The development of the PA CareKit is the direct result of Aging Our Way, PA – a 10-year plan to improve the infrastructure of aging services.
Fort Washington, PA – Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich today launched the PA CareKit, a resource to support all types of caregivers – including spouses, adult children, and grandparents raising grandchildren, that provides training, connection to respite services, and personalized tools to help informal caregivers address their unique situations.
The PA CareKit offers an array of person-centered support like personalized and tailored resource guides, and resources for families to evaluate and select professional caregivers. The development of the PA CareKit started in August 2024 and took nine months to complete. It is the result of year one of implementing Aging Our Way, PA – a 10-year plan to improve the infrastructure of aging services.
“Caregivers played a crucial role in developing Aging Our Way, PA, and they remain a key priority in transforming the aging experience in the Commonwealth. When designing the plan, caregivers indicated they needed more tools and resources to maintain the level of care for their loved ones to remain in their homes and communities,” said Secretary Kavulich. “Caregiving is important work that can be deeply rewarding, but it can also present a variety of challenges to a caregiver’s personal resources and well-being. The PA CareKit is an innovative tool that will help make the caregiving process easier for both the person providing the care and their loved one.”
In 2023, Governor Josh Shapiro directed PDA to produce Aging Our Way, PA, and his 2025-26 budget proposal includes a $3 million investment for year two implementation of the plan. During this timeframe, the Department will focus on modernizing and strengthening the PA Link, which serves as Pennsylvania’s Aging and Disability Resource Center network, designed to streamline access to long-term services and supports. The PA Link facilitates collaboration among Pennsylvania’s 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), Centers for Independent Living, and other community-based organizations to ensure seamless service delivery across the Commonwealth.
Pennsylvania is the fifth oldest state in the nation by population. One in four Pennsylvanians is over the age of 60, and that number will increase to one in three by 2030. With this growing population, the Commonwealth will need more caregivers to support older adults so they can remain in their homes and communities while aging with the dignity and respect they deserve.
“As a nurse, and as the caregiver for my aging father until his passing, I know how gratifying – and challenging – caregiving truly is. With the launch of the PA CareKit, our Commonwealth is sending a clear message: caregivers deserve respect, appreciation, and above all, support. Because when our caregivers thrive, so do aging and disabled Pennsylvanians,” said Senator Maria Collett.
"Caregivers – whether family, friends, or professionals – often shoulder great responsibility in helping loved ones remain at home. Their success depends on the support available to them. This new program offers focused, compassionate assistance, and with the PA CareKit just a click away, valuable resources are always within reach," said Representative Maureen Madden.
“We are all aware that the older adult population in Pennsylvania is growing rapidly. As the population increases, so will the demand for caregivers. These individuals are an integral part of making sure that our older Pennsylvanians thrive. They provide a variety of services, such as managing medications, providing transportation, preparing meals, and much more. The newly designed interactive PA CareKit will help identify solutions and resources so that caregivers are supported as they devote their time to the service of others,” said Representative Steven Mentzer.
Print materials from the PA CareKit will be available for free at community libraries, the AAAs, and Senior Community Centers across the Commonwealth.
"The PA CareKit will be invaluable to libraries and their users, especially to aging populations and their caregivers, who use our libraries in every community," said Susan Banks, State Librarian and Deputy Secretary for the Office of Commonwealth Libraries (OCL). “Public libraries and aging populations are a natural fit and OCL was proud to participate in the creation of Aging Our Way, PA. The PA CareKit will join a host of programs, services and resources designed for and by seniors and their loved ones to address the unique needs we all have as we grow older."
The Department of Aging’s Caregiver Support Program also provides supports to caregivers – including those who care for older adults, grandparents raising grandchildren, and older caregivers of adults living with a disability – with the purpose of alleviating stress and promoting well-being to help sustain a healthy ongoing caregiving relationship. Learn more about other services and supports that PDA provides by visiting the Department’s website.