Berks County Office of Aging

Clinton Senior Center

Options Program

Clinton Senior Center

What is Options?

Options is a Pennsylvania Department Of Aging Program that assesses the long term care (ltc) needs of people and tailors a service response to meet those needs. It is administered statewide by the 53 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA).

Options offers a plan of managed care that directs people with service needs toward the most appropriate and least restrictive level of care. It provides services that help maintain independence and meet chronic needs of individuals.

What does Options include?

Options Includes:

Assessment

Community Based Services

Care Management

An options assessment is mandatory for persons applying for medical assistance (medicaid) for nursing home care or for placement in a personal care home who may be eligible for the state supplement to social security.

What is Communtiy based services?

For people 60 years and older may include Day Care, Counseling, Attendant Care, Home Health, Personal Care, Protective Services, Home Delivered Meals, Transportation Services, Respite Care, Home Support Services, and any other AAA Community or In-Home Services.

Options Nursing Home Diversion is the assessment of need for and provision of services and care management in the home to people over the age of 18 considering nursing home care.

Is there a fee for an Options assessment & In-Home Services?

At this time, there is no formal charge for the assessments or care management. Third-party payors such as medicare, medicaid, and private insurance are accessed if available for In-Home Services Care Managed by the Options Program. The Options Program funds services not covered by these payors. Depending on the type of service, clients may be asked to pay a fee or make a contribution to defray a portion of the cost of service.

For more information about the Berks County Office of Aging's Options Program please call (610) 478-6500 or e-mail us at aging@countyofberks.com or visit the Berks County Office of Aging, County Services Center, 633 Court Street, Reading, Pa 19601-4303.