Here are some commonly asked questions about Personal Care Homes:
Q: What is a personal care home?
A: A personal care home is a residence that provides
shelter, meals, supervision and assistance with personal care tasks, typically
for older people, or people with physical, behavioral health, or cognitive
disabilities who are unable to care for themselves but do not need nursing home
or medical care. PCHs are inspected and licensed by the Pennsylvania Department
of Public Welfare. They are usually privately or corporate-owned, although some are operated
by local governments or non-profit agencies. In Pennsylvania, homes may be
licensed to care for as few as four people and as many as several hundred.
Q: What is the difference between a personal care home, an assisted living facility, and a
skilled nursing facility?
A: A personal
care home provides care to residents on an as needed basis and focuses on
community integration and maintaining a comfortable level of independence. Care
is limited to activities of daily living such as bathing, toileting, grooming,
medication administraion and other hygienic needs. Personal care homes do not provide any skilled nursing care. PA is currently completing work on developing regulations for a new category of care, Assisted Living. In the past, assisted living and personal care were considered one and the same, but the new regulations will allow for the assisted living facilities to provide higher levels of care while keeping people in a non-skilled setting. This change will not effect the type of care provided by personal care homes in any way. Skilled nursing facilities
are for individuals who require ongoing medical care and a higher level of
assistance with daily living tasks. This may include such things as
catheter, colostomy and ostomy care, wound care, and special medical treatments.
For residents who are fairly independent and require a low level of nursing
care, Serenity Pines does subcontract with home health and hospice agencies who
care for such residents in our home. This helps with continuity of care and
allows the resident to remain in their home longer, possibly avoiding
rehabilitation at a different facility or nursing home.
Q: How do I know which home is the right choice for me?
A: Choosing a
residence is a very personal and important choice that should not be made
lightly. Consider the following when choosing the right personal care home for
you:
Location
Size
Proximity to
family, friends, amenities
Cost
Services
provided
Value of
services offered vs. the cost of those services
Staff
qualifications and character
Comfort of the
home-do you prefer city living, country living, or something in
between?
How does the staff treat the
residents? How do they treat you?
Does it sound too good to be
true? Make sure you really understand what services will and will not be
provided.
Is there a slick sales pitch or
pressure to decide? A reputable home will not pressure you and will make sure
the potential resident is truly a good fit for the services
provided.
Q: How much does it cost? Why don't you pay for my medications or insurance?
A: Costs vary
depending on the level of care needed and the type of room selected. Private and
semi-private rooms are available. All utilities are included except for private
telephone, internet and cable services in the resident's rooms. Room rates also
include costs for food, daily living services, activities, assessments, and the
like. Additional fees apply for laundry services, haircuts and
subcontracted services, which are paid directly to the vendor. Residents are
also responsible for the costs of their medical care and
prescription copayments, or any other items not provided for by the home. Just as the resident would be responsible for their own insurance and medications while living at home, they are also responsible for the cost while in a facility. PCHs are not reimbursed by Medicare or Medicaid, as a skilled nursing facility would be, therefore we do not cover the cost of these expenses. Fees are subject to change at any time. Please call
412-628-6866 for a quote based on your individual needs.
Q: Can I still live independently or do I have to live by
your rules?
A: Although
Serenity Care maintains certain house rules, these are guidelines to assure the
health and safety of each resident and to prevent resident rights from being
violated. You are free to come and go as you please within the guidelines of the
residence and based on your abilities, enjoy any activities in the community as you wish, and visit friends
and family as you choose. We support your wish to live independently and will
intervene only when there is a health or safety issue to a resident or staff
member. We also require our guests to follow the prescribed rules for health and
safety reasons.
Q: Can I bring my personal possessions? What about my
pets?
A: Yes, you may
bring your personal possessions to create a more comfortable and familiar living
environment. All rooms are fully furnished with comfortable appointments.
Residents wishing to use their own furniture may do so. Residents may not store
large amounts of furniture or clothing at the facility due to limited space. We
love pets! Although pets cannot live with you at the Serenity Care residences
due to health and safety reasons, we encourage them to visit you on a regular
basis. Regular contact with pets has been shown to reduce blood pressure and
increase a person's well-being, and we encourage this. Owners must provide
documentation of current vaccinations and licenses for visiting
pets. |
FAQ |