AARP Presents City & State Aging in PA Summit

By 2030, the population of Pennsylvanians aged 60 and older is projected to exceed 3.8 million or 1 in 3 Pennsylvanians. Resources and services dedicated to the state’s aging population must adapt for the health and well-being of all Pennsylvanians.

City & State PA held an Aging in Pennsylvania Summit held October 17 at the Hilton Harrisburg to address the challenges and opportunities facing the state and its residents, who are among the oldest populations in the country. The Summit was presented by AARP Pennsylvania. Opening remarks by Joanne Grossi, AARP Volunteer State President Emeritus, set the tone for the two panel discussions as she told the audience and participants about caring and advocating for her father who has dementia.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich discussed the development and ongoing implementation of the state’s master plan – Aging Our Way – a 10-year roadmap for the future of growing older in the Commonwealth.

“The plan developed eight multisector domains which were adapted by AARP,” said Kavulich. “These domains are respect and social inclusion, housing, transportation, outdoor spaces and buildings, communications and information, social and civic participation, employment, as well as health and community support.

“Transportation is a particular focus by the state and community leaders,” Kavulich added. “The Pennsylvania Link Program and navigation are key points of progress that the master plan for aging promises to deliver.”

Agencies at the local and state levels are responding to the growing care needs across the state. Opportunities are under consideration to ensure that family caregivers will receive increased support. Also noted was the need to grow and strengthen the paid caregiver workforce and the entire continuum of care from home and community-based services, nursing care, assisted living, and personal care, and how to best support those in need of these services.

“The policy vision of the Shapiro administration is a future where more seniors are able to remain in their homes or communities as long as possible,” said Akbar Hossain, Pennsylvania Secretary for Policy and Planning, “because the overwhelming desire among this population is to age in place.”

The participants in the Aging in Pennsylvania Summit agreed that the key provisions discussed will transform the state’s aging services system to promote health, well-being, and independence of Pennsylvania’s aging population over the next 10 years and beyond.