Pottstown is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, approximately 45 minutes northwest of Philadelphia. Roughly 23,433 people live in this small town; according to the 2020 U.S. Census, 14.2% of them are 65 years of age or older. Pottstown’s sales and income taxes are slightly below national averages, and the cost of housing is a remarkable 45% below the national average. Overall, the cost of living in Pottstown is 12% below the national average, making this a smart retirement location for the budget-minded senior.
Older adults ready to move out of an independent home but don’t need the extensive medical supervision in a nursing home often find assisted living is the right option for them. In assisted living communities, residents can live as independently as possible while also having immediate access to help with critical basics such as medication management and food preparation. In Pottstown, assisted living care costs $5,720 a month, on average.
In this overview of assisted living in Pottstown, we’ll examine some of the nonprofit organizations and government agencies that offer support to Pottstown’s older residents. There’s also a list comparing Pottstown’s prices for assisted living care with those of other Pennsylvania cities.
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 >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Pennsylvania. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
The average monthly cost of assisted living care in Pottstown is $5,720. This cost may vary due to location, amenities and services.
Pottstown’s prices represent a significant jump over those elsewhere in the state. Pennsylvania’s average monthly assisted living care price is $4,100, roughly 29% lower than Pottstown’s. Nationally, the average price is $4,500, approximately 21% lower than Pottstown’s.
Most regions in the state report lower prices than Pottstown’s. Philadelphia’s prices are somewhat similar at $5,685 a month, as are Lancaster’s at $5,550 a month. Prices drop below $5,000 in the state capital of Harrisburg, where seniors pay an average of $4,828 a month. In Pittsburgh, the price drops to $3,250 a month, and in Scranton, it falls to $2,875 a month. Johnstown residents enjoy the state’s lowest prices for assisted living care at $2,725 a month.
Note: Data for Pottstown was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Reading, was used instead.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Pennsylvania.
Resource | Contact | Service |
Montgomery County Office of Senior Services (MCOSS) | (610) 278-3000 | As the official Area Agency on Aging for the region, the MCOSS helps coordinate and deliver services for older adults. In addition to running protective and advocacy services, the agency can provide some help with social support and caregiver respite. |
Pennsylvania Health Law Project | (215) 625-3990 | This statewide program works to ensure that low-income Pennsylvanians have access to quality health care by providing free legal representation. Its lawyers can help you save money by identifying and applying for government benefits to which you’re entitled. |
TriCounty Active Adult Center (TRAAC) | (610) 323-5009 | This social center brings the area’s seniors together for daily community-based activities that include congregate meals and low-impact fitness classes such as Pilates. The TRAAC also offers meditation practice, age-appropriate self-defense classes and health- and safety-related seminars on fall prevention and diabetes management. |
Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) | (215) 542-7433 | The MATP is for seniors on Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance program who lack transportation to medical appointments. After enrolling in the MATP, you’ll be able to get free rides on public transportation or get reimbursed for private transportation. In some cases, paratransit services are available. |
Temple University Senior Scholars Program | (215) 204-4866 | If you’re at least 50 years of age, you can participate in this low-cost continuing education program, which gives you an opportunity to take classes alongside undergraduate students without paying traditional tuition. It does not offer academic credit; in addition to the general per-course fee, it may require some class-specific fees. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Pottstown area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.