Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Office of Communications and Knowledge Transfer
540 Gaither Road, Suite 2000
Rockville, MD 20850

Website:

http://www.ahcpr.gov/consumer/

Description:

A public health agency established within the Department of Health to provide useful information to assist individuals in making informed decisions. Research conducted by this agency is used to improve the outcomes and overall quality of health care services.

Ask Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore MD 21244-1850

Website:

http://www.medicare.gov/caregivers/caregiver-topics-support.html

Description:

A one-stop website that provides easy access to useful information about Medicare and other essential resources to help with caregiving. Provides links to key partner organizations that assist caregivers and beneficiaries, and presents personal stories from caregivers in the community.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore MD 21244-1850

Phone:

800-638-6833

Website:

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/

Description:

CMS has free booklets about Medicare coverage and other health-related topics, including information about Medicare and Medigap policies, and the location and quality of nursing homes. CMS also works to strengthen long-term support systems in the community.

Eldercare Locator

Phone:

800-677-1116
(weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. eastern time)

Website:

http://www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare/Public/Home.asp

Description:

Since 1991, the Eldercare Locator, a nationwide toll-free service, has helped older adults and their caregivers find local services for older adults. The U.S. Administration on Aging now offers this service on-line so consumers can easily link to the information and referral (I&R) services of their state and area agencies on aging.

ElderWeb

Website:

http://www.elderweb.com/default.php?PageID=1610

Description:

ElderWeb is designed as a research for professionals and family members looking for information on elder care and long-term care issues such as legal, financial, medical, and housing concerns. Eldercare also contains a searchable database of elder care-related organizations.

Medicare Home Health Compare

Phone:

1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

Website:

http://www.medicare.gov/HHCompare/Home.asp

Description:

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has developed a section for searching Medicare-certified home health agencies. Home Health Compare has information about the agencies that accept Medicare, including what services are available. The site also explains what services Medicare covers. Home Health Compare also describes a Quality Measures Initiative about how agencies provide care for their patients.

Medicare Nursing Home Compare

Phone:

1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

Website:

http://www.medicare.gov/NHCompare/home.asp

Description:

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has developed a section for searching Medicare-certified nursing homes. Nursing Home Compare has information about the facilities that accept Medicare, including what services are available. The site also explains what services Medicare covers. Nursing Home Compare also describes a Quality Measures Initiative about how facilities provide care for their patients.

Medicare Rights Center (MRC)
520 Eighth Avenue
North Wing, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10018

Phone:

212-869-3850

Website:

http://www.medicarerights.org

Description:

The MRC is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to ensuring that older adults and people with disabilities get good, affordable health care. The MRC website is a helpful, reliable, independent source of Medicare information for consumers and professionals.

National Association for Home Care (NAHC)
228 Seventh St., SE
Washington, DC 20003

Phone:

202-547-7424

Website:

http://www.nahc.org/

Description:

NAHC represents the interests of the home care and hospice community.

National Home Infusion Association
205 Daingerfield Road
Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Phone:

703-549-3740

Website:

http://www.nhianet.org/index.cfm

Description:

This professional association represents individuals who provide infusion and specialized pharmacy products and services to the entire spectrum of home-based patients.

Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)
525 South 29th Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104

Phone:

717-541-4214

Website:

http://www.p4a.org/

Description:

The AAA has come to represent both the best interests of older Pennsylvanians and its AAA membership by fostering collaboration in areas of advocacy, leadership, training and policy. Each county has specific information listed about services and contacts within this association. The AAA offers programs that help people modify their homes or secure home financing so they can stay in their homes, and the agencies offer help in setting up domiciliary (group home) placements.
OPTIONS assessment:
Most of the home-based services that Pennsylvania Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) provide are offered in accordance with its OPTIONS Assessment Program. AAA also offers programs that help people modify their homes or secure home financing so they can stay in their homes, and the agencies offer help in setting up domiciliary ("group-home") placements.

Services are provided to persons 60 years of age and over, if they meet the criteria that may include income eligibility, generally homebound people, and a possible requirement of 24-hour informal and formal support. The assessment is completed by the staff of the Area Agencies on Aging.

If a person is found to be appropriate for in-home services, a comprehensive plan of care is developed with linkages to community-based services and resources.
These non-profit agencies will do assessments for people of all ages. Assessments for those applying for Medicaid-funded services or nursing home care are always done by these agencies.

Pennsylvania Association of Home Health Agencies (PAHHA)
20 Erford Road, Suite 115
Lemoyne, PA 17043

Phone:

800-382-1211

Description:

PAHHA members deliver care and support directly in the homes of over half a million elderly and disabled Pennsylvanians a year. Their services allow people to receive care where they want it: in their homes, surrounded by their family and friends.

Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA)
555 Walnut St., 5th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1919

Phone:

717-783-1550

Website:

http://www.aging.state.pa.us

Description:

Learn more about the Waiver program. The PDA website outlines services and programs and offers assistance and opportunities for older Pennsylvanians. PDA programs and services empower older adults and their families to make choices for themselves. Most of these services are provided by the state’s 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA).

Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW)
Office of Medical Assistance Programs
Health & Welfare Building, Room 515
P.O. Box 2675
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675

Phone:

717-787-1870
800-692-7462 (Helpline)

Website:

http://www.dpw.state.pa.us

Description:

This office has information about Pennsylvania programs that pay health and nursing home costs for people with low incomes and limited resources.

UPMC HomeCare

Phone:

888-860-CARE (2273)

Website:

http://www.upmc.com/Services/HomeHealthServices/Pages/...

Description:

For patients who need home care, UPMC offers home nursing services, home medical equipment, skilled nursing services, and caregiver support.