When a nursing home is going to be inspected, the Pennsylvania Department of Health sends one, two, or more inspectors as a team to the home. The team will include a registered nurse (RN) and possibly a social worker or a nutritionist depending on the facility's history and past concerns.
Assisted living residences (ALRs) are licensed by the Department of Aging, Office of Long Term Living, Division of Licensing, and personal care homes are licensed by the Department of Public Welfare, Adult Residential Licensing.
PCH & ALR Licensing | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Personal Care Homes | Department of Human Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The primary difference between the two is the scope of services provided. An assisted living facility is required to provide supplemental services such as skilled nursing care, therapy, cognitive support services and hospice – while a personal care facility is not.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is the primary regulatory body overseeing home care agencies in the state. This department ensures that agencies comply with state laws and regulations to provide safe and effective care.
PCHs are residential facilities that offer personal care services, assistance, and supervision to four or more persons. They are inspected and licensed by DHS. Sometimes they are advertised as "assisted care," "retirement homes" or "boarding homes." A PCH must have a license to operate in Pennsylvania.
Personal care is help with things like: bathing, showering, hair washing, shaving, brushing your teeth, and nail care. going to the toilet, catheter and stoma care, skin care, incontinence laundry and bed changing. eating, special diets, and food preparation.
The primary difference between the two is the scope of services provided. An assisted living facility is required to provide supplemental services such as skilled nursing care, therapy, cognitive support services and hospice – while a personal care facility is not.
Personal care is the support and supervision of daily personal living tasks and private hygiene. Personal care for elders is the support and supervision of daily personal living tasks and private hygiene and toileting, along with dressing and maintaining your personal appearance.