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The Cost of Elder Care in Pennsylvania (2026)
Pennsylvania has one of the oldest populations in the country, and its care costs run a bit above the national average — but a single, streamlined Medicaid program now covers most home and community care.
Updated June 2026 · Costs calibrated to 2025 published medians
| Type of care in Pennsylvania | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| In-home care (per hour) | $33/hr |
| In-home care (~30 hrs/week) | $4,290/mo |
| Adult day care (per day) | $88/day |
| Assisted living | $5,800/mo |
| Memory care | $7,300/mo |
| Nursing home (private room) | $12,400/mo |
How Pennsylvania pays for care: Community HealthChoices
Since 2020, Pennsylvania has folded its older waivers (including the Department of Aging "PDA" Waiver) into one mandatory managed-care program: Community HealthChoices (CHC). It serves residents 65+ and adults with physical disabilities, and is run by the Office of Long-Term Living through managed-care organizations.
- Through the CHC waiver, a resident who would otherwise need a nursing facility can instead get personal care, adult day services, home modifications, and home health at home or in a personal care home or assisted living residence.
- A self-direction option called Services My Way lets participants choose and manage their own caregivers.
- As with most states, CHC pays for the care portion — not room and board in assisted living.
- For those who prefer a fully integrated medical model, the LIFE program (Pennsylvania's version of PACE) combines all Medicare and Medicaid services for residents 55+.
Where to start in Pennsylvania
Contact your local Area Agency on Aging through the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) to request an assessment, or reach Pennsylvania's Office of Long-Term Living. Ask specifically about Community HealthChoices enrollment and the assessment that determines your care needs.
Estimate Pennsylvania care costs for your situation
Use the free calculator to adjust care type and hours for Pennsylvania, see what support may cover, and email yourself the plan — or get the full 16-page Planning Kit.
Open the Pennsylvania calculator → Get the Planning Kit — $24 →Frequently asked questions
How much does assisted living cost in Pennsylvania in 2026?
Assisted living in Pennsylvania averages around $5,800 per month as a planning estimate, slightly above the national median. Memory care typically runs higher at about $7,300, and a private nursing-home room averages roughly $12,400, though costs vary widely between Philadelphia and rural areas.
What is Community HealthChoices in Pennsylvania?
Community HealthChoices (CHC) is Pennsylvania's mandatory Medicaid managed-care program for residents 65+ and adults with physical disabilities. It replaced the older Aging and Attendant Care waivers in 2020 and provides home and community-based long-term care — personal care, adult day services, home modifications and more — to help people avoid nursing-home placement.
Can family members be paid to provide care in Pennsylvania?
Yes, through Community HealthChoices' self-direction option called Services My Way, which lets participants choose and manage their own caregivers, including certain family members. Your managed-care plan's care coordinator can explain how to set this up.
Cost figures are planning estimates calibrated to published 2025 median rates and adjusted for Pennsylvania; actual prices vary by provider, region within the state, and level of care. Program names and rules are summarized for general education and change over time — confirm current details with the official state agency. This is not legal, financial, or benefits advice. © 2026 CarePath.