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.
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.
SeniorLAW Helpline - 877 PA SR LAW (1-877-727-7529)
The statewide toll-free SeniorLAW Helpline - 877 PA SR LAW (877-727-7529) - provides free legal advice, information and referrals by telephone for all Pennsylvania seniors 60 and over.
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.
SeniorLAW Helpline - 877 PA SR LAW (1-877-727-7529)
The statewide toll-free SeniorLAW Helpline - 877 PA SR LAW (877-727-7529) - provides free legal advice, information and referrals by telephone for all Pennsylvania seniors 60 and over.
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.
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 Compare
Online tool to provide detailed information about the past performance of every Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in the country.
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.
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.
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.
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Programs
Home and community-based services are also known as waiver-funded services or waiver programs. The name waiver comes from the fact that the federal government "waives" medical assistance rules for institutional care in order for Pennsylvania to use the funds for HCBS. HCBS provides for supports and services beyond those covered by the Medical Assistance (also referred to as Medicaid) program that enables a person to remain in a community setting rather than being admitted to a Long Term Care Facility. Currently, the Department of Human Services administers 12 HCBS programs. Each HCBS program has its own eligibility requirements and services. If a person is determined eligible for more than one HCBS program, the person cannot receive services under two or more such programs at the same time. The person must choose one HCBS program and receive the services provided by it.
Resources on Home and Community Based Services
Resources from the Pennsylvania Health Law Project on Home and Community Based Services that provide eligible individuals with disabilities or chronic health care needs with the care, supports, and services they need to remain at home and to age in place.
Medicaid Estate Recovery: A Primer (Video)
This video from Community Legal Services explains the basics of Medical Assistance ("Medicaid") Estate Recovery and answers important questions about the program. It explains what happens if you own a home and receive Medical Assistance to pay for care in a nursing home or in the community. Funding for this video was made possible by Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA).
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.
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]
Making Medical Decisions for Someone Else
This booklet from the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging describes in simple terms what it's like to be a health care proxy, what to do while there is still time to think about it, how to make the hard decisions, and where to get help. [PDF] (2009)
SeniorLAW Helpline - 877 PA SR LAW (1-877-727-7529)
The statewide toll-free SeniorLAW Helpline - 877 PA SR LAW (877-727-7529) - provides free legal advice, information and referrals by telephone for all Pennsylvania seniors 60 and over.
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
Area Agencies on Aging
Your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is the front door for aging services in your community. Your AAA is staffed with skilled workers who can provide information about services and also assist in obtaining access to those services. Use this finder to locate the specific Area Agency on Aging that covers your county.
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.
About Personal Care Homes - General Information
General information from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services about personal care homes.
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.
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.
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]
Human Services Provider Directory
This is a searchable directory to help you find a licensed human service program to assist you.
Personal Care Home Frequently Asked Questions
General information from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services regarding the residents rights under personal care home regulations.
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.
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 (48 pages) [PDF]
Pennsylvania Health Care Facilities Search
Search aid from the Pennsylvania Department of Health to help you locate health facilities in Pennsylvania.
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.
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.
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]
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.
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.