Erie provides a perfect setting for seniors who desire a serene lifestyle and a close-knit community. The tranquil waters of Lake Erie’s Presque Isle Bay offer a delightful backdrop, inviting residents to engage in outdoor waterfront activities and enjoy breathtaking views from the shoreline.
When exploring our partner senior care choices in Erie, you may encounter the term nursing home, which encompasses various senior living options. However, it’s essential to understand that nursing homes refer to skilled nursing facilities. These facilities are designed to care for individuals with significant short- and long-term health conditions or injuries.
While nursing home facilities are suitable for seniors requiring 24/7 care, many seniors may not need that intense attention. Instead, they may thrive in an assisted living or memory care facility that promotes independence while offering care services. This guide aims to offer information about nursing homes, assisted living communities, and memory care facilities, helping you determine which option best matches the required level of care for you or your loved one.
In this guide, you will learn about senior living costs and payment options, laws and regulations governing long-term care facilities, transportation, health care, and Erie’s attractions for seniors and their families.
My stay is wonderful thanks to the loving care given to me by the caregivers here. To a person, the staff is professional, compassionate, caring and available when necessary. They have been very helpful on...
The staffing is not allowed to help with elderly individuals that have fallen down or tripped. That was one big reason why we DID place our parents there, not spelled out clearly in the beginning. Now we are...
We are extremely pleased with our mom's life at the Regency. The staff, the activities, and the facility is fantastic. She is extremely content living there, and we, her children, are very solaced to know...
I have been a resident at Westlake Woods for 4 months. The staff tries to be responsive to resident needs and unplanned absences and turnover have a demise impact on that.
The staff is very friendly, and their concern for the residence is great. The community is kept neat and clean and I like food and the variety they offer. I would definitely recommend this community to...
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We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
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The median monthly cost of a private room in a nursing home in the Erie area is approximately $10,190.[01] This cost is typically associated with skilled nursing facilities that provide round-the-clock supervision and on-site health and rehabilitative services. Skilled nursing facilities are suitable for seniors who require long-term care due to significant physical or mental health conditions and short-term care for post-surgical recovery, hospital stays, or injuries.
For those who don’t need round-the-clock care, assisted living or memory care may be more appropriate. Based on A Place for Mom’s proprietary data, the average monthly cost of care is $4,211 in our partner assisted living facilities and $4,980 in our partner memory care facilities.[02] These figures include associated fees and additional service charges to represent the total actual cost paid at our partner facilities in Erie.
Seniors and their families have a range of choices when financing long-term care. Medicare and Medicaid offer coverage for specific health care expenses, while private funding can be utilized for custodial costs such as room and board.
It is common for individuals to combine multiple income streams and benefit programs to cover their expenses effectively. In the following sections, you will gain insight into how private pay, Medicaid, Medicare, and VA benefits can be utilized to address the costs associated with care in Erie.
Laws and regulations are primarily guided by the type of long-term care community you choose. For example, nursing homes in Pennsylvania undergo annual licensing and inspections conducted by the state Department of Health. These inspections serve various purposes, including:
Erie’s nursing home inspection reports are available online on the Department of Health website. In addition to being inspected for compliance with Pennsylvania laws, nursing homes are also federally regulated and checked against those standards, too.
The Department of Human Services oversees the licensing and regulation of assisted living facilities, memory care communities, and personal care homes in Pennsylvania. Personal care homes are residences that provide shelter, meals, supervision, and assistance with personal care for seniors. Assisted living facilities, which are called assisted living residences (ALRs) in Pennsylvania, provide everything that a personal care home does plus laundry, housekeeping, daily activities, medication administration, transportation, 24-hour supervision, basic cognitive support services, and supplemental health care services.
Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services conducts regular inspections, typically at least once a year, to ensure compliance. The regulations for assisted living include the following:
Many memory care communities are part of a larger assisted living facility, so while memory care follows the same guidelines as assisted living, they must also obtain a special care designation to demonstrate their capability to provide care for individuals with cognitive difficulties. This designation includes the following requirements:
The Department of Human Services Provider Directory helps seniors and families find licensed assisted living and memory care facilities, while personal care home reports provide detailed inspection information for these facilities. For more details on inspections and procedures, consult the regulatory compliance guide.
Erie County Department of Health
606 W. Second St.
Erie, PA 16507
Phone: 877-724-3258
Currently, there are no COVID-19 mandates in effect in the city of Erie. However, individuals must stay updated and follow the latest guidelines and recommendations from reputable sources like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). It is also advisable to check with the specific facilities you plan to visit, as they may have their own regulations.
Long-term senior care communities in Erie offer a nurturing and pleasant setting for individuals who need support with daily activities while promoting independence and fostering a sense of belonging. With Lake Erie on the horizon, Erie offers tranquil lakeside living for seniors looking to settle down and get extra care. Care is tailored to meet each individual’s specific needs, whether it involves assisting with bathing and dressing or medication management. Trained staff members are available to ensure the well-being and comfort of residents at all times in our partner assisted living and memory care facilities in Erie.
While the term nursing home is commonly used as a general label for different senior living choices, it refers to skilled nursing care. Skilled nursing facilities in Erie primarily cater to individuals with significant health conditions, offering specialized care to meet their needs. These facilities prioritize assistance with personal care, dedicated attention from staff members, on-site health care services, rehabilitation programs, and palliative care for those in need. While A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with stand-alone nursing homes, we do have assisted living and memory care partners, which may provide the type of care your loved one needs.
Personal care homes are another type of care in Pennsylvania. They provide seniors with shelter, meals, supervision, and other personal care needs. Assisted living residences (ALRS) provide all of those services and more, including 24-hour supervision, housekeeping and laundry, daily activities, administering medication, transportation, basic cognitive support services, and supplemental health care services.
For individuals who value increased safety measures, our partner assisted living communities and memory care facilities in Erie offer enhanced security features. These communities commonly provide secured environments with enclosed courtyards and designated indoor and outdoor walking paths for fresh Great Lake air. In particular, many are designed to meet the needs of individuals with memory loss. They may include additional safety systems such as wander guards to protect the well-being and security of residents.
A Place For Mom partners with facilities in Erie that integrate forms of long-term care. Integrating care services within a single facility offers significant advantages for individuals anticipating their care needs to evolve over time. These integrated long-term care facilities provide a seamless continuum of care, enabling seniors to receive the necessary support while preserving their desired level of independence. For example, one of our partner facilities in Erie combines assisted living with independent living options, and two partner communities offer assisted living with specialized memory care services on the same campus.
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Transportation options in Erie will vary depending on the mobility of your loved one. While most seniors may not drive, it’s important to consider that Erie is primarily a car-centric city. However, visitors will find the city to be pedestrian-friendly, with a well-established public transportation system in place. Additionally, transportation is generally provided at our partner assisted living and memory care facilities. It’s either free or provided at cost.
Erie offers a reliable bus system, providing public transportation for seniors to travel with their loved ones or caregivers. The bus service in Erie is operated by the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (EMTA). With a well-developed network of 20 routes, EMTA covers various areas of the city from Monday to Saturday. To support seniors aged 65 and above, EMTA offers a Senior Citizen Program, which provides free rides on any EMTA bus. Seniors who wish to join the program can access the application online.
Apart from the standard fixed-route bus service, EMTA offers specialized paratransit services for individuals unable to use regular buses. The paratransit service provides rides at different rates, ranging from $2.25 to $6.75. However, seniors attending medical appointments or senior centers can avail themselves of complimentary transportation through this service.
For veterans requiring transportation support for scheduled medical appointments, the Erie VA Medical Center, in partnership with Disabled American Veterans (DAV), offers transportation services and allows caregivers to accompany individuals needing assistance.
Erie offers a wonderful environment for you to enjoy with your loved one when you visit. In addition to the beautiful Lake Erie, a popular destination for relaxation and observing people, many other options are available. One of the standout attractions is the vast 3,200-acre Presque Isle State Park. Take your loved one on a leisurely stroll along the trails, go fishing, or simply enjoy a picturesque picnic while watching the sunset.
The Erie Maritime Museum offers a glimpse into the region’s maritime history. Visitors can step onto the gundeck, explore the intricacies of a mainmast, and stand in awe of the U.S. Brig Niagara, an authentic reconstruction of the flagship from the Battle of Lake Erie. It is recommended to check the docking status of the brig at the port before planning your visit, so you don’t miss the opportunity to behold this historical ship.
Asbury Woods is the perfect choice for individuals who appreciate outdoor activities and prefer organized events. Encompassing 216 acres, this park offers a wide range of events throughout the year, including concerts and exclusive dining experiences. It’s an excellent opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while participating in structured and enjoyable activities.
Research indicates that animals can significantly benefit individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia, enhancing social interactions and providing sensory stimulation. For active seniors and those in the early stages of dementia, a visit to Erie Zoo is an enriching experience to enjoy with family. With over 400 animals to observe, the zoo offers a senior discount and ensures accessibility for wheelchair users through wheelchair-accessible trails (wheelchair rentals are also available), catering to those who may have difficulty walking long distances.
For a serene experience, consider visiting Purrista Cat Cafe, where you can enjoy the company of feline friends. This cozy cafe operates by appointment and restricts entry to 12 people at a time, creating a tranquil atmosphere that is especially beneficial for individuals who may find excessive noise or activity overwhelming.
Memory Cafe could be an excellent alternative if you’re seeking a coffee outing with your loved ones, but cats aren’t your cup of tea. Held on the first and third Thursday of each month, this event offers a relaxed environment for individuals with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers to connect and enjoy each other’s company. While reservations are not required, they are preferred.
The Residence at Presque Isle Bay, Parkside at Glenwood and The Regency at South Shore are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near Erie, PA. These Nursing Homes facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Nursing Homes in Erie is $5,019 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Genworth Financial. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. News and World Report. (n.d.). St. Vincent Hospital-Erie.
U.S. News and World Report. (n.d.). UPMC Hamot.
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Genworth Financial. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. News and World Report. (n.d.). St. Vincent Hospital-Erie.
U.S. News and World Report. (n.d.). UPMC Hamot.