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Home Care in West Chester, PA: Understanding the Benefits and Choosing the Right Provider

Posted on February 15, 2023 by Justin Currie

West Chester, PA is a picturesque city with a rich history, art, and cultural heritage, located in Chester County. The city is home to many elderly residents who may need support with day-to-day tasks and household responsibilities. Home care services in West Chester, PA are a solution to help seniors maintain their independence and comfort while living in the familiarity of their own homes.

Home care services have become increasingly popular in recent years as more and more people are opting for in-home care services for their elderly loved ones. As people age, many require additional support to maintain their independence. Home care is a vital service that provides elderly and disabled individuals with the support they need to live independently and comfortably in their own homes. The advantages of home care services over other forms of senior care are numerous and it provides a convenient and cost-effective solution for families who want to ensure their loved ones receive the care and support they need. This blog post will examine the different home care services available in West Chester and how they can improve seniors’ lives.

Home Care Defined:

Home care, sometimes referred to as in-home care, is a healthcare service that allows individuals to receive support with daily tasks and activities while staying in the comfort of their own homes. This type of care can include personal care like bathing, dressing, and grooming, as well as household chores like cooking, cleaning, and running errands. For those with chronic illnesses or disabilities, home care can also encompass medical care, including managing medications and administering treatments.

Categories of Home Care Services in West Chester PA:

Home Care Services in West Chester PA are divided into four categories: Medical, Non-Medical, In-home Health Care, and Comfort Care.

  1. Medical services include nursing, therapy, and monitoring.
  2. Non-Medical services include personal care, household tasks, and companionship.
  3. In-home Health Care: Home-based health services encompass both medical and non-medical care, including wound treatment, physical therapy, nursing assistance, and more.
  4. Comfort Care: Comfort care is a type of end-of-life care that addresses the symptoms and distress of individuals with a terminal illness and prioritizes comfort and support.

Advantages of Home Care in West Chester PA:

  1. Comfort and Accessibility: Home care allows for care in the comfort of one’s own home, with familiar surroundings, reducing stress and promoting overall well-being.
  2. Maintaining Independence: Home care helps seniors live at home for as long as possible by assisting with daily activities and, improving their quality of life and happiness.
  3. Cost-Efficient: Compared to other long-term care options, home care is often more affordable and provides better value.
  4. Customizable: Care plans can be tailored to meet each individual’s specific needs, whether a few hours a week or round-the-clock care.
  5. Personalized Attention: Home care offers one-on-one attention from a caregiver, fostering a closer relationship and improved care.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Home Care Provider in West Chester PA:

  1. Expertise and Reputation: Choose a provider with a strong record of providing high-quality care to seniors. Check their experience, training, references, and positive reviews.
  2. Services Offered: Ensure the provider offers the necessary services, such as personal care, housekeeping, and transportation.
  3. Credentials: Ensure the provider is fully licensed, insured, and bonded for peace of mind.
  4. Compassionate Care: Choose a provider with a genuine passion for quality care and a caring attitude toward clients.
  5. Availability: Consider the provider’s hours of operation and responsiveness to emergencies.
  6. Affordability: Make sure the cost of services is within your budget.

 

To Summarize, Home Care offers important support for elderly and disabled individuals to live comfortably and independently at home. When picking a home care provider, important aspects to consider include the provider’s reputation, services, credentials, availability, and affordability. By choosing a provider that meets these standards, individuals and their loved ones can have peace of mind and receive top-notch care, including convenience, cost-efficiency, and quality.

In West Chester, PA, seniors can receive home care support to maintain their independence and comfort at home. A range of home care options exists, including non-medical care, medical care, home health care, and hospice care, to cater to varying needs. Selecting a reputable home care provider can guarantee that your elderly family member gets tailored care.

For home care in West Chester, PA, get in touch with us to learn more about our services and how we can support you.

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WellSprings Home Care Wins 2020 Best of Home Care Award

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Justin Currie

Exton, PA – WellSprings Home Care is proud to announce they have been selected as one of 2020’s Best of Home Care Award Winner by SeniorAdvisor.com, the largest ratings and reviews site for senior care and services in North America.

2020 Best of Home Care Award

SeniorAdvisor.com is in the 7th year of hosting the Best of Senior Living Awards. SeniorAdvisor.com’s Best of 2020 Award winner represents the best of the best of in-home care, assisted living, and other senior living providers, based on the online reviews written by seniors and their families. The exclusive designation honors the top 2-3% of senior care providers across the United States and Canada.

WellSprings Home Care is one of the only winners in Exton, PA and regularly receives exceptionally positive reviews from their senior customers and their families.

To qualify for inclusion in the Best of 2020 Awards, care providers must have maintained an average overall rating of at least 4.5 stars while receiving five or more new reviews between November 17, 2018 and October 18, 2019. WellSprings Home Care maintains a 5-Star rating.

“On behalf of the entire WellSprings Home Care team, we are honored to be recognized by SeniorAdvisor.com’s 2020 Best of Home Care Award Winners,” says Justin Currie, founder and owner of WellSprings Home Care. “This award, along with our 5 star rating, reinforces our commitment to continue providing the highest quality care for our clients, and growing our team of experienced, compassionate caregivers.”

“As SeniorAdvisor.com’s ‘Best of Senior Living’ awards enters its 7th year of honoring the top family rated communities and care providers, we are proud to say that the bar has been raised. In order to ensure only the best communities and care providers win, we decided to make the criteria harder than ever this award season and over 610 senior living and home care providers rose to the occasion. Each year we are increasingly impressed with the quality of winners and look forward to spreading the word about these award-winning organizations,” says a representative for SeniorAdvisor.com.

About WellSprings Home Care

Located in Exton, PA, WellSprings Home Care is one of the top-rated home care agencies and winner of the Best of 2020 Award on SeniorAdvisor.com, serving Chester, Montgomery and Delaware Counties. WellSprings Home Care offers a range of quality care services ranging from live-in senior care, 24-hour care, Alzheimer’s & Dementia Specialty Care, and more. WellSprings Home Care helps seniors maintain their independence, ensure their safety and enhance their quality of life. For more information, visit www.wellspringshomecare.com or call 610.463.0880.

wellsprings home-care PA

About SeniorAdvisor.com

SeniorAdvisor.com is the largest consumer rating and review site for senior living communities and home care providers across the United States and Canada with over 240,000 trusted, published reviews. The innovative website provides easy access to the information families need when making senior care decisions, and features reviews and advice from community residents and their loved ones. For more information, please visit www.SeniorAdvisor.com.

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Home Care Agency vs. Independent Caregiver

Posted on February 5, 2019 by Justin Currie

Senior caregiver

When choosing the right home care for your loved one, you’ll be faced with the option of finding a caregiver through a home care agency, or choosing an independent contractor.

While this decision can take some thought and research, our team at WellSprings Home Care has weighed out the pros and cons, so that you’ll have all the information you need right here in one place.

Home Care Agency vs. Independent Caregiver: What’s the Difference?

First, let’s start with the differences between hiring a caregiver from a home care agency, vs. hiring an independent caregiver. A home care agency employs caregivers, and will assess the needs of your loved one to help you find the right match.

A home care agency ensures that employees undergo specific background testing and training, in order to fulfill the services that the agency promises to provide. If a family decides that a designated caregiver is not a good fit, they simply notify the agency and are assigned a new caregiver.

An independent caregiver is someone who is not employed by a home care agency; essentially, you would take on the role as their employer. They will not have gone through the screening and training that agencies require, and ultimately you will have to use your own discretion when deciding if they will provide the proper care.

Factors to Consider…

Payroll Taxes

When you work with an independent caregiver, you must adhere to the rules and regulations of being an employer. While the cost on the surface may be less expensive, you’ll have to take into consideration the fees of liability insurance and potential tax penalties.

If you choose to work with a home care agency, payroll taxes will be taken care of for you, so you won’t have to worry about researching the rules of the IRS.

Work-Related Injuries

Most times, homeowner’s insurance does not cover an injury of an employee working in the home. However, worker’s compensation is a requirement in almost every state – meaning, you will need to provide it to an independent caregiver.

This is something else to consider when deciding to hire an independent contractor, or work with an agency. If you go with a home care agency, they will provide worker’s compensation, so that your caregiver will be covered if ever injured on the job.

Caregiver Supervision

As we mentioned, if you hire an independent caregiver, you will be responsible for their background checks and any additional testing. However, the point of a caregiver is so that your loved one can receive the care he or she needs, without your supervision.

But in this case, how will you know for sure that your loved one is receiving the highest quality care? Thankfully, if you work with a home care agency, they will provide supervision to ensure your loved one is receiving the services and care he or she was promised.

Abuse and Exploitation

Background checks have been coming up a lot here, but that’s because they’re so important. We don’t want to believe that anyone who is in the home care industry would want anything less than the ultimate care for their clients.

However, there are some instances where this isn’t the case, which is why criminal and background checks are always necessary. Fortunately, a licensed agency will always run background checks on their employees, so you can trust that who is caring for your loved one has only the best of intentions.

Home Care Agency vs. Independent Caregiver: The Verdict

While it is ultimately your decision whether you want to hire a caregiver through an agency or an independent contractor, it’s important to consider the factors involved that we’ve mentioned here.

If you think that hiring a caregiver through a reputable, licensed home care agency is the better choice, please feel free to contact us at WellSprings Home Care at (610) 463-0880 at any time.

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Non-Medical vs. Medical Home Care: What’s the Difference?

Posted on December 22, 2018 by Justin Currie

As our loved ones age, they begin to require specific assistance to accommodate their daily routines. Home Care is a great solution for this, as it allows seniors to remain independent, yet obtain the extra help they need.

Non medical home care

When you think of the term home care, you might find yourself thinking that medical and non-medical services are interchangeable. However, there are differences between non-medical home care and home health care, and our team at WellSprings Home Care is here to tell you what they are!

Medical Home Care

Medical home care, otherwise known as home health care, is provided by a licensed medical professional, such as a nurse, licensed practical nurse, or physical therapist. They can provide medical attention as needed, and make decisions based on their practice, and may only need to visit once or a few times per week.

Some services medical home care professionals provide include:

• IV treatments
• Occupational therapy
• Monitoring medication times and dosages
• Wound and injury treatment
• Mobility exercises or other physical therapies

Non-medical Home Care

Non-medical home care is provided by knowledgeable, trained caregivers who are able to assist seniors with everyday activities. This is a great option for an aging loved one who is in need of some extra support with their daily routines, but isn’t ready to move out of his or her home into an assisted living center.

Some examples of services non-medical caregivers provide include:

• Live-in assistance
• Personal Care
• Help with personal hygiene
• Running errands
• Light housekeeping
• Preparing meals
• Transportation, such as to doctor’s appointments
• Companionship
• Mobility assistance

Choosing the Right Home Care Services

While you may think you have to choose either medical or non-medical home care services, many families decide on a combination of both. Your loved one may need a nurse just a few times per week, but also require daily assistance with bathing or meal prepping, which is where a non-medical home care provider can help.

Non-medical home care is also a less costly option to ensure your loved one gets the care they need. Plus, they’ll be able to keep normalcy and independence in their daily lives, without the struggles that age or health issues can bring.

WellSprings Home Care Can Help

At WellSprings Home Care, we offer non-medical home care services that will make your loved one’s life much easier and enjoyable, when age and health issues may say otherwise.

Our compassionate, highly-trained and skilled caregivers will collaborate with you and your family to create a plan utilizing specific services we offer. Our goal is to keep your loved one’s normal routine in place, and to give you peace of mind that he or she is being cared for.

If you think that this sounds like a good option, contact us today at (610) 463-0880 or book a Free Consultation today! We proudly serve the areas of Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County, and will be happy to get your loved one on the right track with our home care services.

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Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Home Care Agency

Posted on December 20, 2018 by Justin Currie

Finding a home care agency in the Delaware County, Chester County, or Montgomery County areas requires some research. At WellSprings Home Care, we want to ensure that you feel totally confident in choosing the right in-home care provider to help the senior in your life get the assistance he or she needs.

Hiring a Home Care Agency

That’s why we’ve made things a bit simpler by providing this list of questions to ask when hiring a home care agency. Use these questions when interviewing the agency or care provider, so that you can get decide if he or she is the right match.

Services Offered

First, begin by knowing which type of home care provider you’re looking for. If your loved one needs medical assistance, a nurse or licensed nursing aide may be a better fit. If non-medical assistance is needed, non-medical in-home caregivers might be an ideal match.

If you need more information, consult with your loved one’s doctor, or check out our article on Non-Medical vs. Medical Home Care. Once you’ve made this decision, you can ask the home care agency questions such as:

  • What services do you provide?
  • Do you provide 24-hour care?
  • How soon can services begin?
  • How does the agency assess which services continue over time?
  • What type of training do the caregivers have?

Compliance and Finance

You’ll want to be sure the agency has legitimate credentials, and see how it offers to cover expenses. You could ask questions such as:

  • Is your agency licensed by the state?
  • Will I receive all cost and service agreements in writing?
  • Am I able to review your terms and conditions before signing a contract?
  • Are your caregivers covered under insurance?
  • Am I able to review your privacy practices?

Safety and Quality

The agency should be able to assure you that your loved one will be safe under their care. Additionally, they should be able to provide references from past or present clients, to reassure the quality of their services. To obtain this information, ask questions like:

  • How do you conduct your hiring process?
  • Do you require background testing for potential employees?
  • Do you keep up with employee screenings at least annually?
  • What training process do employees go through? Is it ongoing?
  • Does the agency have routine inspections conducted by an outside organization?
  • Can you provide inspection reports?
  • How do your caregivers handle emergency situations?
  • How does the agency and/or caregiver remain in contact with the client’s family? How often will they be in contact?
  • Can you provide references upon request?

Hiring a Home Care Agency

Now that you have a list of the right questions to ask when deciding on a home care agency in the Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County areas, it’s time to find the right agency.

You can get started by calling a representative at WellSprings Home Care at 610-463-0880 or schedule a complimentary in-home assessment today! We’ll be able to provide you with answers for any and all of your home care questions and concerns.

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How to Hire an In-Home Care Provider

Posted on December 18, 2018 by Justin Currie

When age and health issues begin to limit you or your loved one in accomplishing daily tasks, an in-home care provider could be a great solution. At WellSprings Home Care, we offer plenty of home care services for Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County residents.

Elderly Woman

If you think this could be an option for you or your parent or relative, it’s important to know exactly how to hire an in-home care provider. That’s why we’ve put together this step-by-step guide on the home care hiring process, so you can find the right caregiver and receive the help you need.

Step 1: Assess Your Needs

Finding the right home care provider means being aware of what you or your loved one needs assistance with. Perhaps it’s live-in care, if 24/7 monitoring is necessary. Or, maybe you are your loved one’s primary caregiver, and you need a break every so often, which is where respite care is helpful.

Everyone needs help in different ways, but one of the great aspects of in-home care is that it allows you or your loved one to maintain their independence – not to mention, remain in his or her home. That’s why it’s important to determine exactly what’s needed, before you go on to Step 2.

Step 2: Find the Right Home Care Agency

Once you’ve figured out exactly what you need in a home care provider, the next step is to find the right home care agency. You’ll want to do some research on companies in your area, which includes asking the right questions.

To start, you’ll want to find out exactly what type of home care providers certain companies offer. For example, if your loved one needs assistance with certain medical procedures, it’s important to find out if these agencies offer nurses or licensed nursing assistants.

Or, if you’re looking for services such as companionship or mobility assistance, a non-medical caregiver could be the right fit. You’ll also want to check out the agency’s credentials, find out if they can provide references, and question any relevant legal and financial concerns.

For more information on this topic, check out our Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Home Care Agency blog post!

Step 3: Interviewing Your Home Care Provider

Okay, so you’ve come up with what assistance you’re in need of, and found the right home care agency. The next step is to find the right home care provider. When you contact an agency, they’ll usually ask you a few questions first over the phone in order to find the right match in a home aide.

Then, you’ll have the opportunity to have a face-to-face interview with a potential home care provider. You can get to know him or her, perhaps with other family members present, to see if you think they’ll be a good match for your loved one.

If you’d like to move forward, you’ll then devise a home care plan together.

Hiring an In-Home Care Provider

When you’re ready to begin the in-home care process, contact our team at WellSprings Home Care to get started. We’re happy to provide our Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County area residents with reliable, compassionate home care providers. Call 610-463-0880 or book a Free Consultation today!

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How to Choose the Best Senior Home Care

Posted on December 16, 2018 by Justin Currie

When you find that your elderly loved one is beginning to need assistance with caring for him or herself, senior home care may be the best answer. At WellSprings Home Care, we provide a variety of services that will allow your loved one to remain in his or her home, while receiving the extra help he or she needs.

Choosing the best home care provider

Your Guide to Choosing the Best Senior Home Care

Whether your aging relative is in need of companionship, help with groceries, mobility assistance, or anything in between, it’s best to do your research when choosing the best senior home care. Keep reading to see what we recommend when looking for the right home care agency for your loved one.

Consider Your Loved One’s Needs

First, it’s best to figure out exactly what it is that your loved one is in need of. Perhaps they need some assistance with running errands, preparing meals, or reminders to take their medication. Evaluating their needs first will direct you to finding the home care agencies that offer these services.

Ask the Right Questions

Once you’ve decided on which services your loved one will need, it’s time to start speaking with home care agencies directly. It’s important to ask as many questions and address your concerns with the agencies’ representatives; such questions might include:

  • How long has the agency been providing home care services?
  • How do they choose their caregivers?
  • What type of training do the caregivers undergo?
  • Are they able to meet language or cultural needs?
  • Is the agency licensed by the state, and is it Medicaid certified?
  • How often do they perform background checks on staff members?
  • What are the options when it comes to paying for care?
  • Are caregivers equipped to handle dementia or diseases such as Alzheimer’s?
  • Will they provide transportation to and from doctor’s visits, or local errands?
  • Are caregivers available for live-in care? If not, how often will they visit?
  • Do supervisors perform checkups to ensure the client is receiving the highest quality of care?

Choosing the Right Caregiver

Once you’ve decided on the right home care agency, the next step is to choose the right caregiver. When you contact the agency, your loved one will be matched with a caregiver to fit his or her needs. Then, an in-person interview is conducted, where the care manager will meet with you, your family, and of course, your loved one.

It’s important to make sure the caregiver is a good fit for your elder’s needs. Don’t be afraid to interview more than one person so that you can be sure you’ve found the perfect match for your aging parent or relative.

Finding a Home Care Agency in Chester County

At WellSprings Home Care, we provide a wide variety of home care services, along with highly trained, compassionate caregivers. If you’d like to get started with home care services, contact us today at (610) 463-0880 or book a or schedule a complimentary in-home assessment today!

We proudly serve seniors in Chester County, Montgomery County, and Delaware County, and look forward to providing your loved one with the assistance he or she needs.

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What is a Non-Medical Caregiver?

Posted on December 7, 2018 by Justin Currie

Elderly women with non-medical caregiver

Home care services are now becoming a more popular solution for families when an aging relative begins to struggle with normal routines and daily tasks. Many of these cases require a non-medical caregiver, or someone who is trained to assist in non-medical care activities.

At WellSprings Home Care, we provide non-medical caregivers to those in need in the Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County areas. Our services allow your aging loved one or relative to remain in their homes and go about their normal routine, with a little extra help.

What Types of Services Does a Non-Medical Caregiver Provide?

While different from a nurse or licensed nursing assistant, a non-medical caregiver can provide a wide variety of services, depending on the help each client needs. Services can range from:

  • Companionship
  • Medication reminders
  • Running errands
  • Mobility assistance
  • Fall prevention
  • Meal preparation
  • Light house chores
  • Help with personal hygiene routines

A non-medical caregiver can be a huge help when it comes to staying on track with daily, normal routines when debilitating health issues might say otherwise.

Should I Choose a Non-Medical Caregiver?

Many aging adults still want to keep their independent lifestyles, and don’t necessarily need medical attention at home. A non-medical caregiver provides a happy medium in offering help when needed, yet not being too invasive or life-altering.

Not to mention, it lifts the stress off of family members, as well. You might be your parent’s primary caregiver, but it could take away from enjoying time with him or her. That’s where a non-medical caregiver can help both your loved one and your family.

With the services non-medical caregivers provide, such as light housekeeping, running errands, and meal preparation, you won’t have to worry about your loved one being cared for. You can both go about your normal routines, while enjoying each other’s company without any added stress.

What Should I Look for in a Non-Medical Caregiver?

When choosing a non-medical caregiver, you’ll want to do a bit of research first on home care agencies in your area. The agency should be able to provide references, and conduct thorough background testing on each of their caregivers. Additionally, extensive training should be provided in all non-medical services.

Once you’ve chosen the right agency, you’ll want to have a face-to-face interview with the potential caregiver. This is essential in deciding if this particular caregiver is the right fit for your loved one. You can ask questions about their past clients, their history in the field, and why they got involved with home care to begin with.

If everything checks out, you can then come up with a care plan together for your loved one, choosing which services you think will best aid in the comfort of his or her daily life.

Non-Medical Caregivers in Chester County, PA

A non-medical caregiver can be a sigh of relief for you and your loved one. If this might be an option for your family, click here to book a Free Consultation or call (610) 463-0880 today!

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Choosing the Right Home Care Provider near Exton, PA

Posted on November 28, 2018 by Justin Currie

When you’re looking for the right home care provider in the Delaware County, Montgomery County, and Chester County areas, you might be a little unsure how to determine the best fit for your loved one.

Our team at WellSprings Home Care Services is here to help. We know that you’re looking for a home care provider that you can count on, which is why we provide an interview process that will assure your loved one will be set up with the aide that best suits his or her needs.

Choosing a Home Care Provider

Finding Your Home Care Provider

At our home care service center, our primary goal is to make sure that your loved one gets the absolute best care on a daily basis. Whether you’re looking for someone to simply check in, or live-in care, it’s essential to find the match with the right home care provider.

When you contact one of our team members, we’ll first assess your loved one’s needs over the phone in order to set up a free consultation with one of our home care managers. Asking the right questions is important in this process, as it allows us to gain a better understanding of how we could be of service to your loved one.

Questions to Ask Your Home Care Agency

You might be thinking, “Okay, so what questions should I ask?” Choosing the right home care provider might seem intimidating at first, but with this list of questions we’ve provided, you’ll find the interviewing process to be simple and straightforward.

Company/Caregiver Experience
• How long has the agency been providing home care services?
• How long has the intended caregiver been providing home care services?
• How do they deal with challenges or unforeseen issues?
• How familiar are they with the area, in case of an emergency?

Types of Services
• What services does this agency offer?
• Are they willing to accommodate to your loved one’s schedule?
• Can they stay overnight if necessary?
• Are they able to explain their services in detail?
• Will you and your family be involved with planning the home care agenda for your loved one?

Legal Aspects
• Is the company licensed by the state?
• Are they licensed and bonded?
• Can the agency/caregiver provide a background check?
• Can they guarantee patient confidentiality?

Personality
• Is the caregiver genuinely warm and friendly during the interview?
• Do they “click” with your loved one, and/or with your family?
• How do they discuss their past clients?

Finding Your Home Care Provider with WellSprings

When you’re working with WellSprings Home Care Services, we’ll be sure to answer all of your questions and concerns. We want the process in finding a home care provider to be enjoyable for you and your family, and to give you peace of mind that your loved one is being cared for.

To find out more information about our services, feel free to contact us at 610.463.0880 or schedule a complimentary in-home assessment today! We proudly serve the areas of Delaware, Chester, and Montgomery Counties, and will be happy to help.

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WellSprings Home Care Ltd. Contact Details

  • Address: 379 W Uwchlan Ave. Suite 202, Downingtown, PA 19335
  • Phone Number: 610-463-0880 Email Address:
    [email protected]