Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Department of Aging hosted its third regional town hall to discuss and gather input on Pennsylvania's Master Plan for Older Adults – a 10-year, state-led and stakeholder-driven strategic plan designed to help transform the infrastructure and coordination of services for older Pennsylvanians. The Master Plan will also reflect the needs and preferences of this population to live where they choose and access the supports they need to thrive and age in place.
In May, Governor Josh Shapiro signed an Executive Order directing the Department to develop the plan.
"The Master Plan will be crafted by Pennsylvanians, for Pennsylvanians. The plan will be a living, breathing document that we will revisit and not just let sit on a shelf; but we must first create a plan that the Department, its stakeholders, and all Pennsylvanians can stand by," said Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. "We are pleased with the tremendous feedback that we received during today's town hall in addition to the input from our first two town halls in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in June. It shows that a Master Plan for Older Adults is desired and needed in the Commonwealth, and we want to ensure that all voices, especially those of older adults, are incorporated into the plan's development."
At today's regional town hall held in the Rose Lehrman Arts Center on the campus of Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), Secretary Kavulich was joined by State Representative Patty Kim; Bill Johnston-Walsh, AARP Pennsylvania State Director; Teresa Osborne, AARP Pennsylvania State Advocacy Director; Nora Dowd Eisenhower, Philadelphia Mayor's Commission on Aging; and Velma Carter-Dryer, Pennsylvania Council on Aging to present an overview of the plan.
Kevin Hancock, Special Advisory to the Secretary, highlighted the plan's core tenets, and how the Department will engage stakeholders, older adults, their families, caregivers, and community leaders to identify policies, programs, and infrastructure that promote and support good health, well-being, and quality of life to incorporate into the plan.
"We commend Governor Shapiro and the Shapiro-Davis Administration for embracing the creation of a Master Plan for Older Adults," said Bill Johnston-Walsh. "This is a welcome step forward in recognizing and addressing the needs of Pennsylvania's fastest-growing population. We hope this signals a new era that reflects the reality that more than 3 million Pennsylvanians are currently 60 or older, which is projected to grow to 4 million by 2030. AARP Pennsylvania applauds this fresh focus on what it means to live and grow older in counties and cities throughout the Commonwealth. We support this rethinking of how we approach aging and this affirmation that every Pennsylvanian is valued, respected, and deserves to live in healthy, safe communities that meet their needs."
Throughout the development process, the Department will seek input on ideas that support and promote the ability of older adults to stay in their communities; address disparities based on demographic, economic, and geographic differences; allow for person-centered planning; and reframe how we think about, talk about, and value older adults. The Master Plan for Older Adults will summarize all these ideas and proposals in an actionable document that will include "quick wins," aspirational goals, and tangible initiatives which will be measurable to hold the Department accountable for their implementation and success.
The Department of Aging has created a webpage dedicated to the Master Plan for Older Adults, which provides information on why a master plan is needed, the core tenets, how the Department will gather input for the plan, resources and more.
Individuals who would like to submit input on the plan can either email AgingPlan@pa.gov, provide feedback through an online form or mail:
Pennsylvania Department of Aging
c/o Master Plan
555 Walnut St., 5th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Additionally, all Pennsylvanians will have an opportunity to participate in the development process. The Area Agencies on Aging and the Centers for Independent Living will host listening sessions where the public can learn about the plan and submit input. The stakeholder engagement process will involve outreach and requests for feedback from anyone or any group with a vested interest.
Pennsylvania's diverse and rapidly growing older adult population provides the Department with a unique opportunity to create and implement a plan that will create an age-friendly Commonwealth. Pennsylvania is home to 3.4 million people aged 60 and over, ranking it fifth among the highest older adult populations in the country. Older adults represent 1 in 4 Pennsylvanians and by 2030, they will represent 1 in 3. The growth rate of Pennsylvania's senior population aged 65 and over is more than 20 times higher than the growth rate of the general population.
Pennsylvania will join 11 other states that are in the process of developing a master plan. There are five states currently implementing MPADs: California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Texas.
Learn more about the programs and services offered by the department on its website and its Facebook page.