Formed June 1978 Website www.aging.state.pa.us | Annual budget $5.2 billion (FY 2010) | |
Agency executive Teresa Osborne, Acting Secretary of Aging |
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging is a cabinet-level agency charged with providing aid to Pennsylvania's approximately 1.9 million senior citizens. Although the bureau operates some services directly, such as the Pharmaceutical Contact for the Elderly (PACE) 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.
Contents
- Caregiver Support
- Senior Community Service Employment Program
- Commonwealth Workforce Deployment System
- Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
- Health and Wellness
- Help at Home
- Property Tax Rent Rebate
- Domiciliary Care
- Insurance
- Meals
- Ombudsman
- Prescriptions
- Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract of the Elderly
- Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract of the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier
- Protective Services
- Pennsylvania Free Transit Program
- Shared Ride Program
- References
Caregiver Support
The Pennsylvania Caregiver Support Program works to reduce the amount of stress not only on primary and informal caregivers but also 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:
Senior Community Service Employment Program
Commonwealth Workforce Deployment System
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Health and Wellness
Help at Home
Property Tax/ Rent Rebate
For Pennsylvanians 65 and older; widows age 50 and older; and adults with disabilities rebates are made available through the Department of Revenue. 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
Meals at Senior Community Centers
Home Delivered Meals
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Pennsylvania Senior Farmers Market Program
Ombudsman
Prescriptions
Pennsylvania has two prescription programs, the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract of the Elderly (PACE) and the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract of the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier (PACENET). 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.
Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract of the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier
In order to qualify for usage of 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.state.pa.us under prescription assistance. Applicants must have their applicate cards with them as well as prescription in order to receive discount. Applicants must renew cards annually.
Protective Services
Pennsylvania's over the age of 60 are protect by the Older Adults Protective Service Act. The Older Adults Protective Service Act, passed in 2003, protects those 60 years of age or above from physical, financial, emotional, and neglect or abandonment abuse. Any acts of abuse can be reported to the any Area Agency of Aging, open at all hours of the day seven days a week. Acts of abuse can be reported by victims or witnesses and are strictly confidential.