Alzheimers Care in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Memory Care Regulations

Each state regulates senior living communities differently. Because memory care is often provided by assisted living communities, states may regulate memory care within their guidelines for assisted living. You can use APFM’s guide to assisted living regulations to learn more about access to facility records in Pennsylvania.

In Pennsylvania, memory care communities — sometimes called Alzheimer’s care or dementia care — provide specialized care for seniors who have Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other forms of memory loss. These communities offer personalized cognitive rehabilitation programs alongside assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). Memory care usually includes 24-hour supervision and unique design elements, like outdoor gardens and color-coded walls, to help ease anxiety, agitation, and other symptoms of dementia.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Pennsylvania is considered to be slightly below the national average. The housing cost is rated about equal to the average. This can sometimes translate to a lower cost of care, however this depends greatly on the neighborhood in which a community is located. Pennsylvania does however have relatively high costs for groceries and transportation. All index scores are based on a scale with the national average set at 100.

Price Indexes

• Cost of Living: 99
• Groceries: 107
• Housing: 101
• Utilities: 106
• Transportation: 110

Demographics

Nearly 17% of the Pennsylvania population are seniors. In the 2016 presidential election, Pennsylvania leaned slightly Republican. However, the election was one with the smallest margins in U.S. history, with only a 0.74% margin.

2016 Presidential Election

• Voted Democratic: 48%
• Voted Republican: 48%
• Voted third party: 4%

Population

• Median age: 41
• Over the age of 55: 32%
• 2018 population: 12,807,060
• 2020 population: 12,840,351
• Estimated 2025 population: 12,923,957

Miscellaneous

• 34% regularly attend a religious service
• 39% consider themselves atheist, agnostic, or a non-believer
• Across the state there are a total of 15,359 congregations
• There are 535 Masonic lodges in Pennsylvania

Climate and Weather

Pennsylvania’s climate is classified as humid continental, which means that the state tends to experience four distinct seasons with seasonal temperatures fluctuating widely. The average humidity level is 70%, and humidity levels are often highest during July at about 75%. Located between the Midatlantic and Northeast regions, Pennsylvania has a very diverse topography. The Appalachian mountains slice through the state, separating the high plains and Lake Erie in the northwest from the river valleys and plains of the southeast.

Humidity and Precipitation

• Average humidity level: 70%
• Average monthly precipitation: 4”
• Average maximum monthly precipitation: 6” (July)

Air Quality

• Average air quality index rating: 40 (Good)
• Average maximum air quality rating: 49 in May (Good)

Seasonal Temperatures

• Average temperature: 50°F
• Average summer temperature: 70°F
• Typical summer high: 89°F (July)
• Typical summer low: 47°F (June)
• Average winter temperature: 29°F
• Typical winter high: 45°F (December)
• Typical winter low: 11°F (January)