Assisted living residences and personal care homes offer seniors many of the same services like independent living communities, but with the addition of assistance with daily needs. These long-term care options provide senior community residents with personalized support for daily activities such as dressing; bathing; dental, skin, and nail care; shaving; laundry; housekeeping, and medication management. Living accommodations at retirement communities typically include an apartment or a large room, plus three meals per day.
Some older persons express concern that in assisted living or personal care, they may sacrifice the privacy they have been accustomed to throughout their adult lives. They can rest assured, however, that the professionally trained staff who assist them will respect their privacy and dignity.
What is the difference between assisted living and personal care in Pennsylvania?
Their definitions, services, and regulations vary from state to state. For example, in Maryland, retirement homes can offer several levels of care, with personal care being one, and all are covered by the same assisted living licensure and regulations.
The neighboring state of Pennsylvania is different. The two terms were interchangeable until 2011, when the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania began to distinguish between assisted living residences and personal care homes, licensing them separately. By definition, they now differ somewhat in their levels of care. A personal care home offers housing, meals, and assistance with medications and personal care tasks. An assisted living residence does that as well, but also provides some skilled health care services to supplement the personal care. For that reason, residents there can “age in place” longer, making care in another skilled nursing facility unnecessary.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Office of Long-Term Living distinguishes between assisted living residences and personal care homes in these three ways:
Concept – Assisted living residences permit residents to age in place, meaning that even as their health care needs increase, they will not have to relocate to another senior living home to receive that care.
Construction – Assisted living residences must provide residents with a private room with a lockable door, a private bathroom, and a small kitchen. Personal care homes are not required to offer these amenities.
Level of Care –Assisted living residences must ensure that residents receive skilled nursing care if their needs surpass standard assisted living services.
Many Pennsylvania retirement communities have personal care homes that provide the most assisted living services but have decided not to pursue assisted living status. This is because assisted living licensure can drive up administrative and staffing costs without increasing the quality of care. In addition, Medicaid does not cover these higher costs with additional funding. Some Pennsylvania senior living communities with multiple locations can offer both personal care and assisted living services.
Whether you or a loved one are considering moving into a senior living facility, it’s a complicated decision accompanied by plenty of questions: What senior care services do facilities provide? What senior care services are right for my situation? What assisted living levels of care can I expect?
Our mission is to provide you with the resources you need to decide which senior care services and levels of care are right for you, regardless of whether or not you decide to join Senior Lifestyle’s nationwide network of family owned senior communities.
Senior Lifestyle classifies its levels of care under six different options for senior care services: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, Affordable Housing, and Short-Term Care.
Independent Living
Independent Living services offer residents the freedom to live their lives as they see fit. Our dedicated staff work to accommodate their residents’ unique needs. Independent Living is meant to combine the familiar comforts of home with the excitement of new experiences, and then some. After
settling into a Senior Lifestyle Community, our residents often wonder why they did not make the decision to move sooner.
Assisted Living
The Assisted Living plans at Senior Lifestyle add another layer of service to our Independent Living program. Our Assisted Living Services are designed for residents who value their independence but
could still use a hand with everyday activities. Senior Lifestyle’s trained staff is available to help with every need; our team can assist with bathing, with dressing, and with medication. Residents in the Assisted Living program all meet with a licensed nurse to create a personalized service plan so we can support them as they continue to pursue their passions.
Download The Complete Guide to Senior Housing
Every senior has their own set of wants and needs, so retirement communities offer differing levels of care, services, and amenities. Read our eBook for a detailed look at what retirement communities provide.
Download the GuideMemory Care
Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia take a heavy toll on those battling the devastating disease and their loved ones, but Senior Lifestyle has dedicated specialists that work with residents, their families, and staff to ensure care is comprehensive and tailored to the individual. Residents who benefit from
our memory care services live in communities specifically designed to strike a balance between safety and engagement in common areas and exterior courtyards.
Skilled Nursing
Most Senior Lifestyle communities are equipped to offer senior care services and levels of care to fit a wide range of needs. Our staff members care for
residents that need post-surgical rehab, wound care, cognitive and pain management, and general practitioners services. Please call your local community or visit the skilled nursing page on our website for a complete list of services.
Affordable Housing
The Senior Suites program is a nationally recognized prototype for
affordable senior housing. The communities are designed for independent, older adults. Unlike traditional programs, our affordable housing offers daily programs, transportation services, a la carte dining and daily check-in programs. The program is made possible by private donations and a combination of municipal, state, and federal funding. Please
visit our website to see if you or a loved one is eligible to receive these services.
Short Term Care
Designed for those wishing to give our communities a try without a more long-term commitment, short-term senior care services are perfect for introducing someone to the Senior Lifestyle community, temporary rehabilitation assistance, or to
lend a hand if a regular caregiver is unavailable. We also offer trial stays to test if long-term care is right for you or your loved one. The guest program is an immersive experience that allows people to get a feel for Senior Lifestyle’s level of care.
Every community has its own unique identity, but each level of care, even at the base rate, typically supplements a variety of amenities, some of which include a delicious dining experience, stimulating and engaging life enrichment programs, optional routine laundry and housekeeping services, transportation service to local attractions and physicians, and so much more.
No matter what level of care you or your loved one requires, Senior Lifestyle is here to welcome you and your family home. Visit our website or stop by your local Senior Lifestyle community to get more information.