Department of Aging

Pennsylvania Gov . Josh Shapiro delivers his first budget address to a joint session of the state House and Senate on March 7, 2023 (Photo by Amanda Mustard for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star).

Shapiro orders development of 10-year master plan to help older adults

BY: - May 25, 2023

The Department of Aging must map out ways to serve older adults and assess their needs across Pennsylvania.

Experts, advocates discuss challenges facing ‘grandfamilies’ in Pa.

BY: - September 28, 2022

Natalie Hoprich, a grandmother raising two of her six grandchildren due to their parents’ struggle with substance use disorder, told lawmakers during a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing about her difficulty finding support and financial resources to help offset the cost of caring for her grandchildren. 

Pa. Dept. of Aging launches unit to investigate financial exploitation of older adults

BY: - August 17, 2022

The four-person unit known as the Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST), will be under the purview of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and consists of an analyst/supervisor, two analysts, and an attorney. FAST is funded for the next two years using $666,000 in federal grant funding.

Wolf signs Alzheimer’s, dementia ‘toolkit’ bill into law | Five for the Weekend

BY: - February 12, 2022

“Our state’s aging population is one of the largest in the country, and it will only continue to grow. Legislation like this, which directly addresses the needs of Pennsylvania residents and establishes a foundation for future collaboration and intervention, are really where we see promise in Pennsylvania’s ability to address, and hopefully, curtail this public health crisis," Jennifer Ebersole, director of state government affairs for the Alzheimer’s Association said.

‘Vulnerable’ and ‘overlooked’, state officials highlight need to address substance use disorder in older adults

BY: - January 27, 2022

Older adults “are underdiagnosed when it comes to the disease of addiction” because they tend to take more medication than other age groups and because SUD symptoms in older adults are similar to those of other medical conditions, he said. 

Amended health order aims to get vaccines to homebound Pennsylvanians

BY: - April 26, 2021

During an appearance in Reading on Monday morning, Wolf, joined by administration officials and local lawmakers, said the administration had amended its vaccine administration order to allow vaccine providers to partner with local entities to administer vaccines statewide.

‘We can do better’ Wolf’s Council on Reform finds

BY: - December 16, 2019

Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday provided the first progress report on the administration’s ongoing efforts to protect Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents. The council found that the Commonwealth could improve in two key areas: empowering the workforce and creating access to those who need services. “The goal is to ensure that every human being is treated […]