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.
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. Visit
https://www.aging.pa.gov/publications/state-plan-on-aging/Pages/default.aspx.
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 (ACL) 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.
