AAAs Making a Difference

Areas Agencies on Aging are working hard across the Commonwealth to continue to provide essential services, which include: home-delivered meals, in-home care, transportation, preventive health services, legal assistance, and access to senior centers for more than 548,000 older Pennsylvanians in all 67 counties. 

While we appreciate support from many legislators across Pennsylvania, these services are in jeopardy with the delayed 2025/2026 budget. 36% of AAAs will need to tap into emergency financing options by September, 73% of AAAs by November, and 12% of AAAs don’t have any backup options. 

While a majority of AAAs have emergency funding options like relying on lines of credit, using reserve funds, and relying on county financial support, due to timing of payments to the agencies it puts additional pressure on AAAs for another two months after the budget is passed. For those using their line of credit, they will have to pay back their line of credit with interest, thus taking more funds away from services being provided to Pennsylvania’s older adults. 

Pennsylvania’s older adults have dedicated their lives to building our communities and deserve stability and respect. Yet, they face uncertainty as AAAs wait for the 2025/2026 budget that ensures the essential services they rely upon to age in their homes will continue to be made available and uninterrupted. We urge state leaders to pass an adequate budget as soon as possible to protect our Commonwealth’s older adult’s ability to age with dignity and security. 

-Rebecca May-Cole, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging

 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