Chester County Senior Care

Assisted Living and Personal Care Communities

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.

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 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.

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.

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

Non medical home care 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.

Senior Real Estate Specialists  utilize the expertise of a network of senior specialists, such as transition specialists, CPAs, and elder care lawyers.  They are familiar with local community resources and services.  Their mission is to help seniors and their families navigate the maze of financial, legal and emotional issues that accompany the sale of the home.  They will provide ease and guide you every step of the way.  Senior Real Estate Specialists will provide options that are best for you and your loved ones.

Are you a senior in need of help selling your home or purchasing one?  Call a Senior Real Estate Specialist today.