The Pennsylvania Department of Aging is a cabinet-level agency charged with providing aid to Pennsylvania's approximately three million individuals age 60 and older. Although the bureau operates some services directly, such as the Pharmaceutical Contact for the Elderly (PACE) prescription drug program, it generally serves as a clearinghouse of funding and information for county-level Area Agencies on Aging. The department was formed under the governorship of Milton Shapp.
Services
Promotes prompt service delivery to consumers through the development of efficient program operational policies and practices across all aging services.
Administrative responsibilities include the state-level management of Older Americans Act Services, Caregiver Support Program, transportation, Senior Centers, OPTIONS, Veterans' Directed Home and Community-Based Services, Domiciliary Care, Aging In Place programs, Senior Housing, and nutrition services.
Caregiver support
The Pennsylvania Caregiver Support Program works to reduce the amount of stress not only on primary and informal caregivers but also on unpaid caregivers. Furthermore, this program helps support individuals over the age of 55 and older who care for adolescent members of their family.
These caregivers focus their efforts to aid a spouse, relative, or friend who is in need of assistance due to a disease or disability through Coordinated support via an appointed care manager Caregiving assistance Education Counseling Reimbursement for qualified supplies
Senior Community Service Employment Program
Provides employment and training services to unemployed, low-income adults age 55 and over.
Commonwealth Workforce Deployment System
Connects businesses and people to available services via PA CareerLink®
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Prepares persons with disabilities via vocational rehabilitation services in order to obtain, or maintain, employment.
Health and wellness
Health and Wellness program aims to promote healthier lifestyles among older Pennsylvanians so that there is a measurable improvement in their quality of life and subsequent reduction in overall healthcare costs. They provide workshops including fall prevention classes, nutrition classes, exercise classes, health screenings, and chronic disease self-management classes.
Help at home
In order to keep aging citizens in their homes for as long as possible, the Department of Aging provides several services. These include Adult Day Care, Transportation, Home-Delivered Meals, Personal Assistance, and Care Services. This also includes Home Modifications, Care Management, Home Health Care, and Respite (break from caregiving).
Housing
Property tax and rent rebate
Through the Department of Revenue, rebates are made available for Pennsylvanians 65 and older, widows age 50 and older, and adults with disabilities. The program offers a maximum standard rebate of $650. The program covers homeowners making $0 to $35,000 a year or renters making $0 to $15,000 a year. Seniors living in high property tax areas and making under $30,000 a year can boost their homeowner rebate by up to %50. Additionally, the rebate is increased by %50 in the rest of the state so long as the household makes less than $30,000 a year and the household pays at least 15 percent of its income on property taxes.
Domiciliary care
Dom Care is a group home program for adults with disabilities that need assistance, supervision, support, and encouragement for those who lack the resources or capability to live independently. Dom Care homes are individual providers' homes. They are inspected annually to meet health and safety requirements.
Insurance
APRISE Counseling Service
Free insurance counseling program that helps older Pennsylvanians with Medicare
Counselors
Specially trained staff and volunteers
Provide "objective, easy-to-understand information about Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Medicaid, and Long-Term Care Insurance."
Meals
Meals at senior community centers
Available at nearly 600 Community Centers throughout Pennsylvania
Available to individuals aged 60 and up, as well as their spouses
Served once a day around noon
Meals are prepared in coordination with each individuals diet plans, which are dependent on health issues, such as heart disease or diabetes They are free of charge but individuals may choose to donate
Home-delivered meals
Individual, or family member, participates in an interview in order to determine eligibility Meals are delivered to the individual's home