Assisted Living in Centre County, PA

Assisted Living Costs in Centre County

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, the average monthly price of assisted living in Centre County is $3,818, which is comparable to the state average ($3,750) and just below the national average ($4,000).

Prices are similar in nearby Altoona ($3,765), while to the southeast, prices are notably higher in other cities, such as Chambersburg ($4,550), Harrisburg ($4,418) and Lancaster ($4,350). Costs statewide range from $2,400 in Scranton up to $5,318 in Philadelphia, the largest city in Pennsylvania. 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Centre County, so data for State College, a city in the county, was used. 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

Senior care costs in Centre County start at $867 per month for adult day health services, which provides nonmedical supervision for seniors in a group setting. Assisted living costs $3,818 per month and includes room and board, while nursing home care is the costliest option at $9,262 per month, providing 24/7 skilled nursing care. 

Seniors who are considering remaining in their homes should plan on paying between $4,481 and $4,719 per month for 44 hours of weekly in-home care. When calculating the true cost of in-home care, it’s important to factor in ongoing living expenses, such as utility bills, groceries, home repairs and property taxes. 

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Centre County

Medicaid in Pennsylvania

Medicaid is the federally mandated, government-funded health program for low-income Americans and qualified immigrants. In Pennsylvania, Medicaid is known as Medical Assistance, and mandatory benefits include doctor visits, hospital services and long-term care. 

Single seniors residing in Centre County may be eligible for MA if they have a monthly income of $2,313 per month or less and a maximum of $8,000 worth of countable assets, such as cash and investments.

For couples applying to MA together, the monthly joint income limit is $4,626 and the asset limit is $16,000, otherwise, individual asset and income limits apply. 

Aging Waiver

Seniors aged 60 and older with MA coverage who require the level of care provided in a nursing facility may qualify for the Aging waiver. This home and community-based Medicaid waiver funds enhanced services that are delivered in an assisted living setting, such as: 

• Home health care
• A medical alert device
• Case management
• Transportation
• Respite care
• Adult day health programming
• Medical supplies
• Mobility devices
• Physical therapy
• Home modifications
• Skilled nursing care
• Nutritional counselling
• Transitional services (for seniors who currently reside in a nursing facility)

Candidates must complete a care assessment to determine if their care needs can be safely met with the services available through the Aging waiver. 

Note: Centre County will be phased into the Community Health Choices program as of January, 2020. At that time all seniors who are covered under the Aging waiver will be transitioned to managed care services through the CHC. 

For more information on the Aging waiver and Medical Assistance, contact the Centre County Office of Aging at (814) 355-6716. 

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Optional State Supplementation

The State provides low-income seniors with a cash benefit that can be used to help cover assisted living costs. To qualify for the Optional State Supplement, seniors must be aged 65 or older, eligible for Supplemental Security Income and reside in a qualifying care facility. 

Depending on the living situation, seniors can receive a combined federal and state monthly payment of $30 to $1,210.30 ($60 to $2,114.40 per couple).

For more information, contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213. 

VA Special Monthly Pension

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers two special monthly pension programs, Aid and Attendance and Housebound. Eligible veterans and survivors can use these increased pension payments for assisted living costs. 

To qualify for either one of these programs, claimants must first qualify for the regular VA pension or be eligible under the increased amounts paid through these programs. 

For Housebound, claimants must: 

• Have a permanent disability that is rated as 100% by the VA, which permanently confines the claimant to their place of residence, or
• Have one permanent disability rated at 100% and one or more separate disabilities rated at a minimum of 60% 

For Aid and Attendance, claimants must be one or more of the following:

• Legally blind
• Reside in a nursing facility as a result of physical and/or mental incapacity
• Restricted to bed as a result of a permanent disability 
• Require help from a caregiver to complete activities of daily living, such as taking a bath, using the toilet, getting dressed and/or adjusting a prosthetic device 

Note: Successful applicants can receive benefits from only one of these two special pension programs. 

For assistance with the application process, contact Centre County Veterans Affairs at (814) 355-6812. 

Assisted Living Resources in Centre County

Senior Centers

Centre County’s Office of Aging operates six senior community centers that provide a wide range of free and affordable recreation, wellness and social activities for seniors aged 60 and older. The centers also host daily communal lunch programs, health screening clinics, local day trips and technology classes. 

For more information, contact the Centre County Office of Aging at (814) 355-6716. 

Community Services

Seniors qualify for a free Centre County Prescription Discount Card that provides unlimited savings on prescription medications from local pharmacies. The card is available at all county senior centers, food banks and government buildings. 

Seniors aged 65 and older and adults with disabilities qualify for reduced fares on CATARIDE, a door-to-door public transit service for those who are unable to use the regular bus system due to age and/or disability. 

CATA Customer Service Center
108 E. Beaver Ave., State College, PA 16801
(814) 238-2282

Veterans Services

Veterans and their families can contact the Centre County Veterans Affairs Office to learn about county, state and federal benefits for vets, survivors and dependents. Veteran Service Officers can also assist with VA benefit claims and arrange transportation to VA medical appointments. 

Outpatient VA health services are provided at the State College VA Clinic, and comprehensive specialty services are available at the nearby Altoona VA Medical Center. 

Centre County Veterans Affairs
420 Holmes St., Bellefonte, PA 16823
(814) 355-6812

State College VA Clinic
2581 Clyde Ave., State College, PA 16801-7508
(814) 867-5415