AAAs Making a Difference

P4A Response to Governor Shapiro's Proposed 2026/27 Budget

February 4, 2026

The Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging (P4A) appreciates Governor Josh Shapiro’s FY 2026-2027 budget proposal and the Administration’s continued support for older Pennsylvanians. Older adults represent roughly 22 percent of the Commonwealth’s population, and are the fastest growing demographic in the state. 

The proposal includes critical investments to Aging Our Way, PA, PACE/PACENET, CAPE, and calls for a long-awaited reform to the Older Adult Protective Services Act. While recent investments to PENNCARE in last year’s budget have helped stabilize services and address the growing demand, new funding reductions have threatened this progress. 

We commend the Governor for calling on legislators to regulate skill games. We also call on the the General Assembly to not only regulate skill games, but to direct proceeds from this to the Lottery Fund, earmarking them to AAAs so they can stabilize older adult services.  Skill gaming in Pennsylvania has severely threatened the Lottery Fund on which our Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) rely to deliver essential services to older Pennsylvanians. We urge the General Assembly to direct proceeds from regulating skill games to the Lottery Fund, with this funding dedicated to AAAs to stabilize older adult services.

Ensuring proceeds from regulating skill games are directed to the Lottery Fund will help stabilize and strengthen services provided by AAAs. Doing this will protect critical supports that help older adults remain safe, healthy, and independent in their communities.

-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