Pennsylvania Department of Aging


The Pennsylvania Department of Aging is a cabinet-level agency charged with providing aid to Pennsylvania's approximately 3 million individuals age 60 and
older. Although the bureau operates some services directly, such as the Pharmaceutical Contact for the Elderly prescription drug program, it generally serves as a clearinghouse of funding and information for county-level Area Agencies on Aging. The department was formed under the governorship of Milton Shapp.

About

Aging Services

Promotes prompt service delivery to consumers through the development of efficient program operational policies and practices across all aging services.
Administrative responsibilities include the state-level management of Older Americans Act Services, Caregiver Support Program, transportation, Senior Centers, OPTIONS, Veterans' Directed Home and Community-Based Services, Domiciliary Care, Aging In Place programs, Senior Housing, and nutrition services.

Caregiver Support

The Pennsylvania Caregiver Support Program works to reduce the amount of stress not only on primary and informal caregivers but also on unpaid caregivers. Furthermore, this program helps support individuals over the age of 55 and older who care for adolescent members of their family.
These caregivers focus their efforts to aid a spouse, relative, or friend who is in need of assistance due to a disease or disability through

Property Tax/ Rent Rebate

Through the , rebates are made available for Pennsylvanians 65 and older, widows age 50 and older, and adults with disabilities. The program offers a maximum standard rebate of $650. The program covers homeowners making $0 to $35,000 a year or renters making $0 to $15,000 a year. Seniors living in high property tax areas and making under $30,000 a year can boost their homeowner rebate by up to %50. Additionally, the rebate is increased by %50 in the rest of the state so long as the household makes less than $30,000 a year and the household pays at least 15 percent of its income on property taxes.

Domiciliary Care

Dom Care is a group home program for adults with disabilities that need assistance, supervision, support, and encouragement for those who lack the resources or capability to live independently. Dom Care homes are individual providers' homes. They are inspected annually to meet health and safety requirements.

Insurance

APRISE Counseling Service
Meals at Senior Community Centers
Home Delivered Meals
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Pennsylvania Senior Farmers Market Program
Pennsylvania has two prescription programs, the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract of the Elderly and the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract of the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier. PACE and PACENET are dedicated to helping the elderly with paying for their medications. As of the year 2014, social security's Medicare, part B premiums are no longer taken from your income tax.

Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract of the Elderly

In order to qualify for usage of PACE, as a Pennsylvania citizen, you must meet the following requirements.
In order to qualify for PACE, as a Pennsylvania citizen, you must meet the following requirements.
Applicants can either apply at their local Area Agency on Aging or the Department of Aging website, www.aging.pa.gov under prescription assistance.

Protective Services

Pennsylvanians over the age of 60 are protected by the Older Adults Protective Service Act. The Older Adults Protective Service Act, passed in 1987, protects those 60 years of age or above from physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, caregiver and self-neglect, financial exploitation and abandonment. Any acts of abuse can be reported to the Area Agency of Aging, all hours of the day seven days a week. Acts of abuse can be reported by anyone by calling 1-800-450-8505. All reports made are confidential.

Transportation

Pennsylvania Free Transit Program