|
For Immediate
Release
7/13/07
Contact:
Amy Bolze
(717) 787-8524
Vance Legislation to License Assisted Living Facilities
Sent to Governor
HARRISBURG – Assisted living facilities would be licensed
under legislation the Senate sent to the Governor today,
said Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York), who is the prime
sponsor.
"Although many personal care homes often refer to
themselves as assisted living facilities, there currently is
no official licensure category for this type of care," Vance
said. "By creating this type of license, citizens will have
a better idea of what kind of services to expect and whether
this setting will address their needs. Pennsylvanians will
now be able to make informed decisions about their own care
or that of a loved one."
Senate Bill 704 defines assisted living residences and
the services that may be offered. It sets minimal standards
for the regulation of the industry by the Department of
Public Welfare and supports the general philosophy that
individuals should be permitted to remain in a homelike
atmosphere of their choice for as long as possible. It also
supports the belief that residents should be able to
determine how and when care is given. Facilities not
licensed under this act would be prohibited from using the
term assisted living, thereby eliminating a large amount of
confusion in the marketplace.
Under current law, facilities offering long term care
services are either licensed as personal care homes or
nursing homes. With a few exceptions, personal care homes
are permitted to admit residents who require personal care
services, but not health care services. Nursing homes serve
the other end of the spectrum and provide care for the most
vulnerable of the population. Assisted living residences
will be permitted to provide a level of care between the
two.
Vance's district includes all of Cumberland County and
Carroll, Fairview, Franklin, Monaghan, Warrington and
Washington townships and Dillsburg, Franklintown and
Wellsville boroughs in York County.
 Print this page
E-mail
this page
|
