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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In Chester, PA

Home Care Chester, PA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic BANKISLAND gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Chester, PA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Chester, PA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My Job So Far & My Clients. I Love How Flexible My Schedule Is Too. I'd Highly Recommend Getting A Job Here ☺”

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“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My Job So Far & My Clients. I Love How Flexible My Schedule Is Too. I'd Highly Recommend Getting A Job Here”

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“Just Started Working For Always Best Care In Philadelphia Last Week And I Love My Job So Far & My Clients. I Love How Flexible My Schedule Is Too. I'd Highly Recommend Getting A Job Here”

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“I couldn’t thank this Company enough for the services my Father had, it’s difficult to trust others yet Always Best Care of Philadelphia did it with ease. We happily recommend them to our family and friends. Bryant and Co. truly care as if it was their own family. God Bless and May all your Staff be safe, they are in my prayers.”

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“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome staff. Mr. Greene, his brother Al Billz and staff always looked out for me even when I was ill. I love them and Always Best Care to the moon and back!”

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“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes very compassionate to his workers and staff. If we need help and there's no caregiver available. Brian will step in. We also give our clients the best care possible. So proud to say Brian just opened up another office in Delaware. Doing an amazing job. I started work with this agency in 2012 when my mom became I'll. A good environment. I definitely would recommend this place of employment.”

Betty W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“first of all the owner Brian Greene is an amazing person to work for/with. Hes very compassionate to his workers and staff. If we need help and there's no caregiver available. Brian will step in. We also give our clients the best care possible. So proud to say Brian just opened up another office in Delaware. Doing an amazing job. I started work with this agency in 2012 when my mom became I'll. A good environment. I definitely would recommend this place of employment.”

Roger B.
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“Walked in to ask a few questions, and was kindly greeted as well as my inquiries were satisfyingly met. ????”

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“Always Best Care provides excellent personal service for my Mom. They are always in contact about changes or concerns. They truly do care and it shows. They live the Always Best Care name every day. I would recommend them for sure.”

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“Always Best Care Senior Services of Philadelphia abides by the highest standards in the provision of in-home care.”

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“Always Best Care has been tremendous. The caregivers are well trained and very considerate. Thanks to my infirmity, I have unique care needs but ABC has been able to provide that care and even go above and beyond in their efforts to care for me. I don’t know what I would do without them. If you’re in need of care, this is the agency to call.”

James M.
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“Always Best is truly a company that distinguishes itself from the other companies in its personal attention to make the client totally satisfied. Excellent communication is another reason you feel so secure. I never had a moment of frustration or worry. I can't recommend David and his staff enough!!! Karen in Plymouth Meeting”

Karen G.
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“Love what I heard about the company. Champion Care is important for seniors.”

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“Always Best Care Senior Services are a group of compassionate care givers and professionals. Use them for all your personal needs Senior or younger. They get the job done!!!”

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“I appreciate ABC of Bristol. They served me and my friend, Helen, at very difficult time. The office staff, social workers, and the aides were professional, caring, and reliable. Donna you are awesome....keep up the great work!!!! I would recommend this service to anyone.”

Tanya R.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Chester, PA?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Chester, PA

Types of Elderly Care in Chester, PA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Chester, PA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Chester, PA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Chester Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Chester, PA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Andiario or visit Historic Downtown Chester, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Chester, PA

Benefits of Home Care in Chester, PA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Chester, PA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Chester, PA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your PA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Chester, PA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Chester, PA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Chester, PA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Chester, PA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • The Belvedere
  • Harrison House Chester County
  • Chester County Pocopson Home
  • Merrill Gardens at West Chester
  • Arbor Terrace Willistown
  • Elderly & Disabled Inc
Home Care Chester, PA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Chester, PA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Chester, PA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Chester, PA

Latest News in Chester, PA

These Five Chester County High Schools Made the Top 20 in Pennsylvania

Five Chester County high schools are in the top 20 in PA, according to the Best High Schools list from U.S. News & World Report.Five Chester County high schools are in the top 20 in The Keystone State, according to the 2023-2024 Best High Schools list from U.S. News & World Report.The rankings were based on the scores each institution earne...

Five Chester County high schools are in the top 20 in PA, according to the Best High Schools list from U.S. News & World Report.

Five Chester County high schools are in the top 20 in The Keystone State, according to the 2023-2024 Best High Schools list from U.S. News & World Report.

The rankings were based on the scores each institution earned in six different areas of school quality on a percentile basis.

The metrics included college readiness, state assessment proficiency, state testing performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rate.

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Downingtown STEM Academy earned second place, the highest out of all Chester County high schools in the report. The school has a graduation rate of 100 percent and earned 87.9 points out of 100 for college readiness.

Here are other Chester County high schools that made the list of the top 20 in Pennsylvania:

No. 5: Conestoga High School in Berwyn

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No. 6: Unionville High School in Kennett Square

No. 10: Great Valley High School in Malvern

No. 16: Renaissance Charter School in Phoenixville

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Read more about the best high schools in Pennsylvania in U.S. News & World Report.

Top 5 Rated School Districts in Chester County.

Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on VISTA Today in Sptember 2023.

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Tags: 2023-2024 Best High Schools, Berwyn, Chester County, Conestoga High School, Downingtown, Downingtown STEM Academy, Kennett Square, Malvern, Pennsylvania, Phoenixville, Renaissance Charter School, The Keystone State, U.S. News & World Report, Unionville High School

Prospect will begin closing Crozer Health if Pa. does not provide $9 million

From Delco to Chesco and Montco to Bucks, what about life in Philly’s suburbs do you want WHYY News to cover? Let us know!The California-based owners of Delaware County’s largest hospital system say it’s the last call for a lifeline of funding before it initiates closure protocols this week at Crozer Health, absent an immediate sale agreement....

From Delco to Chesco and Montco to Bucks, what about life in Philly’s suburbs do you want WHYY News to cover? Let us know!

The California-based owners of Delaware County’s largest hospital system say it’s the last call for a lifeline of funding before it initiates closure protocols this week at Crozer Health, absent an immediate sale agreement.

Bankruptcy attorneys for Prospect Medical Holdings say they are searching for at least $9 million to keep Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital open and gain more time to secure a new buyer for the health system.

During a Tuesday hearing, Prospect attorney Bill Curtin informed U.S. bankruptcy Judge Stacey G. C. Jernigan of the Northern District of Texas that if that requested amount doesn’t come through by Wednesday evening to pay for daily operational costs, including payroll, the hospital system could begin diverting ambulances and patients to other facilities as soon as Thursday morning.

Curtin said keeping the system open and getting to a final sale agreement is the desired goal, but if money runs out, Prospect has a short window when it can still pay workers as it safely discharges and transfers patients to other facilities without compromising care.

“We’ve fought tooth and nail to avoid the closure decision for months,” Curtin said. “But unfortunately, we’re just running out of time and money.”

An unnamed consortium of potential nonprofit buyers remains far apart on the issue of long-term funding for the hospitals, according to Curtin, who added that a deal is not within reach this week.

To date, about $20 million in taxpayer money — $10.2 million from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and $9.8 million from Delaware County — has been used to keep the remaining Crozer hospitals afloat. The community nonprofit Foundation for Delaware County has contributed an additional $20 million.

“How many more infusions do we need here?” Jernigan asked in Tuesday’s hearing.

Jernigan expressed disappointment in the stalled progress of a sale. She urged members of the unnamed consortium of potential buyers to understand the high-stakes situation, especially for hospital workers and their patients.

“I can’t imagine what they are thinking and feeling,” Jernigan said. “I fear we’re at the end of the road.”

The bankruptcy judge also stressed to potential buyers that money being put into a sale would be dedicated to keeping the hospitals open. “Not one dime” would turn into profit for the bankrupt Prospect or its creditors.

Attorney Scott Cousins, who represents the Foundation for Delaware County, said the nonprofit was “tapped out at the $20 million” funding contribution and claimed that the organization has been left out of updates on sale negotiations.

“We were only in for the short-term plan,” Cousins said. “We are done.”

Cousins initially requested that his client be included in future sale negotiations, which proposed additional funding from the foundation. He cited other financial pressures facing the nonprofit and funds that have already been committed to other projects.

Jernigan said she was “baffled” at the foundation’s long-term priorities.

“I want somebody to be a hero here,” Jernigan said.

She ordered an early Wednesday morning video conference between the parties to reach a resolution.

“Sometimes hospitals close in bankruptcy, and it’s horrible when it happens,” Jernigan said. “And I don’t want it to happen.”

In a statement provided to WHYY News, foundation president Frances Sheehan said the $20 million contribution was to cover the hospital’s short-term needs while a long-term plan was developed.

“While the Foundation was hopeful that its significant contribution to this incredibly urgent situation would have borne fruit, the Foundation, like all stake holders involved, the State, the County, the employees, doctors, nurses, patients, staff and residents of Delaware County, are waiting and hoping for a long term plan to surface that will address the situation and such a plan has not yet been provided by anyone,” Sheehan said.

The state indicated it was working the phones to locate funding to keep the hospitals afloat while it continues to pursue a sale with the mentioned consortium. But Melissa Van Eck of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General said progress on that front has been complicated by Prospect’s years of “mismanagement” preceding its bankruptcy and the system’s continued need for support.

“Previously, there was some concern that this is another attempt at Prospect crying wolf, threatening to close and they’re not going to,” Van Eck said, but added that all parties do now recognize the urgency to reach a final resolution as the fate of the hospitals hangs in the balance.

Editor’s note: The Foundation for Delaware County is a WHYY supporter. WHYY News produces independent, fact-based news content for audiences in Greater Philadelphia, Delaware and South Jersey.

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Crozer Health: Crozer on life-support as frantic search is on for cash to keep it alive 2 more weeks

Will Crozer, Taylor shutter their doors Wednesday?Crozer Hospital and Taylor Hospital, in Ridley, could shut down by Wednesday afternoon, unless funds are found to keep them open.The BriefCHESTER, Pa. - Crozer Hospital could shut down Wednesday afternoon if a deal is not made to buy the struggling healthcare system.Officials have been meeting for ...

Will Crozer, Taylor shutter their doors Wednesday?

Crozer Hospital and Taylor Hospital, in Ridley, could shut down by Wednesday afternoon, unless funds are found to keep them open.

The Brief

CHESTER, Pa. - Crozer Hospital could shut down Wednesday afternoon if a deal is not made to buy the struggling healthcare system.

Officials have been meeting for weeks to save the institution, with the latest hearing wrapping up Tuesday afternoon.

What we know:

There’s trouble for the ailing Crozer Health System of Delaware County Tuesday night as a deadline is set for another infusion of money to keep the system going temporarily or the shutdown of Crozer could begin Wednesday night.

With its population of 35,000 residents, Chester, in Delaware County, is Pennsylvania’s oldest city.

A new mayor is now leading Chester, pressing to shake off the community’s long economic decline. The last thing it needs is for the Crozer Medical Center to close its doors.

Shaline Bacon, of Chester, said, "It’s important to me. If it were to shut down and not operate, everything would be in shambles."

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The Crozer Medical Center of Upland and its companion smaller hospital, Taylor of Ridley Park, have a lifeline of two weeks and $7 million to cover payroll before its for-profit owner could move to shutter them.

On life support:

Against that grim backdrop, there was bad news Tuesday for the struggling healthcare system out of a Texas bankruptcy court trying to broker a long-term solution for Crozer and its companion hospital Taylor, of Ridley Park.

An attorney for the former, for-profit owner, Prospect Medical Holdings of California, said if $9 million is not found by 4 p.m. Wednesday, in order to keep the hospitals going short-term, it will begin to close Crozer Wednesday evening. The attorney also said ambulances will be turned away from Crozer by Thursday morning.

By the numbers:

If the $9 million is found, it could buy another two weeks for the parties to hammer out a long-term solution with potential buyers Penn Medicine and Delaware County. Without it, a bankruptcy court action to close Crozer and Taylor could come Thursday afternoon.

Participants in the bankruptcy hearing said the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is involved in the search for $9 million by the 4 p.m. Wednesday deadline. The judge ordered the parties to meet in a video call before Thursday’s next scheduled bankruptcy hearing.

Big picture view:

Dennis Pace of Chester was born in Crozer Hospital. He said, "Chester needs Crozer, Taylor and all the hospitals under them. I honestly think it would be a stupid thing to do to close the hospitals."

Penn Medicine and Delaware County dish out $6M to delay Crozer health closure

From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know!Crozer Health will live to see another day — for now, thanks to a combined $6 million cash infusion from Penn Medicine and Delaware County.Parent company Prospect Medical Holdings retreated Thursday from shutting down Crozer Health, granting ...

From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know!

Crozer Health will live to see another day — for now, thanks to a combined $6 million cash infusion from Penn Medicine and Delaware County.

Parent company Prospect Medical Holdings retreated Thursday from shutting down Crozer Health, granting an unnamed consortium of buyers about a week to strike a deal to acquire the cash-strapped system.

News of the last-ditch funding “relieved” U.S. bankruptcy Judge Stacey G. C. Jernigan of the Northern District of Texas. At Thursday afternoon’s hearing, she stopped short of a full blown celebration.

“You get to a point where you’ve got to move down the road and I guess you’d say that’s where we are,” Jernigan said. “We’re all keeping hope alive that we do get an asset purchase agreement during these days ahead but we at least have a game plan.”

What is the ‘game plan’ to keep Crozer Health open during negotiations?

Receiver FTI Consulting drafted the plan but details are unclear. There will, however, be medical service changes at Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital.

“The parties have determined it is necessary to implement certain measures and transition select service lines in an effort to sustain broader operations,” a spokesperson for FTI said in a statement.

Prospect did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In an email obtained by WHYY News, Crozer CEO Tony Esposito told staff Thursday evening that the plan “will be executed by FTI in a methodical manner with no immediate or imminent changes.”

“Throughout this process we’ve used the term that services may be transitioned and what’s going to happen is that employees may be wearing different jerseys — but they’ll still continue doing their job,” said Melissa Van Eck, of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, during Thursday’s hearing. “And I think it’s important for employees and patients in the community to hear that and know that they will continue to be supported.”

Crozer employs approximately 3,000 people. The Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals represents nearly 900 of those employees. In a statement, the union said its primary concern is the “stability of the health care system in Delaware County.”

“Keeping frontline staff in the buildings and on the job is integral to that concern,” the associationPASNAP said. “The doors to the health system must not just stay open – the services the health system provides must persist and the staff must be there to serve the citizens of Delaware County when they are at their most vulnerable. We are eager for shared information on this aspect of FTI’s plan going forward.”

Who’s keeping the lights on at Crozer Health?

Bankruptcy attorneys for the California-based company said Tuesday the hospitals needed at least $9 million in short-term funding in order to make payroll or else it would be forced to begin shutting them down as early as Thursday morning.

Prospect’s self-imposed deadline came and went as negotiations with government officials continued in recent days. Ultimately, the company procured another infusion of cash.

Penn Medicine donated $5 million in exchange for some of Crozer’s medical offices. Delaware County pitched in $1 million for mental health services rendered, according to Prospect’s attorney.

“These grant funds are part of an overall funding package to allow the hospitals to remain open in the short-term, and do not come from property tax funds in Delaware County,” the county said in a statement. “Throughout this process, the county is continuing its approach of working for the best-case scenario of a long-term solution that keeps the hospitals open while preparing for a potential closure.”

A Penn Medicine spokesperson told WHYY News that the $5 million will go towards supporting Crozer operations and purchasing assets associated with Crozer’s outpatient facilities at Broomall and Brinton Lake.

“This proposal would also include transfer of the leases for these privately owned facilities going forward,” the spokesperson said. “Though these efforts are in the early stages, we plan to ensure continued operations in these facilities, and over time, offer re-imagined, expanded services to improve the health of local residents.”

Prior to Thursday, $20 million in taxpayer money — $10.2 million from Pennsylvania and $9.8 million from Delaware County — was used to keep Crozer open.

The Foundation for Delaware County, which “tapped out” Tuesday from giving any more future funds, has given a total of $20 million.

Van Eck said negotiations to lock down a sale agreement of Crozer are ongoing.

“Funding is a challenge that we’ve been attempting to overcome,” she said.

Editor’s note: The Foundation for Delaware County is a WHYY supporter. WHYY News produces independent, fact-based news content for audiences in Greater Philadelphia, Delaware and South Jersey.

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$250K Food Order For Chester Co. Food Bank Canceled By Feds

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — Amid ongoing federal funding cuts to critical programs, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has canceled a $250,000 food order for the Chester County Food Bank, the organization announced Tuesday.The Food Bank, which feeds tens of thousands of hungry and starving individuals around the greater Philadelphia area, will have to spend significantly more than $250,000 to purchase the same amount of food at retail cost, they said.Officials say that the preexisting level of support was barely enough to keep t...

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — Amid ongoing federal funding cuts to critical programs, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has canceled a $250,000 food order for the Chester County Food Bank, the organization announced Tuesday.

The Food Bank, which feeds tens of thousands of hungry and starving individuals around the greater Philadelphia area, will have to spend significantly more than $250,000 to purchase the same amount of food at retail cost, they said.

Officials say that the preexisting level of support was barely enough to keep the organization, and the people who rely on it, afloat.

“The cancellation of these orders are going to have a significant impact on our operations, and they couldn’t come at a worse time” Food Bank CEO Andrea Youndt said in a statement. "We are currently experiencing a cost of living crisis in Chester County and southeastern Pennsylvania. We need more support now, not less.”

Around 40,000 Chester County residents rely on the Food Bank for sustenance. If the USDA cancels the orders intended for the Food Bank for the rest of the year, the loss will be $1 million in food, and the cost to replace that food will be much more.

Pennsylvania has filed an appeal over the Trump administration's cuts to related programs, including the Emergency Food Assistance Program, which funds the Chester County Food Bank and similar organizations. Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Reading has called the elimination of funding illegal, as the sudden nature of the cuts allows organizations no time to find alternate funding sources — if any even exist.

Related: Feds Cut $1B In Food Aid, Impacting PA Farmers, Food Banks

“Supplier and buyer contracts are sealed months in advance," Reading said. "Whether you’re a farm or a food bank, you plan your operations based on what you have to spend."

It comes just a week after the Food Bank lost some $145,000 in funding from the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement program (LFPA), which supports local farmers by connecting them with food banks.

Youndt said the best way to help was for residents to contact federal lawmakers to express their disapproval of the move.

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