SRDA – Joseph H. Edwards Active Adult Center Expands

Pennsylvania offers Medicaid waiver programs under the Community HealthChoices (CHC) umbrella and the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) Waiver (often referred to as the PA Council on Aging Waiver). These programs help older adults and individuals with physical disabilities remain in their homes or community settings instead of entering nursing facilities. CHC and the PDA Waiver provide long-term services and supports (LTSS) based on assessed functional needs, emphasizing assistance with ADLs and IADLs. Covered services may include personal care assistance, adult day services, home-delivered meals, transportation, home modifications, assistive technology, and respite care for family caregivers. In addition, Pennsylvanias CHC Waiver offers Participant-Directed Services that allow participants to hire and manage their own caregivers, including family members. To qualify, applicants must be Medicaid-eligible, at least 60 years old (for PDA Waiver) or 21+ (for CHC), and require a nursing facility level of care as determined through a standardized functional assessment of ADLs/IADLs. In this article, we explain what Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) are and how needing help with these tasks is central to qualifying for Pennsylvanias Medicaid waivers like CHC and the PDA Waiver.What Are ADLs (Activities of Daily Living)?Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are fundamental self-care tasks that a person must perform daily to maintain independence. Difficulty with ADLs often signals a need for supportive services. Core ADLs include: Mobility (Ambulating/Transferring): Safely walking, getting up from a chair, or transferring from a bed to a wheelchair. Dressing: Selecting and putting on appropriate clothing (including handling fasteners) without assistance. Eating: Feeding oneselfusing utensils to get food from a plate to the mouth and consuming it. Personal Hygiene: Bathing or showering and performing grooming activities like shaving, brushing teeth, and combing hair on ones own. Toileting (Continence): Independently using the toiletgetting to the toilet, transferring on and off, and cleaning oneself afterward. When someone can no longer perform several ADLs without help, it indicates that ongoing care or support is likely needed.What Are IADLs (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living)?Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) are more complex tasks that allow a person to live independently in the community. While not necessarily performed daily, they are essential for managing ones household and life. Key IADLs include: Shopping for Essentials: The ability to shop for groceries, pick up prescriptions, or purchase clothing and other necessities. Meal Preparation: Planning and cooking mealsgathering ingredients and safely using kitchen appliances. Housekeeping: Keeping the home clean and livable tasks like cleaning, laundry, and taking out the trash. Money Management: Handling finances, such as paying bills on time, managing bank accounts, and budgeting. Transportation: Getting around or arranging transportationdriving oneself or using public transit or rides to run errands and attend appointments. Medication Management: Managing and taking medications properly remembering to take the correct medicines at scheduled times and refilling prescriptions. Communication: Using the phone or computer to communicatelooking up phone numbers, making calls, sending emails, and staying in touch with others. Trouble with IADLs is often one of the first signs that someone needs more support, even if basic ADLs are unaffected.Why ADLs and IADLs Matter for Medicaid Waiver EligibilityIn Pennsylvania, needing help with ADLs and IADLs is a central eligibility criterion for the CHC and PDA Waiver programs. These waivers serve individuals who would otherwise qualify for nursing facility care but prefer to remain in their own homes or community settings. Eligibility is determined through both financial and functional assessments. The functional assessment evaluates whether an individual requires hands-on assistance with ADLs and/or significant help with IADLs, thereby meeting a nursing facility level of care. Pennsylvania uses standardized toolsoften the Pennsylvania LongTerm Care Assessment System (PaLTAS) or the Minimum Data SetHome Care (MDSHC)to score independence in ADLs and IADLs.During the functional evaluation, an assessor reviews abilities such as transferring from bed to chair, walking safely, eating, toileting, meal preparation, housekeeping, medication management, and managing money. Cognitive issuessuch as memory problems due to dementiaare also considered since they impact daily functioning. If an individual cannot perform multiple ADLs without assistance or has significant deficits in IADLs, they are likely to meet the level-of-care requirement and become eligible for waiver services.Community HealthChoices (CHC) WaiverCommunity HealthChoices (CHC) is Pennsylvanias comprehensive HCBS waiver program for individuals aged 21 and older who require a nursing facility level of care. Administered by the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL), CHC is a managed care program that combines physical health, long-term services and supports, and pharmacy benefits under a single plan (with behavioral health carved out). To qualify for CHC: Be age 21 or older. Meet Medicaid financial eligibility guidelines. Require a nursing facility level of care (confirmed through functional assessment). Live in a setting that meets HCBS requirements (e.g., home, apartment, assisted living). Be a Pennsylvania resident. Once enrolled, participants receive a comprehensive package of services tailored to their needs. Covered services may include personal assistance, home-delivered meals, adult day services, behavioral support, professional nursing, home modifications, assistive technology, transportation, and respite care. CHC also offers Participant-Directed Services, allowing participants to recruit, hire, train, and supervise their own caregiversoften family membersto assist with ADLs (bathing, dressing, toileting) and IADLs (meal preparation, medication reminders).PDA Waiver (Council on Aging Waiver)The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) Waiver, also called the Council on Aging Waiver, serves seniors aged 60 and over who require nursing facility level of care but choose to remain at home or in other community-based settings like domiciliary care homes. To qualify: Be age 60 or older. Meet Medicaid financial eligibility requirements. Be assessed as requiring nursing facility level of care (through the functional assessment). Live in a qualifying community setting. Covered services under the PDA Waiver may include personal care assistance, home-delivered meals, homemaker services, personal emergency response systems, respite care, adult day services, minor home modifications, and transportation. Like CHC, the PDA Waiver emphasizes managing ADL and IADL needs to keep participants safely in their homes.Participant-Directed ServicesBoth CHC and the PDA Waiver offer Participant-Directed Services, which empower participants to choose and manage their own caregivers, including family members, friends, or neighbors. Under this model, participants develop a service plan with guidance from a care coordinator, set schedules, and handle payroll tasks. This flexibility helps ensure that personal care and IADL support align with participants preferences and routines.Signs That Your Loved One May QualifyBelow are practical indicators that someone may be eligible for Pennsylvanias CHC or PDA Waiver due to difficulty with ADLs and IADLs: Trouble with Personal Care: Skipping showers, unkempt hair, or wearing dirty clothes may indicate difficulties with bathing and dressing (ADLs). Malnutrition or Weight Loss: An empty fridge or significant weight loss suggests issues with meal prep or feeding oneself (ADLs/IADLs). Mobility Decline and Falls: Struggling to walk without assistance, needing help to stand, or experiencing frequent falls signals reduced mobility (ADL: transferring/ambulating). Medication Errors and Memory Problems: Missing doses, mixing up pills, or forgetting appointments point to challenges with medication management and scheduling (IADLs). Household Neglect: Piles of mail, unpaid bills, or a cluttered home reflect trouble with housekeeping and money management (IADLs). A combination of needing help with several ADLslike bathing and toiletingand difficulties with IADLssuch as meal prep and housekeepingstrongly indicates a nursing facility level of care. Document these challenges for the functional assessment to demonstrate eligibility.Were Here to Help: Next Steps and Contact InformationNavigating Pennsylvanias Medicaid waiver programs can be complex, but you dont have to go it alone. At Passion to Care, we specialize in guiding Pennsylvania families through the CHC and PDA Waiver application processesfrom the initial functional assessment of ADLs and IADLs to completing paperwork and coordinating services once approved. If you notice your loved one struggling with daily tasks or if a professional has recommended nursing facility care, it may be time to explore CHC or the PDA Waiver. Our compassionate, family-first team ensures your loved ones needs are met with dignity and respect. Call us or contact us today to learn how to get started with Pennsylvanias Medicaid waivers for home and community-based services.

Social interaction is a cornerstone of health and well-being, particularly for seniors. Engaging in social activities can significantly impact their mental, emotional, and physical health. This post aims to underscore the importance of socializing your parents or elderly loved ones and provide practical suggestions for encouraging meaningful social engagement.Research has consistently shown that seniors who maintain active social lives enjoy numerous health benefits, including reduced risks for chronic diseases, lower blood pressure, and decreased rates of depression and anxiety. Social interactions can also play a critical role in preserving cognitive function, thereby potentially delaying the onset of dementia and Alzheimers disease.However, fostering social connections for seniors can sometimes be challenging. Mobility issues, health conditions, and the loss of peers can make it difficult for them to maintain their social networks. Here are several ways to help your elderly loved ones stay connected and engaged:Leverage Community Events: Many communities offer events tailored to seniors, such as exercise classes, art workshops, and social clubs. Encourage your loved ones to participate in these activities, which can be great opportunities to meet peers with similar interests.Embrace Technology: Online platforms and social media can be invaluable for seniors, allowing them to connect with friends and family members despite physical distances. Introducing your parents to simple-to-use apps and devices can open up a world of interaction.Encourage New Friendships: Help your elderly loved ones find new social circles by encouraging them to join clubs or groups based on their interests. Whether its a book club, a gardening group, or a cooking class, these activities can provide both a sense of community and a chance to learn something new.Volunteer Together: Volunteering is not only a way to give back but also a powerful method for socializing. Engaging in volunteer work allows seniors to feel connected to their communities and provides a sense of purpose.Schedule Regular Visits: Regular visits from family members, friends, or caregivers can significantly boost a seniors mood and sense of belonging. Even short, frequent visits can make a big difference in their overall well-being.Facilitating social interaction for seniors is about creating opportunities for connection and ensuring they have the support needed to engage with their community. By prioritizing social activities and leveraging resources both offline and online, we can help enrich the lives of our elderly loved ones, contributing to their happiness and health. If you have any questions, please contact AmazingCare at 303-755-3170.

Southern Colorado is home to a diverse senior population, spread across both urban centers and rural communities. Access to specialized healthcare can vary, making navigation of services even more critical. A Geriatric Care Manager brings local expertise and a network of resources that can be especially valuable in this region.Whether youre in Pueblo, Trinidad, La Junta, or other Southern Colorado communities, a GCM can bridge the gap between family caregivers and the complex world of senior care. When to Hire a Geriatric Care ManagerHere are a few scenarios where hiring a Geriatric Care Manager may be especially helpful:Your loved one is showing signs of memory loss, and youre unsure of the next steps.You live out of town and want someone local to oversee care and advocate for your family member.Youre overwhelmed with managing appointments, medications, and home care.Your family is struggling to agree on care decisions.You need support transitioning your loved one into a senior living community or skilled nursing facility.If any of this sound familiar, it may be time to consult with a GCM. How to Find a Geriatric Care Manager in Southern ColoradoFinding the right Geriatric Care Manager involves looking for professionals with experience, credentials, and a compassionate approach. Look for individuals affiliated with professional organizations like the Aging Life Care Association (ALCA), and always ask about their familiarity with resources in Southern Colorado.To explore local options and support services, start with these helpful resources:View Senior Resources in Southern Colorado Find Geriatric Care Management Services in Southern Colorado Final ThoughtsAging is a journey, and no one should navigate it alone. Whether you're managing complex health issues or planning ahead for the future, a Geriatric Care Manager can provide the guidance and relief your family needs.In Southern Colorado, where access to senior care may vary by location, working with a professional who understands the local landscape can make all the difference. For more local resources and trusted senior service providers, visit our Southern Colorado directory today.