The Pennsylvania Dept. of Health has passed minimum standards that facilities that care for the elderly and disabled will have to follow or go out of business. Agencies that employ skilled nurses and therapists are already regulated, but there are many others who have realized that elder care is a growing business. These regulations are meant to insure that these facilities adhere to the same regulations.
The new regulations will not apply to individuals who directly provide care but for agencies who send care givers to homes, which will have to pay $100 licensing fee. Such agencies will also have to insure that criminal background checks have been performed as well. Employees will also have to pass testing and/or training on care giving.
This is a good thing as it will help prevent abusive or agencies who are understaffed and not capable of assuring proper basic care.
Check this article from the Post-Gazette for further details.
The state hot line for consumers to file complaints about agency-provided home care has been set up at 1-866-826-3644.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09349/1020944-114.stm#ixzz0a0Z16JTD
Be sure to check the Pittsburgh Elder Care Examiner homepage for more elder care resources and information.
Comments
It's great to have these new regulations!
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Happy to know this. Will they need to hire more staff to keep up with the paperwork?
Thanks for reading and commenting. Let's hope there's is more money from the state and fed gov for doing more in general for elderly. Have a great New Year weekend!
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