52 Assisted Living Communities in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $3,150 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 52 Assisted Living Communities in Pittsburgh and several in surrounding areas.

• Assisted living: $3,150
• Nursing home semiprivate room: $8,699
• In-home care: $4,481
• Adult day health services: $1,356

In Pittsburgh, the average monthly cost of assisted living is among the lowest in the state, according to the Genworth 2018 Cost of Care Study. At only $3,150 per month, assisted living in the city is considerably less expensive than the national ($4,000) and the state ($3,750) averages. In Erie, a lakeside city located along the shores of Lake Erie, the cost of assisted living is quite a bit higher at $4,588 per month. In Philadelphia, the largest city in the state, the cost is even higher at $5,318 per month. Assisted living in Harrisburg — the state capital, is more expensive too at $4,418 per month. Similarly priced assisted living can be found in several other cities in Pennsylvania including Gettysburg ($3,100) and Williamsport ($3,225). 

The average monthly cost of care varies considerably depending on the type of care needed. This is particularly true in cities like Pittsburgh, where nursing home care is nearly triple that of assisted living. While adult day health costs are much less expensive than assisted living, home care costs are about $1,300 higher per month. Seniors who are considering hiring a homemaker service or a home health aide should take into account additional expenses such as rent and groceries, which are usually included in assisted living costs.  Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $3,150

• Homemaker services: $4,481

• Home health aide: $4,481

• Adult day health: $1,365

• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $8,699

 

Medicaid, or Medical Assistance (MA), is administered and funded by the state of Pennsylvania along with the federal government. It covers health care costs for low-income Pennsylvania residents, including elderly individuals. Some covered costs include dental services, doctor visits, prescription medications and necessary medical devices. Under the state Medicaid plan, seniors generally don’t receive assistance with the cost of assisted living. However, there are Medicaid options in Pennsylvania to help cover these costs. 

The Community Health Choices program is a new waiver program implemented in the southwest region in 2018 and being phased in statewide through 2020. It provides services to seniors and disabled individuals who require a nursing level of care with the goal of reducing the number of people accessing care in the state’s nursing homes. The program is open to seniors who live at home or in assisted living facilities and covers the cost of assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). Other benefits of the program include transportation, nurse visits, access to medical treatment, counseling and prescription medications. 

To qualify for the Community Health Choices program, applicants must be dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid or require a nursing level of care, as determined by a comprehensive care assessment. Financially, applicants must have an income of $2,250 or less and may not have countable assets of more than $2,000 after a $6,000 automatic disregard from the applicant’s total countable assets. 

To apply or to ask further questions about the Community Health Choices program, seniors can call (800) 932-0939. 

Domiciliary Care

Pennsylvania’s Domiciliary Care program helps seniors and disabled individuals access assistance with ADLs when they’re unable to live independently. While this program doesn’t cover costs within any assisted living facility, it does provide low-income seniors with the opportunity to receive free or low cost care. This program works with individuals and families who open up their homes to seniors in need. Seniors are matched with caregivers and provided with a safe place to live and assisted living services in a family-like setting. 

To be eligible for this program, applicants must be 60 years of age or older and require daily support. Applicants must be unable to find a relative who is willing or able to provide the same level of care. While there are no financial requirements of this program, most applicants are Medicaid eligible and/or receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), both of which have strict financial requirements. 

To apply for this benefit, seniors can contact the Pennsylvania Department of Aging at (717) 783-1550. 

LIFE Pittsburgh

LIFE is similar to PACE programs available across the country. The program works with low-income senior citizens to provide a full network of health care services through a single organization. The no-cost services available to eligible seniors include assistance with ADLs, medical care, physical therapy, nutritional counseling, nurse visits and case management. 

To be eligible for LIFE, seniors must be aged 55 or older and live in the Pittsburgh area. They must also be assessed by the Allegheny Area Agency on Aging and determined to require a nursing level of care. Financial eligibility requirements can be obtained from the Allegheny Area Agency on Aging. Those who don’t meet the requirements may access the program if they pay for their own care. 

To learn more about eligibility or to apply, seniors can contact (412) 388-8050 and ask for the Enrollment Department. 

Optional State Supplement

Pennsylvania’s optional state supplement is available to low-income seniors and disabled persons. It’s a cash benefit that was created to help individuals who receive long term care pay for costs that aren’t covered by Medicaid, such as room and board. The maximum benefit available to individuals under this program is $439.30 per month.

To qualify for the optional state supplement, seniors must meet the same eligibility requirements as the state Medicaid program. Seniors can apply by contacting the Social Security Administration office at (800) 772-1213. 

Area agencies on aging provide a range of services to elderly individuals including health insurance administration and counseling, protective services, support groups and transportation.  Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging
Birmingham Towers – 2100 Wharton Street, Second Floor 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15203
(412) 350-4234

Seniors who have served in the military may be able to access benefits that include financial assistance, education and health care from Veterans Affairs offices and clinics in the Pittsburgh area. 

VA Pittsburgh Regional Office
1000 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
(800) 827-1000

Pittsburgh Vet Center
2500 Baldwick Road #15 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15205
(412) 920-1765

VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
4100 Allequippa Street Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
(412) 688-6000

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