Departments

Human Services

Area Agency on Aging

Care Management Services

Many people have heard the term "Care Management," but are not sure exactly what it means. Care Management is an integral part of Long Term Care. The need for Long Term Care can arise either gradually, as a person needs more and more assistance with their activities of daily living, or suddenly, for example, following a hip fracture or stroke.

Care Management helps to plan for the care needed when someone is experiencing limitations that prevent that person from caring for his or her self. It can coordinate client access to various community-based services. The goal of the Area Agency on Aging's (AAA) Care Management staff is to assist older adults to remain in their own homes as long as possible. The main components of Care Management include:

• Intake and Screening
• Assessment and Reassessment
• Development of an Individualized Care Plan
• Service Arrangement and Coordination
• On-going Monitoring of Services and Need

The Bucks County AAA has several Care Managers who are responsible for different geographical areas of the county, and two Care Managers work in the Information and Referral Department. Care Managers assess people in their homes in order to see how they manage in their own environment. After the assessment is completed, a decision is made whether services will be provided through the AAA, or if there are other resources available.

Services can be subsidized or provided to Bucks County residents who are age 60 or older who are experiencing difficulties in caring for themselves and are unable to pay for the services. Our priority consumers are those with the greatest needs and fewest resources. Some people need services only for a short time and others for a long-term basis.

If you have a need for assistance, or know someone who does, contact the AAA at 215-348-0510.