Benefits And Drawbacks Of Assisted Living In Pittsburgh
- In Pittsburgh, the summers are usually warm and partly cloudy and the winters can be very cold and mostly cloudy. With an average annual temperature of 52°F and average annual rainfall of 35 inches, it’s not likely that the weather will spoil time spent outdoors.
- The American Lung Association ranked Pittsburgh as one of the most polluted cities in the U.S. The city was ranked 24th for ozone pollution, 8th for year-round particle pollution, and 7th for short-term particle pollution. This is definitely something to consider for seniors with respiratory illnesses.
- The cost of living in the Pittsburgh area is 15 percent higher than the national average and ten percent higher than the average for the rest of the state. Pittsburgh is ranked the 32nd most expensive city out of 54 cities in the state, making it a relatively affordable place to live.
- The Pittsburgh area is home to world-class medical facilities, including the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.
- Pittsburgh is a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities, meaning that its elected leadership has made the commitment to actively work toward making their town, city or county a great place for people of all ages, according to AARP.
- Pittsburgh has an array of community resources for seniors, including the Glen Hazel Senior Center, an organization that encourages seniors to maintain their physical well-being, as well as 14 or more other senior centers.
The Cost Of Assisted Living In Pennsylvania
The monthly median cost of assisted living in Pennsylvania is $3,750, which is cheaper than the national average of $4,000. According to Genworths 2018 Cost of Care Survey, assisted living in Pennsylvania is also less expensive than the median in all but one neighboring state, West Virginia.
While the cost of Assisted Living is fairly consistent throughout the state, Scranton is the one exception coming in at $1,600 below the state average. The Philadelphia Area is the most expensive region in the state at $1,318 above the national average of $4,000.
While nursing home care is relatively cheap in Pennsylvania when compared to the rest of the nation, its still considerably more expensive than assisted living. Other than independent living which doesnt provide assistance with activities of daily living, assisted living communities are the cheapest solution for long-term care in the state. While nursing home care is relatively cheap in Pennsylvania when compared to the rest of the nation, its still considerably more expensive than assisted living. Other than independent living which doesnt provide assistance with activities of daily living, assisted living communities are the cheapest solution for long-term care in the state.
How Much Does Nursing Home Costs In Pittsburgh
Seniors in need of nursing home care should be able to find an affordable option in Pittsburgh. At $8,699, the citys average monthly cost of nursing home care is the second lowest in the state. Erie is the only city with costs averaging lower than Pittsburgh, but the difference is only $61 less.
Scranton and State College have average monthly nursing home costs that could be considered low-to-mid-range for Pennsylvania. State Colleges average is $563 per month higher than Pittsburghs average, while Scrantons monthly nursing home costs average $898 more than those in Steel City. Even though the costs in these cities average higher than those in Pittsburgh, they are still lower than the state average.
At $11,254, the average monthly cost of nursing home care in Allentown is the highest in the state $2,555 more per month than Pittsburghs average. The average monthly nursing home costs in Gettysburg, Lancaster and Philadelphia are quite a bit lower than that, but still a lot higher than Pittsburghs averages. Gettysburg seniors typically pay about $1,582 per month more for nursing home care than seniors in Pittsburgh, while Philadelphia seniors pay an average of $1,673 more per month. Lancaster has the second highest average monthly nursing home cost in Pennsylvania. At $10,448, its $1,749 per month more than Pittsburghs average cost.
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Medicaid Waivers In Pittsburgh
Attendant Care Waiver
The Attendant Care Waiver is only available to seniors under the age of 60 who need help with activities of daily living, such as assistance getting in and out of bed, transferring to and from a wheelchair, bathing, personal hygiene, feeding and health maintenance.
Eligible seniors must be mentally alert and able to manage the attendant they work with. This includes selecting, hiring and firing attendants on an as-needed basis. Seniors who opt to use the Attendant Care Waiver should also be capable of handling their own financial and legal affairs. To apply, , fill it out and return it to the Allegheny Department of Human Services, which can be reached by phone at 1-800-344-4319.
Living Independent for the Eldery
The Living Independent for the Elderly program is the managed care program that replaced the states Aging Waiver. It helps seniors live as independently as possible and is known nationally as the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly .
To be eligible for the LIFE program, seniors must meet the financial requirements determined by the Allegheny Department of Human Services or be able to privately pay for services. They also need to be at least 55 years old, require a nursing home or rehabilitation facility level of care and reside in a community thats served by LIFE providers.
Living Independence For The Elderly Program

Seniors 55 or older and eligible for or already receiving Medicaid or Medicare may find help with health and home care services through the Living Independence for the Elderly program. For Pennsylvania seniors who reside in an assisted living community, LIFE pays for prescription drugs, home modifications, in-home medical equipment, and supplies, plus more. It does not cover expenses for room & board.
LIFE is not available in all Pennsylvania communities. to search for communities where LIFE is available.
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Sunrise Of Upper St Clair
Sunrise of Upper St. Clair is located across the street from Gilfillan Park, a great place to get some exercise or watch wildlife. In this award-winning assisted living community, trained staff is available to help residents 24 hours a day. Residents have access to many comfortable common areas, including the activity room, living room and sitting room. We included Sunrise of Upper St. Clair because it’s well-reviewed for its clean facilities and friendly staff.
- Daily trash removal and weekly housekeeping and personal laundry services
- Activities include at least three off-site trips per week
Directory Of Assisted Living Facilities In Pennsylvania
When starting the search to find a quality assisted living facility for yourself or an elderly loved one, its important to compare each facilities amenities, the type of care services they offer, and what financial assistance is available to help pay for the services you or your loved one. The directory below gives details and in-depth information on over 150 facilities in the state of Pennsylvania.
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Best Assisted Living Facilities In Pittsburgh Pa
Here are the best assisted living facilities in Pittsburgh, PA area. These facilities provide assisted living units and help with everyday tasks to Pennsylvania seniors. Pittsburgh assisted living facilities also provide memory care assistance for elderly senior citizens with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Some facilities are part of larger senior living communities and provide continuing care options.
PITTSBURGH ranks #90 out of 543 cities that we’ve reviewed in Pennsylvania for assisted living affordability. The average cost of an assisted living facility in the city is $4,129 monthly. The lower priced assisted living homes in the PITTSBURGH area can cost as little as $2,413 per month, while the most luxury senior living communities can cost as much as $7,116 per month. Assisted living in PITTSBURGH is less affordable when priced against ALLEGHENY county, PA, which has a median cost of $4,092 per month and can range from $2,387 to $7,050. Generally speaking, seniors can expect to pay $37 more monthly for one of the assisted living facilities in PITTSBURGH compared to the ones located in other parts of ALLEGHENY county.
50 Assisted Living Facilities in PITTSBURGH, PA. List of 50 best senior living options in PITTSBURGH for 2021.
Anthology Senior Living Communities Receive Priority Access To Covid
Anthology of McCandless won Best Personal Care Community in The Cranberry Eagle Community Choice awards! Thank you to everyone who voted. We are extremely proud to set Allegheny County’s new standard in senior living.
Combining the old-world charm and picturesque beauty of a small town with the amenities of a thriving suburban community, McCandless serves as the perfect setting for a well-lived life with an abundance of boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops and parks to fill your days and lift your spirits. Nestled in the heart of Allegheny County, just outside Pittsburgh, Anthology of McCandless welcomes you home.
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Best Assisted Living Facilities In Allegheny County Pennsylvania
Here are the 50 best assisted living facilities in Allegheny County, PA. These facilities provide assisted living units and help with everyday tasks to Pennsylvania seniors. Allegheny County assisted living facilities also provide memory care assistance for elderly senior citizens with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Some facilities are part of larger senior living communities and provide continuing care options.
948-7973
Concordia At The Cedars provides assisted living care in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. It can accommodate a maximum of 87 seniors at a time. With a location at 4363 Northern Pike, in the 15146 area code inside Allegheny county, Concordia At The Cedars assists those elderly adults who need assistance with daily living activities. Some of the amenities offered by Concordia At The Cedars include a bistro, a court yard and a registered dietitian. Concordia At The Cedars is licensed by Pennsylvania to provide assisted living care, with license number 446240.
50 Assisted Living Facilities in ALLEGHENY County, PA. List of 50 best senior living options in ALLEGHENY County for 2021.
What To Consider About Assisted Living In Duquesne
Duquesne is a very small community in the southeastern suburbs of Pittsburgh, set near the base of Mt. Washington and surrounded by the vibrant woodland that gave Pennsylvania its name. Almost 12% of Duquesne’s 5,500 residents are seniors aged 65 and over, and there are 36 assisted living facilities operating in the immediate area to provide safe, comfortable senior living for them. These facilities in Duquesne, like all residential care communities in the state, are licensed, regulated and regularly inspected by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
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Pennsylvania Aging Waiver Program
The Aging Waiver is the division of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging that services frail elderly who are eligible to receive nursing home care but prefer to live and receive care in their home or communities. There are no caps, but some counties may have a waiting list.
Assisted living residents interested in the Aging Waiver must complete an in-person assessment to determine eligibility. If eligible, the resident, along with his or her representatives, will create a care plan with an Area Agency on Aging manager. Its important that the care plan includes all the services the resident will need, as well as how often he or she will need them. If the services needed are not included in the care plan, they wont be covered by the Aging Waiver.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants need to qualify for Pennsylvanias Medicaid and meet certain income, asset limits and functionality requirements. If youre 60 or older and will be the only one in your home, the qualifications for Medicaid include:
- Must meet the level of care needs for a Nursing Facility
- Be a legal U.S. resident who lives in Pennsylvania
- Annual income must not exceed $2,250 , and your assets must be $8,000 or less
How to Apply
To get more details about eligibility requirements and start an application, contact your local Area Agency on Aging office. You can also call 933-4900 or 435-4711.
The Cost Of Senior Living And Care In Pittsburgh

For the most part, the average monthly cost of senior care in Pittsburgh is reasonable when compared to state and national medians, according to the 2018 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. However, monthly home care costs average $286 higher than the Pennsylvania median and $477 higher than the national average.
At $3,150, the citys average monthly cost of assisted living is lower than both the state and national averages $3,750 and $4,000, respectively. Monthly adult day care costs in Pittsburgh are also lower than the state and national averages seniors can expect to pay about $1,365 per month for adult day care services in Pittsburgh, compared to the Pennsylvania average of $1,408 and the U.S. average of $1,560.
Pittsburgh seniors who require nursing home care should expect to pay $8,699 per month $913 less than the average cost of nursing home care in Pennsylvania. This amount is higher than the national average of $7,441 per month, though.
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Arden Courts Of North Hills
- Resident Capacity: 56
- Room Types: Private Rooms, Shared Rooms
- Care Provided: Memory Care, Respite
- Base Pricing: Not Available
Located only 3 miles from UPMC Passavant-McCandless Hospital, Arden Courts of North Hills provides memory care in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This community contains four separate houses, each having its own living quarters. Residents have access to a shared beauty salon, craft studio and wellness center as well as a secure outdoor area with a porch and paved walking paths. The Engagement Therapy Treatment program integrates residents current interests with their previous life experiences in a therapeutic environment to encourage socialization. Namaste Care is another program offered at this facility that uses aromatherapy, picturesque scenes from nature and soft music to stimulate residents senses. Seniors can also spend time partaking in individual pursuits, such as gardening and woodworking.
What Residents Are Saying
Arden Courts of North Hills receives compliments for being well-kept and having upbeat staff members. We toured the whole facility, the rooms looked new and most importantly clean. The staff was great and very positive in their attitudes, and when we left we knew this was the right place for our Mother, expresses one online reviewer.
Reviews: 4.1 out of 5 stars 29 reviewsPhone: 369-7887
- Room Types: Studios, Shared Rooms
- Care Provided: Assisted Living, Memory Care
- Base Pricing: $4,100 for assisted living $4,050 for memory care
Medicaid Program In Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh area seniors who need assistance paying for senior care may qualify for the states Medicaid program. The program is commonly known as Medical Assistance and is jointly financed by state and federal governments, and it covers personal care costs for seniors in assisted living facilities, nursing homes or adult day care settings. In some cases, Medical Assistance does cover the cost of home care for Pittsburgh seniors.
In Pittsburgh, Medical Assistance is an entitlement program. This means as long as seniors meet the eligibility requirements, they are entitled to receive Medical Assistance benefits.
To be eligible for Medical Assistance, Pittsburgh seniors need to be a U.S citizen, legal alien or permanent resident, live in Pennsylvania, and meet the programs income requirements. The maximum income level for a one-person household is $16,040. Married couples in Pittsburgh cant earn more than $21,599 per year to qualify for Medicaid.
Medical Assistance and Payment of Long-Term Care Services Program
Pittsburgh area seniors in need of Medical Assistance benefits can apply:
- Online through the states COMPASS website
- Via telephone by calling the Consumer Service Center for Health Care Coverage at 1-866-550-4355
- In person at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services Assistance Office at Piatt Place
- In person at the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging in Birmingham Towers
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Background Checks For Assisted Living
In accordance with the Older Adults Protective Services Act , applicants with prohibitive offenses are not allowed to work in Pennsylvania assisted living facilities.
The assisted living facility is required to document all background checks on the Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Record Check form or through the e-patch program.
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The NHS has hit a major milestone in its Covid vaccine rollout in the South West – administering more than three million jabs. The rollout was ramped up after Prime Minister Boris Johnson set the target of offering a booster jab to every eligible individual before the end of the year.
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Whitetail Springs Alzheimers Special Care Center
- Resident Capacity: Not Available
- Room Types: Companion Suites, Private Rooms, Shared Rooms
- Care Provided: Memory Care, Respite
- Base Pricing: Not Available
Whitetail Springs Alzheimers Special Care Center is dedicated exclusively to caring for individuals with various stages of dementia and Alzheimers disease. The facility features a unique homelike layout with warm, inviting spaces that facilitate independence and social interaction with neighbors. Its trademark Meaningful Moments program creates individualized care plans focused on honoring each residents personal history, needs and interests. Smaller group activities encourage self-expression and delight with an ideal balance of cognitive stimulation through music, art, baking, exercise and pet visits. The community welcomes families and other health care providers to help cultivate an environment that meets the residents physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs. The staff regularly communicates with family members through SMILE, a network that helps tailor programs for residents and captures special moments. Eversound, a wireless headphone system, enables residents with auditory challenges to hear more clearly at group events, making engagement and connection easier and moments more meaningful. Whitetail Springs offers the same level of excellent care to temporary residents through its respite care service.
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What residents are saying