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The average cost of assisted living in the county is $3,400 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the county, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 32 assisted living facilities in Berks County and 30 in surrounding areas.
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
At Chestnut Knoll Personal Care Community every resident will find a unique mix of security and independence, privacy and companionship, and physical and social well-being.
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Elmcroft of Reading is a senior living community offering accommodations for those who may require assistance in their daily living activities.
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All inclusive, month to month Independent living and personal care with levels of care up to level 6. We feature on-site no charge laundry, weekly housekeeping, linen service, daily meals, walk in showers, and emergency call system in each apartment.…
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
___________________________ At Keystone Villa at Douglass, we offer our residents a wide array of amenities and services to ensure that our residents are always taken care of, safe, and entertained. Here we encourage residents to be independent and be as…
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With a come-as-you-are attitude at the scenic Heritage of Green Hills senior living community in Reading, seniors can expect to have days filled with laughter and fun.
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Manor at Market Square promises seniors an affordable carefree lifestyle with the conveniences that are found in a five-star hotel.
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Welcome to Amity Place. Our inviting senior living community offers residents the comfort and convenience of a hassle-free lifestyle free from the burdens of home ownership. Located in the city of Douglassville, we provide a variety of on-site services to…
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When seniors and their families walk through the doors of the Hearthstone at Maidencreek, they immediately fall in love with our custom-built features and warm surroundings.
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Laurel Center is located among the tranquil Appalachian Mountains and the rolling hills of farmland, yet close to shopping and dining locations. Our Senior Living and Rehabilitative Health campuses offer our patients and residents the opportunity to seamlessly transition from…
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Located in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Berkshire Commons is a stately and vibrant community serving seniors in the greater Reading and Philadelphia areas.
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Evans Retirement Center is a homelike senior living community located in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and has been family owned and operated for over 35 years.
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The Villa St. Elizabeth is nestled among eight beautifully manicured and majestically planted acres in Reading, Pennsylvania and provides independent and assisted living.
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As one of the finest senior living communities in Berks County, The Lutheran Home at Topton provides you with infinite opportunities to create the retirement you’ve always imagined.
Call 1-800-705-4148 or Request a call
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Rittenhouse Senior Living believes that residents come first in everything. Our staff promotes the health, safety, and well being of each resident and...
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Sacred Heart Villa is located in the former St. Michael's Convent in Reading, Pennsylvania. Seniors can join organized trips into this historic city or explore with visiting friends and family. Reading offers all the amenities of a large city, including…
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Welcome to St Joseph Adult Day Care!
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Welcome to Personacare Of Wyomissing! Wyomissing Health & Rehabilitation Center serves the greater Reading Area and is conveniently located near area hospitals. We provide post-acute services, rehabilitative services, skilled nursing, short and long term care through Physical, Occupational, and Speech…
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
Call 1-800-991-9257 for details
My parents are at Chestnut Knoll. The service and food are very good. They have lots of activities with something going on every day. My parents like the music activities when somebody comes in and performs at least once a week or every other week. They will have a piano player that comes in and somebody that sings. Th...
Read more Chestnut Knoll Personal Care and Memory Care reviewsChestnut Knoll Personal Care and Memory Care was gorgeous, and it would have been perfect. The staff was very attentive and caring, and there were a lot of activities. The rooms were perfect with the showers having call buttons.
Read more Chestnut Knoll Personal Care and Memory Care reviewsChestnut Knoll is a relatively small place that gives very good personalized care. They've been very good and are working with me and my sister. My mother has some severe wounds that they are treating daily. We are very happy with the care they're getting. They had the option to get an apartment but decided not to. Che...
Read more Chestnut Knoll Personal Care and Memory Care reviewsChestnut Knoll is a relatively small place that gives very good personalized care. They've been very good and are working with me and my sister. My mother has some severe wounds that they are treating daily. We are very happy with the care they're getting. They had the option to get an apartment but decided not to. Che...
Read more Chestnut Knoll Personal Care and Memory Care reviewsElmcroft of Reading is OK, but there's too many wings, and I thought my mom would get confused walking around there. The rooms were a little small. The staff member who accommodated us was informative and answered our questions.
Read more Elmcroft of Reading reviewsKeystone Villa was very nice. My mother is on a waiting list. They had a nice area in the back by the river with walking trails. It's very park-like, more in the country, and quiet. The restaurant-style food was good.
Read more Keystone Villa at Douglassville reviewsThe average cost of assisted living in Berks County is $3,400 per month, which is low when when compared with some of the biggest cities in Pennsylvania, including Erie ($4,588) and Philadelphia ($5,318). According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey for 2018, the national average cost of assisted living is $4,000 and the state average is just above the cost in Berks County at $3,750 per month. The least expensive assisted living costs in the state can be found in Gettysburg, where the average monthly cost is just $300 below Berks County at $3,100 per month.
Note: Specific senior care cost data isn’t available for Berks County. Data for the nearest major city, Reading, has been used instead.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas
In most cities across the United States, the cost of senior living varies significantly depending on the type of care required, and in Berks County, this is particularly true. While assisted living is $3,400 per month, the cost of nursing home care is nearly $8,000 higher at $11,209 per month. Home care services are priced much closer to assisted living at $4,362 per month; however, when factoring in additional housing costs such as rent, utilities and general upkeep, this cost grows considerably higher. In assisted living facilities, these expenses are generally included in the total price.
Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart
Pennsylvania’s state Medicaid plan is called Medical Assistance. MA is administered by the state of Pennsylvania and receives financial support from the federal government. The plan provides low-income Pennsylvanians with health insurance that covers the cost of a variety of health care services including primary care, dental care, hospital services and prescription medications. While the program covers the cost of some home care services and long-term nursing care, the state’s standard plan doesn’t cover the cost of assisted living. However, there may be other Medicaid options available to those who need help paying for care in an assisted living facility.
To be eligible for the state’s standard MA, Pennsylvania residents age 65 and older must have a maximum income of $793.10 per month and no more than $2,000 in countable assets. Asset exemptions include the applicant’s home, as well as their personal belongings and a single vehicle.
To apply for MA or to learn more about eligibility and benefits, seniors can call The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services at (866) 550-4355 or apply online.
Community HealthChoices
The Community HealthChoices program is a Medicaid managed care program that provides a variety of services to seniors and disabled persons who require a nursing level of care. The program focuses on providing care that helps its participants delay or avoid the need for nursing home admission with the intention of reducing the cost of care. While it doesn’t explicitly pay for the cost of assisted living, Community HealthChoices does cover a broad range of services that are frequently accessed by those who reside in assisted living facilities and provides its participants with case management services. Some of the other services covered by this program include personal care, primary care, prescription medications, nonmedical transportation and occupational and physical therapy.
To qualify for this program, applicants must be dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare or require a nursing level of care. To qualify based on need, applicants must undergo a comprehensive physical and cognitive care assessment.
To apply for this program or inquire about the benefits it includes, seniors can call the Office of Long Term Living Provider Call Center at (800) 932-0939.
LIFE
LIFE is a non-Medicaid, state-funded managed care program that’s available to seniors age 55 and up. The program’s participants receive all health care services from providers who operate within the LIFE network in their county. Like the Community HealthChoices program, LIFE doesn’t explicitly cover the cost of assisted living; however, the range of services it provides is broad and includes things such as personal care, socialization activities, social services and nursing care, which are typically services that are accessed by seniors who reside in assisted living facilities.
Services provided are determined by a case manager, and the cost of the program is determined by a sliding scale that’s based on income. Those with little to no income may be eligible for services at no cost, while others may have the option to pay for their services.
To be eligible for LIFE, applicants must be 55 years of age or older and require a nursing or rehabilitation level of care. They are also required to be able to reside safely outside of a nursing care facility or hospital.
Seniors living in Berks County can apply for LIFE by calling Senior LIFE Reading at (610) 404-3200.
Optional State Supplement
The Optional State Supplement program in Pennsylvania helps low-income seniors and disabled persons with the cost of long-term care. The OSS is a cash benefit that’s combined with Supplemental Security Income. While the amount varies depending on the recipient’s living situation, it may be as high as $439.30 for individuals or $957.40 for married couples each month.
To qualify, applicants must be receiving the federal Supplemental Security Income benefit. Seniors can contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 to apply or to learn more.
There are a variety of senior centers located throughout Berks County that provide the area’s senior citizens with services and programs designed to enrich their quality of life. While offerings vary from center to center, many provide seminars on health and technology, as well as live entertainment, group outings, meals and social activities.
Berks Encore Senior Centers
(Various locations)
(610) 374-3195
The Center at Spring Street
200 W Spring St, Boyertown, PA
(610) 367-2313
Mami Angie’s Casa De La Amistad Senior Center
501 Washington St 2nd Fl, Reading, PA 19601
(610) 685-1284
The Berks County Area Agency on Aging offers seniors, their families and their caregivers a comprehensive list of services that aim to increase senior independence and protect the dignity of Pennsylvania’s aging population. Services provided include mobility assistance programs, support groups, caregiver training and benefits assistance.
Berks County Area Agency on Aging
633 Court St, Reading, PA 19601
(610) 478-6500
Veterans Affairs helps veterans and their spouses and dependents, including survivors, by providing a range of benefits including financial aid, housing assistance and health care services. More information can be obtained by contacting the Berks County Veterans Affairs office.
Berks County Veterans Affairs
726 Cherry St, Reading, PA 19602
(610) 378-5601
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