Senior Home Care in Philadelphia
Senior Home Care · New Century Home Care
Senior home care that lets your parent stay at home in Philadelphia
Licensed non-medical home care for Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties. Medicaid CHC or private pay. Our office speaks English, Russian and Ukrainian.
- Licensed by the PA Department of Health
- Keystone First & AmeriHealth Caritas CHC
- Relatives can be paid caregivers
- English · Русский · Українська
At a glance: Senior home care provides non-medical help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and meal preparation. In Philadelphia, families can pay privately or use programs like the Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver and VA benefits to cover costs.
- Home care includes companion care, homemaker services, personal care, and mobility assistance.
- Services focus on Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs).
- The CHC waiver pays for Personal Assistance Services if the applicant meets financial and functional eligibility rules.
- Relatives can be paid to care for a family member through the CHC waiver, except the participant’s spouse, legal guardian, representative payee or POA.
Senior Home Care services
Four Levels of Non-Medical Help for Seniors
New Century Home Care is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to provide non-skilled support in the home. Home care aides do not perform skilled nursing tasks, such as wound care, injections, or medication administration. Instead, caregivers assist with daily routines so your loved one can live safely in the community.
| Service Level | What It Includes | Who It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Companion Care | Socialization, supervision, and basic support with household tasks. | Seniors who are mostly independent but need social interaction or someone to ensure they stay safe. Read about socialization and supervision options. |
| Homemaker Services | Meal preparation, housework, laundry, shopping and errands. | Older adults who struggle with household upkeep but do not need hands-on physical help. Learn about our support for daily chores. |
| Personal Care | Hands-on help with bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and feeding. | Seniors who cannot complete basic hygiene and self-care routines alone. See how hands-on hygiene help works. |
| Mobility Assistance | Help with walking, transferring in and out of bed, and positioning. | Individuals with fall risks, Parkinson’s disease, or physical limitations. Explore help with walking and transferring. |
ADLs vs IADLs: Figuring Out What Your Parent Needs
Pennsylvania regulations define home care tasks in two main categories. Understanding these terms helps when discussing care plans with doctors or state assessors.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) involve fundamental physical needs. These include bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, transferring in and out of a bed or chair, toileting, and bowel or bladder management. During the Functional Eligibility Determination (FED) for Medicaid waivers, the assessor from the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) looks specifically at the hands-on help needed with ADLs over the last three days.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) cover tasks necessary for living independently in the community but are not strictly physical self-care. Examples include preparing meals, doing housework, doing laundry, shopping, using transportation, managing money, and using a telephone. Help with meal prep, shopping, and housekeeping is not counted toward functional eligibility for the waiver. You can review our full guide on assessing physical and household needs to prepare for an evaluation.
Need help setting up a care schedule? Call 215-974-0000 or fill out our online form and select “I am a client” followed by “I need services” to get started.
Signs It May Be Time for In-Home Support
Families often notice behavioral or physical changes that suggest a parent needs daily help. Common signs include missed meals, spoiled food in the refrigerator, or sudden weight loss. You might find stacks of unpaid bills or observe that the house is unusually cluttered. Changes in personal hygiene, such as wearing the same clothes for days or skipping baths, are also indicators.
Falls are a major risk factor for older adults. According to the CDC, more than one out of four older people falls each year. If your parent is experiencing sudden dizziness, trouble walking, or loss of balance, contact their doctor immediately.
If your parent has dementia, you might notice signs of wandering, such as returning late from a walk or pacing. Six in 10 people living with dementia will wander at least once. Sundowning, which is increased confusion from dusk through night, is another sign that overnight supervision might be necessary. You can read more about recognizing the right time for assistance.
How It Is Paid For in Philadelphia
Paying for home care depends on your loved one’s financial situation, military service, and medical needs. The table below outlines the primary payment methods in Pennsylvania.
| Payer | Covers this? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver | Yes | Covers Personal Assistance Services and respite care for approved adults 21+. Hours are set by the service coordinator in the person-centered service plan. Find details on how the CHC waiver works. |
| Medicare | No | Medicare does not cover 24-hour care or personal care when that is the only care needed. It only covers part-time skilled nursing and therapy for homebound people. |
| Private Pay | Yes | You pay out of pocket for non-medical services. Rates are explained during your initial call with the agency. |
| VA Programs | Yes | Eligible veterans may qualify for Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care or Veteran-Directed Care. Start by asking a VA social worker. |
| Long-Term Care Insurance | Varies | Coverage depends entirely on the specific policy terms and waiting periods. |
Can a Family Member Be the Paid Caregiver?
Yes, family members can get paid to care for a relative in Pennsylvania. Through the CHC waiver, participants can receive Personal Assistance Services from a relative hired by a licensed agency like New Century Home Care.
The waiver has specific exclusions. It will not pay for services furnished by the participant’s spouse, legal guardian, representative payee, or power of attorney. Pandemic-era exceptions for these roles ended in 2023. Learn the rules for becoming a paid caregiver for a relative.
How to Start with New Century
Setting up services requires assessing your needs and verifying the payment source. Follow these steps to begin.
- Call 215-974-0000 or submit our online contact form. Choose “I am a client” followed by “I need services” or “already have services.”
- We will ask about your loved one’s daily needs, preferred schedule, and payment method. Our office staff speak English, Russian, and Ukrainian.
- If you use the CHC waiver, tell your service coordinator that you choose New Century as your provider. We work with Keystone First CHC (AmeriHealth Caritas); if your loved one is on another CHC plan, call us first.
- For private pay clients, we agree on a schedule that fits your family’s routine.
- The assigned caregiver completes all Pennsylvania background checks, TB screening, and competency requirements before their first visit.
Ready to arrange home care for your parent? Call 215-974-0000 or fill out the form choosing “I am a client” and “I need services.”
How to get started
- Call or send the formCall 215-974-0000 or use the form and choose “I am a client”.
- Talk through needs and paymentWe go over the help your loved one needs and how it can be paid for: Medicaid CHC, private pay, or a relative as the paid caregiver.
- Care starts at homeYour caregiver follows the schedule you agree on. For Medicaid, hours come from the CHC service plan.
Ways to pay for home care
Related home care services
Frequently asked questions
What is geriatric home care?
People use the term in two ways: medical care for older adults from doctors, nurses and therapists, or non-medical help at home. A home care agency like New Century provides the non-medical part: personal care, companionship and help with daily activities. Skilled nursing and home health aide services are separate, doctor-ordered services.
What to do when an elderly parent can’t take care of themselves?
Start by talking to their doctor about their physical and cognitive changes. You can call the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging Helpline at 215-765-9040 for local resources. Apply for the Community HealthChoices waiver if they need long-term support, and arrange for in-home assistance.
Which home care agency in Philadelphia offers the highest pay?
Pay rates depend on the specific role, experience, and the state or CHC plan budget. New Century Home Care offers weekly pay, paid sick days, holiday pay, health insurance options, and a $350 signing bonus for direct care workers. See our open caregiver jobs.
What are some online support groups for caregivers of elderly parents?
Many organizations offer virtual meetings and forums for relatives providing care. Connecting with others helps manage stress and share practical advice. You can explore our guide to finding local and online support networks.
Talk to a Philadelphia home care coordinator
Tell us what your loved one needs. We will explain the options, including Medicaid CHC and paid family caregiving.
