As our loved ones or we approach later life stages, we think about getting additional help for them or ourselves throughout the day. When that’s the case, it may be time to think about personal care homes. These are facilities of four or more people where residents can receive personalized care, including services related to everyday functions, assistance with specific tasks, and supervision for residents who need it.
When thinking about retirement, choosing the right senior living option for you or someone you care about is crucial for the highest quality of life available. Because you want to make the best choice, we’ve answered some essential questions about personal care homes below! If you cannot answer your question with the information on this page, please feel free to reach out to us here at Zerbe Retirement Community.
Are Personal Care Homes the Same Thing as Nursing Homes?
Personal care homes and nursing homes are different, though both residential care homes offer many of the same services for seniors.
A nursing home is a licensed residential facility where residents are cared for by medical professionals, and they are inspected and licensed by the state’s Department of Health. Nursing homes are better suited to people who require daily medical care and have limited mobility because of illness or disability.
Personal care services are available to residents who live in a personal care home. These facilities are inspected and licensed by Pennsylvania’s Department of Health, just like nursing homes. Still, they are better suited for people who need less medical care and want a more socially engaging environment.
Though some people think “personal care communities” and “assisted living facilities” are the same, they are different. Assisted living facilities have additional stipulations for the type of care they can provide.
What Services Do Personal Care Homes Offer?
Each personal care home can outline its specific services offered for you if you have questions. Harvest View at Zerbe Retirement Community has experienced caregivers with a dedication to senior healthcare and senior living. We want to ensure all our residents are well-cared for, treated with dignity, and receiving the respect they deserve as individuals.
Our residents experience a close relationship with other members of our community because we cultivate a family-based experience. We focus on caring for all the physical, social, and spiritual needs of our residents so they can lead a well-rounded life here.
We offer four levels of care because we understand that your needs may change while you are living with us at Harvest View. Residents can also feel comfortable knowing that if they eventually require higher levels of care, we can help transition them into our skilled nursing care facility, Zerbe Sisters Skilled Nursing Center.
Is Personal Care Right for Me or My Loved One?
If you or a loved one needs assistance with daily living, but you want to keep your independence and social life, personal care might be the right choice. Personal care homes help you maintain some of your daily activities while also incorporating the community here at Harvest View so you can be with other people in the same stages of life. Sharing this experience fosters a feeling of togetherness at our personal care facility.
Do Personal Care Homes Have Planned Activities?
While personal care homes often have planned activities for their residents, they can vary from each facility. At Harvest View, we design various activities that will cultivate and maintain all our residents’ physical, social, and spiritual health. These activities can be for the individual, small groups, or for the whole community!
Does the State Regulate Personal Care Homes?
The Pennsylvania Department of Health regulates personal care homes in Pennsylvania. State licensing regulations are put in place to protect all residents’ health, safety, and well-being in a personal care home.
You can view the regulations for personal care homes on the Department of Health’s website.
Are Personal Care Homes Medical Facilities?
Personal care homes are not medical facilities, and doctors or nurses do not staff them. Instead, caregivers focus on helping with smaller tasks than you would expect to find at nursing homes. In a personal care home, caregivers focus on assisting the resident in remembering to take their medication, bathing, grooming, or bringing them food during times of temporary illness where they cannot attend mealtimes with the rest of the community.
They cannot prescribe medications for a new ailment or help with other types of medical care. If you are interested in a skilled nursing facility because you require more significant assistance or more medical attention, a facility like Zerbe Sisters Skilled Nursing Center might suit you better.
Do Personal Care Homes Allow Spouses with Different Needs to Share Living Quarters?
Depending on your needs and the personal care home’s accommodations, couples with different needs, whether health-related or not, may be able to share a space. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. If your spouse requires dedicated medical attention all day while you can care for yourself, you would both be unable to occupy the same room in a personal care home. You can speak with our different care facilities to see what their accommodations for your situation might be.
How Much Does a Personal Care Home Cost?
The cost of personal care homes varies depending on the facility. If you are interested in Harvest View, please get in touch with us to discuss the costs associated with our different levels of care available here.
What is Memory Care?
Memory Care is the long-term care given to a resident through the different stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Depending on the progression of the disease, someone with either disease may thrive in a personal care home for a period until they need more skilled nursing.
Ready to Join Our Harvest View Family at Zerbe Retirement Community?
If you’ve read through our frequently asked questions and find yourself thinking a personal care home is the right choice for you or your loved one, you can contact us today! We would love to help you determine if Harvest View is the right living option to enjoy your retirement. If you have questions that we did not cover here, please feel free to reach out to our friendly, helpful staff members!
