Latest news with #AgeFriendly
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Shapiro announces PA's designation as an age-friendly state by AARP
May 30—WILKES-BARRE — Gov. Josh Shapiro this week announced that Pennsylvania has officially been designated as an "Age-Friendly State" by AARP, marking a major milestone in his administration's work to make the Commonwealth a place where older Pennsylvanians can live and age with dignity, independence and support. The governor made the announcement at the White Rose Senior Center in York, where he was joined by Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich, local officials, community leaders and partners from AARP and the United Way. "My administration is fighting for Pennsylvanians every day, and that includes investing in and building a Commonwealth that cares for and supports older adults," Shapiro said. "Our seniors have earned the right to age with dignity and respect, and, under my administration, we created a 10-year master plan that brings together 29 state agencies to deliver real results for our seniors — from expanding access to home care and transportation to cutting their taxes through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program to increasing transparency and accountability of the local organizations that provide protective services." Pennsylvania's designation comes at a pivotal moment. By 2030, one in three Pennsylvanians will be over the age of 60, with the Commonwealth's older adult population expected to reach 3.8 million — outnumbering every other age group. The Age-Friendly designation, awarded by AARP in partnership with the World Health Organization, recognizes states and communities committed to being great places to grow up and grow older. Pennsylvania is now one of just 13 states nationwide — and the only new state this year — to receive this distinction. "Pennsylvania's aging population provides us with an opportunity — not a challenge — to build better communities for all generations," Kavulich said. "The Aging Our Way, PA plan reflects our commitment to making sure older adults have the services, respect, and support they deserve. Thanks to Governor Shapiro's leadership, we're working across agencies and with community partners to make every town, city, and neighborhood more age-friendly." Walsh to host grant seminars Rep. Jamie Walsh, R-Ross Township, this week announced he will host two grant seminars for municipalities and organizations to learn how to apply for funding to help continue their service to communities in the 117th Legislative District. The seminars will be held on Thursday, June 12. —The first will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the Back Mountain Regional E.M.A. Building, 3593 State Route 118, Dallas. —The second will be from 2-4 p.m. at the Sugarloaf Township Municipal Building, 858 Main St., Sugarloaf Township. "Grants play a significant role in facilitating projects that shape our communities for current and future residents," Walsh said. "I am glad to provide this opportunity for my constituents to learn more about the process of locating and applying for grants." Attendees will hear from Paul Macknosky, regional director with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, as well as Tyler Day, community and economic development manager with Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance. Registrations are required. Contact Walsh's Dallas office at 570-675-6000 or his Sugarloaf Township office at 570-359-2138 for information and to reserve a seat. PSP reports Memorial Day weekend data As part of an ongoing mission to strengthen roadway safety across the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania State Police this week released the results of its Memorial Day weekend enforcement detail. During the four days between May 23-26, PSP investigated 756 crashes that resulted in 140 injuries and five fatalities. Intoxicated driving was a factor in 57 of those crashes — two of which were fatal. Troopers arrested 519 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and they issued 27,139 citations, including: —7,033 for speeding —977 for failing to wear a seat belt —166 for not securing children in safety seats. These statistics cover only those incidents investigated by the State Police and do not include incidents to which other law enforcement agencies responded. State launches resource to support unpaid caregivers Kavulich this week launched the PA CareKit — a resource to support caregivers including spouses, adult children, and grandparents raising grandchildren — that provides training, connection to respite services, and personalized tools to help informal caregivers address their unique situations. The PA CareKit offers an array of person-centered support like personalized and tailored resource guides, and resources for families to evaluate and select professional caregivers. The development of the PA CareKit started in August 2024 and took nine months to complete. It is the result of year one of implementing Aging Our Way, PA — a 10-year plan to improve the infrastructure of aging services. "When designing the plan, caregivers indicated they needed more tools and resources to maintain the level of care for their loved ones to remain in their homes and communities," Kavulich said. "The PA CareKit is an innovative tool that will help make the caregiving process easier for both the person providing the care and their loved one." In 2023, Shapiro directed PDA to produce Aging Our Way, PA, and his 2025-26 budget proposal includes a $3 million investment for year two implementation of the plan. During this time-frame, the Department will focus on modernizing and strengthening the PA Link, which serves as Pennsylvania's Aging and Disability Resource Center network, designed to streamline access to long-term services and supports. The PA Link facilitates collaboration among Pennsylvania's 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), Centers for Independent Living, and other community-based organizations to ensure seamless service delivery across the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania is the fifth oldest state in the nation by population. With this growing population, the Commonwealth will need more caregivers to support older adults so they can remain in their homes and communities while aging with the dignity and respect they deserve. Print materials from the PA CareKit will be available for free at community libraries, the AAAs and Senior Community Centers across the Commonwealth. The Department of Aging's Caregiver Support Program also provides supports to caregivers — including those who care for older adults, grandparents raising grandchildren, and older caregivers of adults living with a disability — with the purpose of alleviating stress and promoting well-being to help sustain a healthy ongoing caregiving relationship. Learn about other services and supports that PDA provides by visiting the Department's website. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
West Australian
23-04-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
City of Belmont community mourns death of long-standing and respected councillor Janet Powell
A Perth council is mourning the loss of one of its long-serving councillors. Belmont City Council said Janel Powell was a long-standing and respected councillor. 'We are deeply saddened to advise that South ward councillor Janet Powell passed away over the weekend,' the city said in a statement. 'She initially served the community as a councillor from 2001 to 2021 and was re-elected during the extraordinary election for the South ward in June 2024. 'For over 20 years she represented our community as a proactive and hard-working councillor. 'She was a member of numerous committees including some time as presiding member of Community Vision Standing Committee and member of the Age Friendly and Cultural Diversity working groups. 'She also represented the city on the East Metropolitan Regional Council and the WA Local Government Association East Metropolitan Zone.' In 2017, she was presented with the WALGA Long and Loyal Service Award. 'Her dedication to the community and her advocacy for the City of Belmont will be remembered,' the city said. 'We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and all who had the privilege of working with her and knowing her.'
