Corporate Office
1320 12th Avenue
Altoona, PA 16601
800-245-3282
814-946-1235
Transportation
Loop Road
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
800-458-5552
814-695-3500
  
 

 

  

 

 

 

 
     
  PLACEMENT SERVICES  
     
  Pre-Admission Assessment  
 

Pre-Admission Assessment is a service provided to individuals over the age of 18 who are seeking placement in a nursing facility, personal care home, domiciliary care home, or home and community based services funded by a Department of Public Welfare Waiver Program.  The Pre-Admission Assessment focuses on the consumer’s medical conditions and current functional abilities and/or disabilities.  The assessor determines the consumer’s appropriate level of care.   

Consumers that are assessed as being Nursing Facility Clinically Eligible may enter a Department of Health licensed nursing facility or receive home and community based services funded by a Department of Public Welfare Waiver Program.  These consumers may be eligible to receive Medical Assistance money to assist in the cost of care.  The County Assistance Office determines the financial eligibility once the medical determination is made through the Pre-Admission Assessment.  Other home and community based services are available to consumers who do not financially qualify for the Department of Public Welfare Waivers.  
Consumers that are assessed as needing Personal Care Home level of care may enter a Department of Public Welfare licensed personal care home or a certified domiciliary care home.  Those consumers assessed as Nursing Facility Ineligible (NFI) may receive home and community based services not funded by the Department of Public Welfare Waivers.   

The first requirement of the Pre-Admission Assessment process for all consumers wishing to enter a nursing facility, personal care home, or domiciliary care home, is the completion of a form (an MA51) by the consumer’s Personal Care Physician. Those consumers seeking to receive home and community based waiver services, regardless of age, can obtain either a prescription note from their physician indicating the consumer’s level of care, or the physician may complete an MA51 for this purpose.  An online copy of the MA-51 is available by clicking here.
 
     
  Placement Assistance  
 

Blair Senior Services, Inc. can assist you and/or your loved one in finding appropriate placement in a nursing facility, personal care home, or domiciliary care home if necessary.  Although the mission of Blair Senior Services, Inc. is to improve the life of older adults and help them remain in the community, the Agency also recognizes that placement facilities play an important role in the health and welfare of the county’s older adults and are a vital service for many.   

The decision to enter placement is life changing and the accompanying paperwork can make the process overwhelming.  Blair Senior Services, Inc. has a list of all nursing facilities and personal care homes in Blair County for distribution upon request.  If you would like a copy of this list, call (814) 946-1235 or 1-800-245-3282.  The Agency keeps a small supply of applications to local facilities on hand, or can direct you to the appropriate facility representative that can assist you with the application process.  Blair Senior Services’ Ombudsman is available to answer questions that you may have about application processes or a particular home.   

Families and consumers are strongly encouraged to “do their homework” when it comes to choosing a placement facility.  The first part of that process would be to have the consumer assessed under the Pre-Admission Assessment Program to determine the consumer’s appropriate level of care.  The Department of Public Welfare uses this assessment and Social Security information to activate appropriate funding sources for eligible individuals.  Consumers and family members are also encouraged to tour potential facilities and to ask questions of the staff and other residents to be sure the facility and the consumer are a good match.   

The Pennsylvania Health Care Association has developed guides that detail the types of questions that should be considered. 

Nursing Facilities are inspected at least annually by the Department of Health and these findings are available for every Nursing Facility in Pennsylvania.  You can access these results by clicking here. 

The Department of Public Welfare inspects Personal Care Homes at least annually and these findings are available for every Personal Care Home in Pennsylvania.  You can access the DPW web site to verify an active license for a Personal Care Home. 

 
     
  Domiciliary Care  
 

Domiciliary Care means “care in the home.”  It is the placement of a consumer within a private residential home in one of Blair County’s neighborhoods.  Domiciliary Care is a program that offers assistance to its participants with daily living activities while providing understanding and emotional support.  It allows the participant personal freedom, along with the security of having someone close by.

A Domiciliary Care participant is someone 18 years of age or older who is having difficulty in everyday living because of a physical or mental disability, or is unable to live independently.  The participant should be able to perform some degree of personal care and not require the level of care of a nursing facility.

Domiciliary Care Home providers are concerned, caring people with room in their homes and the time to give daily personalized care and attention to a Domiciliary Care participant.  Homes are approved for Domiciliary Care only after meeting s set of standards.  Domiciliary Home providers are paid every month for their services.

Financial arrangements are made through a cooperative effort between the Social Security Administration and the Domiciliary Care staff.  If a participant is already receiving SSI, his or her monthly income will receive an additional SSI supplement.  From this increased monthly income, payment is made to the Domiciliary Home provider at a standard rate for room, board, and personal care services.  The remaining balance is kept by the participant as personal spending money to help promote a greater degree of independence as compared to other alternatives.  Medical needs are covered by the participant’s medical insurance.

Individuals not eligible for SSI are still eligible for Domiciliary Care placement.  The standard rate is the same.  The participant privately pays the Domiciliary Care provider.

  
   
  Nursing Home Transition  
 
The Nursing Home Transition Program identifies individuals residing in nursing homes who could live at home with community-based services and support. The program also provides assistance with taking the necessary steps to move out of the nursing facility.