News Releases
2013
April 22
Pa. Homecare Association's Free, Online Training Program Recognized with National Award
My Learning Center, a free, online video training program for direct care workers and family caregivers developed and maintained by the Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA), has been selected to receive a 2013 Gold Circle Award from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).
March 7
PHA CEO Vicki Hoak Recognized with 2013 Women of Influence Award
The Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA) is pleased to announce that CEO Vicki Hoak has been named an award recipient of the 2013 Women of Influence awards. Hoak was selected as one of the top nominees by the judges for her leadership and achievements within PHA, as well as her contributions to the community.
2012
November 13
What Is the Cost of Homecare?
How much would it cost to keep my aging parent at home? What kinds of services are available to help my father with daily tasks like bathing and cooking? Can a nurse come into my mother's home to help manage her chronic condition? And more importantly, how much will these services cost? Can I afford them? These are common questions asked each and every day by the thousands of Pennsylvania residents who are caring for aging parents and trying to navigate the healthcare system to find the resources necessary to keep their loved ones at home, where they most want to be.
November 1
PHA Encourages Families to Use Holidays As Opportunity to Plan for Long-Term Care
With the holiday season quickly approaching, a time when many families gather together, the Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA) is encouraging people to begin the important conversation about what their wishes are as they age. Just like that infamous moment when parents impart the wisdom of the "birds and the bees" to their budding teenagers, PHA believes this is another "must have" conversation on the continuum of life - the talk about what our parents' and other family members' wishes are as they grow older and how to enable them to remain at home for as long as possible.
August 29
Training Website for Senior Caregivers Doubles Users from 2011 to 2012
Pennsylvania is one of the grayest states in the nation, with the over-85 population growing at more than 10 times the general population as people live longer with chronic conditions. And as more seniors choose to live at home as long as possible, the demand for well-trained homecare aides and family caregivers is growing. The Pennsylvania Homecare Association, which produces and maintains "My Learning Center," a collection of free, online training videos geared towards homecare aides and family caregivers, reports that the total number of users on the site has doubled in just one year, jumping from 7,565 users in 2011 to 15,534 and counting in 2012.
August 23
Call for Entries! 2013 Best Practices in Homecare and Hospice Awards Program
With more and more seniors wanting to stay at home as they age, the homecare field is growing exponentially to meet the demand for in-home services. To promote high quality and innovative care, the Pennsylvania Homecare Association is calling on home health, hospice and homecare providers across Pennsylvania to submit their best practices for consideration in the 2013 Best Practices in Homecare and Hospice Awards program.
August 13
PHA Joins Homecare Community Nationwide to Help Pennsylvania Seniors Exercise Their Right to Vote This November
The Pennsylvania Homecare Association today announced it is participating in Bring the Vote Home, a nationwide citizenship project to help senior, disabled and homebound Americans who have difficulty traveling to polling places cast their votes during the 2012 election.
June 4
PHA Recognizes Top Agencies for Best Practices in Homecare & Hospice
Further demonstrating the quality of care delivered by the state's in-home healthcare and hospice providers, the Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA) has recognized the top four agencies statewide in its Best Practices in Homecare and Hospice Awards program.
May 18
PHA Welcomes Four New Members to Board of Directors
The Pennsylvania Homecare Association has announced the results of its special
election to add four additional seats to its Board of Directors. The PHA Board represents the state's homecare and hospice industry which provides medical, personal and end-of-life care in the homes of nearly one million Pennsylvanians each year.
May 2
Homecare Workers Tell Lawmakers: or People We Care For, 'There's No Place Like Home'
More than 100 homecare workers who provide in-home services to a million Pennsylvanians joined the Pennsylvania Homecare Association at the state Capitol today to discuss the importance of "bringing care home" with lawmakers.
January 6
Loreen Comstock Named Chair of Pennsylvania Foundation for Homecare and Hospice
The Pennsylvania Homecare Association has announced that Loreen Comstock, administrator of clinical services for Columbia Montour Home Health & Hospice Services, has been named chair of the Pennsylvania Foundation for Homecare and Hospice.
2011
December 13
Help on the Way for Family Caregivers
The Pennsylvania House and Senate have passed legislation that would make much-needed changes to a state program that helps families care for loved ones at home. The bill now goes to Gov. Tom Corbett for his signature.
November 22
PHA Announces New, Re-Elected Board Members
The Pennsylvania Homecare Association has announced the results of the 2012 Board of Directors election. Two new members and three incumbents were elected to serve on the board.
November 1
November is Homecare and Hospice Month
November is Homecare and Hospice Month, a time to recognize the hard work and dedication of more than 1,800 home health, homecare and hospice agencies providing care to 405,000 Pennsylvania seniors and disabled residents.
June 1
PHA Recognizes Agencies for Best Practices
Four agencies received top honors for the 2011 Best Practices in Homecare and Hospice awards.
2010
December 10
State Homecare Advocates Defeat Governor's Executive Order
The Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA) and the Coalition for R.E.A.L. Home and Community-Based Services have successfully challenged and defeated Governor Edward G. Rendell's plans to force consumer-directed homecare workers to unionize by Executive Order. On December 1, the Governor officially rescinded Executive Order 2010-04, following rulings by the Commonwealth Court and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
September 30
PHA, R.E.A.L. Coalition Challenge Governor's Executive Order
PHA, along with members of the Coalition for R.E.A.L. (Respected, Empowered, Accessible, Loyal) Home and Community-Based Services, have filed an injunction in Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court challenging an Executive Order issued by Governor Edward G. Rendell, which directs the Commonwealth to unionize consumer-employed homecare attendants.
July 12
PHA Educates Direct Care Workers, Family Caregivers with Free, Online Training
Addressing the growing need to train direct care workers, as well as family caregivers, PHA in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, Office of Long-term Living and Long Term Living Training Institute, has launched a series of free, online video courses that cover issues relevant to the training needs of individuals who provide in-home care and services for seniors and people with disabilities.
May 27
PHA Recognizes 11 Homecare and Hospice Agencies Statewide for Best Practices
February 23
Chronic Care Management Training and Certification Available for Homecare and Hospice Professionals
PHA has partnered with the Health Science Institute to offer Chronic Care Professional Certification (CCP) for homecare and hospice clinicians. CCP is the only nationally-recognized professional training and certification program in health coaching, chronic care improvement and care management
2009
December 14
New State Law Mandates Licensing of Homecare Agencies
August 10
PHA Urges Governor to Finalize Homecare Regulations
May 13
People With Disabilities and Older Pennsylvanians Question Expense, Effectiveness of Proposed Council
April 1
Consumer Workforce Council Threatens Authority and Choice
February 25
Stimulus Package Brings Little Comfort to Homecare & Hospice
