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I’ve been to The Highlands at Wyomissing to visit a friend who was there. It’s a beautiful facility but the staff is going downhill very much over the past two years. They have everything that you would expect; it’s a high-end facility. They have a lovely dining room, activities the same as most places have, a beautiful outside area, and the rooms are very nice. I saw some of the food and it looked great. My friend went from assisted living to skilled nursing care. But the level of care has not been good lately. The staff that I met were very nice.
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I’ve been to The Highlands at Wyomissing to visit a friend who was there. It’s a beautiful facility but the staff is going downhill very much over the past two years. They have everything that you wou
… (read more)
I’ve been to The Highlands at Wyomissing to visit a friend who was there. It’s a beautiful facility but the staff is going downhill very much over the past two years. They have everything that you would expect; it’s a high-end facility. They have a lovely dining room, activities the same as most places have, a beautiful outside area, and the rooms are very nice. I saw some of the food and it looked great. My friend went from assisted living to skilled nursing care. But the level of care has not been good lately. The staff that I met were very nice.
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1 Heidelberg Dr, Wernersville, PA, 19565
Phoebe Berks has all levels of care…. I think it seems like a nice community. HOWEVER — the memory unit also known as "Village Gardens" is WONDERFUL. The way it is set up is there is a common
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Phoebe Berks has all levels of care…. I think it seems like a nice community. HOWEVER — the memory unit also known as "Village Gardens" is WONDERFUL. The way it is set up is there is a common area in the middle with a TV area and dining area. There are a few other TV areas as well. Off of the dining area they have a nice out door court yard. Residents need a worker to take them out. The unit has a real homey feel. And the staff are excellent and love the patients and take good care of them. They have several activities through out the day geared for people with memory problems. I have real peace of mind when I leave because I know my Mom is being well taken care of.
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Phoebe Berks has all levels of care…. I think it seems like a nice community. HOWEVER — the memory unit also known as "Village Gardens" is WONDERFUL. The way it is set up is there is a common
… (read more)
Phoebe Berks has all levels of care…. I think it seems like a nice community. HOWEVER — the memory unit also known as "Village Gardens" is WONDERFUL. The way it is set up is there is a common area in the middle with a TV area and dining area. There are a few other TV areas as well. Off of the dining area they have a nice out door court yard. Residents need a worker to take them out. The unit has a real homey feel. And the staff are excellent and love the patients and take good care of them. They have several activities through out the day geared for people with memory problems. I have real peace of mind when I leave because I know my Mom is being well taken care of.
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425 BUTTONWOOD STREET, West Reading, PA, 19611
Building is falling apart with no maintenance. Food is tasteless. Some of the workers are rude. Would not recommend this place at all.
Building is falling apart with no maintenance. Food is tasteless. Some of the workers are rude. Would not recommend this place at all.
1011 Berks Road, Leesport, PA, 19533
Not supportive, not professional, not compassionate, not a wise option for loved ones.
Highly regret my grandmother’s final two years were entrusted here. I prefer giving positive feedback, but peo
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Not supportive, not professional, not compassionate, not a wise option for loved ones.
Highly regret my grandmother’s final two years were entrusted here. I prefer giving positive feedback, but people deserve the truth. The place is kept fairly clean, & there are a few excellent staff members, but the majority are disgruntled & rude. Due to Covid, communication was key when we couldn’t tour or visit, but communication was the worst factor & never improved-only got brief phone check-ins about every other month. We never knew what to expect or what was truly happening until we could finally visit. The Case manager left, & we had to call months later to even find out the name of the new one. Not even an email intro. Every business made hard changes over the past couple years, deals with staffing issues, etc., but when a so-called care facility completely lacks care, that’s unacceptable. I offer plenty of grace for the staff’s challenges, but being disrespectful & dismissive for the few simple questions we asked to try & help…not justified. My other grandmother was in a Chester County nursing home this past year as well, & the situation was night & day, so it is a matter of expectation from top down. They were consistently compassionate, considerate, respectful & supportive of the patients & went above & beyond to make families feel secure. They even sent a rep to my grandmother’s funeral to offer personal condolences. That is class. No excuses; just standards in line with care. At Berks Heim, staff complained & swore in hallways, even in my grandmother’s room, lied about how much she ate, checked off forms that she received treatments when they left her unattended & thus not being treated…The were truly loving nurses, were only seen sporadically. The final blow was they never attempted to call when grandmother’s vitals deteriorated to the end stage. We were in multiple times weekly, but if we hadn’t asked for hospice & had them call to say it was urgent, who knows how long staff at BH would have gone before even knowing she passed. We were never given a chance to be with her because of their laxness. She passed alone in the middle of the day & the head nurse told hospice they were “not aware of her status”. Please keep looking & seek care that your loved ones & you deserve.
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Not supportive, not professional, not compassionate, not a wise option for loved ones.
Highly regret my grandmother’s final two years were entrusted here. I prefer giving positive feedback, but peo
… (read more)
Not supportive, not professional, not compassionate, not a wise option for loved ones.
Highly regret my grandmother’s final two years were entrusted here. I prefer giving positive feedback, but people deserve the truth. The place is kept fairly clean, & there are a few excellent staff members, but the majority are disgruntled & rude. Due to Covid, communication was key when we couldn’t tour or visit, but communication was the worst factor & never improved-only got brief phone check-ins about every other month. We never knew what to expect or what was truly happening until we could finally visit. The Case manager left, & we had to call months later to even find out the name of the new one. Not even an email intro. Every business made hard changes over the past couple years, deals with staffing issues, etc., but when a so-called care facility completely lacks care, that’s unacceptable. I offer plenty of grace for the staff’s challenges, but being disrespectful & dismissive for the few simple questions we asked to try & help…not justified. My other grandmother was in a Chester County nursing home this past year as well, & the situation was night & day, so it is a matter of expectation from top down. They were consistently compassionate, considerate, respectful & supportive of the patients & went above & beyond to make families feel secure. They even sent a rep to my grandmother’s funeral to offer personal condolences. That is class. No excuses; just standards in line with care. At Berks Heim, staff complained & swore in hallways, even in my grandmother’s room, lied about how much she ate, checked off forms that she received treatments when they left her unattended & thus not being treated…The were truly loving nurses, were only seen sporadically. The final blow was they never attempted to call when grandmother’s vitals deteriorated to the end stage. We were in multiple times weekly, but if we hadn’t asked for hospice & had them call to say it was urgent, who knows how long staff at BH would have gone before even knowing she passed. We were never given a chance to be with her because of their laxness. She passed alone in the middle of the day & the head nurse told hospice they were “not aware of her status”. Please keep looking & seek care that your loved ones & you deserve.
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2125 Elizabeth Ave, Laureldale, PA, 19605
ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation-Laureldale were great. They were good with my mom because she thought about going back. She seemed to enjoy her meals. The only thing we didn’t like was ac
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ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation-Laureldale were great. They were good with my mom because she thought about going back. She seemed to enjoy her meals. The only thing we didn’t like was acute care, they just had one potty for four people. Other than that, the girls were good at making sure she had her pills. She especially likes her speech therapist and she keeps saying she had the best therapy there. They were also good at keeping their residents busy. They had manicures, pet therapy, bingo, ice cream social, and entertainment shows.
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ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation-Laureldale were great. They were good with my mom because she thought about going back. She seemed to enjoy her meals. The only thing we didn’t like was ac
… (read more)
ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation-Laureldale were great. They were good with my mom because she thought about going back. She seemed to enjoy her meals. The only thing we didn’t like was acute care, they just had one potty for four people. Other than that, the girls were good at making sure she had her pills. She especially likes her speech therapist and she keeps saying she had the best therapy there. They were also good at keeping their residents busy. They had manicures, pet therapy, bingo, ice cream social, and entertainment shows.
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2802 Papermill Road , Wyomissing, PA, 19610
My dad was at Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at Wyomissing. I think they’re more proactive with the rehab, and they tailor their program to the individual. The room was spacious and nice. He had a ch
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My dad was at Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at Wyomissing. I think they’re more proactive with the rehab, and they tailor their program to the individual. The room was spacious and nice. He had a chair that he could sit on instead of laying on the bed. He has a full bathroom. The staff was very nice and very attentive.
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My dad was at Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at Wyomissing. I think they’re more proactive with the rehab, and they tailor their program to the individual. The room was spacious and nice. He had a ch
… (read more)
My dad was at Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at Wyomissing. I think they’re more proactive with the rehab, and they tailor their program to the individual. The room was spacious and nice. He had a chair that he could sit on instead of laying on the bed. He has a full bathroom. The staff was very nice and very attentive.
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220 S. FOURTH AVENUE, West Reading, PA, 19611
My mother was a patient there and the staff didn’t attend her peoperly or even feed her at times. This ongoing abuse has to stop. In Gods name we all have to get together and do the right thing and he
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My mother was a patient there and the staff didn’t attend her peoperly or even feed her at times. This ongoing abuse has to stop. In Gods name we all have to get together and do the right thing and help those people who are being abused.
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My mother was a patient there and the staff didn’t attend her peoperly or even feed her at times. This ongoing abuse has to stop. In Gods name we all have to get together and do the right thing and he
… (read more)
My mother was a patient there and the staff didn’t attend her peoperly or even feed her at times. This ongoing abuse has to stop. In Gods name we all have to get together and do the right thing and help those people who are being abused.
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3000 Windmill Rd, Sinking Spring, PA, 19608
The rehabilitation area of ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation (Sinking Spring) was very outdated. The furnishings and the wear and tear of the building, you can tell it hasn’t been updated i
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The rehabilitation area of ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation (Sinking Spring) was very outdated. The furnishings and the wear and tear of the building, you can tell it hasn’t been updated in quite a while. The staff who gave me the tour was very good at explaining things. The rooms and the furniture looked outdated. They really needed a makeover.
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The rehabilitation area of ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation (Sinking Spring) was very outdated. The furnishings and the wear and tear of the building, you can tell it hasn’t been updated i
… (read more)
The rehabilitation area of ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation (Sinking Spring) was very outdated. The furnishings and the wear and tear of the building, you can tell it hasn’t been updated in quite a while. The staff who gave me the tour was very good at explaining things. The rooms and the furniture looked outdated. They really needed a makeover.
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500 East Philadelphia Avenue, Shillington, PA, 19607
The facility is dirty and smells of urine. It is poorly maintained. The rooms are very small. My relative’s room shared a bathroom with another room.
My relative was in rehab and received poor care
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The facility is dirty and smells of urine. It is poorly maintained. The rooms are very small. My relative’s room shared a bathroom with another room.
My relative was in rehab and received poor care. The patients were warehoused all day in the “common/dining” room where they slept in their wheelchairs. The food was tasteless and Gray. Food trays were left sitting from one meal until the next. The tables were not wiped and the floor was so dirty my feet stuck to it.
Although understaffed most of the floor staff there seemed caring and did their best.
I would not ever again put someone I cared about in this facility.
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The facility is dirty and smells of urine. It is poorly maintained. The rooms are very small. My relative’s room shared a bathroom with another room.
My relative was in rehab and received poor care
… (read more)
The facility is dirty and smells of urine. It is poorly maintained. The rooms are very small. My relative’s room shared a bathroom with another room.
My relative was in rehab and received poor care. The patients were warehoused all day in the “common/dining” room where they slept in their wheelchairs. The food was tasteless and Gray. Food trays were left sitting from one meal until the next. The tables were not wiped and the floor was so dirty my feet stuck to it.
Although understaffed most of the floor staff there seemed caring and did their best.
I would not ever again put someone I cared about in this facility.
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Nursing Home Costs in Reading, PA
Semiprivate rooms in Reading nursing homes cost an average of $11,724 per month, while the median cost of a private room is $12,824.
The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Nearby Cities
At an average of $11,724 for a semiprivate room, the cost of nursing home care in Reading is expensive in comparison to the Pennsylvania statewide median of $10,038 and the national average of $7,756.
The cost of nursing home care varies significantly in other Pennsylvania cities. The most expensive is nearby Allentown, where the average cost is $12,471 per month. Seniors in Philadelphia pay $11,285 for this level of care, and the average rate is similar in Lancaster at $11,224. The city of Bloomsburg has the lowest cost for nursing facility care in Pennsylvania at $8,578 per month.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Reading seniors have several care options available depending on their needs. Those who only require daytime assistance during the week may opt for adult day health care, which is the least expensive option at a cost of $942 per month. Home care and home health care services cost $4,481 and $4,576 per month, respectively. Assisted living offers 24/7 support with activities of daily living in a residential setting and costs $3,950 per month. Nursing homes have the highest monthly rates, at $11,724 for semiprivate and $12,824 for private rooms.
Nursing home (semiprivate room)
Nursing home (private room)
Financial Assistance for Nursing Home Care in Reading, PA
Many seniors and their families use some form of financial assistance to help them pay for nursing care. The main options available are Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans benefits. These programs can be complicated, especially when it comes to benefit terms. Below, we give a brief overview of how these programs may be used towards paying for skilled nursing care.
- Medicare: Medicare will typically cover all skilled nursing costs for the first 20 days of one’s stay in a nursing home and a portion of the costs until day 100. After 100 days in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare will not cover any part of the cost of the stay. While this is adequate when short-term care is needed, those in need of long-term care will need to either pay out-of-pocket or use another source of financial assistance.
- Medicaid: Medicaid covers most of the costs of living in a skilled nursing facility for those who qualify. Care, room, and board are covered with no time limit, but residents may be charged for extras like specially prepared food or cosmetic services. Medicaid eligibility standards are strict and complex, so not all seniors are eligible for Medicaid benefits.
- Veterans Benefits: Veterans receiving a VA pension may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit administered by the VA. Aid and Attendance is a monthly allowance that beneficiaries may use to pay for their long-term care, including skilled nursing care.
If these options aren’t available to you, check if your loved one has long-term care insurance or contact your Area Agency on Aging to ask about any local financial assistance programs for seniors.
Free Resources for Seniors in Reading, PA
The following resources may be of interest to seniors in Reading who are considering nursing home care or are looking for services that could help them safely age in place instead. These free programs and services are offered by government departments and nonprofit organizations.
Berks Encore is the nonprofit organization that runs the Meals on Wheels program in Reading. The program delivers meals to seniors aged 60 and over who are homebound due to illness or disabilities. To qualify, seniors must be unable to prepare meals on their own and not have access to regular help from family or friends. Volunteers deliver a hot meal at around noon each day, Monday to Friday. The volunteers provide a safety check service and a friendly smile at the same time. Seniors who are able to travel can access congregate meals at the organization's Reading senior center.
The BARTA Special Transport system provides shared-ride services to seniors aged 65 and older. Seniors are required to pay a small share of the transportation cost, but financial assistance is available. Rides are provided in wheelchair-friendly buses and vans. Seniors can request rides for any purpose, including shopping, nonemergency medical appointments and to the local senior center.
The Catholic Charities Diocese of Allentown offers a number of programs to assist seniors in the Reading area. The case management program helps seniors access community resources and promotes their safety and independence. The long-term care ombudsman service advocates on behalf of seniors in nursing homes and helps resolve complaints filed by residents and their families. The gatekeeper program is a collective community initiative to connect seniors with appropriate services to help them live independently in their own homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to live in Reading?
The crime rate, which is used as an indicator of how safe a particular area is, in Reading is 210, which is below the national average of 323.
Is traffic in Reading bad?
There is low traffic congestion with a below average crash rate of 6.
How much does housing cost in Reading?
At $800, the average cost of housing in Reading is below the nationwide average of $1,442
Is the job market good in Reading?
Reading offers a poor job market for older adults. There are typically less than 1 job available per worker and the rate of income inequality in the area is 0.44.
Is it accessible to live in Reading without a vehicle?
In Reading, 84.3% of public transportation stations and vehicles are ADA-accessible. Which is above the national average of 78.28%. On average, there are 0 local transit vehicles per hour. This is less than the national average of 8.
Are the health care options good in Reading?
Patient satisfaction, which is a key indicator of the quality of health care in an area, averages 77.3% in Reading – this is higher the national average patient satisfaction. Additionally, there are 67 primary care physicians for every 100,000 people, which is less the national average of 82.
Should you consider retiring in Reading?
According to Caring.com’s
2022 Senior Living Report which graded 300 cities using 46 metrics across 5 categories, Reading ranked in the top of the pack. It’s overall rank was 31st, and it scored the best in Affordability, while it’s lowest score was for Quality Of Life.
Are there fun activities for retirees in Reading?
In Reading, the number of parks is more than the national average. Additionally, the number of cultural, arts, and entertainment options is below the average.