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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In Lancaster, PA

Home Care Lancaster, PA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting President James Buchanan's Wheatland in Lancaster, PA gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Lancaster, PA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Lancaster, PA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider They're reliable, they're prompted, and their caregivers are very efficient and always do what you ask them to do. The assignment of the caregiver: they really try to match them to the person's personality.”

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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider It is a very excellent company. I didn't know about this agency until I reached out for help. They have done everything that they could. They came to my home and helped me sign up since I couldn't leave my husband.”

David T.
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“I am a current client of this provider Well, they are convenient and are very understanding; anytime I've asked about anything, I always get responses. My health has never been any more organized in a long time.”

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“I am a past client of this provider I liked everyone they sent. They were all very kind and knowledgeable. It greatly reduced my stress because I knew he was in good hands.”

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“I am a current client of this provider If someone needed the help, I would definitely recommend them. I have a muscle condition and need the help.”

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“I am a current client of this provider I like that the aide we have been given is just perfect for our needs. They have helped the most because the hours they give us are from one person, not a variety of people; it's one person you get to know well.”

Elmer A.
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“I am a past client of this provider I liked that they were prompt and courteous. I liked that it made it easier for me to go to work and know that she was taken care of safely. I did not have to worry about her.”

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“I am a current client of this provider They have good/quality service. I've been caring for him for the past year, and with their help, it frees up my time.”

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“I am a current client of this provider The scheduling woman has worked so well with us. They get him up and out and moving about.”

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“I am a current client of this provider I like that they are prompt. I have great respect for the way they handle business. I am very pleased. They keep things clean. They don't mind staying a little late or coming in a little early. They are always nice and ask if there is anything else they can do for me.”

Sterling D.
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“I am a current client of this provider I like that they are very accommodating to the schedule. The providers have all been gracious and nice. The quality of care has been good.”

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“I am a current client of this provider I like that the way the woman works with me. She comes and gets things done and does what she needs to do. The provider has helped me the most by lifting my spirits.”

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“I am a current client of this provider They're very contentious and kind. They keep me in good communication. If somebody has to be out, and they're not available, they get a substitute for me. The services allow me respite so I can get away from the house without worrying about his care and his needs being met.”

William R.
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“I am a current client of this provider The care was very genuine. I have very caring caregivers.”

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“I am a current client of this provider I like that the agency has always taken care of me. The services helped me very much.”

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“I am a current client of this provider I like that they are really kind, and their communication, openness, and flexibility are great. They keep him on track with his daily routine and hygiene.”

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“I am a current client of this provider I like that they have caregivers that I can rely on. They have been extremely nice and they address my questions.”

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“I am a current client of this provider I have a lady in the morning that takes care of quite well. She knows what to do. She helps me get around.”

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“I am a current client of this provider They provide care. They respond. They care and work with me.”

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“I am a past client of this provider They gave me good care. They fulfilled my needs. They did a good job of caring for me.”

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“I am a current client of this provider They help me with things I can't do, like clean the bathroom. I like the caregiver and her personality.”

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Antonio L.
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“I am a current client of this provider The agency has made my experience positive by doing the house cleaning. I like that the caregiver the agency sent me is prompt.”

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“I am a current client of this provider They help me get things done. They do what I ask them to.”

James C.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Lancaster, PA?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Lancaster, PA

Types of Elderly Care in Lancaster, PA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Lancaster, PA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Lancaster, PA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Lancaster County Central Park in Lancaster, PA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Lancaster, PA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Belvedere Inn or visit Historic Rock Ford, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Lancaster, PA

Benefits of Home Care in Lancaster, PA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Lancaster, PA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Lancaster, PA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your PA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Lancaster, PA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Lancaster, PA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Lancaster, PA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Lancaster, PA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • The Long Community at Highland
  • Paramount Senior Living Lancaster
  • Woodcrest Villa by Tandem Living
  • Magnolias of Lancaster
  • Legend of Lancaster
  • Evergreen Estates Retirement Community
Home Care Lancaster, PA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Lancaster, PA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Lancaster, PA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Lancaster, PA

Latest News in Lancaster, PA

New Lancaster City training center aims to help baseball and softball players improve

LANCASTER, Pa. —A new high-tech baseball and softball training facility is set to open by the end of October on the eastern end of Lancaster city, giving players a place to train with technology, turf and performance tools.Hearst OwnedWGALThe new baseball and softball training facility called By The Book Baseball will feature six 70-foot cages that can be split into two 35-foot cages, plus two 50-foot cages, a performance lab, an in-house physical therapist and a gym.Coach Ty Book said a mai...

LANCASTER, Pa. —

A new high-tech baseball and softball training facility is set to open by the end of October on the eastern end of Lancaster city, giving players a place to train with technology, turf and performance tools.

Hearst OwnedWGAL

The new baseball and softball training facility called By The Book Baseball will feature six 70-foot cages that can be split into two 35-foot cages, plus two 50-foot cages, a performance lab, an in-house physical therapist and a gym.

Coach Ty Book said a main goal is to help players improve with technology and proper mechanics.

"We have really done everything we can to give players everything they need to compete and get better," Book said. "It will be turf the whole way down. We can hit ground balls there. We can do pitching. We can do base running."

Hearst OwnedWGAL

The facility will use TrackMan and HitTrax technology, along with high-tech pitching machines.

Co-owner Matt Gephart, who operated Statcast technology at a professional level, said the data will give players a baseline to measure improvement.

"You'll start to have a baseline. After a few months, we'll be able to say, this is where you're starting from. And after that, it's all just relative data to how much you're improving," Gephart said.

"There's a lot of really good baseball organizations (in Lancaster County), and there's a lot of kids who want to get involved. This is just going to kind of add to that community now. And being centrally located in the city, I think is central for the county and central for a lot of kids," said co-owner Shane Specht.

Baseball is a family affair for the Books, spanning several generations. Coach Book played with his father, and now gets to coach his son, spreading his love for the sport with baseball and softball players in Lancaster County.

"I don't care if I never win another game as a coach. I do care if I have players get better because of this place," Book said. "My mission to create great players and better people and do that in this facility is really what drives me every day."

More Lancaster County municipalities adding rules regulating data centers [update]

The movement among Lancaster County municipalities to create local regulations governing the environmental impacts of data centers has intensified in recent months.Since June, four more municipalities have adopted rules, bringing the county-wide total to seven, according to LNP | LancasterOnline reports. In total, leaders in 19 municipalities have had discussions during public meetings about adding rules to their zoning ordinances in 2026.Most of them do not have any data centers proposed, but are setting protections in case on...

The movement among Lancaster County municipalities to create local regulations governing the environmental impacts of data centers has intensified in recent months.

Since June, four more municipalities have adopted rules, bringing the county-wide total to seven, according to LNP | LancasterOnline reports. In total, leaders in 19 municipalities have had discussions during public meetings about adding rules to their zoning ordinances in 2026.

Most of them do not have any data centers proposed, but are setting protections in case one comes in the future.

By adding rules on data centers to a local zoning ordinance, municipalities can limit them to certain areas and regulate impacts like noise, water usage and air quality. They can also require a public hearing before the local zoning hearing board or governing body, Penn State Adjunct Professor of Law Michael Helbing wrote in a recent essay.

“One of the most powerful tools a Pennsylvania municipality has is its authority over zoning under Pennsylvania’s Municipalities Planning Code,” Helbing wrote.

State law prohibits municipalities from having an outright ban on any legitimate land use. Municipalities that don’t allow data centers at all risk lawsuits from developers seeking to declare their zoning ordinance invalid. If successful, a substantive validity challenge would take away a municipality’s ability to control where a data center is located, officials from environmental nonprofit PennFuture wrote in an essay earlier this year.

Municipalities with no data center rules can temporarily pause any new validity challenges for up to 180 days to update their rules, through what’s known as a curative amendment. But that process doesn’t affect data center proposals that meet existing zoning regulations, according to PennFuture.

The Lancaster County Planning Commission recently created a guide for municipalities considering their own data center regulations.

“With increased demand for ‘cloud’ services, AI computing, and the growing digital economy comes an increased likelihood that data centers will be proposed in several Lancaster County municipalities. Local leaders must be proactive in planning for both new development and redevelopment of previously constructed facilities,” the report reads.

Do you know where your town stands? Check out the list below:

Ephrata Township’s rules, passed in May, allow data centers in the industrial zone with zoning hearing board approval. Restrictions include maximum noise levels and water usage. A decommissioning plan is required.

Lancaster city voted in July to limit data centers to the suburban manufacturing zone with a zoning hearing. While the rules do not apply to the Lancaster AI Hub data centers planned on Greenfield Road and Harrisburg Pike, many are similar to those in community benefits agreement between the projects’ developers and the city.

Manor Township’s ordinance, adopted last fall and updated in March, allows data centers on parcels of 30-plus acres in the township’s industrial district with zoning hearing board approval. It limits buildings to 40 feet in height and nighttime noise for neighboring properties to 65 A-weighted decibels, or dB(A) – roughly the volume of a normal conversation between people standing a few feet apart. The daytime limit is 70 dB(A).

Penn Township’s ordinance, passed in June, allows data centers in the limited commercial district with zoning hearing board approval. It includes setbacks from residential properties, noise limits and restrictions on water use. Developers must submit plans for things like noise, electronic waste disposal, thermal impacts and emergency response. Cooling systems must be closed-loop and cannot use well water.

Pequea Township adopted an ordinance in August limiting data centers to lots of 30-plus acres in the commercial and industrial zoning districts with public water and wastewater. Conditional use approval is required. Noise and vibration studies, annual air quality testing, 300 foot setbacks from homes and schools and reporting of the project’s energy needs are also required.

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Rapho Township approved rules July 16 that allow data centers in the industrial zone with a conditional use hearing. Centers must have public water and sewer service, and any liquid cooling systems must be closed-loop. Plans outlining water and energy usage, noise minimization, emergency response and electronic waste are required.

West Hempfield Township voted in September to allow data centers in the general industrial zoning district with conditional use approval from the township supervisors. Buildings are limited to 120,000 square feet – or 156,000 square feet if 75% is covered by a green roof – and prohibited within 1,000 feet of the nearest residential property line or agricultural building. A developer has inquired about putting a data center in that district, but no plans have been submitted. Sound studies and water conservation technology such as closed-loop cooling are required.

Columbia Borough voted in July to advance rules prohibiting data centers in the light business district, but is awaiting county planning commission review before a final vote. That district includes the McGinness Innovation Park, where a developer proposed a data center earlier this year. Additional rules were discussed in September, including limits on noise and water usage, and requirements for a conditional use hearing. Data centers are currently allowed in the light business, light industrial and general industrial districts with no other restrictions.

Drumore Township has drafted an ordinance which would limit centers to 100,000 square feet on lots 15 to 30 acres in the commercial-industrial zone with conditional use approval. It’s set to be reviewed by the township planning commission on Oct. 27.

East Cocalico Township voted in July to send planners a draft ordinance allowing data centers on parcels of at least 15 acres in the light industrial district with conditional use approval. Up to three 100,000-square-foot buildings would be allowed with closed-loop liquid cooling. Requirements include noise, vibration and power supply studies, and a decommissioning plan. Private water wells would not be allowed near township wells.

East Drumore Township forwarded an ordinance to the county and township planners for review in September, and expects to hold a public hearing on Nov. 5. It would limit data centers to 100,000 square feet on parcels of at least 10 acres in the industrial zone with conditional use approval.

Manheim Borough has proposed allowing data centers in the industrial and planned industrial/corporate center zoning districts with conditional use approval. It voted in August to send the ordinance to borough and county planners, and a final vote is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 27.

West Donegal Township voted in July to send planners an ordinance allowing data centers in the general industrial zone with zoning hearing board approval. Requirements include plans for noise, water usage, energy usage, emergency response, electronic waste and thermal impact. Centers wouldn’t be allowed within 200 feet of a residential property line. Using private wells for cooling would be prohibited.

Colerain Township’s planning commission is working on a data center ordinance that likely won’t be adopted until early 2027, according to Carmen B. Wiker, township secretary-treasurer.

East Hempfield Township started the process of adopting a curative amendment in September. The ordinance could come up for a vote as soon as December.

East Lampeter Township started the process of adopting a curative amendment in September.

Little Britain Township started the process of adopting a curative amendment in July. It is expected to be passed by January 2027.

Manheim Township voted in August to direct staff to draft a “stopgap” ordinance that would require conditional use approval in industrial zoning areas.

West Lampeter Township discussed data center regulations in July, with plans to adopt them at a future meeting.

How many jobs were added in Lancaster, PA area last month?

It gained 300 jobs in August 2026. Those figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ state and local employment report, which tracks monthly job changes. Job numbers can swing month to month as local economies expand or contract, but over the past five years the Lancaster, PA Metro Area has averaged about 338 new jobs per month. These figures are often revised in later months as more complete data rolls in.+300month to month change in number of jobs (August 2026)Source: Bureau of Labor StatisticsThe La...

It gained 300 jobs in August 2026. Those figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ state and local employment report, which tracks monthly job changes. Job numbers can swing month to month as local economies expand or contract, but over the past five years the Lancaster, PA Metro Area has averaged about 338 new jobs per month. These figures are often revised in later months as more complete data rolls in.

+300

month to month change in number of jobs (August 2026)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Lancaster, PA area job growth of 300 in August 2026 was smaller than the 600 jobs gained in July 2026.

During the latest five-year period (September 2021 to August 2026), the Lancaster, PA area gained jobs in 38 out of 60 months. August 2026 had the 25th-highest job growth during this period. The highest gains during this period occurred in February 2022 (+2,100) while job growth was weakest in February 2026 (-1,800).

Monthly change in nonfarm employment in the Lancaster, PA area

How has the Lancaster, PA area's job growth changed over time?

In 2025, the Lancaster, PA area has gained an average of 133 jobs every month. That's lower than the 2024 average monthly increase of 208. The 2025 average ranks as 14th-highest in job growth since 2007.

When excluding the two pandemic-affected years of 2020 and 2021, job growth ranged from a loss of 675 every month in 2009 to a gain of 700 every month in 2014.

Average monthly change in the number of jobs in the Lancaster, PA area, seasonally adjusted

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Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.

Edgar Allan Poe’s family story runs through Lancaster County

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. —Before Edgar Allan Poe became a literary legend, his family’s story passed through the Susquehanna Valley.From a wedding record in 1775 to stories that later appeared in a small-town newspaper, these connections show how local history can reach far beyond one community.One of the strongest local links is a marriage record at Saint James Episcopal Church in downtown Lancaster. The preserved church register shows David Poe married Elizabeth Kearns in 1775.The churc...

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. —

Before Edgar Allan Poe became a literary legend, his family’s story passed through the Susquehanna Valley.

From a wedding record in 1775 to stories that later appeared in a small-town newspaper, these connections show how local history can reach far beyond one community.

One of the strongest local links is a marriage record at Saint James Episcopal Church in downtown Lancaster. The preserved church register shows David Poe married Elizabeth Kearns in 1775.

The church today is not the same one where the couple was married. The building in 1775 would have looked very different.

“The church you see today is not the church where David and Elizabeth got married,” said Cordelia Moyse, official historian for the church. “This church would have looked very drab. It would have not had colored windows.”

Moyse said the wedding was performed by Thomas Barton, the rector at the time, who was better known as a Loyalist during the Revolution, in a church that included important patriots such as George Ross, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and the man for whom Lancaster's Ross neighborhood is named.

Mike Kaufhold, a former Penn Manor High School teacher and self-professed Poe expert, said Poe’s grandfather was a skilled wheelwright and likely learned the trade before moving away.

"He must have been skilled before he moved there because he took his apprenticeship here,” Kaufhold said.

He also said little is known about Elizabeth’s time in the area, other than that she was a skilled seamstress.

Poe also has an odd connection to John Wise, the Lancaster County balloonist. Kaufhold said Poe borrowed from Wise’s factual account of crossing the Atlantic and turned it into a balloon hoax story.

“Poe sort of pirated his story," Kaufhold said. "Through that hoax, the story sold four times as many newspapers as before.”

Another connection came through Poe’s work for the Columbia Spy newspaper as a correspondent while he lived in New York.

“They wanted to make the newspaper more widely read, and they knew Poe was the guy,” Kaufhold said.

Kaufhold said Poe has often been reduced to a dark image.

“Even with Poe teaching high school, all the kids simply knew about him was he was this dark man who wrote about death and destruction,” he said. “I don’t think he’s ever been given his due.”

He said he feels empathy for Poe because of the struggles he faced throughout his life.

“I have great empathy for him in that respect,” he said.

For some, these kinds of discoveries create a personal connection to place.

“So, when people move to a new community, I think it has to do with connection and how they can find connection to that new community that they’re moving into,” said Linda Eberly, vice president of the Mt. Joy Historical Society. "When they hear about someone who was so famous, such as Edgar Allan Poe, and say, oh, wow, he is part of this community that I’ve moved into, it gives people that connection to their community.”

“Even where we have disagreements, we sort of recover people’s humanity by engaging with their story,” Moyse said. “Like Barton. Like the Poes. We realize that we’re all part of a community — not just past, it's present and future.”

Gnats on pastries, and other Lancaster County restaurant inspections for Sept. 14-20

The state inspected the following food establishments in Lancaster County. To find more restaurant safety information, view full inspection reports, and sign up for real-time text or email alerts for specific restaurants or locations, visit Spotlight PA’s Restaurant Safety Tracker.The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture produces retail food inspection reports for 61 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties using the FDA Model Food Code. Inspections are conducted regularly throughout the state, and results are posted as inspections are c...

The state inspected the following food establishments in Lancaster County. To find more restaurant safety information, view full inspection reports, and sign up for real-time text or email alerts for specific restaurants or locations, visit Spotlight PA’s Restaurant Safety Tracker.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture produces retail food inspection reports for 61 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties using the FDA Model Food Code. Inspections are conducted regularly throughout the state, and results are posted as inspections are conducted. As noted by the Department of Agriculture, inspections are a “snapshot” of a particular day. Many violations are relatively minor and are fixed at the time of inspection.

Facilities with violations:

Giant Food #60651360 Columbia Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603Sept. 14, 2026

1 moderate priority violation

Know before you go

Look up inspection data for any PA retail food facility by name, city, or ZIP — and get alerts when new reports are published.

Facilities with no violations:

This post was automatically generated with data from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s database of Food Safety Inspections for Retail Facilities. We have also labeled violations as high, moderate, or low priority. These categories align directly with priority levels identified in the FDA Food Code: Priority, Priority Foundation, and Core.

Priority items contribute directly to the elimination, prevention, or reduction to an acceptable level of hazards associated with foodborne illness or injury, such as handwashing, food handling, and temperature control, or other direct food contamination threats, such as rodents or pests. We noted violations of priority items as high priority.

Priority foundation items support, facilitate, or enable control of risk factors that contribute to foodborne illness or injury, such as personnel training, labeling, and record-keeping. We noted violations of priority foundation items as moderate priority.

Core items usually relate to standard operating procedures, facility structures, equipment design, or general maintenance. We noted violations of core items as low priority.

To read the full inspection reports, you can visit: pafoodsafety.pa.gov/web/inspection/publicinspectionsearch.aspx

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This website publishes news articles that contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The non-commercial use of these news articles for the purposes of local news reporting constitutes "Fair Use" of the copyrighted materials as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law.

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