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What Is a Licensed Personal Care Home in PA?
By Frezer Kifle · ·
What a licensed personal care home in PA is: DHS Chapter 2600, who it serves, vs nursing homes and assisted living, and how to find licensed options.
By Frezer Kifle · Published August 4, 2026 · Updated October 4, 2026
A personal care home (PCH) in Pennsylvania is a residential facility licensed by the Department of Human Services that provides housing, meals, personal assistance, and supervision for adults who need help with daily living — but do not need 24/7 skilled nursing care.
Who personal care homes are for
- Older adults who can no longer live safely alone but don’t need a nursing facility
- Adults who need help with bathing, dressing, meals, medication reminders, or supervision
- People whose families need a residential setting with staff on-site, not just in-home visits
How many personal care homes are in Pennsylvania?
- Licensed homes
- 994
- Licensed beds
- 61,744
- Average capacity
- 62 residents
- Cities with a home
- 434
- 106 homes licensed for under 10 residents
- 267 homes licensed for 10–39 residents
- 407 homes licensed for 40–99 residents
- 214 homes licensed for 100+ residents
Most homes: Philadelphia (45), Pittsburgh (38), Allentown (16), York (16), Erie (15), Lancaster (15).
Statewide median cost: $6,480/month for assisted living / personal care vs $11,954/month for a semi-private nursing-home room (CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey, state tables).
Home counts and capacity from the PA DHS licensed personal care home dataset; cost medians as of Oct 2026. Check any home in the license search.
Size varies more than most families expect. Some homes are licensed for a handful of residents in a converted house; others are wings of large retirement campuses with 100+ beds. Small homes tend to feel more like a family household; large ones usually offer more activities and on-site staff. Neither is better by default — match the setting to your loved one's personality and care needs.
What services are typically included
- Room and board (private or shared)
- Three meals and snacks
- Help with activities of daily living (ADLs)
- Medication assistance (per license and assessment)
- Housekeeping, laundry, and social activities
- Supervision and emergency response within the home
What a personal care home is not
It is not a nursing home. Nursing facilities are licensed by the PA Department of Health and provide skilled medical care (IVs, complex wound care, intensive rehab). See personal care home vs nursing home. Marketing words like “assisted living” may or may not map to a DHS PCH license — always verify.
How much do they cost?
Typical private-pay ranges in PA are roughly $2,500–$5,500+/month, higher for memory care and private rooms. Details: how much a personal care home costs in PA.
How to find a licensed personal care home near you
- Search the statewide directory or a city page.
- Use the map of all licensed homes.
- Or request a free shortlist — 3–5 homes matched to your area and timeframe.
- Verify the license before you sign — license search guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is a personal care home?
In Pennsylvania, a personal care home is a DHS-licensed residence that provides room, board, personal assistance, and supervision for adults who need help with daily living but not skilled nursing care.
Is a personal care home the same as assisted living?
Not always. “Assisted living” is marketing language in many states. In PA, confirm the facility holds a DHS personal care home license (or another regulated license type) before placing a loved one.
How do I know a home is licensed in PA?
Search the name in our PA license search, then confirm current status in the DHS Human Services Provider Directory. Ask the administrator to show the license certificate on site.
How many personal care homes are in Pennsylvania?
PA Care Finder tracks 994 DHS-licensed personal care homes across 434 Pennsylvania cities, with about 61,700 licensed beds in total, from the state's licensed personal care home dataset.
Does Medicare or Medicaid pay for a personal care home in PA?
Medicare does not pay for room and board in a personal care home. Pennsylvania Medicaid generally does not either, though residents on SSI may qualify for the PA Supplemental Payment Program. Most families pay privately or with long-term care insurance.