10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Pittsburgh, PA

Families often use a combination of private assets and public benefit options to subsidize the costs of long-term memory care. This section outlines several different options that could be put towards the cost of memory care in Pittsburgh. You’ll find a variety of private payment examples, as well as public benefits such as Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans benefits.

Pittsburgh memory care facilities — as well as assisted living facilities that offer dedicated dementia care units — are regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. The department’s Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) licenses these types of facilities and conducts annual inspections to make sure state-licensed facilities are following Pennsylvania’s laws and regulations for assisted living and personal care homes. Both types of facilities can offer memory care, but personal care homes don’t provide full-time nursing home care like assisted living residences. Facilities licensed as personal care homes are regulated a little differently.

Since seniors with Alzheimer’s don’t usually require full-time nursing care, we’re focusing on regulations in place for personal care homes that offer memory care. Pennsylvania’s regulations and requirements for personal care homes are all available online, but we outline some distinct measures in place for memory care facilities below. You can find inspection reports for all licensed assisted living and memory care facilities on the Human Services provider directory search form. There, you can search for personal care homes and assisted living communities by directly entering a facility name or by selecting a specific county or region to review all licensed providers.

Admission requirements

Pre-admission screenings are required to make sure a prospective resident’s care needs can be met in the facility. Personal care homes will generally not admit residents with extensive care needs, like round-the-clock skilled nursing or ventilator dependency. A physician or licensed health professional must provide a written medical assessment before admission to a secured dementia unit. This assessment needs to be provided within 60 days of admission to a facility and must determine the prospective resident’s dementia diagnosis and need for memory care.

Resident care

Residents in a memory care facility or secured dementia unit must undergo a pre-admission cognitive assessment within 72 hours of admission. An annual evaluation should confirm their need for memory care, and their support plan must be established and updated annually to note any changes to a resident’s condition. It must also indicate the individual needs of each resident and designate a person who should be involved with their support plan.

Resident transfers

Any memory care facility or personal care home that transfers a resident must provide a 30-day notice with the reasons for the release outlined. There are limited circumstances that call for the transfer of a resident from a facility. These include if a resident is a threat to themselves or others, a resident’s needs can’t be met in the community, or if payments haven’t been made.^[05]

Safety features

While many memory care facilities have enhanced safety features, like wander prevention systems and enclosed courtyards, Pennsylvania doesn’t require communities to have dementia-safety features. Some secured dementia units may have security systems to deter unexpected exits, but they must have permission from the Department of Labor and Industry to have such security measures. Any memory care facility with a locking system that prohibits residents from exiting must confirm it will shut down in the event of emergency situations. For example, in the event of a power outage or an activation of a fire alarm, there should be a system override in place that uses a keypad or other device.

All personal care homes must follow specific fire safety procedures. There must be at least two accessible exits on every floor. Automatic smoke detectors must be located within 15 feet of every bedroom door, and all smoke detectors and fire alarms should be tested monthly. Additionally, there must be an operable fire extinguisher on each floor, and it can only be locked away if the extinguisher poses a safety risk to residents. However, all extinguishers must be accessible to staff members.

Staff training and requirements

An orientation on fire safety and emergency preparedness must be completed by every direct staff member before their first day of work. They must also annually undergo 12 hours of training on topics related to their job duties, like caring for residents with dementia and personal care services.

Additionally, all direct care memory care staff working in a secured dementia unit are required to complete an annual 6 hours of dementia care training. Pittsburgh memory care facilities don’t have a minimum staff-to-resident ratio requirement, but they’re required to have sufficient staff available to meet the needs of each resident. Pennsylvania regulations also require at least one staff member trained in CPR and first aid to be available for every 50 residents.^[05]

COVID-19 regulations for Pittsburgh memory care facilities

Pittsburgh memory care facilities may have COVID-19 policies that vary on a community-by-community basis, but many follow the guidance set at the state level. As of June 2023, Pennsylvania doesn’t have any set COVID-19 mandates in place for memory care facilities. But some communities may have their own precautions in place that are stricter than the state’s. You should contact a prospective community directly to see what current COVID-19 measures may be in place.

Pittsburgh memory care facilities are designed to provide a safe living environment for residents with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. You can expect to find secured living spaces, specialized programs and therapies, and enhanced safety measures at most of A Place for Mom’s partner memory care facilities. Read on for just a few of the features, amenities, and services you’ll likely find at one of our partner memory care facilities in Pittsburgh.

Person-centered care

Most of our partner memory care facilities in Pittsburgh pride themselves on offering person-centered care, meaning care that’s tailored to the needs of each individual. Person-centered memory care also consists of dedicated activities and programs for residents with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. These programs are designed to keep residents interested and engaged, such as reminiscence and sensory-based programs, as well as light therapy.

Comforting surroundings

Many Pittsburgh memory care facilities aim to provide not just a safe environment, but a homelike atmosphere. Some communities include neighborhood-like grounds for residents to explore, with secured common areas like indoor walking paths, enclosed courtyards, and specialized systems to prevent wandering.

You’ll also find Pittsburgh memory care facilities offer a variety of floor plans, ranging from private studios and suites to semi-private rooms. Most memory care suites also feature a private bathroom, and the majority of our partner communities have wheelchair-accessible showers. Some memory care suites even feature customizable memory display cases that residents can personalize with photos and other memorabilia at the entrance.

Different care types on-site

About half of A Place for Mom’s partner memory care communities are within a facility that also offers assisted living. Residents in memory care usually live in separate wings or neighborhoods within the greater community. Residents in memory care generally enjoy the same amenities and services as those in assisted living, such as daily meals and activities. Additionally, memory care residents enjoy access to resources and services that include enhanced security features and round-the-clock awake staff.

Specialized memory care support

The specially trained staff at memory care facilities are qualified to provide a wealth of supportive therapies and resources to residents. Communities often collaborate and communicate with families about their loved one’s care plans, so care services can be tailored to individual personalities. You can expect an individualized, person-centered care plan at our memory care partners, fortified with specialized, tried and true care techniques and therapies.

Pittsburgh is also very much a dementia-friendly community, with several local resources available for seniors and their families. For example, University of Pittsburgh’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center has education and counseling services for patients with dementia and their families. The Alzheimer’s Association Greater Pittsburgh also offers support groups and educational programs for families with loved ones living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Seniors in memory care facilities can also reach out to the Allegheny County ombudsman for help with facility complaints and information about long-term care services.

Health care for seniors in Pittsburgh

Many of our partner memory care facilities in Pittsburgh have access to on-site health services and support, such as on-call doctors and on-site nursing. Nearly all of our in-network communities also have regular visits from specialized therapists, nurses, and podiatrists.

Additionally, Pittsburgh seniors can take advantage of several nearby hospitals recognized for their care services and various specialties. You can find just some of Pittsburgh’s local hospitals below.

Transportation for seniors in Pittsburgh

Over half of our partner memory care facilities in Pittsburgh have on-site transportation, either complimentary or at-cost depending on the community. Since riding public transportation alone and driving aren’t safe ways for seniors with dementia to get around, on-site transportation is essential to help them get to and from places like medical appointments.

Door-to-door senior transportation in Pittsburgh

Seniors who don’t have access to on-site transportation in their memory care community may be able to benefit from one of the door-to-door rider services in Pittsburgh. You can find out more about these transportation options below.

• Elder Express is a van service for seniors age 65+ and makes scheduled stops in the Squirrel Hill area.
• AgeWell Rides offers no-cost transportation to seniors age 60 and older who no longer drive and need help going to locations like appointments, community events, and errands.
• Older Persons Transportation (OPT) helps older adults get to and from grocery stores and medical appointments.

Public transportation for visiting friends and family

Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) has an extensive network of transportation services throughout Pittsburgh. These services include a rail line system with nearly 30 miles of track across the city, as well as a fleet of over 700 buses that operate throughout Allegheny County. PRT also offers free rides to seniors age 65+ who have a Senior Citizen ConnectCard, and it also has a door-to-door paratransit service for seniors age 65+ and people with a disability.

Senior activities in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh has a broad selection of attractions that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy, from brilliant gardens and sports venues to refined museums. Take a look at some of Pittsburgh’s can’t-miss attractions, many of which provide accommodations to promote accessibility for all.

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden is a premier spot for nature lovers who delight in stopping to smell the flowers. Enjoy walking through over 15 acres of flourishing floral displays and exhibits, or participate in the varying classes and programs. Most of the gardens are wheelchair accessible, and manual wheelchairs are available for guests for free, though availability may be limited.

Sports venues

From Pirates baseball and Steelers football to Penguins hockey, there are seemingly endless opportunities to cheer on Pittsburgh’s hometown teams. Pittsburgh’s sports venues also have various conveniences for people with disabilities and are ADA-accessible. You can find out more about these accessibility accommodations below.

• PPG Paints Arena is home to the Pittsburgh Penguins. This arena has accessible seating on every level, allows trained service animals inside, and can provide assistive listening devices (ALD) and interpretation services.
• Acrisure Stadium hosts a range of events, from Pittsburgh Steelers home games to various concerts and events. The stadium also offers a range of accessible accommodations for people with disabilities that include accessible parking, closed captioning assistance, and sensory packs.
• PNC Park is the home field of the Pittsburgh Pirates. This ballpark has an extensive list of accommodations available for guests with disabilities, like complimentary tickets for guests with a personal care attendant, dedicated sensory rooms, and free wheelchairs for guest use.

The Pittsburgh Zoo

The Pittsburgh Zoo is a beloved attraction for guests of all ages. All the zoo’s facilities are in compliance with ADA standards, and there are several amenities available to make sure everyone enjoys the best of the zoo’s attractions:

• Wheelchairs, scooters, and strollers are for rent upon availability.
• There are accommodations for guests who require a service animal.
• Sensory bags with fidget toys, noise-canceling headphones, and other resources are available for guests with sensory needs.

Pittsburgh museums

Museums can be an especially engaging activity to do with a loved one who has Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia. Whether their interest is in art, history, or sports, Pittsburgh’s assortment of museums can intrigue anyone. We list just a few of the accessible museums located in Pittsburgh below.

• The Heinz History Center offers a range of accessible services that include sensory bags, sign language interpreters, and assistive listening devices. Service animals are also welcome and all galleries are wheelchair accessible.
• The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum welcomes trained service dogs and has wheelchair-accessible parking, assistive listening devices, and sensory bags for visitors with sensory needs.
• The Carnegie Museum of Art allows registered service animals inside and has closed captioning on all educational videos and wheelchair-accessible parking.
• The Andy Warhol Museum is a must-see Pittsburgh attraction. This museum has a variety of accommodations that include sighted guides, American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, and touchable displays of signature works for guests with limited vision.