Why Select Assisted Living in Philadelphia, PA?

In terms of historical significance, few American cities can match Philadelphia. The City of Brotherly Love is often considered the Birthplace of America because it can claim ownership over several of the nation’s “firsts,” such as its first library, hospital, naval shipyard, daily newspaper, university, zoo, Thanksgiving Day parade, musical auditorium, and more. It was also the site of the first organized protest against slavery. And more recently, it also happens to be home to some of the best Assisted Living communities in the United States.

Located on the eastern side of Pennsylvania along the Delaware River, right across from New Jersey, Philadelphia is one of the most diverse cities in the world. Culturally rich and vibrantly colorful, Philly is a city that is full of heart and passion. From its extensive art scene, which includes more public art than any other city in the country, and its much-loved championship sports franchises to its world-class restaurants and vast parks system, everything in Philadelphia sits on a level that’s just a bit higher than anywhere else.

This makes living in Philadelphia a unique experience that is both rewarding and deeply satisfying. In Philadelphia, there’s never a shortage of things to see and do, regardless of how long you’ve lived here. It’s part of the reason why so many people who were born in Philadelphia, stay in Philadelphia, and why when new residents arrive, they find it impossible to leave.

Of course, this results in Philadelphia having a larger-than-average senior population. And for these older adults, moving into an Assisted Living community can be the logical next step when they’re no longer able to live independently at home, but not yet in need of a nursing home. In Assisted Living, seniors can receive as much or as little assistance as they need to thrive, in a comfortable and supportive environment where they’re surrounded by friends.

If you’re thinking about Assisted Living in Philadelphia for yourself or a loved one, then you will find an abundance of options available in the city for you to consider. At Senioridy.com, we recommend taking your time to thoroughly compare the facilities you’re most interested in, so you can find the right one for your unique needs and budget.

Want to learn more about Assisted Living in Philadelphia, PA? This guide from Senioridy is the perfect place to start.

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Assisted Living in Philadelphia: What You Need to Know

If you’re interested in learning more about what to expect from Philadelphia’s Assisted Living facilities, such as the typical costs and benefits of Assisted Living, then Senioridy is here to help. Just click on the topics below to learn more about them.

Senior Population and Assisted Living Volume in Philadelphia, PA
Criteria for Admittance in Assisted Living in Pennsylvania
Typical Costs of Assisted Living in Philadelphia, PA
Benefits of Assisted Living in Philadelphia, PA
Quality of Life for Seniors in Philadelphia
Senior Centers in Philadelphia County
Public Transportation Services in Philadelphia, PA
How to Find Assisted Living Facilities in Philadelphia, PA

Senior Population and Assisted Living Volume in Philadelphia, PA

Pennsylvania has one of the country’s largest senior populations, especially in the Philadelphia area where more than 276,000 residents are 60 years old or older. Philly’s seniors represent 19% of the city’s total population. With more than 61 Assisted Living facilities in Philadelphia, there are plenty of choices for seniors and their families to consider.

Philadelphia is a popular destination for Pennsylvania’s seniors because it is home to several nationally recognized hospitals. It also has an excellent and affordable public transportation system, senior-friendly tax laws, and an impressive array of attractions and senior services that add tremendous value and satisfaction to one’s life. As a result, there can often be a waiting list to get into some of the best Assisted Living facilities in Philadelphia.

Criteria for Admittance in Assisted Living in Pennsylvania

To become an Assisted Living resident in Pennsylvania, a senior needs to submit documents required before admission to the Assisted Living facility, including a medical evaluation as well as an initial assessment and support plan. The assessments can be completed 15 days after admission if the resident:

Is being admitted directly from an acute care hospital
Is escaping an abusive situation
Has no alternative living arrangement

Assisted Living Facilities in Pennsylvania may not admit or retain an individual with any of the following conditions or healthcare needs unless the residence seeks approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services:

Ventilator dependency
Stage III and IV decubitus and vascular ulcers that are not in a healing stage
Continuous intravenous fluids
Reportable infectious diseases in a communicable state that require isolation of the individual or requires infectious disease precautions
Nasogastric tubes
Physical restraints
Continuous skilled nursing care 24 hours a day

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Typical Costs of Assisted Living in Philadelphia, PA

The average monthly cost for Assisted Living in Philadelphia is $5,685 per month, which is more than $1,000 more expensive than the state and national averages. But while Assisted Living in Philadelphia can be more expensive than in other parts of the state, certain advantages of living here can help validate the cost, such as easy access to some of the country’s top healthcare services and senior-friendly tax laws that allow older adults to make the most out of their Social Security benefits.

There are also a variety of ways that older adults with limited incomes can receive help to cover some of their Assisted Living costs. One of the most common programs is available through The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. The Department offers an aging waiver program that may help offset the costs of Assisted Living in Philadelphia, along with other programs that may benefit seniors. Other programs that may be helpful to seniors include the Services My Way program, and waiver programs through HealthChoices and OBRA.

Veterans in Pennsylvania may also be eligible for one of several different programs from the VA to help cover some of the costs associated with Assisted Living.

It is important to remember that the monthly cost mentioned above is just an average. Depending on the facility you choose, your actual cost may be higher or lower than that amount. A facility’s monthly price often depends on its location and size, as well as the programs, amenities, and services it offers its residents. For instance, some of the amenities and services that can impact the overall cost of Assisted Living in Philadelphia can include but are not limited to:

Restaurant-style dining
Pet-friendly accommodations
Private and shared apartments with full kitchens
Housekeeping and linen service
Scheduled transportation
Social, cultural, and recreational activities
Emergency response system
On-call medical staff

It is also important to note that an affordable Assisted Living facility may not be any more or less effective or beneficial than one that is priced at the higher end of the spectrum. It is always recommended to thoroughly compare several different facilities, so you can find the one that best meets your or your loved one’s unique needs and budget.

Benefits of Assisted Living in Philadelphia, PA

Discussing Assisted Living with an aging parent can sometimes be a difficult conversation. After all, moving out of their home is a major change in their lifestyle, so not every senior will be welcoming of the change, and this can cause the discussions to get very emotional.

But in a lot of cases, many of the fears and concerns can be alleviated simply by helping your loved one understand all the benefits that Assisted Living in Philadelphia can provide their residents. When a senior moves into the right Assisted Living residence, the improvement in their quality of life can not only be quick, but also immeasurable. Here are just some of the benefits that your loved one can expect when moving into an Assisted Living residence:

Assistance Is Always Available When Needed

Eventually, seniors can reach the point where they can no longer perform certain daily tasks, such as doing chores around the house, managing a bank account, or practicing proper hygiene. In such cases, moving into Assisted Living can provide them with the assistance they need. Assisted Living facilities employ highly trained, compassionate staff who are always on hand to provide residents with professional and respectful, hands-on assistance regardless of how much, or little, support they require.

Advanced Safety and Security Features

Increased safety and security are two other popular reasons why families choose to move aging loved ones into Assisted Living. This is especially the case in situations where a senior is no longer able to live independently, prone to wander, or has been exhibiting unsafe behaviors. When these situations arise in a senior’s life, a secure Assisted Living facility is the best place for them to be.

Senior-Friendly Tax Laws

Pennsylvania is one of the more senior-friendly states in the country. Its tax laws state that all retirement income for residents 60 and older is exempt from state taxes. Coupled with the state’s sales tax rate of 6%, which is lower than average, seniors can get more mileage out of their limited incomes.

Apartments That Feel Like Home

One of the most common challenges of moving into Assisted Living is dealing with having to leave a home that you have lived in for years if not decades. One way that Assisted Living facilities help new residents deal with the emotional side of leaving their homes is by allowing them to furnish and decorate their new living spaces as they wish. This helps to make the resident’s new living space feel more comfortable and familiar, and more like home.

Personalized Care

Assisted Living residences employ skilled healthcare professionals and compassionate support staff who are capable of providing every resident with a personalized level of support and care. In Assisted Living, help and assistance are always just seconds away should you or your loved one require it.

Healthy Diet and Good Nutrition

Seniors can often avoid a lot of potential health problems just by getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals through the food they eat. And when you consider that many seniors who live on their own rarely get the nutrition their bodies need, you can see an immediate improvement in their health once they enter Assisted Living, where they enjoy three delicious and healthy meals per day prepared by highly trained nutritionists and culinary professionals. Assisted Living residences can even provide for those with special dietary requirements and/or limitations.

Social Engagement

It’s not uncommon for some new Assisted Living residents to suffer from depression and feelings of isolation because their world has suddenly changed. This is why Assisted Living residences provide their residents with an ongoing schedule that is filled with social activities, entertainment programs, educational courses, and other activities that are designed to help increase each resident’s social engagement. These programs are highly effective at helping new residents make friends, have fun, and acclimate to their new living environment.

Access to Nationally-Ranked Healthcare

Philadelphia’s seniors have the pleasure of receiving exceptional quality medical care and support from the city’s many nationally recognized hospitals and medical centers. This is especially beneficial in cases where a senior’s health issue is more advanced than what their Assisted Living staff can treat. Some of the highest-rated healthcare facilities in the Philadelphia area include Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Main Line Health Lankenau Medical Center, and ChristianaCare Hospitals, to name just a few.

Quality of Life for Seniors in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a wonderful city to call home, but it is especially a great place to live for seniors. Philly has a public transportation system that can transport you anywhere in the city you want to go, and best of all, seniors ride for free. And your options for entertainment are endless.

Some of the most popular attractions for older adults in and around the city include Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center, the Reading Terminal Market, the Museum of the American Revolution, the Rodin Museum, the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, and the Philadelphia Zoo.

Other attractions in Philadelphia that are particularly loved by seniors include:

Philadelphia is also home to some of the sports world’s most notoriously passionate fans. Whether they’re rooting for the Phillies, 76ers, Flyers, Eagles, Union, or one of the many collegiate teams in the area, like the Villanova Wildcats, Penn Quakers, La Salle Explorers, Drexel Dragons, or Temple Owls, Philly’s sports fans are always loud and proud. And with several stadiums and sporting arenas in Philadelphia, there’s always an action-packed sporting event taking place in town.

Best of all, whether you’re visiting a museum, attending a game, shopping, or taking a walk through one of the city’s beautiful parks, you will find that you’re never far from some of the very best restaurants, bistros, food trucks, and cafes you’ve ever come across. There’s always time for a traditional Philly cheesesteak, hot soft pretzel, roast pork sandwich, or genuine Italian water ice!

Senior Centers in Philadelphia County

Philadelphia County is home to more than two dozen senior centers and satellite meal sites, which are funded by the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. These centers provide a wide range of valuable programming, including continuing education programs, group activities, enhanced fitness classes, and more, that help local seniors socialize and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Many senior centers even provide transportation, legal assistance, and volunteer opportunities, and lunch is served at all centers, Monday through Friday.

Visiting a local senior center regularly has been shown to benefit older adults in several important ways, including helping them to live a healthier lifestyle and maintain a more positive mindset through social engagement.

Below is a list of the senior centers in the Philadelphia County area:

Public Transportation Services in Philadelphia, PA

Having easy access to reliable public transportation is important for any senior citizen living in a major city like Philadelphia because so many seniors rely on it for getting to doctor appointments, visiting their family, shopping, and just getting around town. In Philadelphia, the public transportation service is managed by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). SEPTA’s network of services includes a large number of regional rail, buses, high-speed lines, and a Customized Community Transportation (CCT) program, which provides paratransit services for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.

Seniors aged 65 and older are eligible for a Senior Fare Card, which allows seniors to ride free at all times on all routes for bus, trolley, Broad Street Line, Market-Frankford Line, and the Norristown High-Speed Line. Seniors can also ride for free on SEPTA’s Regional Rail as long as their departure and arrival stations are located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If traveling to or from New Jersey or Delaware, seniors are charged half fare.

How to Find Assisted Living Facilities in Philadelphia, PA

It’s not always easy to find the right Assisted Living facility for an aging loved one, especially when there are so many to choose from in a city like Philadelphia. This is why having a reliable resource like Senioridy.com is so important.

Senioridy takes the work out of finding Assisted Living communities by providing you with a comprehensive directory of Assisted Living facilities through our online search tool. By using Senioridy, you gain two important advantages – you get everything you need to know to compare a wide selection of Assisted Living facilities in your desired area and you get their contact information, so you can contact the facilities directly instead of having to pay a high fee to a senior placement agency for essentially the same thing. With Senioridy, you can cut out the middleman, and that saves you money.

To search for Assisted Living facilities in Philadelphia on Senioridy.com, just type “Philadelphia'' in the search box under Located Near and click on the arrow. Senioridy's comprehensive Assisted Living search engine will then provide you with a selection of the top-rated facilities in and around the city of Philadelphia, PA to compare.

About the author

Don Moore

Don Moore is a Managing Member of Senioridy, a company that helps individuals find and learn about senior living facilities, senior services, and senior resources. Donald's commitment to excellence and his passion for service make him a valuable contributor to Senioridy, where he shares his insights and knowledge through his articles.