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Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania and home to nearly 50,000 people, about 10% of whom are aged 65 and over. Known for its historical sites and amenities, including the National Civil War Museum, the Fort Hunter Mansion and Park and the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex, this beautiful city supports a comfortable lifestyle with ample educational and recreational opportunities. It’s centrally located near outstanding hospitals and home to nearly a dozen malls and shopping centers, and it has a reliable public transportation system to ensure everything is within easy reach. Harrisburg has a comfortable climate with year-round highs averaging between 37-85 degrees, and it receives about 26 inches of snow and 42 inches of rain annually.
For Harrisburg seniors who need help with some activities of daily living, the city has 17 assisted living facilities, which cost $4,950 per month on average. While this is high compared to the national average, these monthly fees may be offset by the area’s low cost of living and retiree-friendly tax laws.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
Genworth Financial’s 2019 Cost of Care Survey shows that Harrisburg seniors pay around $4,950 per month for assisted living services. This is considerably higher than the respective Pennsylvania and national averages of $3,913 and $4,051. In New York, costs are comparable at $4,630 per month. Ohio and Maryland are closer to the national average at $4,339 and $4,300 per month, respectively. West Virginia is the most economical option, with assisted living averaging $3,750 per month.
Harrisburg is Pennsylvania’s most expensive city for assisted living, with care costing $4,950 per month on average. Care is York costs slightly less at $4,800 per month. In Lebanon, the average cost is $4,375, and in Erie, costs are even lower at $3,538. Gettysburg is more affordable at $3,435 per month, and Scranton is the cheapest city in the state at $2,546.
Assisted living services in Harrisburg may be covered under the Community HealthChoices program, a managed care program available to seniors dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. This program covers a wide array of services to delay or avoid nursing home placement, including nonemergency medical transportation, meals and personal care services.
To learn more about covering assisted living costs in the Harrisburg region, see our Assisted Living in Pennsylvania page.
| Contact | Description | |||
| Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging | (717) 780-6130 | Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging provides an array of care and support programs and services to Harrisburg residents aged 60 and over. At the local AAA, seniors can receive Medicare counseling through the APPRISE State Health Insurance Program, access to volunteer opportunities and information and assistance on local agencies that provide aging-related assistance. The AAA also provides transportation services, congregate meals, free legal assistance and a long-term care ombudsman program that aids in investigating reports of abuse and resolving conflicts in assisted living facilities. | ||
| Harrisburg Vet Center | (717) 782-3954 | The Harrisburg Vet Center is a community-based counseling center that provides an array of services to veterans and their spouses or survivors. Through the vet center, qualifying veterans can receive assistance with locating and applying for federal, state and local benefits, including the VA pension and the Aid and Attendance benefit, which can be put toward assisted living expenses. The center also provides counseling services and helps veterans obtain healthcare services through the VA. | ||
| RSVP of the Capital Region | (717) 541-9521 | RSVP of the Capital Region is a volunteer-based organization for Harrisburg adults aged 55 and over. Membership is free and includes benefits such as invitations to annual volunteer recognition events, transportation support and free supplemental insurance. Some volunteer opportunities include participating in after-school programming, elementary reading and math tutoring and maintaining community gardens. | ||
| Senior Center | (717) 657-1547 | The Senior Center is operated by the Lower Paxton Parks and Recreation Department and is open to Harrisburg residents aged 55 and over, including those who live outside of the township. The center has daily scheduled activities that include light aerobics, aquacize, line dancing, art classes, Spanish classes, Mah Jongg and group sewing and crafts. The center also provides transportation services to those aged 60 and over for errands such as shopping and medical appointments. | ||
| SeniorLAW Center | (877) 727-7529 | SeniorLAW Center is a nonprofit legal firm that operates several projects to meet the needs of seniors in the Harrisburg region. Some areas in which the firm can provide assistance and representation include victim services for seniors who’ve experienced abuse or neglect, pension rights and assistance with accessing public benefits. It also provides legal, educational and advocacy services to seniors with limited English proficiency. Assistance can be provided in person, by phone or through community legal clinics. |
Assisted living facilities in Harrisburg are governed by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. This department enforces laws and regulations regarding the scope of care provided by long-term care communities, care planning, medication administration, public financing and staffing.
To learn more about these regulations, refer to our Assisted Living in Pennsylvania page.