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A city of around 300,000 people nestled along the western border of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh was a steel town up until the early 21st century. Three distinct rivers run through the city — Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio — which meet at the historic site of Fort Duquesne. Today, Pittsburgh is home to large skyscrapers, big company headquarters, three professional athletic teams and a population of around 44,000 seniors.
Nearly 15% of Pittsburgh residents are over age 65 and may need access to assisted living. As they live in an area with a low cost of living, seniors can expect to pay an average of $3,265 per month for a place in one of Pittsburgh’s 55 assisted living facilities. Actual prices can vary based on facilities and amenities offered.
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 >
According to the Genworth 2019 Cost of Care Survey, the average monthly cost of an assisted living facility in Pittsburgh is $3,265 per month. This is far lower than the national average of $4,051 per month, giving seniors the opportunity to save around $800 by choosing an affordable city like Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania on the whole averages a little higher at $3,913, making it among the most reasonably priced of its area neighbors.
Pennsylvania is a large state with two major cities located at each end: Philadelphia to the east and Pittsburgh to the west. To the west, the vibe is far more Midwestern, while the outlook to the east is closer to that of major Northeast cities, like New York. As such, the cost of living varies significantly throughout the state. Pittsburgh is among the most affordable places to live in the state, with cities like Allentown, Erie and Reading boasting higher average monthly costs.
Pennsylvania Medical Assistance, the state’s Medicaid program, is a valuable resource for seniors who need financial assistance to pay for an assisted living facility. There are several different programs that may be able to alleviate the financial burden of residential care, including a Non-Money Payment (NMP) benefit program specifically for those who are blind, elderly or disabled. Seniors may also qualify for help under the Medically Needy Program (MNO), in which expenses on things such as medical bills can be used to effectively spend down income, making it easier to hit the threshold for NMP program admission.
Learn more about financial options for seniors in Pittsburgh, as well as eligibility and application instructions, on our Assisted Living in Pennsylvania page.
| Contact | Description | |
| Pennsylvania Department of Aging | (717) 783-1550 | The Pennsylvania Department of Aging is a state-wide resource offering free assistance to seniors in Pittsburgh and beyond. Options include benefits counseling, connections to transportation and meal services and referrals to financial assistance programming. All seniors and their caretakers can access the Pennsylvania Department of Aging for free. |
| Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging (ACAAA) | (412) 350-4234 | The Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging is a no-cost resource for all seniors. With help from the AAA, seniors can get health insurance counseling, information about senior community centers, apply for services and speak with a long-term care ombudsman if needed. Services offered by the AAA are free of charge for all those residing in Allegheny county |
| Pittsburgh Vet Center | (412) 920-1765 | The Pittsburgh Vet Center is a comprehensive source of information for veterans of U.S. military services. This includes reviewing eligibility and processing applications for additional veteran benefits, like the VA Aid and Attendance benefit that can pay for a portion of the cost of assisted living facilities. The center is open Monday through Friday with after-hours or weekend appointments available by request. |
| Pittsburgh Senior News | (412) 760-5914 | Pittsburgh Senior News is a news and information source covering senior resources in Allegheny, Beaver and Butler counties. In addition to issuing monthly or quarterly publications, Pittsburgh Senior News provides access to charities and other organizations that can help with transportation, food assistance and financial aid. Seniors can access links through the website or read about local events and resources in the print publication. |
| Vintage Senior Center | (412) 361-5003 | Vintage Senior Center is a source of entertainment and information for seniors in Pittsburgh. Offering things like classes, workshops, recreational activities and access to information about legal assistance, financial assistance and health coverage, this facility lets seniors enjoy a wealth of activity and opportunity at the Vintage Senior Center. Membership may be required to access all resources available. |
Assisted living communities play an important role for Pittsburgh’s thousands of seniors. Substantial rules and regulations are in place and are overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services regarding staffing ratios, medication management, staff training, scope of care and resident care plans to ensure seniors are safe and supported. Visit our Assisted Living in Pennsylvania page to explore some of the laws governing these facilities.