Home Care Questions, Answered Clearly

Traditional Medicare generally does not cover ongoing non-medical home care, such as companionship or help with bathing and dressing. Medicare may cover short-term, skilled home health care (like nursing or physical therapy) when ordered by a doctor, but that's a different service than the personal and companion care most home care agencies provide.

In many cases, yes. Pennsylvania Medicaid covers home care services through Community HealthChoices (CHC), a managed-care program for seniors and adults with disabilities who need a nursing-facility level of care but wish to remain at home. Eligibility depends on both income/asset limits and a functional need assessment — visit the official PA DHS Community HealthChoices page for current thresholds.

CHC is Pennsylvania's Medicaid managed-care program that coordinates physical health care and long-term services, including in-home care, for eligible seniors and adults with disabilities. It's designed to help people stay in their own homes instead of moving to a nursing facility.

Many long-term care insurance policies do cover in-home care, but coverage details, waiting periods, and daily benefit limits vary by policy. We recommend reviewing your specific policy or having our team help you understand what your plan covers.

Yes, veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for the VA's Aid and Attendance benefit, which can help cover the cost of in-home care. Eligibility depends on service history, medical need, and financial criteria — we can point you toward the right VA resources to start the application.

In some cases, home care expenses may qualify as a deductible medical expense if they meet IRS criteria. This depends on your individual tax situation, so we recommend speaking with a tax professional or CPA for guidance specific to your circumstances.

Common signs include difficulty with daily tasks like bathing or cooking, missed medications, unexplained weight loss, a decline in home cleanliness, social isolation, or recent falls. If you're noticing any of these, a free in-home assessment can help clarify what level of support would help most.

Home care (sometimes called non-medical home care) covers companionship, personal care, and help with daily activities. Home health care involves skilled medical services, like nursing or physical therapy, typically ordered by a physician. Blessed Hearts Homecare provides home care — for medical/skilled needs, your doctor can help arrange home health services.

Care can typically start within 48 to 72 hours after your initial request and home assessment. In urgent situations, we work diligently to match caregivers even faster when qualified staff are available.

A member of our team visits your loved one at home to understand their needs, daily routine, and preferences. We'll answer your questions, recommend a care plan, and match you with caregivers who fit — there's no obligation to move forward.

We offer flexible scheduling, from a few hours a week of companion care up to full-time or live-in support. Your care plan can start small and adjust as needs change.

Yes. We regularly check in with families and adjust the care plan as your loved one's needs evolve, whether that means adding hours, changing services, or scaling back.

Yes. Pennsylvania requires criminal background checks and child abuse clearances for direct care workers, and we complete this screening for every caregiver before they're placed with a client.

We aim for consistency and will match you with a primary caregiver whenever possible, since familiarity matters for both comfort and quality of care. When schedule changes or absences happen, we arrange qualified backup coverage and keep your family informed.

We have backup coverage in place so care is never interrupted — if your regular caregiver is out, we'll arrange a qualified substitute and keep you informed.

Yes. We introduce you to your matched caregiver before care begins, and we welcome your feedback if the fit isn't right.

Our caregivers receive training in dementia-specific care techniques, including communication strategies, safety practices, and how to respond to common behavioral changes. We also focus on consistency, gentle redirection, and routines that help clients feel secure at home.

Companion care covers conversation, light housekeeping, meal prep, and transportation — support for someone who's largely independent but shouldn't be alone. Personal care adds hands-on assistance, like bathing, dressing, grooming, and mobility support, for those who need more direct help.

Yes, we offer 24-hour and live-in care options for families who need around-the-clock support.

Caregivers can typically provide medication reminders, but administering medication (like injections) usually requires a skilled home health provider rather than a home care aide. Our team can help families understand which tasks fit non-medical home care and which require clinical support.

Yes, transportation to appointments, errands, and social activities is a standard part of our companion and personal care services.

Yes, we provide post-hospital and respite care to support recovery at home, helping reduce the risk of readmission and easing the transition from hospital or rehab back to independent living.

Blessed Hearts Homecare requires a 4-hour minimum per visit. We still keep schedules flexible, so families can build a plan that fits their weekly needs and adjust it as care needs change.

Home care allows your loved one to remain in their own home with support brought to them, while assisted living involves moving to a community-based facility with built-in staff and shared amenities. The right choice depends on the level of care needed, safety concerns, and personal preference — we're happy to talk through the tradeoffs for your specific situation.

Home care can be a safe, comforting option for many people in early-to-moderate stages of dementia, especially with caregivers trained in memory care. As needs progress, families often reassess whether home care, memory care communities, or a combination best fits their loved one's safety needs.

Ask about licensing, caregiver screening and training, backup coverage, how caregivers are matched, pricing and contract terms, and how the agency handles complaints or changes in care needs. A reputable agency should answer all of these clearly and without pressure.

Yes. Blessed Hearts Homecare is a licensed home care agency under the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

We serve York, Adams, Lancaster, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon, Perry, Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton Counties, including York, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Reading, Allentown, Bethlehem, and surrounding communities.

Yes. Blessed Hearts Homecare is licensed, insured, and bonded, giving families added confidence when bringing care into the home.