Nearly two million seniors call Pennsylvania home, the fifth most of any
state in the nation. They account for more than 15% of the state?s overall
population, which is the fourth highest in the country. With numbers so
grand, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging keeps itself busy by providing
programs to keep its elder population safe and sound.
The department?s mission is ?Enhancing the quality of life of all older
Pennsylvanians by empowering diverse communities, the family and the
individual.? It does this by offering a wide array of services for seniors.
They include:
Pennsylvania has one of the fastest-growing senior populations in the
nation. Nearly 1.3 million people over the age of 65 live in Pennsylvania,
a 31% increase over the 2000 figures. The Pennsylvania Division of Aging
and Adult Services (DAAS) is working hard to provide program and services
to make sure the burgeoning population lives a long and healthy life. Those
services include:
-- Abuse and Crime: Keeping seniors safe from neglect, as well as physical,
financial or sexual abuse.
-- Adult Day Services: A safe and interactive environment for seniors
living with dementia-related diseases, Parkinson’s disease or other organic
brain syndrome.
-- Aging Waiver Program: A long-term program that offers help to seniors to
live independently and stay out of nursing homes.
-- Attendant Care Program: In-home care for mentally alert, physically
disabled seniors.
-- Employment Opportunities: Helping seniors who want to work or need to
work find jobs.
-- Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services: Support for seniors who have
mental health problems or substance addiction issues.
-- Nutrition Services: Healthy meals served at a senior center or delivered
directly to the home.
-- Ombudsman Program: Advocating for residents of long-term care
facilities.
-- Prescription Drug Assistance: Three programs
-- PACE, PACENET, PACE plus Medicare – offering low-cost prescription drugs
to qualified seniors.
-- PrimeTime Health: Health promotion and disease prevention program.
-- Transportation Services: Helping seniors get around who can no longer
drive themselves.
Many of Pennsylvania’s programs are designed for seniors to remain in their
own homes for as long as possible. Most medical experts agree that a
medical alert device should be part of that plan for the future.
Seniors who live alone or with a spouse in their own homes are vulnerable
to falls or other medical emergencies. Often times a senior is unable to
call for help, but a medical alert device will make that call for you. It
is essential for the safety and security of every senior.
All medical alert companies operate in all states, including Pennsylvania.
Shopping for a system can be confusing. You can compare the services and
products from all of the top companies here.
Health care and insurance is a huge concern among seniors; after all, it is
inevitable that everyone’s health will decline, and seniors must be assured
that treatment will not cost them their life’s savings.
The federal government provides Medicare, but often that is not enough.
Pennsylvania offers Medicaid to low-income residents to help them pay for
medical care.
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