General Questions & Answers

What is Penn Assisted Care? Penn Assisted Care is a licensed Personal Care Home providing a full range of personal care services including medication supervision and the availability of professional medical care when needed.  At 33 guests Penn Assisted Care is large enough to provide quality services but small enough to personally attend to your individual needs. What does it cost? At 1/3 the cost of traditional nursing care, Penn Assisted Care is surprisingly affordable.  There are no entry fees.  Visit the Affordability page for more information.  Must I be able to walk independently? Many of our guests walk independently.  People with canes, walkers, and wheelchairs are eligible depending on their care needs.  If you become disabled while living at Penn Assisted Care, we will work with your therapist so you gain your maximum mobility.  The Penn Assisted Care building is ADA Compliant.  Will you make sure I take my medicine as prescribed? Yes. Is help available, if I need assistance with bathing and other hygiene needs? Yes.  Guests are encouraged to bathe, shave, and maintain an acceptable appearance independently.  We will assist you as necessary with your hygiene and grooming needs.  Visit the Services page for more information.  What if I am on a special diet? The house menu can usually be adjusted to accommodate most prescribed diets including soft, diabetic, and low salt diets.  Special foods may be prepared if the dietary needs or food preferences of a guest cannot be accommodated by the house diet.  Visit the Food & Dietary Services page for more information.  What happens if I become sick? Our staff is available 24/7/365 to attend to your needs.  We will notify your physician if necessary and in an emergency the ambulance will be called.  There is always a First Aid/CPR certified direct care staff person available.  If we can provide the level of care required we will attend to your needs in-house.  What about staffing? Pennsurg Assisted Care meets the required standards set by Pennsylvania Department of Welfare for staff time and training.  A staff person is awake and available 24/7/365.  Live-in, on-call staff persons are available to assist in emergencies. What if I need nursing care? Penn Assisted Care is not affiliated with any Nursing Home.  We have established relationships with several area Nursing Homes and we will assist you with placement.  Most Nursing Home placement occurs immediately when a person is discharged from a hospital.  Can I return after a hospital stay? Yes, as long as you don't need skilled nursing care or care beyond our ability to adequately meet your needs.  If you need rehabilitation a short term Nursing Home stay may be required before returning.  Tell me about the building. The building is designed and furnished for your comfort in a family setting.  It is ADA compliant with ramps and many other features.  It is fire safe with a sprinkler system and a smoke and heat detection system.  Other features include emergency lighting, an eight camera video surveillance system, an emergency pull cord alert system in all bathrooms and bedrooms, and exit door alarms.  The heating system uses tempered air.  All rooms are air conditioned.  Visit the Building Specifications page for more information.  Can I terminate my stay at anytime? You can leave at anytime.  A thirty day notice is required.  When will you terminate my stay? It is a very rare occasion when a guest is required to leave. Some conditions that may require termination: *If your physical health or mental status deteriorates to a point that we can no longer provide adequate care.  We will assist you in your new placement. *If your behavior toward others is obnoxious or out of control. *If you willingly, purposefully, or continually violate the house rules. *If you refuse to take your medication as prescribed and it becomes problematic to your health or the welfare of others.  *If the terms of the guest contract are violated and cannot be mutually amended to the benefit of all the parties.

Lifestyle Questions & Answers

Can I come and go as I please? Yes, you are a free and independent person.  You are encouraged to participate in town life.  If you are leaving for more than a short time, please notify staff so we don't worry about your well being.  Are activities available? Yes, we will endeavor to involve all guests in activities to their level of interest.  Your participation depends on you.  In house activities are scheduled daily as well as occasional local trips for shopping and to area points of interest.  Volunteer and Community groups are always welcome.  Participation in town life is almost unavoidable.  Parades, antique car shows, and other events are a few of the benefits of living in the Greater Pennsburg Area.  Visit the Activities page for more information.  Are the bedrooms furnished? Yes, the bedrooms are designed for your comfort with non-institutional furniture that would compliment almost any family home.  We feature a marble-topped dresser, sleigh bed, writing table, mini food area, and decorative area carpet in most bedrooms. Linens are included.  For more information visit the Accommodations page.  Can I have a television in my bedroom? All bedrooms are wired for cable television.  We allow flat screen televisions only.  You may bring your own television or rent one from Penn Assisted Care.  The television must be 22" diagonal or less and fit unobtrusively in the bedroom.  There is a nominal electrical usage fee.  You are responsible for all cable fees.  In a semi-private room we recommend that you share the television as well as the cost.  The volume level must not interfere with another guest's comfort level.  Can I personalize my bedroom? Yes, with wall hangings and pictures.  It is your bedroom.  The only things you cannot do is change the furniture and paint the walls.  But, you must be respectful of your roommate's needs.  Visit the Accommodations page for more information.  What about the storage of my clothing and other property? Most bedrooms have ample closet storage.  Several have additional storage above the closet areas.  Attic storage is also available.  There is no fee for on-site storage.  We may require that excessive amounts of clothing and personal property be stored off-site.  Who does the laundry? Two household loads of wash and wear laundry per week are included in the base monthly fee.  We will wash and fold.  We do not dry clean or iron.  When do we eat? Meals and afternoon and evening snacks are served in the dining rooms or on the deck.  Limited room service is available.  For more information visit the Food & Dietary Services page.  Breakfast: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM Lunch: 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM Dinner: 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM What is the food like? A varied cuisine similar to that consumed in many American households is served.  Usually two entrees are available along with vegetables, beverages, and dessert.  Limited seconds are available on a first come first serve basis.  We will strive to meet your culinary needs.  Visit the Food & Dietary Services page for examples of our menu.  Can I have food in my bedroom? Yes.  Food is allowed if it is properly stored.  Any foods that are spoiled or that attract insects will be removed by the staff.  A cleaning fee may be imposed if your area is not properly cleaned and maintained.  Food may not be shared with the other guests.  What about wine, beer, and spirits? Consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted with the permission of a physician.  Alcoholic beverages may only be consumed in the dining areas on the main level.  They may never be shared with other guests.  Alcoholic beverages may not be consumed or stored in the bedroom areas.  Inebriation is not tolerated. Can I have a refrigerator in my bedroom? Yes.  Most bedrooms are designed to accommodate a bedside mini-refrigerator with cabinetry above and a storage cart below the refrigerator.  You must purchase the mini-refrigerator separately and are responsible for its maintenance and cleaning.  There is a nominal electrical usage fee.  No other kitchen type appliances are allowed in the bedrooms.    What other devices are allowed in the bedroom? Prescribed medical devices are allowed.  All electrical appliances including personal grooming devices must be approved in advance by the administrator.  A nominal electrical usage fee may be charged.  Cleaning and maintenance of such items is the responsibility of the guest.  Microwave ovens, coffee makers, and space heaters are not allowed.  Can I smoke in my bedroom? No.  The only designated smoking area is the smoking room on the main level.  Otherwise, smoking is not permitted on the premises.  Can I stay up late and sleep in the next morning? It is your life.  As long as you do not disturb others you are free to do as you please.  You must show up at meal times if you want to eat.  All medications must be taken according to schedule.  Can my family visit? Family and friends are welcome from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM every day.  All visitors must respect the rights of our other guests.  Can I visit friends and family overnight? You are free to come and go as you please.  You must notify the staff if you are staying away for an extended period of time.   Can I have an overnight guest? Yes, with conditions and provided that your guest does not need care, agrees to follow the house rules, and we have room available.  Arrangements must be made three days in advance and be approved by the administrator.  There is no additional fee for one guest for one night per month.   Where is the closest beauty salon? There are several beauty salons and barber shops in the immediate area.  Arrangements may be made to have your hair done on premises.  Can I have a pet? It depends.  All animals must be approved by the administrator.  We reserve the right to remove pets that become pests or interfere with other guests.  All pets must be noiseless.  It is your responsibility to maintain and clean after your animal.  Pets are limited to aquarium type animals such as fish, frogs, and lizards.  If your roommate objects, the animal will be removed.  What about Seeing Eye dogs? Well behaved Seeing Eye dogs are allowed.  What about my car? Penn Assisted Care does not provide reserved parking.  If space is available, you may park on our premises. What if I don't like my roommate? Compatibility rarely becomes an issue.  You may request a room change at any time or opt for a private room.  Obnoxious behavior will not be tolerated by any guest.   What does the Pennsburg area have to offer? Pennsburg offers easy access to metropolitan southeastern Pennsylvania while maintaining the feel of small town life.  Churches, restaurants, and stores are all within walking distance.  The area boasts of many annual celebrations including an antique car show, and an Independence Day parade.  For more information visit the Pennsburg Borough Official Website.

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