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A historic borough located west of Philadelphia, West Chester is home to approximately 20,030 people, and nearly one in 10 are seniors. West Chester is a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, meaning its leaders are striving to meet the needs of older residents.
Despite its small size, West Chester has a thriving arts and culture scene. Some of its many attractions include the annual West Chester Film Festival, the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center and the Chester County Art Association. Downtown West Chester is on the National Register of Historic Places, and seniors can learn about the borough’s history at the Chester County Historical Society museum.
The average cost of care in West Chester’s nine assisted living facilities is $4,875 per month, although pricing varies based on each facility’s services and amenities.
Note: Data for West Chester was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Philadelphia, was used instead.
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 >
Pennsylvania’s average cost of assisted living, at $3,913 per month, is about $140 lower than the national average of $4,051. Care costs are much higher in every state that borders Pennsylvania. In neighboring states, prices range from a low of $4,300 in Maryland to a high of $6,400 in New Jersey, which is $387 to $2,487 more expensive than what seniors pay in Pennsylvania.
Compared to the average cost of assisted living in the state, West Chester’s care is relatively expensive at $4,875 per month. However, it’s not as high as some other cities in the state, such as Harrisburg ($4,950) and Lancaster ($5,097). For more affordable assisted living care, seniors can look to cities such as Scranton ($2,546) or Pittsburgh ($3,265).
Community HealthChoices, the state’s Medicaid managed care program, may help West Chester seniors pay for assisted living care. The program covers some services provided in eligible assisted living facilities, such as personal care and transportation. Seniors may be eligible if they have both Medicaid and Medicare. Visit our Assisted Living in Pennsylvania page for more information.
| Contact | Description | |
| The Chester County Department of Aging Services | (800) 692-1100 ext. 6350 | The Chester County Department of Aging Services is the designed Area Agency on Aging for West Chester. Its staff can educate seniors about community resources that provide transportation, counseling and other services. |
| The Senior Citizen Program at West Chester University | (610) 436-3541 | West Chester University’s Senior Citizen Program lets seniors take college courses that interest them. Tuition fees are waived as long as there is space available in the course. Seniors who have undergraduate degrees are allowed to take graduate-level courses. This program is available to retirees who are at least 60 years old and have lived in Pennsylvania for more than one year. |
| West Chester Area Senior Center | (610) 431-4242 | West Chester Area Senior Center provides a variety of social, recreational and educational programming for more than 3,500 people annually. Seniors can have fun and make new friends at the center’s movie nights, tea parties and musical performances. Other activities include support groups, flu shot clinics and seminars on topics such as nutrition and dental health. Free parking is available on-site. |
| Volunteer Chester County | (610) 696-4900 | This program is run by Family Service of Chester County, a local nonprofit. The program aims to match Chester County residents with volunteer opportunities that suit their interests. Seniors can volunteer with hospitals, charities, schools and other local organizations. Both one-time and ongoing opportunities are available. |
| APPRISE Program | (610) 344-5004 | APPRISE is Pennsylvania’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program. It aims to help seniors understand their Medicare options. Seniors can attend Medicare 101 sessions to learn how the program works. They can also schedule a one-on-one counseling session for personalized Medicare help. |
| Legal Aid of Southeastern PA – West Chester Office | (610) 436-4510 | As a legal aid provider, this law firm offers free legal assistance to low-income people. It can help seniors with a wide variety of civil legal issues, including problems with Medicare, Social Security, elder abuse, wills and advance directives. The firm provides other resources for seniors who don’t qualify for legal aid. These include free workshops about various legal topics and the comprehensive PALawHelp.org website. |
| Chester County Ombudsman Program | (610) 344-6350 | The Chester County Ombudsman Program helps protect the rights of seniors who live in assisted living facilities. The volunteer ombudsmen investigate residents’ complaints and help them solve these issues. Ombudsmen also help seniors understand the legal rights they have as assisted living residents. |
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services regulates assisted living facilities throughout the state. These facilities must meet the state’s requirements for accommodations, food service, staffing and resident care. To learn about the laws West Chester assisted living facilities must follow, see our Assisted Living in Pennsylvania page.