Flat Funding, Rising Need: A Growing Concern for Aging Communities
| Living as an Older Adult in PA
Across the Commonwealth, 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are vital in helping older adults stay connected and supported while aging in their homes. The senior centers they fund are welcoming spaces that offer more than just programs; they foster community and provide access to essential services.
But many of these centers are struggling to keep their doors open. At the Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging (P4A), we see the growing impact of stagnant funding on senior centers and the older adults who rely on them. Without an increase in funding, these trusted community anchors and the services they provide are at risk.
Senior Centers are Closing, with More at Risk
This year alone, thirteen (13) senior centers across eight (8) counties have closed their doors. Looking ahead, another twenty-three (23) centers are at risk of closing in the next fiscal year. These centers are more than physical spaces; they are lifelines, providing access to health and wellness programs, nutrition, transportation, emergency support services, social connections, and more.
More Than a Line Item
The closures are only part of the story. Flat funding also forces AAAs to reduce, waitlist, or eliminate other programs. Across twenty-four (24) counties, services like in-home meals, caregiver support, transportation, home modifications, and personal emergency response systems have already been discontinued.
Looking ahead, if funding does not increase across Pennsylvania:
- 20 AAAs anticipate cutting more programs like grab-n-go meals, home support, and medical supplies.
- 22 AAAs expect to place more services on waitlists, including personal care and legal assistance.
- 17 senior centers in 6 AAAs will reduce operating hours, leaving older adults with less access to support.
It’s Time for Real Solutions
Pennsylvania’s older adult population is 3.4 million and growing each year. By 2030, older Pennsylvanians will outnumber every other age group in the Commonwealth, and so will their needs. We must invest meaningfully in programs that keep older adults safe, healthy, and independent.
At P4A, we remain committed to our mission but need support to continue serving our communities.
Help Keep Communities Connected
Pennsylvania’s 52 Area Agencies on Aging across all 67 counties offer programs and connect individuals to services promoting independence, dignity, and quality of life. But they can’t do this work alone.
Visit https://p4a.org/ourstories/ to learn more about how you can support older adults in your community and why sustainable funding through PENNCARE is more crucial than ever.