Public Service Profile: SWPA AAA Domiciliary Care Program

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging’s Domiciliary Care Program (Dom Care) is seeking individuals to open their homes to become a Domiciliary Care provider in Fayette, Greene, and Washington counties. Uniting adults with caring families, Domiciliary Care is one of the best public service programs in the area – and one you may have never even heard of.  

Dom Care is a unique program through the Area Agency on Aging that offers job seekers a full-time, work-from-home position with monthly compensation. The program has been operating for over 30 years in Fayette, Greene, and Washington counties. The program provides quality care and housing for individuals aged 18 and over who are unable to live independently due to frailties of age, physical and/or mental impairment. These individuals must not require skilled or intermediate nursing or hospital care on a 24-hour basis. 

Dom Care providers provide care in their own home, offering a warm atmosphere and a feeling of family not often found in other living situations. Families in Dom Care often build strong relationships, and providers operate like foster care. Individuals that utilize the Dom Care program have often stated that they feel like part of the family and have even attended vacations with the Dom Care Providers.  

Dom Care Providers are responsible for providing room and board, transportation to and from appointments, set up/ supervision of medications, laundry, preparation of healthy meals, and making sure individuals needs are met.

“We work with the prospective providers and help them through the process. You’re never alone, there is always assistance,” promises Tara Kelemen, Dom Care provider specialist.  To become a Dom Care provider, there are certain requirements that must be met: you must be at least 21 years of age, complete an application through the agency, a face-to-face meeting, and a home inspection.  You’ll need to provide various references, complete a background check and physical, and a few additional tasks.  Once everything is complete, another face-to-face meeting will be held to go over training and complete a second home inspection.  The homes and providers are certified, with inspections every 6 months to make sure they are following program regulations. Providers may become certified through the Area Agency on Aging to house up to three individuals in their home. 

The Southwestern Area Agency on Aging, Inc. is searching for caring, understanding, & patient individuals to become certified Dom Care providers.  The 2022 monthly stipend rate for a Dom Care provider is $1047.10 per individual. If you are interested in becoming a certified Domiciliary Care provider or want to refer someone who might benefit from these services contact the  Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging Domiciliary Care Program at (724) 489-8083, ext. 4612, or call 1-800-411-5655.

About Danielle Nyland

Current Position: Editor and Social Media Manager of GreeneScene Community Magazine. Danielle Nyland is a local photographer, artist, and writer. She is a Greene County native and currently lives in Nemacolin with her husband, Daytona, two sons, Remington and Kylo, and an English bull terrier, Sparky. Danielle has a background in graphic design, web publishing, social media, management, and photography. She graduated American Public University with an associate degree in web publishing and Bellevue University with a bachelor degree in graphic design. She has also attended the New York Institute of Photography. Before joining the team, she worked in retail and as an instructor at Laurel Business Institute. Outside of her work with the GreeneScene, she enjoys painting and drawing, photography, and loves reading books and watching movies – especially the scary ones! Danielle has been photographing and writing about local history and events since 2010 as part of the SWPA Rural Exploration team. She’s active in local community events and committees. She’s a board member with Flenniken Public Library and is on the committees for the Sheep & Fiber Festival, 50’s Fest & Car Cruise, and Light Up Night.