In-Home Personal Care in Reading, PA
Hands-on help with bathing, dressing, toileting and grooming, at home and on the person’s own schedule. Post what you need in Reading for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Personal Care in Reading, PA: the local picture
About 867 Reading residents aged 65 or older have difficulty dressing or bathing (8.7%; 5.3% in Berks County). The Census Bureau calls this a self-care difficulty, and it is what personal care is for.
3,103 have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs (31%), so many personal care visits also mean help getting to the bathroom or shower safely.
1,124 of the 10,184 older residents are 85 or older; needs for hands-on help rise with age.
Reading compared with Berks County and Pennsylvania
| Census figure | Reading | Berks County | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with difficulty dressing or bathing | 8.7% | 5.3% | 6.6% |
| Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking | 31% | 19% | 20% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.2% | 2.4% | 2.4% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 44% | 32% | 32% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 33% | 28% | 30% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 25% | 9.3% | 9.9% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $30,737 | $56,401 | — |
Older residents in towns around Reading
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Self-care difficulty (65+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Reading, PA | 1.1 mi | 547 | 2.7% |
| Mount Penn, PA | 2.1 mi | 612 | 3.8% |
| Wyomissing, PA | 2.1 mi | 3,055 | 13% |
| Kenhorst, PA | 2.4 mi | 429 | 2.6% |
| Hyde Park, PA | 2.5 mi | 483 | 0.2% |
| Pennside, PA | 2.6 mi | 992 | 8.1% |
Home health agencies with aides serving Reading
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revolutionary Home Health Inc | Quakertown, PA | 31 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (570) 383-7502 |
| Wellspan Vna Home Care | York, PA | 50 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (717) 812-4433 |
| Amedisys Home Health | Lancaster, PA | 28 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (717) 291-8396 |
| Bayada Home Health Care, Inc. | Allentown, PA | 28 mi | 3.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (610) 317-2118 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Reading. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
What a personal care aide can help with
- Bathing or showering, with a shower chair if needed
- Dressing and undressing
- Toileting and incontinence care
- Grooming: hair, shaving and oral care
What personal care costs in Reading
At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 48% of the $2,561 monthly median income of Reading households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.
What to know before hiring a personal care aide
The Census Bureau asks whether a person has difficulty dressing or bathing, which it calls a self-care difficulty; it is the clearest sign that someone needs personal care. Medicare does not pay for personal care when it is the only care needed (Medicare.gov), but many state Medicaid programs do for people who qualify.
Questions worth asking: How do you protect a client’s dignity during bathing and toileting? Are you trained in safe transfers? Can you keep the same morning or evening hours each day? More in our personal care guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Personal Care in Reading: common questions
How much does personal care cost in Reading?
At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 48% of the $2,561 monthly median income of Reading households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Pennsylvania's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
What is the difference between personal care and companion care?
Companion care is company and help around the house. Personal care is hands-on help with the body: bathing, dressing, toileting and grooming. Many caregivers offer both; say in your posting which you need.
More senior care near Reading
Personal Care in nearby cities
- Personal Care in West Reading, PA
- Personal Care in Mount Penn, PA
- Personal Care in Wyomissing, PA
- Personal Care in Kenhorst, PA
- Personal Care in Hyde Park, PA
- Personal Care in Pennside, PA
- Personal Care in Shillington, PA
- Personal Care in Laureldale, PA
- Personal Care in West Wyomissing, PA
- Personal Care in Riverview Park, PA
- Personal Care in Reiffton, PA
- Personal Care in Whitfield, PA
- Personal Care in Jacksonwald, PA
- Personal Care in Mohnton, PA
- Personal Care in Lorane, PA
- Personal Care in Sinking Spring, PA
Other care in Reading
- Companion Care in Reading
- Dementia Care in Reading
- Respite Care in Reading
- Live-In Caregivers in Reading
- Post-Surgery Care in Reading
- Senior Transportation in Reading
- Home Health Aides in Reading
- Nursing Assistants in Reading
- Overnight Caregivers in Reading
- 24-Hour Home Care in Reading
- Mobility Assistance in Reading
- Parkinson’s Care in Reading
- Stroke Recovery Support in Reading
- Disability Care for Adults in Reading
- Hospice Support in Reading
- Senior Meal Preparation in Reading
- Senior Housekeeping in Reading
- Medication Reminders in Reading
- Veterans’ Home Care in Reading
Sources
Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.
Find personal care in Reading
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