Assisted Living Community in Mercer County, Pennsylvania

The average cost of assisted living in the county is $3,600 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 Assisted Living Community in Mercer County and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Mercer County, PA

• Assisted Living: $3,600
• Nursing Home Care: $6,692
• In-home Care: $3,718
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,300

According to the Genworth 2018 Cost of Care survey, seniors living in Mercer County pay an average of $3,600 per month for assisted living. That cost is just below Pennsylvania’s state average of $3,750 and $400 less than the national average of $4,000. Assisted living costs are far higher in Philadelphia ($5,318) and Lancaster ($4,350), while seniors receiving care in Pittsburgh ($3,150) and Williamsport ($3,225) pay considerably less. 

Note: Specific senior care cost data isn’t available for Mercer County. Data for Youngstown, Ohio, which is the nearest major city, has been used in its place. 

In Mercer County, assisted living is the least expensive type of round-the-clock senior care. At $6,692 per month, the cost of nursing home care is nearly double that of assisted living and approximately $3,000 more than home care services. It’s important to remember, however, that the cost of home care services isn’t all-inclusive. While assisted living and nursing home costs typically include room and board, seniors who choose to live at home are still required to pay for their own housing and living expenses, such as utilities, maintenance and meals.  

The state Medicaid plan in Pennsylvania is known as Medical Assistance. It helps low-income Pennsylvanians access cost-free health care services, such as primary care, dental care, laboratory tests and hospital services. It also covers a variety of additional expenses, including prescription medications, necessary medical devices, emergency transportation, home care services and nursing home care.

Although assisted living isn’t covered under the state plan, those who participate in Medicaid may be eligible for waiver options that help cover those expenses.

To qualify for the state MA plan as a senior citizen, applicants must be at least 65 years old and a full-time resident of Pennsylvania. They’re limited to a maximum income of $793.10 per month ($1,190.30 for couples) and up to $2,000 ($3,000 for couples) in countable assets. While MA considers all income sources, some assets are exempt, including burial plots, the applicant’s home, household furnishings and a single vehicle. 

To apply for MA or learn more about the available services, seniors can contact the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services at (866) 550-4355. They can also apply for benefits online. 

Community HealthChoices

MA’s Community HealthChoices program is a Medicaid managed care program that helps senior citizens and disabled people access a variety of care and case-management services. It was created to help those who require a nursing home level of care receive the services they need at home or in an assisted living facility and avoid or delay institutionalization. These services include nonmedical transportation, physical therapy and occupational therapy.

To be eligible for this program, applicants must require a nursing level of care or be dually eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare. Applicants who qualify for the program based on need are required to undergo a comprehensive assessment to determine their physical and cognitive needs. 

Eligible participants are automatically enrolled in this program if they’re at least 21 years old and receive Medicaid and Medicare benefits and receive long-term care services in a Medicaid-eligible facility. 

LIFE

LIFE is a managed, all-inclusive care program that helps elderly residents of Pennsylvania delay the need for nursing home care by providing the services they require to live independently. LIFE doesn’t pay for the cost of assisted living, but it does cover a broad range of health care services, such as primary care, hospital services, emergency transportation, nonmedical transportation and prescription drugs. Additionally, seniors who participate in LIFE have the convenience of receiving all of their health care from a single provider. 

To qualify for LIFE, applicants must be 55 years of age or older and require an institutional level of care. The cost of care is determined on a sliding scale with some seniors receiving free care while others may be required to pay privately. 

To apply for LIFE, seniors in Mercer County can contact Life NWPA at (844) 456-5433.

Optional State Supplement

Pennsylvania’s Optional State Supplement is available to aged, blind or disabled individuals who receive long-term care. It’s a cash benefit that’s distributed each month along with the recipient’s Supplemental Security Income. The amount is determined by the beneficiary’s living arrangements. For some, it may be as much as $439.30 each month. 

To qualify, seniors must be a recipient of the federal SSI benefit. To apply or learn more, seniors can contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.

The Mercer County Area Agency on Aging works to support the area’s elderly population by providing information and resources, including congregate meals, legal assistance, ombudsman services and benefits assistance.  Mercer County Area Agency on Aging
133 N. Pitt St., Mercer, PA 16137
(724) 662-6222

The Mercer County Veterans Affairs office is a county-level office that assists veterans and their immediate families with obtaining federal, state and county benefits. Some of the benefits that can be applied for at this office include pension, disability, PTSD counseling and emergency financial assistance. 

Mercer County Veterans Affairs
14 Courthouse, Mercer, PA 16137
(724) 662-7511

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.