Your Voice Needed: Pennsylvania Pursues Master Plan for Older Adults

Governor Shapiro recently recognized Older Americans Month by signing an Executive Order directing the Pennsylvania Department of Aging to create a Master Plan for Older Adults.

The Master Plan for Older Adults will serve as a 10-year, state-led and stakeholder-driven roadmap to build and maintain a Pennsylvania where every resident can live and thrive at any age. And the Commonwealth needs your help to make it happen.

To complete the online needs assessment survey today, simply click here.

 Despite data clearly showing the need for additional aging services and support - from more accessible public transportation to affordable housing to community-based long-term care options – only five states (California, Colorado, Texas, Minnesota and Massachusetts) have fully developed and started implementing their Master Plan.

Pennsylvania is the latest state to authorize the creation of a Master Plan, which starts developing systems to help adults lead independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.

Pennsylvania has an older adult population of 3.4 million. Estimates suggest that by 2030, one in four state residents will be over 65. Now is the perfect time to begin laying out a Pennsylvania Master Plan.

Complete the online needs assessment survey today: click here.

A significant step being taken by the Shapiro Administration is ensuring that the Master Plan will be crafted by Pennsylvanians, for Pennsylvanians; the voices of older adults must resonate in every component of this plan.

You are invited to contribute what you think should be the plan’s priority goals, objectives, and initiatives to support the highest quality of life for older Pennsylvanians.

One of the immediate steps you can take to ensure your voice is heard is to participate in an online needs assessment survey, which has been developed by the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health to capture the experience of older adults and adults with disabilities across a wide range of issues. The survey is anonymous and will remain open until Saturday, September 30.

To complete the online needs assessment survey today, simply click here.

To learn more about Pennsylvania’s Master Plan on Aging, click here.