We know that when patients are referred to the case management department, they often have a lot of questions about what that means. We've collected answers to some of the most frequently asked questions here, but feel free to call us at 814.234.6153 or send an email to casemanagement@mountnittany.org if you need more information.

Your physician may feel that you require continued care after discharge from the hospital. Our office makes referrals to community agencies and facilities to assist with your care. Referrals are made to community resources, including:

• Home health
• Home infusion companies
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Personal care/assisted living facilities
• Rehabilitation hospitals

There are many free services available in the community. Some of these include:

• Centre County Office of Aging (for people over age 60)
• Centre County Office of Adult Services (for people under age 60)
• Catholic Charities USA
• American Red Cross
• Community Action Partnership
• The Salvation Army
• Women's Resource Center
• Housing Transitions
• Children and Youth Services
• Centre Volunteers in Medicine
• Centre County Medical Assistance Office

This is just a sampling of the services that are available in our community. Seniors and their caregivers can find a wealth of helpful information in our senior wellness section. There is also a listing of community services in your phone book.

A personal care home provides communal living, often with planned activities, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, meals, exercise, wellness programs and the opportunity to socialize with other residents. Personal care homes can also provide assistance with activities of daily living, like bathing, toileting, eating, dressing, grooming, administering medication and taking care of other hygienic needs. Some facilities have special sections for residents who develop Alzheimer's or dementia. This type of care is not typically covered by insurance.

In a nursing home, residents are under 24-hour care by licensed or registered nursing staff or by certified nursing assistants. Some reasons seniors might need skilled nursing care include bedridden status, chronic wounds requiring daily care, colostomy care, physical and occupational therapy and special medical treatments. This type of care may be covered by insurance if the resident has an acute skilled medical need.

Home health nurses are certified nurses who can provide skilled care in the home. Skilled care is a medical service that needs to be provided by a licensed professional.

The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, or OVR, provides vocational rehabilitation services to help people with disabilities prepare for, obtain or maintain employment. OVR provides service to eligible individuals with disabilities, both directly and through a network of approved vendors.

The Altoona office serves Centre County and can be contacted at 814.946.7240 or by writing to:

Our department provides discharge planning assistance for cancer patients. The case managers assess needs (medically and psychosocially), develop treatment plans, discuss these plans with patients and families and then implement them. Patient advocacy, counseling and crisis intervention, referrals to community services and connection to patient and nurse navigators are all services provided by case managers.