Montgomery County Senior Resource Directory

Adult day centers offer structured programs that include social interaction, activities, personal care and some nursing services.  Adult day services are a good option for people who wish to remain at home (or with a family member) and who need safety supervision or assistance with personal care.

Most adult day centers provide a light breakfast and a full lunch.  Transportation is often provided by the center or arrangements are made with county transit.

While programming differs between adult day centers, in general, you can expect to find a variety of activities for your family member, including entertainers, crafts, word games and physical activities.  Many centers will provide activities customized for your family member, so that he or she can engage at a cognitive level that is both stimulating and comfortable.

Most adult day programs open early in the day and stay open until early evening. Some programs also offer half-days and/or weekend options.

In general, a full day of adult day care is less than $100 per day, making this type of service one of the most affordable options for families.

Assisted Living and Personal Care Communities provide 24 hour supervision, personal care assistance, meals and healthcare services in a home-like setting. Services include assistance with eating, bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, taking medicine, transportation, laundry and housekeeping. In addition, therapeutic social and recreational activities are also provided, making assisted living and personal care services excellent choices for people who enjoy active socialization that they may not be able to obtain in a home environment.

In Pennsylvania most homes that call themselves Assisted Living are in fact Personal Care Homes. While the services provided are largely similar, homes that are licensed in Pennsylvania as Assisted Living homes are subject to more regulation and are eligible to receive Medicaid funding (although that funding has yet to be paid, it exists legally). Personal care homes are less regulated, tend to have a lower (required) staffing ratio and are not eligible to receive Medicaid. There are very few licensed Assisted Living residences in Pennsylvania. This is important to recognize because there is a great deal of variation in the type of care provided, how they provide it and how much it will cost.

If you would like to have Slutsky Elder Law review a long term care policy please contact us at (610) 940-0650 to set up a consultation.

Care Managers, sometimes called Geriatric Care Managers or Aging Life Care Professionals, work with families to arrange care and problem solve when family members cannot be there.  They are client advocates who provide education and coaching to family members.

Care managers generally have experience and training in one or more types of human services, for example, social work, nursing or gerontology.  They encourage clients to be as independent as possible, while remaining safe.  In addition, care managers serve as a resource and connector across the entire spectrum of care. A Care Manager can help connect families with services that are appropriate for their physical, financial, and emotional needs. Great care should be taken in selecting a care manager with whom you wish to work with and have as your advocate.

Home health agencies provide skilled care services to people in their own homes. Home health agencies generally provide short-term care and generally provide skilled nursing services, physical therapy and occupational therapy. Home health aides may also be referred by home health agencies. Many home health agencies provide services that are covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Others provide private pay services or services that are reimbursed by insurance companies.

Palliative care is often confused with hospice care. Palliative care is for a patient with a chronic illness who can continue to receive curative treatments. Hospice care is for a patient with a terminal illness who has chosen to forgo curative treatments. Choosing hospice care means choosing not to aggressively treat the condition that is likely to cause death; however, it does not mean the hospice patient gets no medical care. Relief of pain is a major focus of hospice care. Hospice and palliative care benefits are available through most health insurance plans including Medicare, Medicaid and most private plans.
The following is the definition of hospice care from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization:
Hospice care is for people facing a life-limiting illness or injury. Hospice care involves a team-oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patients’ needs and wishes. Support is provided to the patient’s loved ones as well.
The following is the definition of palliative care from the World Health Organization:
Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psycho-social and spiritual.

Hospice and Palliative Care:

• Provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms;
• Affirms life and regards dying as a normal process;
• Intends neither to hasten nor postpone death;
• Integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care;
• Offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death;
• Offers a support system to help the family cope during the patient’s illness and in their own bereavement;
• Strives to enhance the quality of life, and may also positively influence the course of the illness.

To choose hospice means choosing to not aggressively treat the condition that is likely to cause death, however, it does not mean the hospice patient gets no medical care. Relief of pain is a major focus of hospice care.

Hospice benefits are available through most health insurance plans including Medicare, Medicaid and most private plans.

Home medical equipment (HME) companies, or Durable Medical Equipment (DME) companies,  provide a variety of devices for people who need care, assistance or support at home.   Many of these items will be covered by Medicare or private insurance.  Check with the home medical equipment company to find out what they provide and payment options. The equipment provided varies from company to company, but common items include:

• Bedpans
• Catheters
• Colostomy bags
• Crutches
• Diabetic Shoes
• Feeding tubes
• Glucose meters
• Heating pads
• Hospital beds
• Infusion pumps
• Lift chairs
• Nasal cannulas
• Nebulizers
• Pill splitters
• Walkers
• Ventilators
• Wheelchairs

Important Agencies in Montgomery County

Federal Agencies

Non-medical home care  companies provide caregivers who help with personal care (bathing, dressing, assistance using the bathroom), ambulation and transfers, light housekeeping, meal preparation, shopping and friendly companionship.  Agencies offer services on an hourly or live-in basis.  Home care may be covered by long term care insurance or is paid for privately.  Veterans and their families may also receive coverage through the service person’s veterans benefits.

A Seniors Real Estate Specialist (or SRES) is a realtor who is uniquely qualified to assist seniors in housing sales and purchases.  The SRES distinction is awarded only to realtors who have successfully completed a series of educational courses on how to help seniors and their families with later-in-life real estate transactions.

Find Senior Care Centers located in Montgomery County.

Find Short-Term Geri- Psychiatric Units located in Montgomery County.

Skilled Nursing facilities provide a high level of medical care or treatment that can only be done by licensed nurses and by trained individuals, such as physical, speech, and occupational therapists.  These services can be necessary over the short term for rehabilitation from an illness or injury, or they may be required over the long term for patients who need care on a frequent or around-the-clock basis due to a chronic medical condition.  Examples of skilled nursing services include wound care, intravenous (IV) therapy, injections, physical therapy, and monitoring of vital signs and medical equipment.

Location is very important. Is the nursing home close enough for family and friends to be able to visit regularly?

The most important step is to visit more than once and look around. Are residents clean, well groomed, and dressed appropriately for the season and time of day? Are they involved in activities? Are staff friendly, helpful, and respectful? Is the home clean and free of odors? Do residents seem happy?

Go at different times of the day. Visit first thing in the morning and at mealtimes. Do residents seem to enjoy their meals? Is there help for residents who cannot eat on their own? If possible, eat a meal at the facility. Talk to staff, residents, and families to find out what they think of the facility.

If you would like to have Slutsky Elder Law review a long term care policy please contact us at (610) 940-0650 to set up a consultation.

Senior Transition Specialists are holistic people who look at the whole person and help them with all the steps of transitioning. Some of the areas they work through with seniors are:
– Figuring out their finances.
– Working with CPS’s or financial advisors to develop a plan for the future.
– Going to the lawyer to get a will, Power of Attorney and Durable Healthcare Power of Attorney in order.
– Visiting houses of family, apartments, other houses, CCRC’s, Assisted Living or other locations to find the best fit.
– Do the comparison of living locations.
– Help with the paperwork to get accepted in a location.
– Figure out furniture and help get you downsized.
– Work with the movers.
– Make sure seniors are welcomed in your new location.
– Many other things that come up along the way.

Auctioneers work with seniors in need of downsizing and/or liquidation of their estate. They can assist with coordinating estate sales and online auctions.