Nursing Homes, Personal Care Homes and Supportive Living

Legal Information

Other Elder Problems

Granny and daughter.

This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Nursing Homes, Personal Care Homes and Supportive Living in Pennsylvania.

Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
45 Resource(s) Found

Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home [PDF]

Detailed booklet about how to choose a nursing home. (44 pages)

Know your rights: Caregivers and nursing home debt

Helping someone you love to move into a nursing home can be stressful enough. Nursing homes should not try to make you personally responsible for a loved one’s bill as a condition of admission. Learn more from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Rights and Wrongs in Medicaid-Funded Assisted Living

This guide from Justice on Aging provides information about federal laws that apply to "assisted living facilities". The term “assisted living facility” applies here to a licensed residential facility that provides meals, assistance with activities of daily living, and other services to a resident population of older persons. Although this guide focuses on assisted living, the relevant federal laws cover any similar residential setting reimbursed through Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), including HCBS-funded facilities for persons with disabilities, such as group homes and adult residential facilities.

What are Nursing Home Involuntary Discharges? (Video)

This video from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia provides information on your rights and federal protections when a nursing home facility tells you that you must leave. (2019)

What You Should Know About Your House When You Enter a Nursing Home or Receive Care at Home

This brochure is for anyone who owns a home and may receive Medical Assistance to pay for their care in a nursing home or in the community.

PA Health Law Project Toll-Free Helpline - Call: 1-800-274-3258

The PA Health Law Project provides free legal services and advocacy to Pennsylvanians having trouble accessing publicly funded health care coverage or services. For assistance, call the PHLP Helpline at 1-800-274-3258 or 1-866-236-6310 TTY or e-mail the PHLP at staff@phlp.org. Information from the PHLP is also available online at www.phlp.org. The Toll Free Helpline is open on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning at 8:00 AM Eastern.

COMPASS - Apply for Public Benefits and Services from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania residents can apply for a variety of programs offered by the PA Department of Human Services, including public assistance, food stamps, health care coverage, energy assistance and other social service programs at this site

Medical Assistance Financial Eligibility Application for Long-Term Care Supports and Services

Application for a determination of financial eligibility for long term care facilities. (PA 600-L Form) The person who needs help to pay for nursing facility care, or someone acting on his behalf, may complete the form.

COMPASS - Apply for Public Benefits and Services from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania residents can apply for a variety of programs offered by the PA Department of Human Services, including public assistance, food stamps, health care coverage, energy assistance and other social service programs at this site

Medical Assistance Financial Eligibility Application for Long-Term Care Supports and Services

Application for a determination of financial eligibility for long term care facilities. (PA 600-L Form) The person who needs help to pay for nursing facility care, or someone acting on his behalf, may complete the form.

Eldercare Locator

The Eldercare Locator from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging connects older Americans and their caregivers with sources of information on senior services. The service links those who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers.

LongTermCare.gov

This website from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides information on Long Term Care including a "Pathfinder" to provide the information that is most relevant and useful to you now.

Nursing Home Checklist [PDF]

A checklist that helps you evaluate nursing homes.

Nursing Home Compare

Online tool to provide detailed information about the past performance of every Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in the country.

A Guide for Seniors and Their Families: Issues on Aging

Consumer Legal Information Pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association [PDF]

A Guide to Legal Issues for Pennsylvania Senior Citizens [PDF]

The handbook from the Pennsylvania Bar Association provides valuable information on legal issues and questions that concern Pennsylvania's senior citizens and the persons and organizations that care for them. (2016-2017) [PDF Format, 83 pages]

About Personal Care Homes - General Information

General information from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services about personal care homes.

A Caregiver's Guide to Selecting an Adults Day Services Center

An 12-page guide from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging to help persons in need of adult day services. [PDF]

Alternatives to Nursing Home Care

Information from Medicare.gov about programs that are available for people who need nursing home care but would rather live in their own home.

Area Agencies on Aging

Your local Area Agency on Aging will put you into contact with the programs and services you need. Use this finder to locate the specific Area Agency on Aging that covers your county.

Benefits and Rights for Older Pennsylvanians

This booklet from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging provides information about aging services available across the commonwealth. [PDF]

Caregiver Neglect and Abuse

Informational brochure on the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Care-Dependent Neglect Team that works to protect seniors and vulnerable citizens from harm or abuse at the hands of a caregiver.

COMPASS - Apply for Public Benefits and Services from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania residents can apply for a variety of programs offered by the PA Department of Human Services, including public assistance, food stamps, health care coverage, energy assistance and other social service programs at this site

Estate Recovery Program

Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services on the Estate Recovery Program that enables the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to recover from the estate of individuals who were 55 years of age or older at the time nursing facility services or home and community-based services were received.

Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home [PDF]

Detailed booklet about how to choose a nursing home. (44 pages)

Human Services Provider Directory

This is a searchable directory to help you find a licensed human service program to assist you.

Know your rights: Caregivers and nursing home debt

Helping someone you love to move into a nursing home can be stressful enough. Nursing homes should not try to make you personally responsible for a loved one’s bill as a condition of admission. Learn more from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

LongTermCare.gov

This website from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides information on Long Term Care including a "Pathfinder" to provide the information that is most relevant and useful to you now.

Medical Assistance Financial Eligibility Application for Long-Term Care Supports and Services

Application for a determination of financial eligibility for long term care facilities. (PA 600-L Form) The person who needs help to pay for nursing facility care, or someone acting on his behalf, may complete the form.

Medicare Coverage of Nursing Home Care

Information from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on when Medicare will pay some nursing home costs for Medicare beneficiaries who require skilled nursing or rehabilitation services.

Medicare Coverage of Skilled Nursing Facility Care

A brochure explaining Medicare covered skilled care, your rights and protections, and where you can get help with your questions. (56 pages) [PDF]

Nursing Home Compare

Online tool to provide detailed information about the past performance of every Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in the country.

Nursing Home Resident Rights

Information from Medicare.gov about the rights of nursing home residents.

Pennsylvania Department of Aging Ombudsman Program

In Pennsylvania, ombudsmen investigate and work to resolve individual complaints and issues on behalf of consumers of long-term care services. An ombudsman is available at each Area Agency on Aging to investigate and help resolve complaints made by or on behalf of older Pennsylvanians in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and personal care homes.

Pennsylvania Family Caregiver Support Program

Describes the financial assistance and other benefits and services available through the Family Caregiver Support Program under the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.

Pennsylvania Health Care Facilities Search

Search aid from the Pennsylvania Department of Health to help you locate health facilities in Pennsylvania.

Personal Care Home Frequently Asked Questions

General information from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services regarding the residents rights under personal care home regulations.

Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home or Other Long‑Term Services & Supports

This booklet from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services contains information on how to find and compare nursing homes and other long-term services and supports; how to pay for nursing home care; your rights as a nursing home resident; and alternatives to nursing home care. [PDF]

Rights and Wrongs in Medicaid-Funded Assisted Living

This guide from Justice on Aging provides information about federal laws that apply to "assisted living facilities". The term “assisted living facility” applies here to a licensed residential facility that provides meals, assistance with activities of daily living, and other services to a resident population of older persons. Although this guide focuses on assisted living, the relevant federal laws cover any similar residential setting reimbursed through Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), including HCBS-funded facilities for persons with disabilities, such as group homes and adult residential facilities.

Back to top