The Shapiro Administration recently proclaimed November as Family Caregivers Month in the Commonwealth, and the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) unveiled a social media toolkit to raise awareness about the vital role played by caregivers and some helpful resources available to them.

The toolkit contains text for social media posts and downloadable, ready-to-use graphics.

Individuals and organizations within Pennsylvania’s caregiving network and others can use the social media toolkit to spread the word about the importance of caregivers and draw attention to programs and services available to support them.

In addition to raising awareness about caregivers’ hard work, PDA’s Family Caregivers Month social media kit also points them to existing programs and resources, including the PA CareKit and the Pennsylvania Caregiver Support Program.

The PA CareKit was developed by PDA with the unique needs of various caregivers in mind and provides targeted first steps, caregiver support and self-care resources for each caregiver’s situation. The Pennsylvania Caregiver Support Program offers respite care – or temporary relief – for caregivers, formal and informal support services, and financial reimbursement to help cover the cost of caregiving services and supplies.

PDA’s Family Caregivers Month social media kit also contains helpful information about the specific circumstances surrounding caregiving for veterans; support groups for caregivers; managing sundowning, or a pattern of increased anxiety, irritability or restlessness that can occur in the late afternoon or early evening; brain health for caregivers; local food assistance programs; emergency preparedness; and preventing falls.

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Council on Aging (PCoA) recently unveiled Lights, Camera, Aging: A Local Companion to Aging Our Way, PA – a new online tool to help local government leaders plan strategically across all sectors to support their aging populations.

As its name suggests, the guide aligns with Aging Our Way, PA, the Commonwealth’s 10-year strategic plan to improve aging services across all 67 counties. Currently one in every four Pennsylvanians is age 60 and older, and that number is expected to grow to nearly one in three by 2030. An aging population means changing patterns and needs in many areas of life, including healthcare, housing and transportation – all the more reason state and local officials must plan accordingly.

To meet these changing needs, the Shapiro Administration designed and released Aging Our Way, PA to guide statewide efforts to enhance and improve services, and is now offering the Lights, Camera, Aging toolkit to help local governments do the same.

The PCoA, a statewide advisory council and voice for older Pennsylvanians, worked closely with staff at PDA to analyze the tools, best practices and contents of the Commonwealth’s Aging Our Way, PA plan, and adapt them for a local audience. Municipal planners can find tools, resources, and dozens of real-life examples from communities across Pennsylvania. 

"The local companion to Aging Our Way, PA is a valuable resource for local governments across the Commonwealth. As Pennsylvania’s population continues to age, this timely guide provides counties with essential information to better serve older residents." 

– Kyle Kopko, executive director of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania

"As an older person, a retired social worker, and a steadfast advocate, I have a lifetime of experience, skills and relationships to contribute to a community planning process. I would love to see my own local government use the local companion, because planning for aging benefits everyone.”

– Velma Carter-Dryer, Pennsylvania Council on Aging member

"Creating communities where people of all ages can thrive requires intentional planning, an age-equity lens, and a commitment to addressing ageism.”

– Cathy Bollinger, Age Friendly York County co-lead

Learn more about the new online tool to help local government leaders and what some of them are saying about it: Full News Release

At City & State’s annual Aging Summit event held in October, PDA helped lead a morning of conversation with state agency partners, providers and legislative leaders. Secretary Jason Kavulich provided the keynote address focusing on Pennsylvania’s successful efforts to reframe aging through Aging Our Way, PA, the state’s 10-year strategic aging plan, and program experts joined two panels.

Christine Reinhard, senior advisor to the Secretary, participated in “Pennsylvania’s Aging Population and The Future of Caregiving” – a discussion of the challenges facing Pennsylvania’s care system and policy solutions to ensure older adults can access the care they need while supporting the workforce and families who provide it. 

Meaghan Abbott, director of the Alzheimer’s Dementia and Related Disorders Office, participated in “Aging In Place: Building an Age-Friendly Pennsylvania” to discuss barriers, opportunities and policy strategies to help Pennsylvania build communities that support people of all ages.

Check out City & State to learn what Secretary Kavulich and aging stakeholders said about the challenges and opportunities of Pennsylvania’s rapidly changing age demographics:  

PDA has again honored a leader in the aging network with the Alma Jacobs Distinguished Professionals Award for Civic and Community Engagement. This year’s Alma Award was presented to Kim Briggs, director of the Cameron, Elk and McKean Area Agency on Aging.

Alma Jacobs served as PDA’s second Secretary of Aging and is remembered as a champion of engagement, connection and inclusivity within her community. Kim was selected for embodying the spirit of the award through a career defined by leadership, public service, community commitment – and a willingness to step forward when her experience, leadership and dedication to serving older adults was needed most in neighboring Potter County.

PDA also recognized outstanding state and regional members of the PA Council on Aging in the following categories:

PCoA is an independent advisory council of expert advocates and acts as a voice for older Pennsylvanians. Members bring issues and interests of older adults to the governor, General Assembly, secretary of PDA and other policymakers. PDA and its staff support the efforts of the council and they work together to support Pennsylvania’s older population.

The deadline for senior community centers to submit holiday ornaments to decorate the holiday tree at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building is Monday, Nov. 16.

Senior community centers play an important role in this seasonal tradition by contributing hand-crafted ornaments created by older adults.

Below are a couple of guidelines:

Ornaments should be mailed to:

Pennsylvania Department of Aging
ATTN: Communications Office
555 Walnut Street, 5th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1919

Personnel from senior centers can call 717-705-3702 or email agingcomms@pa.gov with any questions.

Medicare’s annual open enrollment began Thursday, Oct. 15, and recipients who want to consider their alternatives can receive free, unbiased help understanding their options by talking with specially trained Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI) counselors.

Medicare recipients also should be extra wary of fraudulent schemes during open enrollment and are encouraged to report them through a new toll-free helpline, 877-435-7014, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The PA MEDI program is operated out of Pennsylvania’s 52 local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). PA MEDI counselors can help older adults make informed health insurance decisions that best fit their needs and budgets.

PA MEDI counselors do not sell insurance products, nor do they endorse or recommend any insurance company, product or agent. PA MEDI counselors can help determine if an older adult may be eligible for any of Pennsylvania’s Medicare cost-savings programs, including Pennsylvania’s PACE/PACENET prescription benefit programs, Extra Help and Medicare savings programs.

Pennsylvanians can call their local AAA or locate a PA MEDI event in their area by visiting the Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s website. More information is available by calling the toll-free PA MEDI helpline at 1-800-783-7067 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Pennsylvania Senior Medicare Patrol (PA SMP) helps Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and their caregivers to detect, prevent and report Medicare fraud, errors and abuse. The PA SMP reminds older adults to not respond to unsolicited requests for their personal or Medicare information, such as their Social Security number or Medicare number, or offers for allegedly free benefits. Beneficiaries instead should contact PA MEDI for no-cost, unbiased Medicare assistance, and report suspected cases of fraud to the new helpline, 877-435-7014.

Medicare Open Enrollment lasts until Monday, Dec. 7.

Whether it’s volunteers giving of their time and talent, a PEER graduation, or a fun exercise program, PDA wants to see your ‘good feels’ moments. Send photos and some details to agingcomms@pa.gov, and you could see your moment in a future edition of Inside Aging and on PDA’s Facebook page.

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA), Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania chapter of AARP and Drexel Kline School of Law are cooperating to hold a free, expert-led series exploring powers of attorney, financial exploitation, decision-making capacity and when guardianship may be necessary on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the Drexel Kline Institute of Trial Advocacy in Philadelphia.

The event is free and open to the members of the public age 60 or older. Seating is limited. Registration is required.

Older adults attending will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a pro-bono attorney to ask questions and learn about their legal options.

Those who wish to attend must pre-register on this website to reserve their spot. Elder law attorneys and attorneys interested in elder law who would like to participate and provide pro-bono legal advice will be eligible for up to 3 continuing legal education credits.