More than 200 people participated in the Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s Virtual Community Conversation to discuss the department’s State Plan on Aging for 2020-2024 and to provide feedback on strengthening aging services throughout the commonwealth.
Those who attended the conversation included stakeholders, elected officials, and representatives from aging services providers. The department began with an overview of the goals, objectives and strategies of the proposed state plan. Participants then heard testimony on the importance of supporting senior community centers, the need to address health disparities of older Pennsylvanians of color and in the LGBTQ community, the work of the Health Equity COVID-19 Response Team 65 and Older Task Force, suggestions on work to support individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, preventive health services for seniors, social isolation among older Pennsylvanians, and the importance of having broadband internet access across the entire commonwealth. Attendees also had a chance to submit questions in advance.
“The Virtual Community Conversation allowed us to discuss the development of our draft plan and to receive a variety of insight on how we can steer our State Plan on Aging for the next four years,” said Secretary of Aging Robert Torres. “This opportunity to engage with the public and community stakeholders has helped the Department obtain a greater assessment of the needs for older Pennsylvanians and how we can continue to prioritize them by creating a stronger, solid plan that will guide these efforts.”
A draft of the State Plan on Aging is available on the department’s website until Aug. 3 for the public to view and provide feedback.
Prior to the conversation, the department sent out a brief survey that asked respondents to prioritize services and quality-of-life issues that are most meaningful to them in ensuring age-friendly communities across the commonwealth. The department received 5,600 responses from all 67 counties, with the biggest turnout from the southeastern and the Pittsburgh metro area. Survey responses came in from a wide variety of stakeholders, including veterans, people living with a disability, family/unpaid caregivers of older adults, grandparents raising grandchildren and members of the LGBTQ community.
The State Plan on Aging is designed to help Pennsylvania meet the objectives of the Older Americans Act and will be submitted to the Administration for Community Living containing a vision and direction for the delivery of Pennsylvania’s aging services over the next four years. The Department of Aging is required to submit a plan every four years, with the next plan commencing on Oct. 1.
