By Gina Mazza
Pennsylvania is one of only a handful of states that have been selected to create a 10-year “Master Plan” to evaluate issues facing older adults—and the Commonwealth’s Department of Aging is interested in hearing your thoughts, ideas and opinions regarding how to improve the overall quality of life for local and state residents.
The Master Plan for Older Adults is a sweeping 10-year, state-led and stakeholder-driven strategic plan being created to evolve the infrastructure and coordination of services for older adults locally and across Pennsylvania. One of the overall goals of the Master Plan is to reflect the needs and preferences of the older adult population to live where they choose and access the support services that they need to thrive and age in place.
Development of the plan was set in motion when Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order directing the state Department of Aging to set forth its goals, objectives, and initiatives aimed at promoting better health, wellbeing and a quality of life for the Commonwealth’s aging population. Pennsylvania was partly chosen for the 10-year plan due to its high concentration of older adults. The state ranks fifth among the 50 states with a 3.4 million older adult population, and seventh in terms of the percentage of older adults in its total population—at 17.8 percent as of 2020 (up from 15.4 percent in 2010). Pennsylvanians with disabilities represent 11 percent of the population in terms of mobility and cognitive challenges, and seven percent with regard to independent living.
An important aspect of the plan’s creation is seeking input from those whom it would impact. To this end, all older adults, along with their advocates, caregivers and loved ones, are being given opportunities to participate in the development process. Area Agencies on Aging across the state and Centers for Independent Living have been and will continue to host Listening Sessions where the public can learn about the plan and how to submit input.
Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging hosts Town Hall
More than 200 area residents ventured out to the Hill House Association in the Hill District on a very balmy June day to make their voices heard at a regional Town Hall hosted by the Allegheny County Department of Human Services Area Agency on Aging.
Dr. Shannah Tharp-Gilliam, Administrator and Deputy Director of AC/AAA, welcomed everyone to the event, where various local leaders and aging partners presented information about aspects of the department’s planning process.
Laura Poskin, Executive Director of AgeFriendly of Greater Pittsburgh, spoke about “aging in community”, followed by the Vice Chair of the Pennsylvania Council on Aging Elaine Jenkins, who offered details about the vision for this multi-sector plan. Kathryn Vargas, Director of the City of Pittsburgh Parks and Recreation, talked a bit about the Healthy Active Living Centers and what it means to create community.
A warm round of applause preceded Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich’s remarks about the 10-year plan. “We’re not here to tell you about a plan and what we’re going to do for the next 10 years,” he said. “We’re here to listen to the solutions that you think we should bring to the table to meet the needs of every older Pennsylvanian in our network, as well. We are all in this together.”
The audience was given ample time to ask questions after the presentations. Many of the attendees came prepared with comments and inquiries about their areas of interest, expertise and passion—including the importance of the arts in the lives of older adults, overcoming the stigmas around mental health, the cost of prescription drugs, intergenerational programming and caring for grandchildren, nutrition services, and creating more advocacy in local faith communities.
Upcoming Listening Sessions
If you missed the July event, consider taking part in one of the upcoming Listening Sessions at the following locations.
September 12 and 13, 10 a.m.
Human Services Building
One Smithfield Street, Basement Conference Room
September 13, 1:30 p.m.
AgeWell at the Jewish Community Center
Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh
5738 Forbes Avenue
September 15, 10 a.m.
LifeSpan McKeesport
4314 Walnut Street, Suite 370
If you cannot attend a meeting and would still like to give your input, you can do so by emailing AgingPlan@pa.gov, filing out a form online at engage.alleghenycountyus, or sending mail to the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, c/o Master Plan, 555 Walnut St. Fifth Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
Presentation of the Master Plan
Once all input is obtained and research is conducted by the Department of Aging over the next several months, the information will be compiled and presented to the governor on or before February 1, 2024.
To learn more and to track Town Halls and Listening Sessions in your area, visit aging.pa.gov/MasterPlan. Use the online form to offer your feedback. To contribute your comments to the plan by email, send to agingplan@pa.gov or mail to the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, c/o Master Plan, 555 Walnut St., Fifth Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
The Master Plan’s core tenets:
• Transparency and inclusion involving significant stakeholder- and public-facing engagement, as well as a strong communication plan.
• Embedding diversity, equity and inclusion in all phases of development; addressing disparities and promoting equity and inclusion regardless of a person’s age, gender and gender expression, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, economic insecurity, geographic disparity, other marginalized populations not yet identified, and genetic information.
• Principles of person-centered planning, valuing older Pennsylvanians and Pennsylvanians with disabilities holistically with careful consideration to each person’s unique needs and preferences.
• Creation of a living document that will evolve through the 10-year span of the plan based on the changing needs and preferences of older Pennsylvanians and Pennsylvanians with disabilities.
• A reframe of how we think about, talk about and value older adults and people with disabilities to recognize the momentum, experience, longevity, economic contributions, and wisdom of older adults and people with disabilities and how these individuals add energy, vitality, and possibility to Pennsylvania.