Active Adult Communities

Life Plan Communities

Life Plan Communities, formerly known as Continuing Care Retirement Communities, are residential living alternatives to traditional housing for active adults. These communities provide comprehensive services and amenities for the residents living in them, including short and long-term health care. This eliminates the need for residents to move out of the community, when and if they need long-term care in assisted living, memory care or 24/7 nursing care.

Memory Care

There are two types of memory care communities in the Lehigh Valley -- Stand Alone Memory Care Communities and Memory Care Units within Personal Care Homes. A Stand Alone Memory Care Community is a building that is exclusively dedicated to caring for residents with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Memory Care Units within Personal Care Homes are special, dedicated floors or areas within a larger personal care home community that offers the design, security, and increased staff presence and training that residents require. For options in Memory Care Units within Personal Care Homes click on Personal Care Homes (also listed below).

Personal Care Homes

The listings in the Personal Care Homes section represent communities that offer varying levels of on-site care to residents, from assistance with daily living activities to nursing services. The average cost per month for a semi-private room is between $2,000 and $4,000, and a private room costs between $2,500 and $7,500 in the Lehigh Valley area.  The costs are typically funded by the residents but may be funded by Veterans Assistance and long-term care insurance. Below are some commonly used terms. 

Senior Housing

Senior housing is independent living with housing locations that may be exclusive or just ideal for seniors. Few or no services are provided. Pictured is Traditions of Hanover in Bethlehem, PA.

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation

Skilled Nursing Facilities provide 24-hour care for those requiring rehabilitation or for those with long-term illnesses. Services may include medical care, therapies, and assistance with activities of daily living. Facilities are licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Depending on an individual’s circumstances, costs for skilled nursing and rehabilitation can be covered fully or partially by Medicare, Medicaid, major insurance, and long-term care insurance. In some cases, care needs to be paid for by an individual’s private funds, in which case monthly costs can range from $10,000 to $14,000.

Below is a list of related articles to help understand the types of senior living options available:

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