Credit: PA Internet News Service
The mother of Pennsylvania’s health secretary left a personal care home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine confirmed following a press question this week that her 95-year-old mother requested to be moved out of a home and her daughters complied with the request.
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“My mother is 95 years old, she is very intelligent, and more than competent to make her own decisions,” Levine said.
Word of the move comes as deaths of COVID-19 patients from long-term care facility residents grow and has drawn outrage from some, including Republican lawmakers. Personal care home deaths have been been as widespread as long-term care facility ones.
A personal care home is different from a long-term care center, which is overseen by Levine’s department and deals with residents who need medical care.
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Personal care homes are for “older people, or people with physical, behavioral health, or cognitive disabilities who are unable to care for themselves but do not need nursing home or medical care,” according to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
A spokesperson at the Department of Health said Levine’s mother’s decision was made by the 95 year old and not the secretary.
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