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Due to age, illness, mental status or even physical limitations, some seniors have found it difficult to continue living at home. However, several care management programs are available to support seniors living at home by offering an assessment of their needs and coordinating services to address those needs. This allows seniors who wish to maintain their independence to continue living independently.

In Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, three Medicaid-funded care management programs that assist seniors with limited income and resources and have serious health issues that make them eligible for nursing home care are LIFE Pittsburgh, Community LIFE and the Aging Waiver.  The LIFE (Living Independence for the Elderly) programs and the Aging Waiver closely coordinate a broad range of in-home and adult day services at no cost to the consumer. 

The lottery-funded OPTIONS program is similar to the Aging Waiver except that seniors need not be eligible for nursing home care but do require assistance to remain safely in their homes. OPTIONS consumers also do not have to meet income and resource limits common to the Medicaid-funded programs but they may be required to share in the cost of services they receive depending upon their income and if married, the income of the spouse who lives with them.   

There are some OPTIONS consumers who are Nursing Facility Clinically Eligible (NFCE) but don’t qualify for Aging Waiver due to income or assets. They may need some assistance to remain independent, for instance having someone come in several hours a week to help.  They can stay home, but need some help.  Those in the Aging Waiver [and LIFE] program are those who, without support from us or family members, probably could not stay in the community. 

Depending on individual needs, OPTIONS provides personal care, adult day services, home modifications, and more.  At this time, there is no formal charge for the assessments or care management. Third-party payors such as Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance are accessed if available for In-Home Services Care Managed by the Options Program. The Options Program funds services not covered by these payors. Depending on the type of service, clients may be asked to pay a fee or make a contribution to defray a portion of the cost of service.

A care manager looks at the total picture and works with a senior or their loved ones in developing a care plan. The care manager will help to identify current strengths and supports and when feasible, arrange for services to meet unmet needs.

Any Allegheny County resident 60 years or older is entitled to a care management assessment if they feel there is an unmet need that is preventing them from maintaining their independence. There are many types of care management services offered throughout the county with the primary objective of enabling seniors to continue to live independently at home by helping to identify current strengths and supports and when feasible, arrange for needed services.

Some of the services that allow seniors to stay at home are: personal care, home support  (such as light housekeeping and laundry), adult day services, respite stay, medical equipment issues, home health aides, transportation, meal preparation, referral for financial and legal advice, and more. 

Care management assistance can be requested at any senior center in any county across the country. Call your local center to see what help is available.