AARP Pennsylvania

Governor Shapiro’s state budget proposal included an increase of $20 million for the PENNCARE line item, which is the funding that supports older adults in their communities through local Area Agencies on Aging. While we sincerely appreciate the proposed increase, it is not enough to ensure that older adults receive the services and supports they need to age in place. More is needed — $30 million — to serve a growing aging population at home, where they want to be. According to AARP’s latest “Home and Community Preferences Survey,” older adults overwhelmingly want to stay in their homes (75 percent) and communities (73 percent).

AARP Pennsylvania is celebrating a big win for Philadelphia residents 50-plus following the City’s new budget agreement. In a statement issued June 12, 2025, State Director Bill Johnston-Walsh praised Mayor Parker and City Council for advancing priorities like affordable housing, safe streets, and livable communities.

As World Elder Abuse Awareness Day approaches on June 15, AARP Pennsylvania is drawing attention to one of the most prevalent yet underreported forms of abuse: financial exploitation. This type of elder abuse can lead to significant loss of one’s savings, independence, and security—and it often goes unnoticed and unreported until it’s too late.

The new resource was a key action item in Pennsylvania’s 10-year strategic plan for aging, called Aging Our Way, PA: A Plan for Lifelong Independence.

After nearly four decades of dedicated service, one AARP Pennsylvania Associate State Director David Kalinoski is preparing to close an extraordinary chapter in a career defined by advocacy, innovation, and community building. As the organization’s first ASD in the country, he’s witnessed—and helped shape—the evolution of AARP’s mission, from grassroots volunteer-led programs to cutting-edge national campaigns. In this Q&A, he reflects on the legacy he’s leaving behind, the milestones that have defined his journey, and the people who have inspired him along the way.

Judy Kotler has spent a lifetime caring for others. An only child raised in Queens, New York, she pursued a biology degree at Queens College before relocating to Philadelphia to attend physical therapy school at the University of Pennsylvania. That move would mark the beginning of a decades-long commitment to health care, service, and, eventually, community advocacy.

Summer is the perfect time to plan your next trip—but it’s also peak season for travel scams. In this episode of Fraud Busters, we’re spotlighting how criminals use fake vacation rentals, bogus travel sites, and too-good-to-be-true deals to steal your money and personal information. Watch to learn how these scams work, the red flags to watch for, and the steps you can take to protect yourself. Learn more about fraud in Pennsylvania at 👉 AARP.org/PAFraud

This May, in honor of Older Americans Month, AARP Pennsylvania joined PCN’s Focus on Aging Adults to discuss how Pennsylvania is supporting its rapidly growing older population. This year’s observance challenges outdated stereotypes and celebrates the contributions and potential of adults aged 50+.

On March 28th, AARP Pennsylvania joined city leaders, and community partners at the 2025 Vision Zero Conference as they highlighted progress, challenges, and the work still ahead to ensure safe, walkable communities for all. We spoke with many city leaders on hand, including City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, Deputy Managing Director Michael Carroll, City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, and others.

Gift cards may be a convenient way to celebrate birthdays, holidays or special occasions, but scammers are increasingly using them as a tool to steal money from unsuspecting consumers. AARP Pennsylvania is raising awareness about this fast-growing fraud tactic that cost Americans over $217 million in 2023 alone, according to the Federal Trade Commission.