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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
State officials launch 10-year plan to boost supports for growing senior population
Department of Aging Secretary Carmel Roques says that new 10-year road map to boost senior-focused initiatives in the state is "designed to ensure that Marylanders can age with dignity." (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters). Across the United States, health officials are bracing for the rising population of senior citizens expected in the next couple years, as 'Baby Boomers' continue to age into retirement and will likely need additional supports to secure affordable housing options, health care and other resources. In what it calls the 'Graying of America,' the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that by 2034, the number of people aged 65+ and older will outnumber children aged 18 and younger for the first time in the United States' history. Maryland officials are trying to get ahead of the problem, announcing a 10-year plan called the Longevity Ready Maryland initiative to boost supports for older residents in the state in coming years. In a briefing about the plan Wednesday, Secretary Carmel Roques with the Maryland Department of Aging said that Longevity Ready Maryland is 'designed to ensure that Marylanders can age with dignity, purpose and independence' by promoting collaboration between government agencies, philanthropic efforts and the private sector. 'This is the only way we can truly begin to meet the challenges and also to really be able to realize the potential and benefits of an older and aging population,' Roques said, noting that there are over 1.4 million people over the age of 60 in Maryland as of now. According to state estimates, about 1 in 4 Marylanders will be 60-years-old or older by 2030. By 2045, an estimated 315,000 people in the state will be age 85 or older. 'We must strengthen supports for people who are aging now and for people who are already older and their care givers,' Roques said. In a written statement, Gov. Wes Moore (D) said that the launch of Longevity Ready Maryland will work to support older Marylanders at a time when the Trump Administration has been cutting back on spending for programs that they rely on, such as Medicaid and food assistance. 'Maryland is stepping forward with urgency and a clear plan to put the well-being of older Marylanders front and center,' Moore said in the statement. 'By coordinating action across state agencies, community organizations, and the private sector, Longevity Ready Maryland takes a resilient approach to aging and makes efficient use of every resource as federal support becomes less certain.' The Longevity Ready Maryland roadmap has been under development for almost two years, following Moore's executive order issued on Jan. 3, 2024, to create the initiative. The roadmap outlines four overarching goals, each with short-term and long-term policy suggestions to achieve those initiatives: Build inclusive communities that are friendly to senior residents and their needs, Strengthen the caregiver workforce, Invest in health programs so that older people can stay healthier longer, Create more affordable housing opportunities and promote financial planning so seniors can have stable housing option. 'Maryland is at a demographic crossroads,' the executive summary of the plan says. 'Longer lives and declining birth rates have introduced a significant shift in how our current systems will need to function as the growing number of older adults continues to expand.' With the multi-agency, multi-sector collaboration, the Moore administration hopes to aid aging residents with the many challenges that come with old age, such as housing needs, financial challenges and health care services. Danielle Meister, assistant secretary of homeless solutions with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, said that the need for affordable housing options that are suitable for older people is 'one of the big needs' for the senior population. 'We're facing a severe shortage of affordable housing in our state,' she said,' but this need is more acute and significant for older adults.' She said that department data estimates that 130,000 Marylanders 65-years-old and older face a housing cost burden, meaning they pay more than 30% of their income on rent or a mortgage. 'It makes it really difficult, especially for older adults who are often on restricted incomes, to meet their basic needs,' Meister said. More people aged 65+ face homelessness, state housing officials report The state also needs additional accessible housing so more Marylanders can 'age in place independently' and not have to move into a new living situation when more health needs or disabilities arise. Allison Roenigk Ciborowski, President and CEO of LeadingAge Maryland, said in a written statement Wednesday that said that the 'important — and hardest — work lies ahead.' 'A plan is only as good as how it is implemented and resourced,' she said in the statement. 'We are thrilled to see the full support of LRM by the Governor, and we are eager to continue to work closely with MDOA, state agencies, and legislators to ensure that the goals for coordination and collaboration truly come to life.' Solve the daily Crossword
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.
