The borough of West Chester, Pennsylvania, also known as the seat of Chester County, has low crime rates and mild year-round weather conditions, making the area attractive to its older population, which represents nearly 10% of the borough’s more than 20,000 residents. Seniors in the area benefit from easy access to excellent medical facilities including, the Fern Hill Medical Campus and the Chester County Hospital.

Nursing homes are facilities where residents who don’t require hospitalization receive the highest possible level of medical care and help with daily living activities, such as bathing and eating. These facilities provide skilled nursing care and 24-hour supervision to ensure residents’ needs are met. Nursing homes are the most expensive form of senior care in West Chester, with an average monthly cost of $11,285. This is substantially higher than the respective U.S. and state medians of $7,756 and $10,038, per Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey. Other less costly options, such as home care and assisted living, may suit older adults who don’t require this level of care. 

This guide provides cost comparisons between skilled nursing facilities in West Chester, nearby Pennsylvania cities and other senior care options. It also includes a list of free local resources available to older adults and their family members.

Directory of Nursing Homes in West Chester, PA

2014, 2015

The Watermark at Bellingham

1615 East Boot Road, West Chester, PA, 19380

My father was admitted to Park Lane on 10.8.20 during the COVID shutdown. We were unable to visit him at all during this 3 week stay. This was exceptionally difficult for the entire family but espec … (read more)
My father was admitted to Park Lane on 10.8.20 during the COVID shutdown. We were unable to visit him at all during this 3 week stay. This was exceptionally difficult for the entire family but espec … (read more)

Barclay Friends

700 NORTH FRANKLIN, West Chester, PA, 19380

I visited the Barclay Friends. It was a very nice, small, intimate, and high-end facility. The staff was very pleasant and welcoming.
I visited the Barclay Friends. It was a very nice, small, intimate, and high-end facility. The staff was very pleasant and welcoming.

Aventura at Pembrooke

1130 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA, 19380

I’d rather live on the streets than be put in that place. My friend sits in her mess for hours at a time and has become very depressed. They’ve also moved her to a different room several times, which … (read more)
I’d rather live on the streets than be put in that place. My friend sits in her mess for hours at a time and has become very depressed. They’ve also moved her to a different room several times, which … (read more)

Wellington Terrace

1361 EAST BOOT ROAD, West Chester, PA, 19380

My mother was a resident in the Terrace 2 different times. The 1st time was several years ago and the care was adequate and caring. Several months ago was a different story. The entire Wellington f … (read more)
My mother was a resident in the Terrace 2 different times. The 1st time was several years ago and the care was adequate and caring. Several months ago was a different story. The entire Wellington f … (read more)

Pocopson Home

1695 LENAPE ROAD, West Chester, PA, 19382

The place is nice, however it is a little run down (Pocopson). The food is alright; I have eaten there before with my Grandfather. The staff are very nice people and are friendly with the residents. H … (read more)
The place is nice, however it is a little run down (Pocopson). The food is alright; I have eaten there before with my Grandfather. The staff are very nice people and are friendly with the residents. H … (read more)

Brandywine Hall

800 West Miner Street, West Chester, PA, 19382

There are many problems with the care at Brandywine Hall. The most upsetting, to me is that my sister is regularly brought the wrong medication. Often medication is brought that she has never seen … (read more)
There are many problems with the care at Brandywine Hall. The most upsetting, to me is that my sister is regularly brought the wrong medication. Often medication is brought that she has never seen … (read more)

2014, 2015

Foulk Living

1212 Foulk Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803

The staff at Foulk Manor North is spectacular. When both of my parents got to the point that they required 24 hour care, Foulk Manor North walked me through this very difficult process with caring and … (read more)
The staff at Foulk Manor North is spectacular. When both of my parents got to the point that they required 24 hour care, Foulk Manor North walked me through this very difficult process with caring and … (read more)

Freedom Village at Brandywine

15 Freedom Blvd., Coatesville, PA, 19320

My sister was at Freedom Village at Brandywine. It was fine every time we went and saw her. We saw her at different times, and every time we went, she was on point. They had her fixed up nicely. She w … (read more)
My sister was at Freedom Village at Brandywine. It was fine every time we went and saw her. We saw her at different times, and every time we went, she was on point. They had her fixed up nicely. She w … (read more)

2015

Maris Grove

200 Maris Grove Way, Glen Mills, PA, 19342

My mom is in Maris Grove. It is exceptionally very clean, modern, and nicely decorated. It is upscale in its feel, so it’s a very nice place. We have been pleased with the staff so far. They did an ex … (read more)
My mom is in Maris Grove. It is exceptionally very clean, modern, and nicely decorated. It is upscale in its feel, so it’s a very nice place. We have been pleased with the staff so far. They did an ex … (read more)

2014, 2016

Forwood Manor

1912 Marsh Road, Wilmington, DE, 19810

Forwood Manor is located in the northern Wilmington suburb of Talleys Corner, approximately six miles north of Wilmington. Residents and their loved ones appreciate the multitude of independent living … (read more)
Forwood Manor is located in the northern Wilmington suburb of Talleys Corner, approximately six miles north of Wilmington. Residents and their loved ones appreciate the multitude of independent living … (read more)

Wesley Enhanced Living Main Line

100 Halcyon Drive, Media, PA, 19063

Wesley Enhanced Living Main Line is in Media, Pennsylvania, some 15 miles from Philadelphia. It’s near a golf course, a nature preserve and shopping. The facility is pet-friendly and offers a wide var … (read more)
Wesley Enhanced Living Main Line is in Media, Pennsylvania, some 15 miles from Philadelphia. It’s near a golf course, a nature preserve and shopping. The facility is pet-friendly and offers a wide var … (read more)

Shipley Living

2723 Shipley Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803

Shipley Manor is a full service rental retirement community located in North Wilmington. Shipley Manor serves seniors in Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Skilled Nursing Care. We are convenien … (read more)
Shipley Manor is a full service rental retirement community located in North Wilmington. Shipley Manor serves seniors in Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Skilled Nursing Care. We are convenien … (read more)

Kendal-Crosslands Communities

1109 East Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square, PA, 19348


Fair Acres Geriatric Center

340 N. Middletown Road, Lima, PA, 19063

My brother is in Fair Acres Geriatric Center. The experience is excellent. The staff is very attentive, caring, and friendly. His room is just basic, not fancy, but very clean. They’re not anything yo … (read more)
My brother is in Fair Acres Geriatric Center. The experience is excellent. The staff is very attentive, caring, and friendly. His room is just basic, not fancy, but very clean. They’re not anything yo … (read more)

Dunwoody Village

3500 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA, 19073

Would not recommend to anyone. The professionalism and quality of nursing administration is very poor, and not worth the tremendous fee DW charges. I’m assuming there is some type of executive admin … (read more)
Would not recommend to anyone. The professionalism and quality of nursing administration is very poor, and not worth the tremendous fee DW charges. I’m assuming there is some type of executive admin … (read more)

St. Martha Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare

470 Manor Ave, Downingtown, PA, 19335

This place is so dirty and disgusting the staff is awful and especially the nurses my friend/client can not get out of bed to use the bathroom so she is dehydrating herself so she doesn’t have to ca … (read more)
This place is so dirty and disgusting the staff is awful and especially the nurses my friend/client can not get out of bed to use the bathroom so she is dehydrating herself so she doesn’t have to ca … (read more)

Stonegates

4031 Kennett Pike, Greenville, DE, 19807

Stonegates was absolutely outstanding, but very expensive. The apartments were great. They’re laid out very well and they’re oriented to the community they’re trying to serve. The staff member was gre … (read more)
Stonegates was absolutely outstanding, but very expensive. The apartments were great. They’re laid out very well and they’re oriented to the community they’re trying to serve. The staff member was gre … (read more)

Promedica Skilled and Nursing Rehabilitation (Powerback Rehabilitation)

501 Thomas Jones Way, Exton, PA, 19341

My husband did rehab at ProMedica Total Rehab. He just got out on Saturday. The care is good. They were just in there all the time with him and they brought his medications on time. It was a nice plac … (read more)
My husband did rehab at ProMedica Total Rehab. He just got out on Saturday. The care is good. They were just in there all the time with him and they brought his medications on time. It was a nice plac … (read more)

White Horse Village

535 GRADYVILLE ROAD, Newtown Square, PA, 19073

White Horse Village is a stand-alone place. It is not owned by any major corporation but by individual investors, and it’s beautiful. It’s actually my first choice, but it’s a little step above and a … (read more)
White Horse Village is a stand-alone place. It is not owned by any major corporation but by individual investors, and it’s beautiful. It’s actually my first choice, but it’s a little step above and a … (read more)

Broomall Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

50 N Malin Road, Broomall, PA, 19008

My brother has been a resident of Broomall Manor for the last 18 months. I’ve dealt with other facilities and can honestly say, this place is very good. The staff interaction with myself and my brot … (read more)
My brother has been a resident of Broomall Manor for the last 18 months. I’ve dealt with other facilities and can honestly say, this place is very good. The staff interaction with myself and my brot … (read more)

Nursing Home Costs in West Chester, Pennsylvania

In West Chester, a semiprivate room in a nursing home costs $11,285 per month, on average, while the rate for a private room is $12,498.

The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Nearby Cities

The $11,285 cost for a semiprivate room in a West Chester nursing home is $1,247 above the state average and $3,529 higher than the national median of $7,756. However, it falls about midrange compared to nearby cities. The average in York ($10,291) is about $1,000 less, while in Allentown ($12,471), seniors pay almost $1,200 more. The rate in York is similar to the average paid in West Chester at $11,224 per month, while the monthly cost in Reading ($11,724) is about $440 higher. 

$11285

West Chester

$10038

Pennsylvania

$7756

The United States

$10291

York

$11224

Lancaster

$11724

Reading

$12471

Allentown

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Learning about all the available care options may help families decide if nursing facility placement is the right choice for their loved one. Other options in West Chester include homemaker and home health aide services at an average monthly cost of $4,767. The most affordable option is adult day health care, which averages $1,842 per month, while assisted living costs $5,550. These alternatives are all much less expensive than the respective $11,285 and $12,498 costs of semiprivate and private rooms in area nursing homes. 

$4767

Home care

$4767

Home health care

$1842

Adult day health care

$5550

Assisted living

$11285

Nursing home (semiprivate room)

$12498

Nursing home (private room)

Note: Data for West Chester was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Philadelphia, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Nursing Home Care in West Chester, Pennsylvania

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 West Chester, Pennsylvania

The following programs and services are available to help West Chester seniors and their families learn about available care options, access community resources that may delay the transition to a nursing facility and apply for financial assistance to help cover the cost of long-term care. 

ResourceContact Service
Chester County Department of Aging Services(610) 344-6350The Chester County Department of Aging Services administers a range of programs that can benefit West Chester residents aged 60 and older. The department’s information and referral specialists can help seniors access local resources, such as caregiver support, and assist with scheduling assessments for nursing home placement and community-based services through the Aging Waiver and Options programs.
Ombudsman Program(610) 344-6350Residents of West Chester nursing homes and their families can contact the Ombudsman program for information and assistance. Ombudsmen regularly visit long-term facilities to ensure residents are aware of their rights. Additionally, program staff and volunteers can investigate, mediate and help resolve complaints about quality of care and other issues. 
PA MEDI Program(610) 431-4242The Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight program helps older adults make informed decisions about their health insurance options. Counselors can assist seniors in understanding their options for long-term care insurance, Medicare,  Medicaid and prescription drug plans. 
Meals on Wheels of Chester County(610) 430-8500Meals on Wheels of Chester County delivers hot lunches to homebound seniors and disabled adults who are unable to cook for themselves. Low-income participants can receive their meals for free, but the organization encourages donations to help cover the cost. Volunteers also perform brief wellness checks on seniors when making deliveries Monday through Friday.
Senior Law Center(610) 910-0215Older residents of West Chester can contact the local Senior Law Center office for free legal advice and representation. The agency offers assistance with a range of civil matters, such as family law, consumer protection, elder abuse, public benefits and advance life planning.