Nursing homes and assisted living in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has many care options. Here we explain the names you'll hear, how Medicaid helps and who to call.

What care settings are called here

In Pennsylvania, different agencies license each type of place:

• Personal Care Home (PCH): a residence for four or more people who need help and supervision in daily life (bathing, dressing, taking medicines). It isn't a medical facility, and it doesn't have to have nurses. It's licensed by the Department of Human Services (DHS).
• Assisted Living Residence (ALR): also licensed by the DHS, but with extra requirements. It must have a nurse on site or on call, access to a dietitian and a private living unit for each resident. Only places with this license can call themselves assisted living.
• Nursing home: nursing care 24 hours a day and rehab. It's licensed by the Department of Health (DOH).
• Older Adult Daily Living Center (an adult day center): your loved one spends the day there with care and activities and sleeps at home. It's licensed by the Department of Aging.

How Medicaid helps in Pennsylvania

The main Medicaid program for long-term care is Community HealthChoices (CHC). It's a managed care plan for adults 21 and older who have both Medicare and Medicaid, or who need the level of care a nursing home provides. It can pay for a nursing home and also for services at home and in the community, which are called waiver services or home and community-based services.

Another option is LIFE, Pennsylvania's version of the PACE program. It's for people 55 and older who need the level of care a nursing home provides, can live safely in the community and live in an area with a LIFE provider. It includes medical care, medicines, therapy, transportation, meals and help at home. With Medicaid, you usually pay nothing for the services.

About personal care homes: in general, Medicaid doesn't pay for this type of residence. Some accept residents with low incomes who get SSI (Supplemental Security Income).

How to apply:

• Call the Independent Enrollment Broker (IEB): 1-877-550-4227 (TTY: 1-877-824-9346). They will schedule an assessment and help you with the Medicaid application.
• You can also apply online through COMPASS. Your county's County Assistance Office reviews the financial part, and a caseworker may call you to ask for documents.

Rules can change. Check your situation with the agency or a professional.

How much care costs in Pennsylvania

According to CareScout's Cost of Care 2025 survey (data from July to November 2025, published in March 2026), these are the state's median costs:

• In-home caregiver (non-medical): $34 an hour.
• Adult day center: $117 a day.
• Assisted living: $6,480 a month.
• Nursing home, semi-private room: $11,954 a month.
• Nursing home, private room: $13,688 a month.

Ask for the price in writing and ask what it includes.

Who to call

• PA Link to Aging and Disability Resources (free help finding local services): 1-800-753-8827.
• Community HealthChoices Helpline: 1-844-824-3655.
• Independent Enrollment Broker: 1-877-550-4227.
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman (an advocate for residents of nursing homes, assisted living and personal care homes): 717-783-8975.
• Eldercare Locator (national service): 1-800-677-1116.

Pennsylvania has 52 Area Agencies on Aging that cover its 67 counties. They are the front door to services for older adults in your area.

Tips for your family

• Check the license. The DHS Human Services Provider Directory lists licensed personal care homes and assisted living residences by county or ZIP code. For nursing homes, the Department of Health publishes its inspection results.
• Know the difference between a PCH and an ALR. If your loved one needs more health care, ask whether the place is licensed as assisted living or as a personal care home.
• Ask about a memory care unit. If your loved one has Alzheimer's or dementia, ask whether the place has a special unit (a secure dementia care unit).
• Ask for care in Spanish. Ask whether there are bilingual staff or interpreters for appointments and care meetings.
• On hogaresparamayores.com, you can see the licensed care facilities in Pennsylvania and find options near your family.