AARP Pennsylvania Applauds Governor Wolf's Commitment to Rebalancing State's Long-Term Care System for Older Adults

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Feb 27, 2015, 11:00 ET

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Wolf's proposals to expand home and community-based supports for older adults represent a significant step towards rebalancing the state's long-term care system and will help keep more older adults at home, AARP Pennsylvania said today.

In remarks this morning at AARP's Philadelphia office, Governor Wolf outlined plans to increase access to home and community-based nursing home alternatives for Pennsylvania's seniors.

"AARP is fighting to help older adults age with dignity and independence in their homes and communities," said AARP Pennsylvania State Director Bill Johnston-Walsh. "As the state with the nation's fourth oldest population, we believe expanding home and community-based programs and assisting family caregivers represents the most cost-efficient use of limited state resources."

Recent comprehensive reviews by Pennsylvania's Joint State Government Commission and the previous administration concluded that the state must better balance nursing home services with available programs designed to help older residents remain at home and in communities. Those reviews followed last summer's release of a national study by AARP and the SCAN foundation that showed Pennsylvania ranks just 42nd nationally in meeting the long-term care needs of older residents.

"Study after study says the same thing—seniors want to maintain their independence and remain a vital part of family and the community for as long as possible in the least restrictive setting," said Johnston-Walsh. "Our 1.8 million members statewide look forward to working with Governor Wolf and the General Assembly to expand access and availability of home and community-based programs preferred by older adults."

AARP has 1.8 million members in Pennsylvania. Follow AARP Pennsylvania on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AARPPA and on Twitter @AARPPA.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

CONTACT:
Steve Gardner, AARP PA
(717) 237-6481 or [email protected]

Angela Foreshaw-Rouse, AARP PA
(267) 825-9921 or [email protected]

SOURCE AARP Pennsylvania