Home-Based Services

Home-based care enables the person to maintain independence; to remain in a familiar setting; and to maintain optimum control over his or her own well-being.

A wide variety of services are available to help create a safe and manageable situation, supporting a person’s ability to remain at home, including:

Home-delivered meals
Personal care, including dressing and bathing
Additional home support services
Nursing care
Companionship
Physical and occupational therapy
Home modifications
Transportation to healthcare providers
Adult day services

Some additional services are available through the Family Caregiver Support Program.

Getting the Care You Need
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging can help older Philadelphians and their families determine what is needed to enable them to remain in their homes. The process begins with a phone call to the PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040. Following a telephone interview, an assessment worker may be scheduled to visit the home. The assessment worker will talk with the individual to determine the level and types of care needed, the individual's resources, whether there is any cost involved, and the options available.

Among the options for home-based care:

Services Funded Through PCA
There are two options for receiving services funded through PCA:

• The individual may be eligible for services at no cost through the Pennsylvania Department of Aging's Waiver  Program.
• The individual may choose to receive services through Philadelphia Corporation for Aging's Options Program. These services are provided on a sliding fee scale, according to ability to pay.

Eligibility for PCA-funded services is based both on the individual’s need for care, and on ability to pay for services. There are formulas that take into consideration income, assets and expenses, to determine on a case-by-case basis whether a person is eligible to receive services at no cost; on a sliding scale; or on a personal pay basis.
To determine eligibility, please contact the PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040

Services Through a Living Independently for Elders (LIFE) Program
The individual may choose to pay to receive services through one of the LIFE Programs. To be eligible, an individual must be over 55 years of age; require nursing facility level of care services; and live in one of the LIFE programs' service delivery areas. To find out more, contact the PCA Helpline at 214-765-9040.

There are currently three LIFE Programs in Philadelphia, each of which serves a designated geographic area. Following are the centers and service areas, by zip code:

University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing LIFE Program
Phone: 215-573-6691     Website: www.LIFEUPENN.org
Zip codes served: 19103, 19104, 19121, 19130, 19131, 19139, 19142, 19143, 19151, 19153

St. Agnes LIFE Program
Phone: 215-339-4747     Website: http://www.mercyhealth.org/stagnes/
Zip codes served: 19106, 19107, 19123, 19125, 19134, 19137, 19145, 19146, 19147, 19148

New Courtland LIFE Program
Phone: 267-335-1500     Website:  http://www.newcourtlandlife.org/
Zip codes served: 19118, 19119, 19120, 19126, 19127, 19128, 19129, 19132, 19138, 19141, 19144, 19150

Services on an "a la carte" basis:
Consumers who do not wish to work through Philadelphia Corporation for Aging's care management and assessment process can use the search function of this website to search for services and contact individual providers themselves. Click here to search for services.

If remaining in the home is not an option, there are many other choices to explore.
Click here for information on Housing Options.