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.

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. A determination of eligibility will be made, based on your care needs and financial resources, There are two options for service through PCA; Aging Home and Community-Based  Waiver Services; and Options.

Home and Community-Based Services Aging Waiver for Individuals Age 60 and Older

Aging and Home and Community-Based Services may be available through the Waiver program, to enable individuals to continue to live in their homes and communities with support and services. In order to qualify for Aging Waiver services, you must meet eligibility requirements. This includes a level of care assessment and a determination of eligibility. To be eligible for these services through PCA, the individual must:

Be a resident of Philadelphia
Be a U.S. citizen or qualfied non-citizen
Have a Social Security number
Be age 60 or older
Meet the required level of care for a Skilled Nursing Facility
Meet the financial requirements as determined by the County Assistance Office.

There is no cap on the services that Aging Waiver participants receive, no cost-sharing and no contributions or copayments.

Home and Community-Based Services Through the Options Program

If not financially eligible for Waiver services, an individual may choose to receive services through PCA's Options Program. These services are provided on a sliding fee scale, according to ability to pay.

Eligibility for 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

Following is a list of services that may be available to you:
Adult Daily Living Services
Community Transition Services
Companion Services
Counseling Services
Environmental Modifications
Financial Management Services
Home-Delivered Meals
Home Health Services
Non-Medical Transportation Services
Participant-Directed Goods and Services
Participant-Directed Community Supports
Personal Assistance Services
Personal Care Services
Personal Emergency Respons System
Respite Services
Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies
TeleCare

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


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.