Nursing Home Diversion Program Helps People Stay at Home

This article was submitted by Pennsylvania Dept. of Aging.

The Nursing Home Diversion program offers an alternative to nursing home placement for people who need nursing care because of their medical and physical needs but choose to stay in their home to receive services. In Delaware County such services can be provided through the Pennsylvania Department of Aging Medicaid Waiver Program.

The Nursing Home Diversion Program can provide the following:

• Adult Day Care ** Registered Nurse
• Personal Care Occupational Therapy
• Speech Therapy Physical Therapy
• Home Health Aide Transportation
• Homemaker Services Mental Health Counseling
• Home Delivered Meals Caregiver Respite Services
• Home Environment Modifications Emergency Response System
• Medical Supplies and Equipment Companion Services

A care manager will develop a care plan with you. You will then be able to select from a list of participating providers who you want to provide your services. **Adult day care can be a tremendous benefit for consumers. A list of participating adult day care centers is included on the next page.

What is the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) Medical Assistance Waiver Program?

The PDA Waiver Program provides services in your home as an alternative to nursing home care. It is called a "waiver" program because services are funded through a special Medical Assistance waiver that allows payments typically used for nursing home care to be used for home-care services.

How do I know if I'm eligible?

You are eligible to participate in the program if:

• you are ago 60 or older
• your income is $1,737 per month or less
• your assets are between $0 and $8,000
• your doctor finds you medically eligible for a nursing home

Who would pay for these services?

You can receive up to $4,126 per month in services. Medical Assistance will pay for 100% of the cost of your care plan. You do not pay for your services.

**Adult Day Care Centers provide supervised care and a set schedule of daily activities in a structured environment for impaired individuals who cannot be left alone during the day. Programs are designed to provide socialization, therapy and health-related care to the frail elderly. Adult Day Care services allow caregivers to maintain their daily routine while still providing safe care for the older adult. Programming generally includes health screenings, reality orientation, specialized therapies, crafts, exercise, meals and snacks.

To request more information about the Waiver Program and other COSA services and programs, contact COSA's Information & Assistance Unit at 610-490-1220/490-1300.

IMPORTANT NOTICE - PLEASE READ: If you receive MA Waiver services you may be subject to the Medical Assistance (MA) Estate Recovery Program. This is a federal law. It requires that when a recipient of MA Waiver services or MA Nursing Home Grant dies and there a probate estate (a probate estate exists when a person dies and his or her assets are distributed by a will or by state law), that the Department of Public Welfare be notified. If the probate estate has assets in excess of $2,400 (including a home) the Department of Public Welfare will collect assets to repay Medical Assistance for the services rendered. The Department of Public Welfare will not attempt collection if there is a surviving spouse or dependent child still living in the home or if the family can prove undue hardship if Estate Recovery is attempted. For more information about the MA Recovery Program call 1-800-528-3708.