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Situated on the south shore of Lake Erie in the northwesternmost corner of Pennsylvania, Erie is a vibrant city with an array of amenities for older adults. It’s home to about 96,000 people, over 14% of whom are aged 65 and over. It’s sought out for its low cost of living, scenic parks and numerous recreational amenities, including over two dozen golf courses and 13 shopping centers. The region is also home to seven hospitals, including Millcreek Community Hospital, which offers a robust Geriatric Services program. The city is fairly walkable, meaning that some errands can be accomplished on foot, and it has a reliable public transportation system with a discount program for seniors.
Assisted living is ideal for seniors who require some assistance with daily living tasks such as bathing, dressing and preparing meals. According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of assisted living services in Erie, PA is $4,585 per month. This is slightly above the statewide average of $4,100 and just surpasses the national average of $4,500.
This guide will compare care costs in and around Erie for seniors exploring their care options, with a list of free or low-cost financial resources.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Pennsylvania. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
Seniors in Erie pay $4,585 per month for assisted living.
Erie’s assisted living facilities charge a reported average of $4,585 per month. This is close to $500 more expensive than the statewide average of $4,100, but just $85 more than the average of $4,500 across the United States.
South of Erie, in Pittsburgh, assisted living expenses are significantly lower at $3,250. The region’s highest assisted living average comes from Youngstown at $4,738, while Altoona, just east of Pittsburgh, has an average care cost of $4,030. At a monthly average of $4,518, State College located in Central Pennsylvania has the third highest average for assisted living in the area.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Pennsylvania.
| Contact | Description | |
| Greater Erie Community Action Committee | (814) 459-4581 | The Greater Erie Community Action Committee is the Area Agency on Aging in the region. Through this committee, seniors can access free, unbiased Medicare insurance counseling through APPRISE, which helps individuals understand their benefits and make informed decisions about coverage options. GECAC operates several senior centers throughout Erie County, including two in Erie, where members can participate in social and recreational programs. It also has a long-term care ombudsman who investigates reports of abuse or neglect and helps resolve issues that arise in assisted living communities |
| Erie County Department of Veterans Affairs | (814) 451-6265 | The Erie County Department of Veterans Affairs assists eligible veterans and their families in identifying and applying for federal, state and local benefits. Some benefits that the department files on behalf of veterans include disability benefits, the VA pension and the Aid and Attendance benefit, all of which may help cover assisted living expenses. The department is affiliated with the Erie Veterans Affairs Medical Center and can help veterans connect with VA healthcare services. |
| Erie County RSVP | (716) 858-7548 | The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is the largest volunteer network in the nation that provides opportunities specifically for older adults. Erie County RSVP provides a wide array of volunteer opportunities in over 90 local nonprofit organizations. Participants decide when and how they serve and can choose from jobs such as making friendly calls to housebound Erie residents to alleviate loneliness, acting as tour guides at local museums and zoos, tutoring children in reading and math and bringing donated food to soup kitchens. |
| Northwestern Legal Services | (814) 452-6949 | NWLS is a nonprofit law firm that provides free assistance with civil legal matters to income-qualifying individuals in the Erie region. It offers resources and representation with issues such as SSI or Social Security disability terminations or overpayments, advance directives and living health care wills, accessing public benefits and problems that arise in assisted living. |
| Independent Council on Aging, Inc. | (814) 835-7485 | The Independent Council on Aging is a voluntary, nonprofit coalition of businesses, agencies and individuals in the Erie region. It holds several events throughout the year, including art shows, live entertainment, conferences and luncheons, with the purpose of fostering a positive perspective on aging and providing support and information for seniors and caregivers. It also maintains a directory of senior-friendly local agencies and businesses, including hospitals and pharmacies, nonprofit law firms, transportation services, transitional housing and senior centers. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Erie area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
