First Choice In Home Care has received its homecare license from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The license acknowledges the agency's compliance with newly enacted regulations established by the Department of Health and demonstrates the agency's commitment to providing quality in-home care in the community. Karen Everhart, owner of First Choice In Home Care, states: "Our agency is proud to provide the highest quality in-home care possible with employees who are dependable, honest, and caring. The license from the Department of Health is a natural step in offering basic consumer protections and a high standard of care." The licensing of homecare agencies and registries amended the Pennsylvania Health Care Facilities Act and mandates that all homecare agencies and registries conduct criminal background checks of workers, verify worker training, conduct TB testing, report adverse events to the Department of Health and require workers to wear ID badges. According to Everhart, the licensure legislation promotes consumer control and validates that homecare is a critical component of today's health care system. "More than ever, people want to be able to stay in the comfort of their own home. They want to have the choice about how and where care is provided." According to the Pennsylvania Homecare Association, approximately 750,000 Pennsylvanians receive in-home care each year and, of those, more than one third receive personal care services such as assistance with bathing, meal preparation and transportation. Approximately 15 percent of Pennsylvania's population is 65 and older and the 85 and older population is projected to double by 2020. The Department of Health estimates that there are currently 600 homecare agencies and registries operating in Pennsylvania. As the need for homecare services increases, so too will the number of agencies, in response to market demand and consumer choice. Everhart advises all current and prospective consumers of agency-provided personal care services to inquire if the agency has received its license. First Choice In Home Care has been operating since 2004 in Bedford County and surrounding areas. It provides services such as personal care, housekeeping, transportation, meal preparation, companionship, and pet care.