Governor Josh Shapiro's 2024-25 budget proposal includes $5.2 million for Pennsylvania's 52 Area Agencies on Aging to offer and expand innovative housing initiatives.
Harrisburg, PA –The Pennsylvania Department of Aging today announced it has launched its first-ever marketing campaign to promote its Domiciliary Care housing program, also known as Dom Care, to Pennsylvanians who have some extra room in their home and wouldn't mind some extra company.
Dom Care providers open their homes to offer a family-like living environment, daily support and supervision to adults aged 18 and older who are unable to live independently in their community, yet do not require the level of care provided by a long-term care facility. Dom Care providers receive monthly compensation and many other rewards. When surveyed on why they participate in the program, Dom Care providers have reported they enjoy helping and giving back to others in the community, welcoming residents and watching them succeed, providing a secure home to another in need, and companionship.
The “Open Your Door" campaign, which features television and online ads including Facebook, is now running and is designed to reach and appeal to multiple age groups.
“The Dom Care program offers a person the opportunity to live in a safe, caring home with a host provider who has the room, capability, compassion, and understanding to supply the basic necessities so the residents can live and thrive in their communities in a home setting," said Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. “The Department is truly grateful for the homeowners who have been serving as Dom Care providers over the years. Unfortunately, we're seeing many of them age out of the program and in need of help themselves. We encourage everyone in the counties offering the Dom Care program to consider hosting a community member who needs some extra support and a place to call home."
The Dom Care program is currently available in 31 counties: Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Centre, Columbia, Crawford, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Fayette, Greene, Huntingdon, Jefferson, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Luzerne, McKean, Mifflin, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Snyder, Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland, Wyoming, and York.
Dom Care providers must be aged 21 and older and receive certification by the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to provide supportive services in their home, to no more than three eligible individuals. Providers receive a monthly stipend for sharing their home and providing services to Dom Care residents.
How does Dom Care work? The local AAA works with Dom Care providers and Dom Care residents to match them based on needs, preferences, and interests. A trial visit is set up prior to the resident moving into the Dom Care home to ensure the provider and resident are a compatible match. Once a resident moves into the home, they receive supervision, a bedroom with basic furnishings, three nutritious meals a day, assistance with personal care, laundry, medications, and transportation to non-emergency medical appointments. The AAA supplies ongoing care management to the residents and support to the provider.
Residents pay their Dom Care provider a monthly rate, established by the Department of Aging. Individuals receiving Social Security Income (SSI) are eligible to receive a state supplement which covers the monthly payment to their provider and provides the individual with a monthly personal needs allowance.
There are currently 286 Dom Care providers serving 538 residents in Pennsylvania.
In addition to the marketing campaign to promote Dom Care, PDA has requested $5.2 million in Governor Josh Shapiro's proposed 2024-25 budget to strengthen the 52 AAAs' capacity to offer and expand innovative and unique housing opportunities, including Dom Care.
Pennsylvanians interested in learning more about Dom Care Program opportunities in their area, including how to qualify, can either contact their local Area Agency on Aging or call 717-783-1550.