When you and your loved one suddenly have to make a decision on the right senior living community, it is always hard to get things straight. You may find yourselves being flooded by information but still puzzled over the choices. Different types of communities could be confusing and they should not be considered the same. To have a crystal idea, let’s first look at personal care communities and understand personal care home regulations in PA.
The Differences Between Assisted Living and Personal Care
There are not many differences between assisted living and personal care until 2011 when renewed legislation was introduced to set distinct parameters and qualifications for communities providing these two services. Aside from the same level of personal care, assisted living communities can provide more professional medical care throughout a longer service period. It is designed to bridge the gap between families’ soaring needs in acute medical care and the current insufficiency of personal care communities in this regard. Since the legislation is implemented relatively recently, assisted living communities are more difficult to find.
Understand Personal Care
Personal care communities are defined, by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Resources, as a type of senior residents’ daily living assisting organization. Residents would receive care and assistance on their meals, dressing, grooming, medical management, and other daily tasks but nursing homes or medical care would not be provided in personal care communities.
To be clear about the definition, it means that personal care communities can create a hassle-free environment for you or your loved one. The daily chores are taken care of and you do not have to worry about them. Normally, there are social events in these communities for the residents to enjoy group activities and maintain a social network. However, there will be no intensive medical care in personal care communities for special medical needs. Despite this, medical management is available for residents to follow the medication prescribed by doctors. Supervision is also available with around-the-clock nursing services.
Is Personal Care the Right Choice for You?
All healthcare communities should be customized and able to tailor their service according to unique family situations. Personal care communities may be a good choice for you, but may not work for your family members, and vice versa. The best way to tell whether personal care communities are suitable for you and your family is to go through a checklist to see if you are showing any of these signs. To ensure you make an unregretful choice, here are eight signs for you to check:
- Recent accidents or slow recovery
- A decline in your health conditions
- Requiring help with daily activities, e.g. driving
- Unable to keep your house clean and in order
- Unable to attend to your plants and pets
- Change in your emotional state
- In lack of a caregiver to manage care
Our Services for You in PA
In our senior living community, we provide personalized care and interesting social events for residents no matter what type of community you or your loved one require. Contact us today to find out more.
