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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.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
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.
By: SeniorLAW Center (Philadelphia)
Online Applications, Benefit Screening, Resources and Forms
Medical Assistance Financial Eligibility Application for Long-Term Care Supports and Services [PDF]
(Separate Website)
Application for a determination of financial eligibility for long term care facilities.
In order to receive payment toward the cost of nursing facility care, a person must be both medically in need of care provided by a nursing care facility and financially eligible for Medical Assistance and payment toward the cost of care. The local Area Agency for Aging (AAA), through its OPTIONS program, completes an assessment to determine if the individual needs nursing facility care or if less comprehensive care, such as that in a personal care home or other community care arrangement, would meet the individuals needs. If OPTIONS determines that the person is medically eligible for nursing facility care, the county assistance office will determine if the client is financially eligible for payment toward the cost of care using information provided on the 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.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
Medicare Long-Term Care Planning tool
(Separate Website)
Online tool provided by Medicare.com to help you understand, (1) What long-term care services are available; (2) How much you can expect to pay for long-term care, and (3) What financing options are available to support your long-term care costs.
By: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Nursing Home Compare
(Separate Website)
Online tool to provide detailed information about the past performance of every Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in the country.
By: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Nursing Home Checklist [PDF]
(Separate Website)
A checklist that helps you evaluate nursing homes.
By: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Eldercare Locator
(Separate Website)
The Eldercare Locator 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.
By: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Benefits Check Up for Seniors (55+)
(Separate Website)
BenefitsCheckUp is a comprehensive online service to screen for federal, state and some local private and public benefits for older adults (ages 55 and over). BenefitsCheckUp also provides a detailed description of the programs, including the local addresses and phone numbers where to apply.
By: National Council on the Aging
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
Personal Care Homes
(Separate Website)
Information on Personal Care Homes in Pennsylvania.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Long Term Care and Services
(Separate Website)
Information on various options available for Long Term Care and Services.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Home and Community Based Services
(Separate Website)
Informatoin 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.
By: Pennsylvania Health Law Project
How to Appeal Welfare Notices
(Separate Website)
Information for welfare recipients on how to appeal notices received from the Department of Public Welfare
By: Community Legal Services
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Power of Attorney in Pennsylvania
Information on what is a Power of Attorney (POA), guidelines when selecting an agent, what happens if I become mentally unable to make my own decisions, when does it go into effect, when does it end, and the process involved in setting up a POA.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Selecting a Nursing Home in Times of Crises
(Separate Website)
Information on selecting the right nursing home for your loved one.
By: SeniorLAW Center (Philadelphia)
What Will Happen to the Family House if You Enter A Nursing Home?
(Separate Website)
Information on how entering a nursing home can affect the family home.
By: SeniorLAW Center (Philadelphia)
Compare Care - Nursing Home Brochure [PDF]
(Separate Website)
This brochure can show you how to find a nursing home that's right for you, while helping you compare the quality of nursing home care in your area. (4 pages)
By: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home [PDF]
(Separate Website)
Detailed booklet about how to choose a nursing home. (64 pages)
By: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Nursing Home Resident Rights
(Separate Website)
Information about the rights of nursing home residents.
By: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Alternatives to Nursing Home Care
(Separate Website)
Information about Medicare covered programs that are available for people who need nursing home care but would rather live in their own home.
By: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Paying for Nursing Home Care
(Separate Website)
Information on paying for nursing home care, including when Medicare will pay some nursing home costs for Medicare beneficiaries who require skilled nursing or rehabilitation services.
By: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Medicare Coverage of Skilled Nursing Facility Care [PDF]
(Separate Website)
A brochure explaining Medicare covered skilled care, your rights and protections, and where you can get help with your questions. (51 pages) [Large
Print Edition (86 pages)]
By: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Long Term Care in Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
This website provides quick access to information about the many long term living services and planning resources available for people over the age of sixty and adults with physical disabilities throughout Pennsylvania.
By: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
How To Select Long Term Care In Pennsylvania
(Separate Website)
This guide provides an overview of the long-term care choices available to you in Pennsylvania.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Aging
Know Your Rights as a Nursing Home Resident
(Separate Website)
This booklet explains the rights all nursing home residents have under the law.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Aging
Know Your Rights as a Personal Care Home Resident
(Separate Website)
General information regarding the residents rights under personal care home licensure regulations.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Aging
A Caregiver's Guide to Selecting an Adults Day Services Center
(Separate Website)
An 11-page guide to help persons in need of adult day services
By: Pennsylvania Department of Aging
A Helping Hand - Personal Care Home Edition
(Separate Website)
A guide that helps new residents adjust to their personal care home.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Aging
Pennsylvania Department of Aging Ombudsman Program - We Look Into Reported Concerns About Long-Term Care Services
(Separate Website)
Information on how the long-term care Ombudsman can assist consumers of long-term care, including nursing and personal care home residents.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Aging
Pennsylvania Family Caregiver Support Program
(Separate Website)
Describes the financial assistance and other benefits and services available through the Family Caregiver Support Program.
By: Pennsylvania Department of Aging
Consumer Guides to Nursing and Assisted Living Facilities
(Separate Website)
Consumer guides to nursing homes and assisted living.
By: American Health Care Association
Information from Bar Associations and Other Legal Organizations
Issues on Aging
(Separate Website)
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
By: Pennsylvania Bar Association
Legal Briefs: Elder Law (Video)
(Separate Website)
Information presented on the October 24, 2006 edition of Legal Briefs on KDKA-TV's Pittsburgh Today Live Show. (5:52)
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
A Guide to Legal Issues for Pennsylvania Senior Citizens [PDF]
(Separate Website)
The handbook provides valuable information on legal issues and questions that concern Pennsylvania's senior citizens and the persons and organizations that care for them. (PDF Format, 83 pages)
By: Pennsylvania Bar Association
Adobe Acrobat Reader required. (If you are using a screen reader that does not support PDF format, copy the PDF link, and use the Access Adobe online form to convert this file to HMTL text.)
PALawHELP.org is provided as a public service by the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Legal Services Corporation.
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