The Agency is dedicated to helping consumers maintain their independence through in-home services.  Registered Nurse Assessors and Care Managers visit the elderly to help them determine the type of assistance they need and to coordinate and arrange for that assistance to be delivered.  Services are coordinated with family, friends, and other community programs. Below are brief descriptions of the different services we offer. For more information on any of the services or eligibility requirements, please call us at 814-765-2696 or 1-800-225-8571.

Personal Care - We can arrange for hands-on assistance to persons who have difficulty with bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting.  Some light housekeeping tasks may be included.

Meals on Wheels & More provides an in-home nutritious mid-day meal to persons who meet eligibility requirements.

Family Caregiver Support - This program focuses on the needs of caregivers and how they can be empowered to continue to provide care to dependent adult relatives at home.  Services include assessment and care management, benefits counseling, caregiver education and training, and a support group.  Reimbursement for respite services, home modifications, adaptive devices, and some supplies are  available on a cost-sharing basis.

Nursing Facility Diversion Services exist to help people avoid being placed in a nursing home, even though they may require the same level of care normally provided in a nursing facility setting.  With the help of Registered Nurse Assessors and professional Social Workers, intense, higher level care plans can be developed that will ensure all the person’s needs can still be met at home.  Consumers can choose to receive community-based services such as Personal Care, Meals on Wheels and More, Medical Supplies, Respite Services, Home Modifications, Nurses, Therapies, Transportation to appointments and others, depending on individual needs and circumstances.

Funds to cover the costs of such services are drawn from different sources and may require certain state eligibilities be met.  Generally, the requirements are:

• 60 years of age or older

• medically eligible for nursing facility services as determined by the Area Agency on Aging

• financially eligible as determined by the local County Assistance Office

• the person chooses to receive services in his/her own home or other community settings

Nursing Home Transition is a service we provide to people who currently live in a nursing home, but who desire to return home.  Registered Nurse Assessors will work with residents, their families, and the facility to identify and remove barriers preventing their return to home. Some funds may be available to assist with transition expenses.