Allentown Senior AdvisorWhat is South Mountain Memory Care in Emmaus licensed to provide?
South Mountain Memory Care is a personal care home at 201 South Seventh Street, Emmaus 18049, licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services under 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600 for up to 28 residents, including a secured dementia care unit for up to 28 residents; DHS lists it as license #227210, licensed on a full license running to September 17, 2027.
| Record | DHS data |
|---|---|
| DHS license number | 227210 |
| License category | Personal care home (PCH) |
| Regulation | 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600 |
| Maximum capacity | 28 |
| License type | Full |
| Status | Licensed |
| Current license period | 09/17/2026 to 09/17/2027 |
| Dementia unit (from the certificate) | Secure Dementia Care Unit, 28 residents |
| Operation (DHS) | For-profit |
| Legal entity on the license | South Mountain Memory Care Llc |
| County | Lehigh County |
A personal care home provides housing, meals, supervision and help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing and medications; it may not provide ongoing skilled nursing with its own staff.
What did DHS inspectors find at South Mountain Memory Care?
DHS has posted 23 licensing inspection reports for South Mountain Memory Care, 3 reports in the last 24 months, the newest dated August 19, 2026; the latest report we could read in full, from August 19, 2026, lists 6 violations.
| Report date | Violations | 55 Pa. Code sections cited | DHS report |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08/19/2026 | 6 | 2600.17 Record Confidentiality, 2600.65 Training Record, 2600.105 Lint Removal and Duct Cleaning, 2600.231 Medical Evaluation, 2600.233 Electronic/Magnetic System, 2600.234 Support Plan Needs Elements | |
| 10/02/2025 | 5 | 2600.82 Poisonous Materials, 2600.103 Outdated Food, 2600.185 Implement Storage Procedures, 2600.187 Medication Record, 2600.233 Key-Locking Devices | |
| 01/29/2025 | 0 | No violations cited | |
| 10/01/2024 | Report posted (not parsed) | — |
That is more than the Lehigh Valley median of 2 for a latest report.
The cover letter's conclusion reads: “we have determined that your submitted plan of correction is fully implemented.”
How often has DHS visited South Mountain Memory Care?
DHS's posted history for South Mountain Memory Care runs back to 2018, with the most reports in 2022 (4); the 3 reports from the last 24 months are dated 08/19/2026, 10/02/2025, 01/29/2025.
Some reports are renewal inspections and others follow complaints or check a plan of correction; open the PDFs to see which.
Does South Mountain Memory Care have a secured dementia unit?
Yes: its DHS certificate allows 28 of its 28 residents (100%) to live in a secured dementia care unit under 55 Pa. Code 2600.231.
Ask whether unit staff are permanently assigned and how many are on duty overnight.
How does South Mountain Memory Care compare with nearby personal care homes?
On DHS's numbers, its 28-resident capacity is below the Lehigh Valley median of 72; it has 3 DHS reports in 24 months against a median of 5, and the nearest other licensed home is Abode Care of Allentown in Allentown, about 3.3 miles away.
- Abode Care of Allentown, Allentown: 3.3 mi, capacity 117
- Abode Care of Allentown, Allentown: 3.3 mi, capacity 35
- Devonhouse Senior Living, Allentown: 3.3 mi, capacity 100
- Legacy Place Cottages, Allentown: 3.3 mi, capacity 48, unit 18
Which hospitals are closest to South Mountain Memory Care?
The nearest acute-care hospital in CMS's data is Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest, about 3.3 miles away in a straight line, followed by Lehigh Valley Hospital–Macungie at about 4.8 miles.
CMS gives Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest an overall hospital rating of 4 of 5.
What should families ask South Mountain Memory Care before signing?
These questions follow from what the state's own data shows:
- May we see the plan of correction for the 08/19/2026 report (sections 2600.17, 2600.65, 2600.105)?
- How many staff are on the dementia unit on each shift, and how many hours of dementia training have they completed this year?
- What does the monthly rate include, and what does each level of care add in writing?
- How many direct care staff work each shift, including overnight?
- What would make South Mountain Memory Care unable to keep a resident whose needs grow?
- Do you accept residents who receive SSI with the personal care home supplement, and how many such residents live here?
- Which pharmacy supplies medications, and how are changes from doctors handled?
DHS records: inspection history · certificate history
