Home & Community

It is possible to bring your loved one home after residing in a Skilled Nursing Facility.  The Nursing Home Transition program was developed to assist consumers who wish to return home after residing in a Nursing facility. Many people don’t realize that they may be able to receive long-term community supports at home.

Home care can be the perfect solution when caregivers and support are needed following a critical illness, hospital admission or rehabilitative stay in a facility. Individuals can receive personalized hands on care to maintain independence and dignity in their own home. These services are referred to as Home and Community Based Services, also known as waiver funded services. HCBS provides for supports and services beyond those covered by the standard Medicaid programs to foster independence and personal choice.

To determine eligibility for HCBS Services, individuals must apply through the independent enrollment broker. You can contact them by calling 877-550-4227, or going to www.paieb.com. Once benefits are determined and confirmed, your loved one can transition from the Nursing facility to their own home, with the appropriate supportive home care required for their individual needs.

Financing home care is a common problem for many families.  These services may be provided and paid for in multiple ways.  Available options include private insurance, personal assets, veteran’s benefits, or for those who qualify, benefits may be fully paid for through Medicare and Medicaid. In Pennsylvania, potential participants and families may learn more by searching for resources at www.dhs.pa.gov.  .

accessAbilities offers a host of home and community-based programs which provide assistance with all activities of daily living.  At accessAbilities, we provide customized care for each participant based on their needs, not just a cookie cutter plan.  We understand your need to insure the highest quality of service for your loved one. We are happy to assist you with navigating the process of applying for in home care benefits. Additionally, if you or another family member is the primary caregiver for a loved one, you can be paid for the supportive care you provide. Individuals, who receive benefits through the PA Department of Human Services, are able to choose who their caregiver will be. Family members can complete accessAbilities hiring process in order to become a trained, paid caregiver.  For more information, or to discuss becoming a paid caregiver, contact us at 724-832-8272 or visit our website at www.accessAbilities.org.

Aging in place describes the ability of an individual to remain in their home and community during the aging process. This is the opposite of institutional care, such as a Skilled Nursing Facility. Assistance can be provided in one’s own home – by family, agency staff, or a combination of both. In some cases, participants need just a bit more help to remain independent. This type of person centered care is the focus of our mission at accessAbilities.    We are able to provide a qualified caregiver to provide the assistance, and that extra safety net needed to help individuals remain at home.

Starting the conversation

Choose the appropriate time and place to talk to your parents about getting help. As the old saying goes, timing is everything. Make an effort to focus on independence and list the advantages of having assistance. Explain why hiring a caregiver is a way for your parent to maintain their lifestyle in their own home and community. Paint a visual picture for them. Has your loved one fallen recently? Are there community activities she really enjoys? Is the laundry area harder to reach these days?  Would assistance mean that Mom is able to get out and do her shopping as she once did? Illustrating the situation can be very effective in beginning the conversation. Once the conversation begins, remember to mitigate any fears she has.  Fear is a common reaction when considering assistance in the home. Things such as a loss of independence, dignity, control and financial worries are typical. The presence of an outsider in one’s home can make a person feel extremely vulnerable. Take this into consideration, and respond with empathy rather than frustration. Take the time to realize that your own emotions may be impacting the conversation and increasing resistance.

Choosing a Caregiver

First, recognize your parents’ need to make their own decisions and remain in control of their lives. As people age, limits are often placed on their autonomy due to illness, lack of resources, and the quality of their family relations. It is important to consult your siblings, and if possible, to agree on one course to follow. Families working together make these choices simpler for everyone. This action will reassure your parents and help them to know you all may be depended upon. As health challenges arise, be sure to educate yourselves. Be aware of your parents’ diagnoses, their medications, and physical needs.

Initially, small changes and adjustments with a bit of assistance from family may be all that is needed. If more assistance is required, a qualified home care agency can provide services that will bridge the gap and insure safety and continued quality of life in their home.