General Questions asked about Personal Care:

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You may have some questions regarding personal care. 

 

Below, we've provided answers to some of the most common questions. 

 

Should you have questions that are not answered here,

please feel free to contact us at 412-664-1000.

 

What is the difference between a nursing home and a personal care home? 

 

Nursing homes are licensed medical facilities that are inspected and licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. They must meet both state and federal standards. There are third party reimbursement mechanisms for services--Medicare and Medicaid. 

 

Personal care homes are residential facilities that offer personal care services, assistance and supervision to 4 or more persons who are not relatives of the operator and who need and receive personal care services. They are licensed in the Commonwealth through the Department of Public Welfare.

 

Does Medicare pay for care in a personal care home?

 

No, they dont. A personal care home is paid for from the residents private funds. Some individuals may qualify for money from the Veterans Administration for care in a personal care home and some long term care policies can also assist. 

 

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE / VETERAN'S BENEFITS

 

Veteran's Aid and Attendance Benefits

If you are a U.S. veteran,you may be eligible to receive up to $1,911 per month to help pay for personal care such as assisted living. or the surviving spouse of a veteran, up to $1228. This benefit is a federal benefit provided through the Department of Veteran's Affairs. 

 

For more information about veteran's benefits for long-term care, visit the U.S. Veteran's Affairs website at: http://www.va.gov/VBA 

 

There are also advisors and attorneys that are knowledgeable about the Aid & Attendance program & financial requirements & allowances. 

 

There is no charge to fill out Veteran's paperwork. 

Advisors & attorneys can only charge for other financial or legal services provided.

The Palms also assists in filling out Veteran's paperwork for it's residents at no charge.

 

See our tab for Veterans on the main menu.

 

For more on  Long Term Care Insurance please visit http://www.longtermcareinsurance.org/ 

 

 Medical Tax Deductions

 

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides a deduction for medical expenses -- including the cost of care in a nursing home, personal care home, assisted living community or similar institution -- if the primary reason for being there is to get medical care. IRS Publication 501 (PDF download) defines a typical situation as one in which an individual is unable to perform at least two activities of daily living (eating, bathing, dressing, etc.) without assistance from another individual. 

 

Family members can also pitch in toward the cost of residential long-term care and take advantage of the IRS gift tax exemption. Consultation with a tax professional is strongly advised before making financial decisions. 

 

For information about equity loans and reverse mortgages, visit the U.S. Housing and Urban Development website at: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD 

 

 

 

Must I surrender all of my assets in order to be cared for by The Palms at O'Neil?

 

No. You will only be billed for the care and services you receive. 

 

Do the fees cover everything?

 

In general, our daily rate covers minimum & moderate level of care and services provided by us. They do not cover physician visits, cost of medications, transportation, telephone, or cable, personal laundry or other outside or optional services. It is possible that your insurance may cover professional healthcare services. We  have a rate schedule for a breakdown of fees and covered services.

 

Do personal care homes have to hire licensed staff? 

 

Many personal care homes do employ doctors, registered nurses, certified nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses to assist in service provision for the residents, but it is not a requirement. The Palms does have a Registered Nurse Director of Nursing and Certified Medication Technicians on staff to provide the best quality of care in a residential setting.

 

 

Are personal care homes regulated and controlled?

 

Yes. All personal care homes are licensed by the State of Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. Personal care homes also meet state and local health, fire and safety standards.

 

 

About the Move-In

 

Change can be challenging. The time it takes to transition is different for everyone. The keys to success are preparation, a positive attitude, a supportive network of family and friends, along with patience and understanding—all will prepare you for a smooth transition.

Our team will help make the transition process as smooth as possible. We understand that this process can be extremely overwhelming to residents and family members alike.

 

What To Bring To Your New Home

 

Decide which personal items to bring, such as furniture, keepsakes, and photographs. Bringing some of these items will make adjustment easier for new residents.

 

The Palms provides a single bed, dresser, nightstand with lamp and chair.

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Please bring about 2 weeks worth of seasonal appropriate clothing. Please mark all items with resident name, even if family will be doing laundry.  Clothing should be changed out by the family according to the season.

• Pants, slacks, shorts

• Shirts, blouses

• Undergarments

• Socks

• Rubber soled shoes (preferably sneakers)

• Pajamas/Night Wear

• Coat, jacket, or sweater

• Book, pictures, writing supplies

• Toiletries

• Glasses / Hearing aids / Dentures 

• Incontinence products (Briefs, Pull-ups, Flushable wipes)

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• What Not to Bring With You:

• Money

• Valuables (jewelry, watches, etc)

• Electronics

• Irreplaceable family mementos

• Original copies of important personal papers

 

Residents may wish to utilize their own furniture and are welcome to do so. Please notify us if you will be bringing your own furniture, and if you do not require the use of any of our furniture, or just some pieces.

 

We encourage you to bring whatever furnishings will make you feel comfortable in your new home.Make it look homey and have several items of importance and familiarity in the apartment on the move-in day. Items like: 

pillows,  afghan blankets, quilts on the bed and/or couch, family photos on the wall or in a scrapbook, a favorite chair,  are some examples of things that can be helpful in trying to create a warm, familiar environment. 

 

For those possessions that you can’t part with but aren’t sure that you want to bring with you, consider putting those items in a storage unit or asking family to temporarily store the items for you. This way you will have time to determine which items are important to have with you at your new home.

 

You should start packing well in advance of the actual move. Sort through your clothes and decide what you will need and how much your new closets will hold. Be sure to look at available closet and dresser space to avoid bringing more than the closets can hold. Avoid bringing too many of one thing such as coats.

 

Residents are welcome to have small refrigerators within their room for convience.  The Palms does NOT permit any  microwaves, coffee pots, or heating elements of any kind.

 

Residents who are using their own mattresses must have a fire-retardant mattress cover per state regulations.

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Medications and Medicated products, including Cough Drops, Nasal Sprays, Laxatives or other Over the Counter products are NOT permitted in the Resident's room without prior Physician written approval, an assessment done by the Director of Nursing at The Palms and installing a secured lock box.

 

For more move-in information, click the Move-In Checklist & Frequently Asked Questions buttons on the top right of this page.

 

Making the Emotional Transition

 

Moving is hard. It can make anyone feel overwhelmed and stressed. However, these feelings are generally temporary and disappear after you establish your own routine. Give it time and you will adjust, said one resident. In talking with other residents, you will find many of them felt the same way. Some residents found comfort in talking with clergy. Others found comfort in talking to a neighbor or close friend.

 

Residents say the best strategy is to stay busy, introduce yourself to other residents, and participate in the activities. It is normal to have a tendency to stay in your apartment at first. Yet, getting out and meeting other residents as well as participating in activities were repeatedly identified as the quickest ways to become comfortable with your new surroundings.

 

Everyone is different. Some people embrace the move with open arms, while for others it may not be as easy. Whatever your feelings, current residents say these feelings are normal. Give yourself time to adjust. If you feel you are taking longer to adjust than what you consider normal, then you might benefit from discussing your concerns and feelings with the administrator or director of the residence.

 

Advice for Friends and Family Members

 

Current residents advise friends and family members to be involved before, during, and after the move. Your loved one does not want to be seen or treated differently now that they live in an senior living residence. Remember, your family member or friend hasnt changed; its only their home address that has changed.

 

Be aware. Family members and close friends often experience the same emotions as a new resident. These emotions are natural and to be expected.