Philadelphia families looking for hospital options during a dementia-related crisis can start with the acute-care hospitals below, then ask each facility about geriatric or memory-related services and discharge planning. For neighborhood context and in-home options, see our Philadelphia care guide.
Why hospital planning matters for Philadelphia families facing dementia
Hospital planning matters for Philadelphia families facing dementia because an emergency visit or inpatient stay can be harder when memory, thinking, or daily-function problems are already present.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia and can affect memory, thinking, and the ability to carry out daily activities, according to the CDC overview of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
A hospital can treat an acute problem. It does not automatically replace the supervision, personal help, and familiar routines many people need after they go home.
Hospitals serving Philadelphia
Philadelphia is served by several acute-care hospitals that CMS lists with overall star ratings, ownership type, emergency services, addresses, and phone numbers.
CMS hospital listings do not say whether a facility has a dedicated memory, dementia, or geriatric unit. Use the contacts below as a starting point, then confirm services and dementia-informed discharge planning directly with the hospital. Listing a hospital here is not a claim that it operates a memory unit, and it is not an endorsement of any home-care provider.
Hospital of Univ of Pennsylvania. Acute care hospital at 3400 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Phone (215) 662-6289. CMS lists this facility as voluntary non-profit - private ownership, with emergency services and a CMS overall rating of 5 out of 5. See the Medicare Care Compare profile for Hospital of Univ of Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia VA Medical Center. Acute care - Veterans Administration hospital at 3900 Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Phone (215) 823-5857. CMS lists veterans health administration ownership, emergency services, and a CMS overall rating of 5 out of 5. See the Medicare Care Compare profile for Philadelphia VA Medical Center.
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. Acute care hospital at 51 North 39th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Phone (215) 662-8000. CMS lists this facility as voluntary non-profit - other ownership, with emergency services and a CMS overall rating of 4 out of 5. See the Medicare Care Compare profile for Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.
Pennsylvania Hospital. Acute care hospital at 800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Phone (215) 829-3000. CMS lists this facility as voluntary non-profit - private ownership, with emergency services and a CMS overall rating of 4 out of 5. See the Medicare Care Compare profile for Pennsylvania Hospital.
Temple University Hospital. Acute care hospital at 3401 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140. Phone (215) 707-2000. CMS lists this facility as voluntary non-profit - private ownership, with emergency services and a CMS overall rating of 4 out of 5. See the Medicare Care Compare profile for Temple University Hospital.
Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital. Acute care hospital at 5501 Old York Road, Philadelphia, PA 19141. Phone (215) 456-6090. CMS lists this facility as voluntary non-profit - other ownership, with emergency services and a CMS overall rating of 3 out of 5. See the Medicare Care Compare profile for Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital.
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Acute care hospital at 111 South 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Phone (215) 955-6000. CMS lists this facility as voluntary non-profit - private ownership, with emergency services and a CMS overall rating of 3 out of 5. See the Medicare Care Compare profile for Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Jefferson Health- Northeast. Acute care hospital at 10800 Knights Road, Philadelphia, PA 19114. Phone (215) 612-4000. CMS lists this facility as voluntary non-profit - private ownership, with emergency services and a CMS overall rating of 2 out of 5. See the Medicare Care Compare profile for Jefferson Health- Northeast.
How to ask about memory units and dementia discharge planning
Families should ask each hospital whether it has a dedicated memory, dementia, or geriatric unit and how it plans discharge for a patient with dementia, because CMS does not publish that unit-level information.
Useful questions include whether staff are experienced with confusion or wandering, who coordinates follow-up appointments, how medications will be explained to caregivers, and whether the discharge plan assumes someone can provide supervision at home. Ask for the care-management or social-work contact before the discharge day if you can.
If a stay is already underway, hospital discharge care can help bridge the first days at home while you confirm what the hospital can and cannot provide.