8 Best Independent Living Communities in Hershey, PA

Independent Living

For many seniors, cost of owning a home and the upkeep of daily tasks and chores might deter them from an independent lifestyle. Independent Living Communities offer a convenient remedy to this situation. Daily needs such as housekeeping and meal planning are accounted for, which provides occupants more opportunities to live active lives as they desire. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy the opportunity to be among peers, surrounded by others of similar age groups and interests. Typically consisting of a private living space and a full kitchen, these communities offer residences with many of the amenities of apartment life but with none of the hassle. Guests can be invited over and entertained, and more time can be spent with them with the basic maintenance of daily tasks out of the way. While policies vary between communities, many residences allow cats and dogs as well. Nursing and health care services may always be arranged for with private care providers if desired. There are a number of expenditures and benefits to balance when selecting an independent living community. It is important to determine if these services are included in the care plan: utilities, parking, private phone, move-in fee, initial assessment fee, wellness program, Waiting list deposit, and meals. The benefits and amenities that pertain to independent living include transportation, laundry service, golf course, private rental hall, fitness center & swimming pool, beauty salon & barber shop, security guards, and concierge services.

Cost of Living

The overall cost of living can be a major factor when determining which care choice works for your loved one’s needs. The rent burden for Hershey is around 16.4% of the average monthly income. Hershey has a median home value of about $249,180 and the median cost of rent is around $1,268 per month.

Demographics and Values

In Hershey, 7.6% of the citizens are veterans. Out of the total city population, 47.4% are male and 52.6% are female. The median age of Hershey is 40 years old. Racially, the population of Hershey is 0.0% Native American, 6.1% black, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 4.7% other or not specified, 4.8% Asian, 82.4% white, 2.0% mixed race, and 7.6% Hispanic. In terms of education, 24.6% have a graduate degree, 22.0% have a high-school diploma, and 52.7% have a college degree. In Hershey, 61.8% participate in the labor force, 14.6% have some form of disability, 7.2% do not have health insurance, and 17.1% live in poverty. Hershey has a population density of 398 people per square mile. The current population of Hershey consists of 14,793 people.

State Information

An overview of Pennsylvania

In terms of resources, Pennsylvania has a cost of living index of 98.6, a grocery index rating of 106.9, and a housing index rating of 100.8. These index ratings are based on a system where 100 is considered the national average and anything below 100 is considered less expensive than the national average. The natural beauty of Pennsylvania is ranked 38th in the nation. There are 201 general hospitals and 273 health centers that provide care for 12,823,695 Pennsylvania residents. Reading Hospital, Lancaster General Hospital, and And Main Line Hospital Bryn Mawr Campus are among the top three highest ranked hospitals in the state. Overall, Pennsylvania ranks 41st in quality of life and 21st in healthcare compared to other US states.

Social demographics of the state

The state of Pennsylvania ranks 29th in the country for diversity, and the state is considered LGBTQ friendly. During the latest presidential election, 48% voted for the Republican candidate while 47% voted for the Democratic candidate. In terms of religious values, 34% of Pennsylvania’s population regularly attend some form of service and there are in total 15,359 different congregations. The top three Christian denominations in the state are Evangelical Protestant-19%, Mainline Protestant-23%, and Historically Black Protestant-5%. The top three non-Christian denominations in the state are Jewish-<1%, Muslim-<1%, and Buddhist-<1%. In Pennsylvania there are 535 masonic lodges. The median age in the state is 41, and 32% of the population is over the age of 55.

State-wide weather information

The average humidity across the state is 70%. Humidity levels tend to reach their peak in the month of January at around 75%. The average temperature in the winter falls to around 29F. The average high winter temperature is around 45F in the month of December. The average low temperature during the winter drops to around 11F in the month of January. During the summer, the average temperature in Pennsylvania is around 69F. Over the summer months the average high temperature peaks at around 89F during the month of July. In the summer, the average low temperature drops to around 47F during the month of June. On average, Pennsylvania has an air quality index rating of around 39.9 AQI. The average air quality index rating peaks in the month of May with a rating of around 49.0 AQI. The average monthly precipitation for the state of Pennsylvania is around 3.64 inches. The most precipitation occurs in July with an average of 6.38 inches of precipitation a month. While residents of Pennsylvania mostly enjoy pleasant conditions, it’s important to be aware of inclement weather as well, which in Pennsylvania can include floods, tornadoes, and and hurricanes.

Wildlife to be found in Pennsylvania

The state of Pennsylvania has a diverse array of plant and animal life. Local plant life can consist of poplar, maple, mountain laurel (the state flower), and weeping willow. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the elk, the bobcats, the white-tailed deer, or the river otter. The state animal of Pennsylvania is the the white-tailed deer.