Home Care in York, PA

Nicknamed the White Rose City, York is the seat of York County and home to nearly 450,000 residents including close to 81,000 seniors aged 65 and older. Located in southern Pennsylvania about 20 miles from the Maryland border, the city has deep historical roots. York once served as the temporary capital of America during the Revolutionary War, and the downtown district features a number of well-preserved historic buildings dating back to the 1750s.

The overall cost of living in York is about 25% below the nationwide average and 17% below Pennsylvania’s statewide average, making this city a great option if you’re looking to stretch your retirement funds. Not only is living in York relatively affordable, but it also comes with plenty of opportunities to stay active. If you’re a history buff you’ll love the fact that York has four nationally registered historic districts, while Penn Market is the perfect place to shop for locally grown fruits and vegetables. Nearby Hershey is a must-visit for chocolate lovers, and there are a number of theaters and galleries in York’s bustling downtown.

And if you need health care services, you’ll be happy to hear that the York Hospital offers a host of emergency and acute care clinics including the innovative Center for Older Adults, a suite of specialized health services for seniors aged 65 and older. With all that York has to offer, this city may be the ideal place to spend your retirement years.

According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey you can expect to pay about $4,576 per month for full-time home care services, which is 44 hours of care weekly. Home health care rates are the same at an average of $4,576, and this type of care also includes some limited in-home medical care from a licensed medical professional.

The rates listed on the Genworth Survey may not reflect the amount of home care you need to remain in your York home. You can calculate your costs by multiplying the number of hours of care you need by the average hourly rate for home care services, which in York is $24 per hour.

The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities

At an average rate of $4,576 per month for home care or home health care, in-home care rates in York match the statewide average rates. In nearby Lancaster, home care also costs $4,576, while home health care costs $4,671 per month. In neighboring Lebanon, seniors pay around $4,385 per month for either type of care, while in Gettysburg, both home care and home health care costs about $4,481.

Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.

York County Home Delivered Meals Program

What You Should Know
The York County Home Delivered Meals Program, also known as Meals on Wheels, is a county-run nutritional support program for homebound seniors aged 60 and older. Trained and screened volunteers deliver a hot noontime meal to program participants each Monday, Wednesday and Friday along with a cold bagged lunch for use on days when hot meals are not delivered. Extra frozen heat-and-serve meals are available for seniors who need meals to consume on the weekends. The volunteers perform a quick wellness check while dropping off the meals, and if the senior needs additional supports, the volunteer will make the appropriate referrals.

Who Is Eligible?
If you’re having difficulty maintaining a healthy, balanced diet because you’re unable to travel to the grocery store or prepare your own meals, you can apply to receive home-delivered meals through this program.

How to Get Started
For more information, contact the York County Area Agency on Aging in York at (717) 771-9610. A case manager will return your call and schedule an in-home visit to assess your needs.

White Rose Senior Center

What You Should Know
Located near downtown York, White Rose Senior Center is a county-sponsored community center for seniors. The center offers a wide range of programs and activities designed to help older adults maintain social connections and maintain their independence.

Some staff members are fluent in English and Spanish, and the center has over 1,200 members. Regular programming at the center includes organized fitness classes, AARP tax clinics, food voucher distribution, monthly blood pressure screening clinics and holiday parties.

Who Is Eligible?
As a York senior, you’re eligible to apply for membership at the center at no cost.

How to Get Started
For more information, call the White Rose Senior Center Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at (717) 843-9704.

County of York Pennsylvania Veterans Affairs

What You Should Know
York County’s Veterans Affairs office provides free assistance to veterans, survivors and dependents. Accredited veteran service officers help York County vets and their families access VA healthcare services, arrange for interment in a VA cemetery, and apply for property tax exemptions for vets.

Veteran service officers can also assist with applications to VA programs seniors can use to fund in-home care services, such as the VA’s Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits.

Who Is Eligible?
If you or your spouse served in the military, you’re eligible to receive free help through the County’s veterans affairs office.

How to Get Started
To schedule an appointment with a veteran services officer, call (717) 771-9218.

rabbittransit

What You Should Know
The York County Area Agency on Aging helps to ensure that York seniors have access to safe transit services through rabbittransit. This program, offered in partnership with the Pennsylvania Lottery, provides seniors with unlimited free rides on all rabbittransit public bus routes.

Rabbittransit also operates a Shared Ride Program for seniors aged 60 and older who live further than two blocks from the nearest bus stop, or who are medically certified as being eligible for ADA paratransit services.

Who Is Eligible?
As a senior, you can ride any rabbit transit fixed-route bus for free. If you need door-to-door service, you can apply to use the Share Ride service. This service uses wheelchair-accessible buses, and you can reserve rides to and from the senior center, to travel to nonurgent medical appointments and run errands anywhere within York County.

How to Get Started
To learn more about riding on rabbittransit, or to apply to use rabbittransit’s Shared Ride service, call (717) 846-7433 or (800) 632-9063.

York County Home Improvement Program

What You Should Know
Maintaining a home is a challenge at any age, and that’s especially true for many seniors. The York County Home Improvement Program, also known as HIP, helps low and moderate-income seniors complete essential home repairs and improvements by funding interest-free grants of up to $10,000. The money from HIP can be used to pay for accessibility modifications and safety upgrades, as well as improvements to sanitary sewer and water systems, weatherization and to resolve code violations.

The grant is only repayable once the program beneficiaries sell their home. Participants retain full control over their properties, and their property deed remains in their name.

Who Is Eligible?
If you’re aged 55 or older and you own and occupy your own home located within York County, you may be eligible for a grant of up to $10,000 through the HIP.

Your annual household income must be at or below 50% of the area median, and the grant money can only be used towards approved repairs and improvements.

How to Get Started
To learn more about the HIP, contact the Housing & Community Development Division of the York County Planning Commission at (717) 771-9870.