​​​​​​​​​​​​Aging Our Way, PA: A Plan for Lifelong Independence

​The future of Pennsylvania provides a unique opportunity to develop and execute a plan that will make the Commonwealth longevity-ready, age-inclusive, and prepared to benefit from of the many contributions older adults provide. Pennsylvania’s population of residents aged 60 and over is increasing, reflecting a national trend (Figure 1). This trend, along with a declining statewide birth rate and longer life expectancies, means that Pennsylvanians over the age of 60 will soon outnumber those under the age of 20.¹

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The older adult population is also incredibly diverse – geographically, racially, and socioeconomically. This diverse, growing population of older adults contributes to the Commonwealth every day in limitless ways as employees and employers, consumers, volunteers, mentors, caregivers, and more. Our communities must be equipped with the resources and support needed to age the way we envision.  

In January of 2023, Governor Josh Shapiro assumed office and introduced the initiative of developing a Master Plan for Older Adults to respond to these emergent trends as part of his first budget address. Executive Order 2023-09 (EO 2023-09​(opens in a new tab)), signed on May 25, 2023, by Governor Shapiro, formalized the project by directing the Secretary of Aging to lead the plan development, appointing the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Council (LTCC) as a steering committee, and commissioning other state agencies to support this project.²  Governor Shapiro set an ambitious deadline for Aging Our Way, PA’s completion by February 1, 2024, ahead of his next budget address. 

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) began the Multisector Plan for Aging (MPA) effort immediately after the Executive Order was signed, using the guidelines set by the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) and recommendations from The SCAN Foundation and AARP. An MPA, also known as a Master Plan for Aging, is a general term for a state-led planning process that convenes multiple departments and agencies designed to foster cross-sector collaboration and improve the infrastructure and coordination of services for older adult populations.³ This term originated through the collaboration of a collective of organizations and funders that are working to mobilize financial, social, and intellectual capital to restructure state and local policies and convene a wide range of cross-sector stakeholders to address the needs of Pennsylvanians as we age. The latter collective includes the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), The SCAN Foundation, West Health, the May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust, the John A. Hartford Foundation, among others. 

MPAs allow states to plan for the rapidly growing population of older adults and people with disabilities, as well as the various compounding demographic shifts like increasing racial and ethnic diversity, increasing rates of solo-aging, and greater longevity among the oldest of the older adult cohort. MPAs consider the entirety of institutional infrastructure that directly or indirectly affects older adults and residents with a disability, including state, local, and federal policies and programs, as well as non-profit and private industry practices. Several states are actively developing and implementing MPAs.​ ​​

Vison

Aging Our Way, PA will provide a unified and realistic plan to guide every older adult, family, and stakeholder through a shared vision of how we, as individuals, determine to age our way with dignity, self-determination, and the supports and services we need to remain independent. In drafting this plan, the Commonwealth is committing to a future in which Pennsylvanians have the resources needed to continue to be vital, active, and respected members of our communities.

​​In this vision for the future, Pennsylvania will serve as a model for the nation, and prove that a community is only as strong as its commitment to inclusivity, respect, equity, and support for all of its residents. By embracing the AARP's Eight Domains of Community Livability framework (Figure 2) used by many of the states, cities and communities in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities, we commit to creating a state where every Pennsylvanian, especially older adults, can experience happiness, dignity, and fulfillment.​​​​​

​Focus

This plan is designed to establish priorities that will transform the aging services system to promote health, well-being, and independence over the next 10 years and beyond. These priorities are built on a stakeholder driven approach utilizing information gathered from older adults themselves, community advocates, experts and professionals across various fields, and other external stakeholders. The strategies and tactics informed by this engagement process support and prioritize the vision of an age-friendly Pennsylvania over the next decade and beyond.​​

To highlight the impact of the plan and the issues that an age-friendly Pennsylvania can address, we are presenting a series of scenarios, to illustrate the imperative nature and value of this plan. These characters are neither real people, nor are they intended to be stereotypes. Rather, they capture individual experiences and perspectives that have been gathered directly from older adults, caregivers, people with disabilities, or other stakeholders. This approach was designed to ensure that the characters are not only respectful and accurate, but also deeply rooted in authenticity. We are grateful to the many individuals and organizations whose contributions and input substantiate and shape these characters. The scenarios are a valuable tool for practicing empathy, emphasizing person-centeredness, and illustrating the remarkable diversity of circumstances that Pennsylvanians encounter throughout their lives as they age. Moreover, these characters are a reminder of who this plan is designed both by and for and allow for a deeper understanding of the individuals that the Commonwealth serves.​

PDA leveraged the framework developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and adapted by AARP for the United States to support the advancement of livable communities. This framework includes Eight Domains of Livability to assess the characteristics of a community or state that make it more accessible to the 60+ population (with benefits for all residents) described in detail below. The availability and quality of these domains are known to positively impact the well-being of older adults and help make communities more livable for people of all ages across the world.

PDA relied on Pennsylvania's Aging Network to lead community engagement to gain an understanding of the current realities of aging. Pennsylvania's Aging Network includes the 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and associated Senior Community Centers. The AAAs possess a deep understanding of the latest programs, funding opportunities, and policy changes at the local level, ensuring that older adults receive the most current and relevant information and support. Through these Listening Sessions, stakeholders provided insights that define the ideal experience for an older Pennsylvanian as outlined by these 8 Domains:

• Respect and Social Inclusion: Pennsylvania is characterized by inclusivity and appreciation for the contributions, wisdom, and experiences of older adults. Stereotypes and prejudices will be actively challenged, ensuring that older Pennsylvanians of all backgrounds are valued members of their communities, free from discrimination based on age, ability, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or other characteristics.

• Housing: Older adults live where they choose, in well-maintained structures, universally functional quarters, in safe neighborhoods, and hospitable communities. Alternative options and adaptations are readily available to meet changing needs and desires for housing. Older adults can choose a housing option that includes appropriate housing design and close proximity to services and amenities such as grocery stores, libraries, and community centers. Affordable options are readily available to give older adults peace of mind and financial security.

• Transportation: Older Pennsylvanians can move throughout their community and never feel isolated due to a lack of transportation options or mobility-impairment. Pedestrian modes of travel, which may be aided by mobility devices like wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters, are enjoyable and facilitated over smooth and well-maintained sidewalks. Pedestrians are not impeded by cracked pavement, overgrown roots, snow and ice coverings, or other hazards. Drivers are responsive to the rules around crosswalks. Older adults are practicing safe driving, agree to driving exams as appropriate, and are freshly aware of alternative means of mobility. If an older adult is no longer comfortable operating a personal vehicle, they can depend on reliable, timely, accessible, and useful transit options with stops that provide shelter from the elements, a place to sit, and are well-placed near community resources.

• Outdoor Spaces and Buildings: Our public community spaces like playgrounds, state parks, libraries, churches, and businesses will be vibrant, clean, accessible, and comfortable, offering inviting and safe atmospheres that encourage physical activity, social interaction, local shopping, and activity in shared community spaces.

• Communication and Information: Older Pennsylvanians and their caregivers know where to go to receive immediate, accurate information, warm referrals, help in navigating available resources, and ongoing support. Information reaches everyone, can be understood by anyone, and is offered in different forms to meet the abilities, preferences, and needs of older Pennsylvanians. Older adults who choose to use technology can confidently use their favorite devices and securely access widespread broadband.

• Social Participation: A thriving cultural scene offers older Pennsylvanians numerous opportunities for social engagement and recreation. Essential community spaces host workshops, art exhibitions, games, and other options for socialization with people of the same and different ages and backgrounds. These opportunities help counter the loneliness and social isolation many older adults experience as part of their daily lives. 

• Civic Participation and Employment: Older Pennsylvanians are encouraged and supported in their endeavors to contribute to the workforce or engage in volunteer opportunities. Businesses and organizations recognize the wealth of experience and knowledge older individuals bring, pay fair wages for time and expertise, and accommodate requests for flexibility that enable workers to be effective in their positions.

• Health and Community Supports: Comprehensive, holistic healthcare services promote physical, behavioral, financial, social, and emotional wellness, prevention, and early intervention. The network of public and private providers offers high-quality community supports and health services that are affordable and readily available. Older adults and caregivers are informed and empowered to heal and thrive in the manner that they choose, that best suits their preferences and circumstances.​​
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This plan, from its initial development and continuing throughout its future evolution, is anchored by five core tenets:

• Transparency and inclusion involving significant stakeholder- and public-facing engagement as well as a strong communication plan.

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion embedded in all phases of development, addressing disparities and promoting equity and inclusion regardless of a person's age, gender and gender expression, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, socioeconomic status, geographic location, genetic information, and other differences not yet identified.

• Principles of person-centered planning, valuing older Pennsylvanians and Pennsylvanians with disabilities holistically with careful consideration to each person's unique needs and preferences.

• Creation of a living document that will evolve through the 10-year span of the plan based on the changing needs and preferences of older Pennsylvanians and Pennsylvanians with disabilities.

• A reframe of how we think about, talk about and value older adults and people with disabilities to recognize the momentum, experience, longevity, economic contributions, and wisdom of older adults and people with disabilities and how these individuals add energy, vitality, and possibility to Pennsylvania.​​
  

Since the inception of this project through EO 2023-09​(opens in a new tab), a comprehensive process (Figure 3) was outlined to organize project activities, especially gathering and interpreting data from various sources to identify and develop the priorities, strategies, and tactics defined in the plan. The Department committed to incorporating the expressed perspectives, needs, and direction of stakeholders into this plan and its ongoing evolution. Stakeholder input was gathered through multiple means and channels to ensure that as many stakeholders as possible had the opportunity to provide feedback. Review the Acknowledgments section for a list of our partners and collaborators.

PDA, in partnership with the statewide network of AAAs and the Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging (P4A), sponsored over 200 Listening Sessions, holding at least one session in each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties to gather more input from an individual or group either engaged with or affected by older adult and disability related services, programs, and infrastructure. Stakeholders were also invited to submit comments by mail, an online form, or e-mail.

This complementary, multi-pronged approach to stakeholder engagement provided 9,920 points to engagement that allowed the PDA staff to understand the needs and perspectives provided. PDA, through academic and community partners, including the University of Pittsburgh, issued a Needs Assessment to document the baseline for older adult and disability services, infrastructure, and programming and to identify clear gaps or barriers that need to be addressed by the plan. The Needs Assessment included a randomized, representative sample of 900 older adults and older adults with disabilities to present a more objective understanding of perspectives and barriers related to older adult quality of life. The Needs Assessment survey was also offered publicly in digital and printed forms and distributed to stakeholders, community partners and their networks to broaden the understanding of perceived barriers to older adults in accessing services and infrastructure. Nearly 7,000 people completed this survey.

PDA staff analyzed and interpreted all the stakeholder data received through the Listening Sessions and the Needs Assessment and identifed common themes across the AARP’s eight domains: access and availability, afordability, health and safety, awareness, and quality. These fndings were presented to the Steering Commitee as Summary Reports for each of the eight domains. The Steering Commitee was led by the LTCC as directed in EO 2023-09, and included commonwealth agency staf as appointed by their respective secretaries, Subject Mater Experts (SMEs), and supporting consultants.

Steering Commitee members reviewed and further analyzed the data presented by PDA staf and their academic partners. Afer further iterative analysis, the Steering Commitee members met throughout the months of October and November of 2023 to translate the data into eight domain-focused recommendation reports. These recommendation reports included priorities, strategies, and measurable and actionable tactics that PDA used for the creation of the Aging Our Way, PA plan.

This plan builds upon an existing community infrastructure and parallel improvement eforts across the state. Many state agencies, boards, and commissions administer plans, policies, and programs that have direct and implicit impact on the lives of older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers. Therefore, including members of the interagency workgroup on the Steering Commitee was instrumental in ensuring that this work was not done in silos but a collective efort.

PDA will continue engaging with each of these agencies to coordinate eforts, formalize collaborative partnerships, elevate common goals, and align the execution of strategies in concert. Review Appendix B on page 46 for a list of state agencies and their acronyms.

​George is a 95-year-old widower and a father of seven. He is a retired master welder with the Bethlehem Steel Corporation and a Korean War combat veteran. George lives with his daughter, a registered nurse, who currently owns the house George built in the 1950s with money he received through the GI Bill and where he raised his family. George can still drive and to ensure his safety and the safety of others, he voluntarily takes a driver’s exam every year. He has a history of cardiac problems and suffered a massive heart attack that resulted in a double bypass surgery. George’s doctors diagnosed him with congestive heart failure, but he has not experienced any changes in cognition or thinking skills. George’s primary sources of income are Social Security, a pension, and a small amount of savings. He is unwilling to consider and does not think he needs nursing home services. His other children agree, although his daughter who lives with him worries about his overall health and safety when he is at home alone and when he is driving. He occasionally experiences loneliness and depression and often reflects on the number of people in his life he has lost. 

The Aging Our Way, PA plan will help community members like George, by bolstering the community supports on which we all rely as we age.​​

Aging Our Way, PA is a 10-year strategic plan designed to help transform the infrastructure and coordination of services for Pennsylvania’s older adults. The recommendations provided by the Steering Commitee were synthesized into fve Priorities, 36 Strategies, and 163 Tactics that will usher necessary and actual change to create a longevity-ready Pennsylvania.

Aging Our Way, PA is a living document that is designed to be refreshed and advanced as priorities shif based on stakeholder needs and tactics are executed over the next 10 years and beyond. Any changes will be published as needed, through an Implementation and Progress Update.

Aging Our Way, PA will be advanced through fve Priorities:

• Unlocking Access: We will design and ofer equitable, afordable, and available options and opportunities that older adults may choose from for healthy and engaged lives, regardless of ability; socioeconomic status; racial, ethnic, linguistic, or cultural backgrounds; or geographical location.
• Aging in Community: We will remediate barriers that prevent older adults from remaining in their own homes, maintaining familiar surroundings, staying connected to their communities, and living in secure dwellings.
• Gateways to Independence: We will promote unhindered mobility by designing transportation systems that allow older adults’ safe, convenient, and autonomous use of transportation services.
• Caregiver Supports: We will build a comprehensive catalogue of supports and enhancements that provide caregivers with help at home, respite, training, and navigation tools. 
• Education & Navigation: We will lead a coordinated network of community and partners to raise public awareness of services for older adults, provide information that reaches everyone and is understandable by all, ensure timely and streamlined connection to assistance with any need, and resolve the challenging problems that older adults face in their daily lives.​
  

As we age, our ability to obtain the appropriate services, infrastructure, and resources becomes increasingly challenging, due to systemic drivers and health disparities within the older adult population. Technology plays a vital role in contemporary life, with increasing interest among older adults in utilizing it to connect with loved ones. Many express a desire for training and improved accessibility of broadband services to safely and efectively use devices. Regardless of ability, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, language, culture, location, or age, people should have access to ample and accessible options that allow us to age in the way we choose. Living with a disability should never impede active and fulflling involvement in our communities. Resources to prevent and treat depression, anxiety, addiction, and other mental illnesses should be readily accessible within our communities. Cultural and language competency is essential to efective communication and outreach, especially for historically marginalized groups who may encounter language and cultural barriers when accessing critical information related to housing, transportation, health services, and employment opportunities. This priority aims to dismantle barriers, fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for older adults across diverse backgrounds and needs, unlocking various aspects of community life. Addressing the Unlocking Access priority will empower older adults to engage and access resources available to have healthy and fulflling lives.

Unlocking Access will be advanced through 10 Strategies and 30 Tactics:

Improving access and availability of long-term services & supports (LTSS) among vulnerable populations

1. Expand and fund the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program within the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) for individuals receiving home- and community-based services (HCBS).

2. Establish and maintain an appropriately staffed Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD) office within PDA.

3. Review and amend provider licensure requirements that impede long-term care facility admission for older adults living with dementia.

4. Review licensure requirements for skilled nursing facilities (SNF), Assisted Living Residences (ALRs), Personal Care Homes (PCHs), and administrators with respect to older adults living with dementia and amend policies and requirements to ensure facilities promote a culture of safety and reduce barriers for admission to facilities providing dementia-capable care.

5. Author a Long-Term Care Patient Bill of Rights that will protect the rights and dignity of older adults in the long-term care system, especially historically marginalized people. ⁴

6. Increase the availability and quality of comprehensive physical and mental health services, social engagement, and supportive accessibility adaptations for incarcerated older adults, including expanding older adult enrichment programming.

7. Review licensure requirements for skilled nursing facilities (SNF), Assisted Living Residences (ALRs), Personal Care Homes (PCHs), and administrators with respect to older adults with LTSS needs and behavioral health issues, including substance use disorder and those leaving the justice system, and modify policies and requirements to ensure facilities promote a culture of safety and reduce barriers for admission to facilities when needed and preferred.

Creating opportunities for more payment flexibility in LTSS

8. Expand the Quality Investment Pilot (QIP) Program, and use data from this program to support the development of value-based payment mechanisms.⁵

9. Support and improve long-term care facilities by expanding the Long-Term Care Resiliency, Infrastructure Supports, and Empowerment (LTC RISE) program.⁶

Reviewing service coverage in Medicaid

10. Reestablish chore services as a benefit in Community HealthChoices (CHC).⁷

Expanding access to supplemental services

11. Advocate for Medicare to include coverage of dental, vision, and hearing services.

Increasing access to nutritious food

12. Advocate for expanded funding for home delivery of the Senior Food Box program⁸ to meet the demand.

13. Expand access to mobile farmers markets across the Commonwealth, particularly for older adults in communities with limited access to fresh nutritious foods.

14. Expand awareness among older adults and throughout the Aging Network of eligibility for nutrition-related programs, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Senior Food Box Program, and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.⁹

Addressing behavioral health barriers

15. Advocate for mental health parity in Medicare and explore opportunities for advocacy with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to address parity in Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.¹⁰

16. Explore the use of community mental health block grant funds to bridge access gaps, especially in rural areas, to connect older adults to behavioral health services, including addiction services, telehealth, and in-home monitoring.

17. Increase access to behavioral health providers for long-term care recipients of nursing facility services, personal care, and assisted living.

18. Advocate for Medicare coverage of mental health crisis intervention, mobile mental health therapy, peer support services/certified peer specialists, and targeted case management.

19. Increase access to evidence-based resources and training related to detecting and reducing the risk of suicide in older adults.

Bridging the digital divide and expanding digital literacy

20. Advocate for increased funding for digital literacy programs available to older adults and individuals with disabilities through the Bureau of Library Development, and utilize libraries and Senior Community Centers as host sites.

21. Collaborate with the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) to expand broadband access to rural Pennsylvanians by implementing the PBDA Digital Equity Plan.¹¹

22. Create grants for programs that provide older adults with devices, training, and technical support for digital connectivity.

Increasing accessibility of community spaces

23. Establish grants for rural libraries to offer social engagement opportunities and expand availability of accessible meeting spaces.

24. Incentivize the integration of Universal Design principles and Smart technologies in new and existing Senior Community Centers.

Offering language and accessibility  

25. Create and distribute a comprehensive accessibility guide and assessment tool for outreach and communication, including parameters for multiple languages, accessible formats, print and digital media, and dissemination channels to ensure cultural and linguistic sensitivity.

26. Expand accessible voting sites that allow for older adults and individuals with disabilities to participate in all elections.

27. Fund the expansion of volunteer poll translator recruitment to ensure that polling locations have translators available to assist older adult voters.

Promoting inclusive social opportunities

28. Create more opportunities for intergenerational community-building, social participation, and food growth through the support of new and existing urban agriculture projects.

29. Ensure social engagement opportunities are designed to be inclusive and equitable for diverse individuals.

30. Develop a statewide online platform that offers virtual health and wellness programming, connection to information and resources, and opportunities for virtual social engagement.¹²

​Maria became a caregiver when her sister, Rosa, was diagnosed with cancer. Already busy with a full-time job, Maria needed to keep her job because neither she nor Rosa had health insurance. She even obtained a second job just to pay for rent, medicine, and put food on the table. She also had to pay for an aide for Rosa. As a Latina woman who doesn’t speak English well, Maria found it extremely challenging to fnd resources for her and her sister because of the lack of language access. When Rosa passed away, Maria was left overwhelmed with grief, paperwork, funeral expenses, medical bills and her own health challenges. She has been meeting with a support group to help her work through these feelings. Because of her experience supporting her sister, Maria wants to become a professional caregiver. She believes she could provide good quality, compassionate care to other older adults, just as she did for Rosa.

Aging Our Way, PA will support multicultural Pennsylvanians with language-appropriate resources and services, including mental health, housing, transportation, employment, and social opportunities.

Aging in Community is the idea of creating supportive, inviting, inclusive, and accessible communities where older adults can live comfortably and feel valued. This concept is broader than just remaining in our own homes, or “aging in place,” which can be challenged by our changing needs as we age. Most homes are not designed for accessibility, and it can be difficult to introduce necessary design features after construction. It is especially difficult to adapt older homes to improve accessibility. It can be expensive to pay for these modifications and eligibility criteria can limit access to assistive programs, especially for “near poor” older adults – individuals with income levels between 100% and 125% of the federal poverty level and those on strained, fixed incomes.¹³ Providing direct care services at home is vital to enable older adults to age in their communities and stay connected to friends and neighbors. Home- and community-based care is often more cost-effective than residential care.

Remaining socially connected as we age gives everyone a sense of belonging, purpose, and increased self-worth, and is one of the primary contributing factors to aging well. Keeping employment opportunities attractive and available to older adults also helps to address existing and anticipated workforce shortages. 

AAAs, SCCs, Older Adult Daily Living Centers, and Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) programs are part of the continuum that offer a broad range of services that we may need as we age. This priority elevates a comprehensive approach to create a state where older adults can thrive within their homes and communities, in the way that they choose. This priority is a commitment to ensure that aging is not a journey endured in isolation but embraced as an integral part of vibrant, interconnected community life.

Aging in Community will be advanced through 13 Strategies and 73 Tactics:

Increasing the capacity and capability of the Aging Network

31. Create a resource for community partners that guides local implementation of Aging Our Way, PA and the development of local collaboration efforts.

32. Provide educational workshops and resources to advance the Aging Network’s ability to form and maintain relationships with other local and regional 33. organizations, create diverse funding streams, develop new or innovative services and supports, and modernize the delivery of services to address the evolving needs of the older adults they serve in their community.

33. Design and launch a grant writing education program to advance the Aging Network’s ability to pursue external competitive grants.

34. Encourage relevant state and local agencies within the Aging Network to use validated tools (e.g., UCLA Scale of Loneliness) to measure loneliness and social isolation and provide direction with subsequent interventions to connect those at risk to social participation opportunities.¹⁴

35. Create grant opportunities for Aging Network Partners to enhance local communication, outreach, and branding efforts.

36. Research older adult and near older adult preferences to inform an action plan to reframe Senior Community Centers and congregate meals to better promote membership and participation.

37. Create a Community Needs Assessment template to assess and improve the quality and satisfaction with Senior Community Center service and program offerings, operations, and environment.

Identifying and supporting programs that help older adults live in the community

38. Advocate for increased legal support funding for older adults, including victims of fraud and abuse.

39. Highlight the use of supported decision-making and all other appropriate options to provide the least restrictive alternatives to guardianship.

40. Expand and fund innovative, unique, and creative models to expand affordable housing opportunities.

41. Expand and increase the number of people served and access to more services in the Help at Home (OPTIONS) program.¹⁵

42. Expand and support the Community Aging in Place Advancing Better Living for Elders (CAPABLE) program throughout the state.¹⁶

43. Provide financial support to fund smart home and smart wearable technology for people who do not quality for CHC or OPTIONS.

44. Expand and fund Shared Housing and Resource Exchange (SHARE) model to additional counties and extend the model to more populations including veterans and reentrants.¹⁷

45. Conduct research on expansion of shared living programs to align with Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing statewide goals.¹⁸

46. Support funding and policy to create age-friendly, Dementia-friendly, and ADA-compliant communities to improve access and availability.

47. Use 1115 waiver authority to expand access and supports for housing for individuals who are eligible for Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program.¹⁹

Creating and improving community infrastructure

48. Conduct a survey of municipal governments in the Commonwealth to assess current sidewalk inventories, document best practices for toolkits and technical assistance for municipal governments to maintain and enhance sidewalk inventories, and educate municipalities about grant opportunities for funding sidewalk and streetscape improvement projects.

49. Create and fund community planning and action grants and technical assistance opportunities to coordinate funding and resources for community infrastructure projects such as sidewalk repairs, transit stops, parking enhancements, and lighting installation.

50. Obtain a Statewide AARP Age-Friendly Designation and encourage more localities to seek out AARP Age-Friendly Community designations.²⁰

51. Improve connections between mass transit and public outdoor recreation opportunities, specifically the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) supporting the Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Active Transportation Plan.²¹

52. Prioritize funding for sidewalks in Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) grant programs.

53. Support PennDOT’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan to support older adult driving, pedestrian, bicycle and transit safety.²²

Improving the accessibility of public outdoor spaces 

54. Develop and promote the creation of easy trail loops in community and state parks.

55. Ensure that Pennsylvania state parks have accessible parking and bathrooms and increase the availability of beach wheelchairs, and accessible kayak launches and fishing access.

56. Increase the availability of adaptive facilities and equipment in parks and community spaces, including adult changing tables and park benches.

57. Expand skills-based learning opportunities for outdoor recreation activities targeted specifically for individuals with limited access to outdoor experiences.

58. Fund tree plantings and urban tree cover to ensure additional shading in local parks and improve healthful access to the outdoors.

59. Improve accessibility to all water-based recreation, including the installation of canoe and kayak launch sites, for people of all abilities on recreational lakes within state parks.

60. Increase access to “First Time” equipment kits and public programs in outdoor recreation.

61. Support DCNR goal of having a park/trail within a 10-minute walk of every PA resident.

62. Support DCNR’s assessment project to catalogue 10,000 miles of trails, particularly through an accessibility lens, to inform decisions and to prioritize areas of improvement.

63. Evaluate and update printed materials, displays, and other programming created and distributed by DCNR to include cultural diversity and ensure inclusive content.

Recognizing parks and green spaces as an integral part of community life

64. Conduct research to identify priority communities in need of strategic recreation investments to increase available green spaces.

65. Create a Pennsylvania Rx for Nature program to increase health and happiness as well as foster environmental stewardship.²³

66. Support skilled nursing facility residents’ access to recreation therapy, socialization, and education opportunities that address loneliness in residential nursing facilities. 

67. Engage diverse users, including career and technology education students and staff, in the management, planning, and design of outdoor recreation spaces and access opportunities.

68. Increase capacity of public land managers to maintain infrastructure by securing necessary staffing and funding levels as well as increasing intra- and interagency cooperation.

69. Use data to prioritize communities without access to recreation areas and partner with county and local planners to improve access.

70. Use state grant programs to fund community-based programs that advance health and wellness and connect Pennsylvanians with outdoor recreation programming for older adults.

71. Expand public access to outdoor recreation facilities through joint-use agreements with school districts and universities, in adherence with safety and security policies.

72. Support the Recreation Engagement Coalition (REC) as they develop a toolkit to create outdoor connection for individuals across the lifespan.²⁴ 

Expanding utility assistance programs 

73. Advocate for the reauthorization and enhancement of important utility-related consumer protections (Title 66, Chapter 24).²⁵

74. Simplify intake process for Universal Service Programs.²⁶

75. Support the expansion of utility assistance programs for older adults, including the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).

Addressing accessibility needs in housing

76. Create partnerships between PDA, the housing sector, and health and social service experts to develop and administer aging-specific grants for older adults experiencing homelessness.²⁷

77. Explore temporary housing options for older adults with complex needs who are transitioning to permanent housing, including but not limited to those who have experienced homelessness, institutionalization, or incarceration.

78. Incentivize the integration of Universal Design principles and Smart Technology in new housing constructions.²⁸

79. Increase access to Assistive Technology to enhance housing accessibility for individuals with complex needs.

80. Support the development of independent and “visitable” living communities to ensure that older adults, particularly those with lower income levels or specialized needs, have options for rightsizing their housing.

81. Research how to engage with diverse audiences on topics related to housing to promote positive outcomes.

Increasing affordability of housing

82. Advocate for legislation that requires higher-density options, such as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) or Elder Cottage Housing Opportunities (ECHOs), to be considered in local zoning and planning regulations.^{29 30}

83. Increase use of land trusts and banks to promote more inventory with long-term affordability, with a focus on serving older adults.

84. Repurpose underutilized university spaces, consistent with standard surplus disposition processes, to create housing for older adults through continuing market research, pursuing financing and funding opportunities, and age- and disability-friendly planning.

85. Propose tax-related changes that would make housing more affordable for older adult homeowners.

Increasing the affordability of home modifications 

86. Expand funding, increase availability, and review eligibility of home repair programs to expand access to home modification and repair services.

87. Provide increased funding for home modifications services through Medicaid waivers.

Creating affordable social opportunities

88. Advocate for the expansion of colleges and universities to offer free or discounted education to older adults and individuals with disabilities.

89. Advocate for the expansion of the Senior Companion program to all counties throughout the state.³¹

90. Establish a comprehensive discount program for older adults and caregivers to participate in community activities.

Promoting a diverse range of social opportunities

91. Collaborate with arts and cultural organizations to provide meaningful ways for different generations to connect and participate that foster dialogue and appreciation between groups, community enrichment, and self-expression, including art exhibitions, museum visits, concerts and festivals. 

92. Develop artist-in-residence program opportunities to connect Senior Community Centers and artists who have completed the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Academy for Creative Aging.³²

93. Encourage the growth and creation of innovative respite programs, including Memory Cafes and other models to support persons living with ADRD and their care partners.³³

94. Engage schools and libraries to create and promote intergenerational programming that includes young adult students and older adults.

95. Explore opportunities for congregate-meal providers to attract program participants by offering alternative menu, medically-tailored, and culturally-tailored meal options in addition to traditional hearty meals.

Promoting the value of the older adult worker

96. Strengthen workplace flexibilities that allow older adults to continue working and seek new employment through the achievement of Barrier Remediation subgoals from the 2024-2028 Pennsylvania Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) State Plan. ³⁴

97. Expand funding for the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) program for outreach to raise awareness and increase access to the program.³⁵

98. Design accessible instructions and create filters for customizable job searches on PA CareerLink® filters to highlight the many flexible opportunities.

99. Include more specific older adult age groups on the Labor and Industry Older Workers by Industry Dashboard to increase awareness of the economic impact that older adults have on the PA economy.

100. Launch a multi-year grant program to establish volunteer coordinators in libraries and community-based organizations.

Protecting financial security

101. Expand partnership between Attorney General’s Office, Department of Banking & Securities (DOBS), and community advocacy organizations such as Center for Advocacy for the Rights & Interests of Elders (CARIE) and AARP Pennsylvania to expand educational programs that inform older adults about how to recognize and report common scams and frauds.

102. Expand the existing PDA’s Financial Exploitation Task Force with state and local law enforcement agencies to investigate and combat fraud and scams targeting older adults.

103. Research and promote models for flexible work opportunities to support people as they age, experience a disability, or become homebound.

Annette is an active leader in her community, a retired teacher, and a mother of three. She resides in the home she owned with her late husband. Annette is in good health and volunteers as a teacher’s aide at the school where she used to work and as a member of her church’s steward board. Annette really loves her neighborhood and is close to the few friends she has left. She still drives and often takes care of friends who do not have loved ones nearby to help, yet she could use some help as well. Annette can barely pay her mortgage and the rest of her bills, and sometimes relies on her church for support with food. Annette’s daughter has asked her repeatedly to move in with her, concerned for her mother’s safety and the declining conditions of the neighborhood. Annette cannot afford housing in safer areas, does not want to be a burden to her daughter, and doesn’t want to give up her independence. Lately, she feels her age has made her a target. Because she is hard of hearing, Annette has noticed some people either disregard her or assume she has a decline in mental capacity. This has made getting basic assistance even more difficult, and Annette has been constantly questioned about her capacity and ability to take care of herself.

Explore how Aging Our Way, PA will help people like Annette access a variety of supports to age in community.

Transportation allows us to access essential services, such as medical appointments, grocery stores, and social events. However, as we age, we often encounter challenges in finding suitable transportation, hindering our autonomy to participate in daily activities, access essential services, and maintain social connections. Gateways to Independence seeks to alleviate the challenges voiced by community members by fostering an environment where older adults have a spectrum of transportation options tailored to their specific needs. This includes accessible public transit, door-to-door services, community-driven transportation, and routine driver safety education for older adults that use personal vehicles. As we age, maintaining mobility and access to transportation becomes increasingly crucial for our overall well-being and continued engagement within our communities. These barriers are frequently much steeper for people living in urban areas and those who have mobility-impairing disabilities. Community members expressed concerns over little-to-no public transit in rural areas, limitations of where public transit will take passengers, behavior of other passengers when using public transit, and the accessibility of public transit vehicles for individuals with disabilities. By repairing the cracks, bridging the gaps, eliminating inconveniences, and enhancing infrastructure, older adults can live more independently, fostering connections and enabling them to participate fully in their communities.

Gateways to Independence will be advanced through 5 Strategies and 21 Tactics:

Ensuring driver safety for older adults

104. Encourage older adults and individuals with disabilities to seek vehicle modifications needed to maintain use of vehicles, including those necessary for employment.

105. Increase awareness of existing safe driving education programs.

106. Invest in additional programming related to Older Driver Safety Awareness Week.

Improving transportation systems to better serve the community

107. Develop a rider awareness advertising program that highlights ADA requirements and respectful behavior.

108. Develop and disseminate a best practice guide for transit driver recruitment and retention.

109. Develop and implement or improve ADA, accessibility, and dementia-friendly trainings for transit authority employees.

110. Improve coordination between transit providers, the Veterans’ Administration (VA), and VA medical facilities to address gaps in access to services for veterans, including veterans in rural areas.

111. Provide resources to modernize the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) van program and develop a fleet replacement schedule. ³⁶

112. Conduct research to investigate and evaluate the Shared Ride program, rideshare programs, and other third-party options for their effectiveness in meeting the needs of older adults, or as cost-effective alternatives to buses or vans on low travel days and after hours.

Increasing coordination between transportation stakeholders 

113. Advocate for local coordination, zoning changes, and other mechanisms to support transit-oriented development of retirement and older adult living communities.

114. Conduct an evaluation and develop toolkits which may include innovative ideas for county and municipal governments to maintain and improve public transit services.

115. Establish an Older Driver Task Force of transportation stakeholders, including but not limited to transit providers, state agencies, and advocates to improve older driver safety.

116. Evaluate the inclusion and engagement of older adults and people with disabilities in Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and Regional Planning Organizations (RPOs) to advance aging and disability equity.³⁷

117. Increase awareness and utilization of the PennDOT Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP).³⁸

118. Support Pennsylvania House Resolution 174 for the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study and issue a report on the current status, management, and implementation of mass or public transit in Pennsylvania’s rural communities.³⁹

Using alternatives to public transportation to reduce gaps in access

119. Advocate to increase the availability of paratransit and accessible rideshare vehicles. 

120. Educate non-profit organizations on PennDOT’s Private Non-Profit Vehicle Grant to fund vehicles for transportation of older adults and persons with disabilities.⁴⁰

121. Educate personal care attendants and recipients that the delivery of transportation is covered under Medicaid-funded personal care services.

122. Inventory and raise awareness of existing technology solutions that assist people with specialized transportation, including Find My Ride, Fareless Payment, and Vehicle Locators.⁴¹

Utilizing funding opportunities to maximize efficiency and efficacy of public transit  

123. Enhance awareness of competitive rural transportation grants available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and related technical assistance available through PennDOT.⁴²

124. Evaluate the funding and distribution of Pennsylvania Lottery funds for the Shared Ride program to maximize efficiency and impact.

Franny had a spinal cord injury in her early 20s, but she has never let her spinal cord injury stop her from accomplishing her goals. Now age 61, Franny is married, has three children, and works full-time at an advertising agency. She has made use of personal assistant services and has a responsive and helpful service coordinator. Franny values her independence, but her mobility level decreased due to physical changes in her 40s. Driving has become exhausting for Franny. She typically drives to work because the city where she lives doesn’t enforce maintenance of the sidewalks and many of them are impassable for a wheelchair. Franny doesn’t want to use the bus because it is not reliable or flexible enough for her to get to work on time. Uber and Lyft claim to have accessible options, but the app won’t let her select an accessible vehicle. Even though Franny only lives four blocks from her office, the service would cost $28 round trip. She still has four more years until she retires. She has been thinking about getting reevaluated for different driving adaptations. Franny remains eligible for Community HealthChoices (CHC) through the Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) program, and she is involved in the local Center for Independent Living (CIL). With the assistance of a service coordinator and using available programs, Franny is now accessing home adaptations and an evaluation from a certified driving specialist to update her adaptive equipment. She was also reassessed for an additional 11 hours a week of attendant services. A lifetime of navigating resources and programs has enabled Franny to take advantage of existing programs as her needs have changed.

Caregiver Supports focuses on strengthening the direct care workforce and supporting care partners by cultivating better systems of support, education, and assistance to ensure more sustainable, competent, and exceptional care for older adults. Caregivers and care partners play an undeniably life-sustaining and necessary role tending to the well-being of older adults. Some of us do not always recognize the hard and compassionate work that caregivers do. They are older adults supporting spouses, partners, friends, and other loved ones. Caregivers are supporting our adult children with intellectual or developmental disabilities. They are raising our grandchildren and caring for our neighbors. Despite their invaluable contributions, the emotionally and physically demanding work of caregivers is neither adequately recognized nor supported in ways that ensures that this high-quality care is sustainable. Like many states, Pennsylvania is confronted with a shortage of direct care workers and staggering job turnover rates. Low wages, minimal onboarding, and limited growth prospects stifle the recruitment and retainment of a well-trained, consistent direct care workforce. The inadequate supply of direct care workers multiplies the difficulties families face as they piece together supports and services for their loved ones. 

Caregiver Supports will be advanced through 2 Strategies and 6 Tactics:

Strengthening the direct care workforce 

125. Update and develop an implementation plan for the 2019 Blueprint for Strengthening Pennsylvania’s Direct Care Workforce, starting with recommendations to enhance wages, benefits, training, and development of a career ladder.⁴³

126. Change Scope of Practice laws to allow healthcare paraprofessionals and other individuals involved in supporting the clinical and long-term care needs of older adults and individuals with disabilities to perform functions they are qualified to perform.

127. Advocate for changes to federal and state laws to allow legal immigrants and refugees who qualify to be hired as direct care workers.

Supporting caregivers and care partners

128. Develop a statewide Caregiver Toolkit, including information on supports and resources and a caregiver screening tool.

129. Expand existing opportunities for education, training, and case management for caregivers.

130. Explore the establishment of a tax-free savings and incentives account for caregivers.

Gina, 51, is the mother of four children. She is very close to her parents and lately has noticed that her parents’ health and abilities are changing. Gina meets every new challenge, condition, and adjustment head on, and brings an irreplaceable sense of comfort and stability that enables her parents to maintain their autonomy and happiness. Recently, Gina’s mother has been displaying signs of dementia, which has been demanding more time and attention from Gina. Her patience and composure have been tested as she feels the strain of her caregiving responsibilities. It has not been easy. She wants to continue providing the best care possible for her parents, but the current system of supports and services falls short, leaving her overwhelmed and frustrated. Gina has tried to look for help to give her a little bit of time to catch up, but home care is expensive and unreliable, and she has to re-explain the complexities her parents’ individual needs to each care aide. Gina’s dedication to her parents’ care has come at the expense of her own personal life. Gina can no longer hold a full-time job to support her family and is feeling a swell of negative emotions – irritability, exhaustion, and guilt. Gina dreams of a day to herself, to be more than just a constant caregiver: a day to catch up on laundry, clean up around her home, and perhaps find a moment to simply relax. Gina is a caregiver, a mother, a daughter, and a wife. She is someone who has given so much to those around her that she has lost sight of her own needs. Gina needs some help so that she can continue doing the hard work that her family counts on.

Keep reading to understand how the Aging Our Way, PA plan will help Pennsylvanians like Gina to manage caregiving responsibilities.

Pennsylvania is already home to a wealth of valuable resources, programs, and offerings that older adults want and need. However, these resources are underutilized due to barriers like fragmented information sources, technological discomfort, language disparities, and concerns about scams. State, local, and community programs need to reach older adults with crucial information related to housing, transportation, social and employment opportunities, and health and community services.

Community members are interested in a trusted, well-known contact point connected to a live person for accurate information, smooth referral and handoff, and follow up. Every older adult has unique and sometimes complex circumstances that call for person-centered guidance and planning that puts the needs and desires of the individual at the center of the plan, prioritizing what matters most to the individual lives of older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. All Pennsylvanians want to experience customer service that ensures timely, quality assistance across interconnected needs rather than seeking assistance for every need within fractured systems, through distinct services and resources in separate jurisdictions.

This priority includes tactics to better ensure that Pennsylvanians’ information will be secure and protected and that they will have the knowledge, competency, and tools to engage with the digital world safely, independently, and purposefully. Education & Navigation focus includes leading and coordinating research among academic and community partners to gain knowledge and a deeper understanding of the most complicated social and cultural problems that challenge an older adult’s ability to live actively and be engaged in their communities.

Education & Navigation will be advanced through 6 Strategies and 33 Tactics:

Augmenting navigation

131. Establish at least one dedicated navigator in every AAA equipped with standardized training in case management, information and referral tools, customer service, and resources related to health services and community supports, housing, social engagement, and transportation.

132. Refresh the PA Link program by conducting a comprehensive program evaluation, redesigning a local and statewide No Wrong Door System, establishing channels for information and referral, managing a statewide resource database for case management, exploring outreach systems for follow-up and assistance, and launching a public awareness campaign.⁴⁴

133. Utilize community spaces, such as Senior Community Centers and libraries, to provide information to connect older adults and individuals with disabilities to services and supports.

134. Improve and increase the network of local community partners, organizations, and places where older adults often look for resources to enhance their awareness of and connection to the Aging Network.

Raising awareness of existing opportunities

135. Launch a public awareness campaign to expand the availability and use of Older Adult Daily Living Centers and LIFE programs and promote the broad range of services as an alternative option to more costly service utilization, such as personal assistance, nursing facilities, and hospital stays.

136. Develop and provide a toolkit to Senior Community Centers and other community-based organizations and for legislators to use at older adult fairs and similar locations to address volunteer and mentorship opportunities in their area.

137. Expand an awareness campaign of volunteer opportunities, utilizing existing resources, including information on the social and mental health benefits of volunteering.

138. Advocate for the creation of the Keystone Saves program.⁴⁵

139. Increase outreach to art and culture professionals to enroll in the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Academy for Creative Aging.

140. Launch a campaign to promote awareness around accessibility-related housing resources and options.

141. Lead an education and awareness campaign for community-based organizations on best practices for intergenerational programming, such as the models promoted by the Pennsylvania Intergenerational Network (PIN) and Generations United.

142. Promote coordination between the AAAs, the Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF), and other agencies to support education and outreach of grandparents raising grandchildren.

Reaching and representing communities

143. Reimagine PDA’s Inside Aging publication as a printed and digital newsletter containing state-level resources, news, events, and significant dates for older adults, local community partners, municipalities, and legislators.⁴⁶

144. Research cultural and linguistic barriers faced by diverse populations in accessing needed communication and information.

Preparing for emergencies

145. Develop and build upon activities and mechanisms for older adults, families, and communities to plan and prepare for individual and public emergencies, especially those who live in nursing homes, are homebound, or belong to historically marginalized communities.

146. Expand awareness among older adults and caregivers of protocols for emergency communication, including those available in multiple languages and accessible formats.

Educating the community

147. Address ageism and ableism that may be present with hospitals and other providers of mental health, substance use disorder (SUD), and long-term services and supports through the use of various learning management systems.

148. Utilize the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) to ensure ageism and ableism is included in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training and education.

149. Conduct ageism and ableism education and training for all Commonwealth employees and contractors, members of the General Assembly, and the PA Judiciary and their staffs.

150. Develop and distribute an educational guide on voting rights, health care options and other community supports for previously incarcerated older adults returning to their communities, as well as their caregivers.

151. Develop and distribute marketing and educational materials to increase voting measures in assisted living, home care, and nursing homes.

152. Distribute existing resources for victims of abuse and neglect, including intimate partner or family member abuse, that contains resources for immediate help and assistance in multiple languages.

153. Expand education and training between public partners, community organizations, and stakeholders on alternative voting methods such as emergency ballot requests and mail-in ballots.

154. Expand programs to educate the Attorney General’s Office, State and Local Police, Department of Insurance, and credit reporting agencies to improve safety supports and financial crime awareness.

155. Increase awareness and resources dedicated to early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of dementia, especially in diverse and underserved communities and populations with greater risk factors.

156. Launch a campaign targeting local officials regarding housing needs, options available, best practices, and promising models that would allow for more diversity in housing options.

157. Offer and promote ageism and ableism education and training for all employers conducting business in Pennsylvania.

158. Promote age-friendly university designation for the PA State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) schools.⁴⁷

159. Provide annual professional development to public library staff on older adult services, including nutrition services, socialization opportunities, Medicare counseling, and evidence-based health and wellness programming.

160. Provide educational resources, in collaboration with advocacy organizations, on how to build or modify a home to allow for aging in place for those who would not otherwise qualify for Medicaid.

Leading and coordinating research

161. Conduct independent and ongoing program evaluation of Aging Our Way, PA to assess and improve implementation progress.

162. Conduct a program evaluation to assess and improve marginalized or minority group access to older adult services.

163. Explore how the United Way of PA’s Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) data can inform interventions related to housing, transportation, food, utilities, and other basic needs. Add PDA as owner and DCED and DHS as partners.⁴⁸

Lionel, 70, has never married, and he does not have any children. While he has a history of behavioral health challenges and would benefit from help around his house, he doesn’t believe he could afford any services. Because of his financial strain, Lionel has sometimes forgone refilling prescriptions to pay for food. Lionel’s doctor recommended that he connect with the county agency and provided Lionel with the phone numbers to get connected to supports. Lionel would like to talk to a real person, but when he called to find assistance with meals, prescriptions, and housekeeping, no one answered the phone. A recorded message required him to push a number to reach the department he wished to speak with; Lionel became frustrated and hung up the phone. Lionel also contacted the county mental health agency. A live person answered the phone, but due to Lionel’s age and insurance (Medicare), the agency referred him back to his doctor. Lionel’s neighbor connected him with a local food bank since he has difficulty buying food after paying his other bills. Lionel used the food bank once but found it challenging to manage the large food box on the public bus. Lionel’s journey to find services to stay in his home would have been smoother if he could have one number to call, answered by a live person to help him navigate the human services system.

Aging our Way, PA will help remove barriers and streamline access to services and ongoing support systems.

Aging Our Way, PA is a commitment to older Pennsylvanians, and must be more than words on paper or a plan on a shelf. To achieve this, we have outlined several key next steps that will bring this plan to life and ensure that we are empowered to age our way and live in age-friendly towns, cities, counties, and regions across the Commonwealth.

Coordination, Collaboration, and Accountability

Our commitment to the success of Aging Our Way, PA is dependent on the coordination and collaboration among our agency partners and private stakeholders. Everyone has a role to play and responsibility to uphold as we implement this plan. Appropriate mechanisms will be established to implement and execute each tactic outlined in the plan.

Transparency, Monitoring, and Reporting

PDA pledges to conduct regular data monitoring, track tactic progress, and openly report plan impacts to the public through a publicly accessible dashboard.

Cost Avoidance and Savings

Where possible, tactics in this plan will be used to divert older adults from needing higher cost services such as those paid by the Pennsylvania Medicaid program while supporting the expressed desire by individuals to age in their homes and communities.

Evaluation, Community Engagement, and Improvement

We continue active engagement with our community members across the state to ensure that the voices of all older Pennsylvanians and caregivers, including the most marginalized, are incorporated into the plan. As a living document, the priorities will shif, the strategies will evolve, and the tactics will be developed to refect the relevant needs of older Pennsylvanians. 

Thank you to the many individuals and organizations that contributed to the development and drafing of Aging Our Way, PA.

Older adults, Caregivers, and Care Partners 

Jason Kavulich, Secretary

Kevin Hancock, PDA 

Gabby Szymanski, PDA 

Nathan Lampenfeld, PDA 

Jessie Pierce, PDA

Karen Leonovich, P4A 

Brenda Appel, P4A 

Teresa Osborne, AARP 

Bill Johnston-Walsh, AARP 

Howard B. Degenholtz, PhD., University of Pittsburgh 

Steven M. Albert, PhD., University of Pittsburgh 

John Yauch, University of Pittsburgh 

Keri Kastner, University of Pittsburgh 

Heather Mentsch, University of Pittsburgh 

Senator Judy Ward, Senate District 30

Senator Maria Collette, Senate District 12

Representative Patty Kim, District 103

Representative Steven Mentzer, District 97

PA Area Agencies on Aging

PA Centers for independent Living

Aaron Tax, SAGE

Abe Amaros, PA Municipal League

Adrian Garcia, PHRC  

Adrianne Sipes, PA Bar Association  

Al Schmidt, Secretary PA Department of State

Alzheimer's Association of Greater Pennsylvania​​​​

Amanda Brothman, PHRC 

Angela Reynolds, YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh  

Angelica Jimenez, Lehigh County

Annmarie Robey, PA House Aging Committee  

Ashley Walkowiak, PHRC

Beck Moore, CAAP

Ben Laudermilch, Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation

Brinda Penyak, DHS  

Brinna Ludwig, DHS  

Brittany Mellinger, PHRC  

Bruce Quigley, Union County Housing Authority  

Carl Albright, DHS

Caroline Beohm, DOI

Caroline McCaig, Office of the Governor

Cassandara Masters, Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh

Chief Justice Debra Todd, Advisory Council on Elder Justice in the Courts

Chris Kemmerer, DCNR  

Christy Rubenstein, Diana T. Myers & Associates

Colonel Christopher Paris, State Police Commissioner

Chuck Quinnan, Leading Age PA

Cindy Adams Dunn, Secretary DCNR

Commissioner George Hartwick

Cynthia Witman Daley, RHLS  

Danielle Rudy, PHFA

Danielle Spila, PennDOT 

Dave Toth, Office of the Governor   

Dr. David Nace, UPMC  

David Saunders, DOH

Dawn Plummer, PDA (Agriculture)

Dr. Debra Bogen, Acting Secretary DOH

Desiree Chang, PHRC

Dina Schlossberg, Rural Housing Legal Services

Dyann Roth, Inglis  

Ebony Johnson, DOC  

Elaine Jenkins, PCoA

Ellen Strom, OA

Eric Beittel, Enders Insurance Associates  

Estella Hyde, PcoA

Evelyn Chianelli, DCED

Fallon Farber, DOC 

Gary Duncan, PCoA

George Lenz, PCoA

Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women

Hannah Albers, National Center to Reframe Aging

Heather Ambrose, Office of Developmental Programs  

Heather Sedlacko, Vintage, Inc.   

Honorable Lois E. Murphy, Advisory Council on Elder Justice in the Courts

Jade Rodriguez

James Appleby, Gerontological Society of America

Janice Cameron, Pennsylvania Long-term Care Council

Jeanne Parisi, DOH 

Jeff Eggleston, Warren County  

Jeffrey Young, PennDOT

Jennifer Hale, DHS

Jeremy Yale, DHS 

Jessica Shirley, Acting Secretary DEP

John Vogel, PCoA

Joseph Volk, PCoA

Julia Brinjac, PA Broadband Development Authority

Julie Seby, PDA

Juliet Marsala, DHS

Karen Buck, Senior Law Center

Kate Roberts, Governor’s Budget Office  

Kathy Cubit, CARIE  

Kathy Gillespie, Clearfield Area Agency on Aging

Kellie Mainzer, DHS 

Dr. Khalid N. Mumin, Secretary, DoE

Kim Amsler, United Way of PA/PA 2-1-1  

Kimberly Van Haitsma, PhD., Penn State University  

Laura Willmer, Self-Determination Housing of PA

Dr. Kyle Kopko, Center for Rural PA

Dr. Laurel R. Harry, Secretary DOC

Dr. Latika Davis-Jones, Secretary DDAP 

Leigh Howard, Diana T. Myers & Associates

Linda Stumpf, PCoA

Lindsey Mauldin, Office of the Governor

Marci Katona, DLI

Margie Zelenak, PA Assisted Living Association  

Marjorie Faish, DHS 

Mark Baylis, PA State Veterans Commission

Mark Gusek, The Lutheran Home for the Aged  

Mark Hansford, DCNR  

General Mark Schindler, Adjutant General DMVA

Mary Endrusick, NeighborWorks NEPA  

Mary Margaret Hart, PCoA

Matt Flinner, DGS

Matt Yarnell, SEIU Healthcare  

Maureen Weigl, DMVA

Megan Barbour, DOH 

Megan Stedjan, LeadingAge PA  

Meghna Patel, Office of the Governor

Michael Carroll, Secretary PennDOT

Michael Humphreys, Commissioner PID

Michael Kirby, DLI

Michael Sokoloski, BAYADA

Missy Weishaar, WellSpan Health

Molly Dougherty, PEMA

Nancy Hodgson, PhD., University of Pennsylvania​

Nancy Walker, Secretary of Labor

Natalie Krug, Office of the Governor

Nicole Faraguna, DCNR

Nora Dowd Eisenhower, Executive Director Mayor’s Commission on Aging

Pat Browne, Secretary of Revenue 

Patricia D’Antonio, National Center to Reframe Aging

Phyllis Chamberlain, Housing Alliance of PA  

Randy Pafield, Secretary PEMA

Randy Nolen, DHS 

Rebekah Orlando, DHS

Reggie McNeil, Secretary DGS

Richard Hamp, DMVA

Rick Siger, Secretary DCED

Rob Beecher, DOS

Rob Lesher, PA Library Association

Robert Cherry, PDA

Robert Fiume, LCTA 

Ron Grutza, PSAB

Robin Weissman, PFHA

Russell Redding, Secretary PDA (Agriculture)

Ryan Hyde, DLI

Samella Hudson-Brewton, John F Kennedy Center    

Shannen Logue, DOH 

Sheila Gombita, Freedom Transit  

Shona Eakin, Voices for Independence

Stephanie Meyer, DHS

Susan Banks, DOE

Tamara Shehadeh-Cope, Esq., PHRC 

Tammy Miller, Pennsylvania Association of Senior Centers

Theresa Hartman, DHS  

Tim Geibel, Crawford Area Transportation Authority     

Tim Ward, PA Healthcare Association 

Travis Davis, DMVA  

Tree Zuzzio, DCED  

Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, Secretary DHS

Velma Carter-Dryer, PCoA

Vini Portzline, Center for Independent Living of Central PA  

Wendy Spicher, Secretary DoBS 

Whitney Lingle, PCoA 

Will Simons, Office of the Governor

Yocasta Lora, AARP

Zachary Shamberg, PHCA

Ronnie Burkhart, Sellers Dorsey 

Leesa Allen, Sellers Dorsey 

Matthew Golden, Sellers Dorsey 

Jordan Bullock, Sellers Dorsey

Elisabeth Clauss, Sellers Dorsey

Abigail Holt, Sellers Dorsey

Helen Kelly, Diana T. Myers and Associates 

Stacie Bonenberger, Jewish Healthcare Foundation

Anneleise Perry, Jewish Healthcare Foundation

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¹ https://www.rural.pa.gov/download.cfm?file=Resources/excel/Population%20Projections%20by%20Gender%20and%20Age%202020%20to%202050.xlsx

² https://www.oa.pa.gov/Policies/eo/Documents/2023-09.pdf

³ https://www.chcs.org/resource/getting-started-with-a-master-plan-for-aging/

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¹¹ https://dced.pa.gov/programs-funding/broadband-in-pennsylvania/infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act/digital-equity-de-act/

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¹³ https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/aging%20and%20Disability%20In%20America/2020Profileolderamericans.final_.pdf

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¹⁵ https://www.aging.pa.gov/aging-services/help-at-Home/Pages/default.aspx

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¹⁷ https://www.aging.pa.gov/aging-services/housing/Pages/SHARE.aspx

¹⁸ https://www.hud.gov/AFFH

¹⁹ https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Keystones-of-Health/Pages/default.aspx

²⁰ https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/network-age-friendly-communities/

²¹ https://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/PubsForms/Publications/PUB%20787.pdf

²² https://www.penndot.pa.gov/TravelInPA/Safety/Pages/Strategic-Highway-Safety-Plan.aspx

²³ https://www.npca.org/articles/914-a-prescription-for-nature

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²⁵ https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=66&div=0&chpt=14

²⁶ https://www.puc.pa.gov/press-release/2023/puc-forms-working-group-to-address-comprehensive-review-of-universal-service-program-design

 ²⁷ https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/coc

 ²⁸ Universal Design and Accessibility | Section508.gov

²⁹ https://www.phila.gov/media/20220308130807/PZ_004_INF_Accessory-Dwelling-Unit-Checklist-rev-3.8.2022.pdf

³⁰ https://www.aging.pa.gov/aging-services/housing/Pages/default.aspx

³¹ https://americorps.gov/partner/how-it-works/americorps-seniors-senior-companion-program

³² https://www.academyforcreativeaging.org/

³³ https://www.alz.org/wi/helping-you/early-stage-programs/memory-cafe

³⁴ https://www.dli.pa.gov/Businesses/Workforce-Development/Pages/WIOA.aspx

³⁵ https://www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Workforce-Development/Documents/OVR.pdf

³⁶ https://www.va.gov/erie-health-care/dav-vans-transportation-for-veterans/

 ³⁷ https://www.penndot.pa.gov/ProjectAndPrograms/Planning/Pages/MPO-and-RPO-Contact-List.aspx

³⁸ https://gis.penndot.gov/LTAP/default.aspx

³⁹ https://legiscan.com/PA/bill/HR174/2023

⁴⁰ https://www.penndot.pa.gov/Doing-Business/Transit/InformationandReports/Documents/5310%20Resources/5310%20PNP%20Applicant%20Instructions.pdf

⁴¹ https://findmyridepa.org/#/

⁴² https://www.penndot.pa.gov/Doing-Business/Pages/IIJA.aspx

⁴³ https://www.aging.pa.gov/organization/PennsylvaniaLongTermCareCouncil/Documents/Reports/LTCC_Blueprint%20for%20Strengthening%20Pennsylvania%E2%80%99s%20Direct%20Care%20Workforce_April2019.pdf

⁴⁴ https://nwd.acl.gov/

⁴⁵ https://www.keystonesavescoalition.org/

⁴⁶ https://www.aging.pa.gov/publications/InsideAgingNewsletter/Pages/default.aspx

⁴⁷ https://www.afugn.org/age-friendly-university-principles

⁴⁸ https://www.unitedforalice.org/state-overview/pennsylvania