Caring for an Aging Parent in Philadelphia: Where to Start
Caring for an Aging Parent in Philadelphia: Where to Start
Short answer: Caring for an aging parent in Philadelphia requires knowing what help they need, securing legal documents, and understanding local resources. Start by assessing their daily activities and exploring options like Medicaid waivers.
- Assess your parent’s ability to handle daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and cooking.
- Set up Pennsylvania financial and health care powers of attorney while your parent can still sign.
- Modify their home to prevent falls by clearing paths, securing rugs, and installing grab bars.
- Explore financial help through the Medicaid Community HealthChoices waiver or the PA Caregiver Support Program.
- Keep local numbers handy, including the PCA Helpline and the Independent Enrollment Broker.
When you first step in to help an aging parent, you need to know exactly what they struggle to do alone. Pennsylvania classifies these tasks into two groups. Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are basic self-care tasks. These include bathing, dressing, eating, transferring in and out of bed, and toileting. Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) are the tasks required to run a household. These include preparing meals, doing housework, shopping, managing money, and using a telephone.
Write down which tasks your parent needs help with. This list helps doctors and assessors determine if your parent qualifies for state programs. For example, to qualify for the Medicaid waiver through Group 1, a person needs hands-on help with three or more ADLs. Help with IADLs like meal prep and shopping does not count toward this functional eligibility. To learn more about how these categories work, read our guide on understanding ADLs and IADLs.
Step 2: Watch for Signs Your Parent Needs More Support
Sometimes a parent will tell you they need help. Often, you have to look for the clues yourself. Pay attention to changes in their physical health, memory, or daily habits. You might notice unopened mail, spoiled food in the fridge, or a sudden decline in personal hygiene. If they have a chronic disease, watch for signs that they are no longer managing their medications correctly.
Physical changes also matter. If your parent starts freezing in doorways or taking short, rapid steps, their fall risk increases. If they have dementia, they might start wandering. Warning signs include returning late from a walk and wanting to go home while already at home. These observations tell you when it is time to step in. If you are unsure what to look for, review these common signs your parent needs more help at home.
Step 3: Get Legal Documents in Place
You cannot manage your parent’s finances or medical care without legal authority. Set up these documents while your parent can still understand and sign them. A Pennsylvania financial power of attorney lets you handle their money. Under state law, this document must be dated, signed by your parent, acknowledged before a notary, and witnessed by two adults. The agent and the notary cannot serve as the witnesses.
A Pennsylvania health care power of attorney and living will lets you make medical decisions if they cannot. This document must be signed, dated, and witnessed by two adults, but it does not require a notary. A person who signs on your parent’s behalf cannot also be a witness. If you need help drafting these, contact an elder law attorney. For more details on what to prepare, read our overview of essential legal documents.
Step 4: Make the Home Safer
More than one out of four older adults falls each year. You can prevent many of these accidents by removing hazards from your parent’s house. Start by clearing paths around furniture and removing throw rugs. If you keep rugs, secure them with double-sided tape or a non-slip backing. Install grab bars inside the shower, next to the tub, and next to the toilet.
Make sure stairways have secure handrails on both sides and light switches at the top and bottom. Keep often-used kitchen items on lower shelves at waist level so your parent does not have to reach or use a step stool. Never let your parent use a chair as a step stool. Have a doctor or pharmacist review all their medicines, as some can cause dizziness. Find more tips in our home safety checklist.
If your parent needs a caregiver in Philadelphia, New Century Home Care can help. Call us at 215-974-0000 or fill out our online form. Select “I am a client” and then “I need services” to get started. Our office staff speak English, Russian, and Ukrainian.
Step 5: Know the Money Options
Paying for care out of pocket is expensive. The median cost for a non-medical caregiver in Pennsylvania is $34 per hour. Fortunately, state programs can help cover these costs. If your parent has limited income and needs long-term services, they might qualify for the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Medicaid waiver. The 2026 income limit for this program is $2,982 per month. The application process starts by calling the Independent Enrollment Broker (IEB). The IEB will send a Physician Certification form to your parent’s doctor, who should return it within five business days. Find out more about how to apply for PA Medicaid for home care.
If your parent does not qualify for Medicaid, you might still get help through the PA Caregiver Support Program. This program reimburses eligible caregivers up to $600 a month for caregiving supplies and services. You can apply through the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). Learn more about how to pay for senior care in Pennsylvania.
Step 6: Line Up Help
You do not have to do everything yourself. When you are ready, you can hire a home care agency to assist with personal care, meal preparation, and light housekeeping. These non-medical services help your parent stay safe at home. Home care agencies provide companionship, mobility assistance, and specialized support for conditions like dementia or stroke recovery. If your parent needs skilled nursing, wound care, or physical therapy, they will need a Medicare-certified home health agency instead.
As a caregiver, you also need breaks to prevent exhaustion. You can arrange short-term respite care to step in while you rest or handle other duties. Read our advice on helping your parent transition to home care smoothly.
Step 7: Watch for Abuse and Know How to Report
Older adults are vulnerable to physical, emotional, and financial abuse. Pennsylvania’s Older Adults Protective Services Act provides protective services for adults 60 and older through local Area Agencies on Aging. Warning signs include unexplained bruises, sudden changes in bank accounts, or a caregiver who refuses to let you see your parent alone. Review the common signs of elder abuse so you know what to watch for.
Anyone can report suspected abuse. In Philadelphia, call the PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040. You can report anonymously, and all reports are confidential. If your parent is in immediate danger, call 911.
Philadelphia Senior Care Contacts
Keep these local numbers handy as you set up care for your parent in Philadelphia.
| Organization | Phone Number | What They Do |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) | 215-765-9040 | Local Area Agency on Aging. Call for protective services, the Caregiver Support Program, and local resources. Available 24/7. |
| Independent Enrollment Broker (IEB) | 1-877-550-4227 | Run by Maximus. Call to start the application process for the Medicaid Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver. |
| Alzheimer’s Association (Delaware Valley) | 800-272-3900 | 24/7 Helpline for dementia caregivers. Offers support groups and care advice. |
| PA Link to Aging and Disability Resources | 1-800-753-8827 | Statewide entry point for aging and disability resources. |
New Century Home Care is ready to support your family. Call us at 215-974-0000 or contact us online. Choose “I am a client” and “I need services” on our form.
Frequently asked questions
What can I do if my elderly parent has no money for care?
If your parent has limited income and resources, they may qualify for the Pennsylvania Medicaid Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver. This program covers in-home Personal Assistance Services and other supports. You can apply by calling the Independent Enrollment Broker at 1-877-550-4227 to start the financial and functional eligibility process.
Why is my aging parent becoming aggressive, and what can I do?
Personality changes, including verbal or physical aggression, can be behavioral symptoms of dementia or other cognitive impairments. Speak with their doctor to rule out infections or medication issues. When communicating, approach them calmly, avoid arguing, and focus on the feelings behind their words.
What can I do if I feel overwhelmed as a caregiver?
Caregiver stress can cause exhaustion, anxiety, and health problems. You can arrange short-term respite care to take a break. In Philadelphia, you can also apply for the PA Caregiver Support Program through the PCA, which provides care planning and reimbursement for caregiving expenses.
Non-medical home care in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties. Medicaid CHC (Keystone First), VA programs and private pay. We speak English, Russian and Ukrainian.
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