AAAs Making a Difference

Across Pennsylvania, our 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) serve as the lifeline for over half a million older adults, ensuring access to vital services including; home-delivered meals, in-home care, transportation, preventive health initiatives, legal guidance, and welcoming senior centers in all 67 counties. AAAs work with compassion, skill, and an unwavering commitment to support older Pennsylvanians to age at home with dignity.

We recognize the complexities our legislators face as they seek an agreement on the state budget.  However, AAAs are now facing difficult financial decisions, as we await the passage of the budget. Essential services are being threatened and critical payments are delayed, placing our neighbors, friends, and family members at risk. Timely passage of a balanced budget is a vital step to protect our older adults.

We are grateful for the bipartisan support demonstrated by legislators and by Governor Shapiro’s call for an additional $20 million in the PENNCARE line. Nevertheless, we remain committed to advocating for sustainable funding if we are to meet the needs of a rapidly growing older population for years to come. 

To restore and strengthen our essential services, we urge the inclusion of an additional $105 million in the PENNCARE appropriation. Without it, the impact is clear and immediate: waitlists will continue or emerge in more than half of AAAs; senior centers in 13 counties face closure, and others will be forced to cut hours or eliminate programs entirely. These are not mere numbers—they represent real people losing lifelines to nutrition, community, and support.

Pennsylvania’s older adults have spent their lives contributing to our communities. They deserve respect, security, and stability as they age. As advocates, we call on lawmakers to prioritize our elders and pass a budget that honors their legacy and safeguards their future.

-Rebecca May-Cole, Executive Director

 Who are the AAAs?

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) provide critical services to roughly 548,000 older Pennsylvanians annually, ensuring access to essential programs, services, and protections, allowing them to age in their own homes.

Today, Pennsylvania is home to 3.4 million older adults, the fifth highest total in the country. It is estimated that by 2030, there will be an almost 40% increase in the number of older adults in Pennsylvania, accounting for 1 of every 3 Pennsylvanians. Yet, funding for AAAs who directly support this population has severely lagged for the last 20 years.

Area Agencies on Aging across the Commonwealth are in desperate need of increased funding to continue supporting the needs of older adults statewide.

▶️ Listen to older adults from Jefferson, Philadelphia, Bedford, Indiana, Montgomery, Westmoreland, Huntingdon, Armstrong, and Allegheny Counties plea to state legislators.

Older Adult Spotlight

“I was lost. That place saved my heart,” - Jim Overly, Older Pennsylvanian

Area Agencies on Aging provide transportation, hot meals, health care services, legal help, and socialization to older adults. These services are critical to their well-being. Read more about what these services have meant to Carolyn, Jim, Carl and Evelyn.

In the News

“The challenges faced by our aging population will only increase. We can either prepare and invest now, or we can face a crisis of care in the near future.”

P4A announces the appointment of new President of the Board of Directors.

Read a piece published by P4A’s Executive Director Rebecca May-Cole: Your View: Pennsylvania must do more to support its older residents.

Media Mentions