New Four-Year Plan Approved for Agency on Aging

 

by Jonathan Weaver

Armstrong County seniors made an impact on activities at their local senior center during the next four years.

Agency on Aging Executive Director Janet Talerico explained a new four-year plan

“Every four years, the Department of Aging requires that all 52 planning and service Agencies on Aging across the state do this plan. The plan is basically based on community needs,” Talerico said.

Talerico explains community surveys are a usual way to update the four-year plan, and that results indicate Armstrong County residents are also more in-tune with senior needs compared to those across the state.

“We do the surveys on an annual basis. If we compare them four years ago to see what the needs are, it’s remarkably the same: the top 3 are the exact same top 3 needs we got from the surveys last time – medical expenses, insurance, household expenses.

“I think the really interesting thing is that you can see that the whole community has the same pulse. Those are what seniors 60 and over say they were interested in. When the community responded as to what they thought their needs would be for seniors over the next four years, one through three was exactly the same.

“We’re a little bit more unique that way – something to be proud of.”

There are also a higher percentage of local seniors compared to the state average – similar results shown four years ago.

“The 60-65 (age group) is about seven percent of that 60+ population, and then the next group is 65-69 (year old age group).”

The Department of Aging’s four goals, such as of promoting existing services, coincide locally – with Talerico wanting to increase awareness about local Senior Center programs, protective services and the APPRISE program, as well as spurring volunteerism (even if it is short-term).

According to the Agency on Aging’s website, APPRISE is a free health insurance counseling program designed to help all Pennsylvanians with Medicare.

APPRISE can help you if you are new to Medicare, during the Annual Open Enrollment Period, and ultimately help residents save money by determining eligibility for the Low Income Subsidy (LIS), which can lower your prescription co-pays and premiums and cover the cost of the ‘donut hole” (coverage gap), or your eligibility for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP), which can help you lower or eliminate your Part B premium and possibly help with the payment of your Medicare Part A and Part B cost-sharing.

Talerico also wants to improve access to services via the PEER Ombudsman program – which is commonly found in local nursing homes to help residents self-resolve problems.

“We want to expand that program - get more involved in that, get more people trained,” Talerico said.

Every four years, a handful of community forums are held at different senior centers in the county to gather input.

“There were real-practical things that came out of the plan that we can do. It’s not just a plan for the sake of having a plan,” Talerico said. “I enjoy going to the community forums and listening. We’re looking for solutions.”

Commissioner Chair Pat Fabian complimented Talerico and her staff on the process - especially on the fact that seniors get freedom-of-choice on some providers.

A caregiver summit is also tentatively planned based on the four-year plan to be held in November 2017.

The four-year task group meets quarterly to discuss the plan goals and implementation strategy.

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