Policy

We’ve compiled the following list to help connect our members to resources within the Southwestern Pennsylvania region and beyond. Visit our resources page.

Please read the attached letter expressing SWPPA’s serious concern on behalf of elderly individuals and those with disabilities. It is urgent we stress this concern and how to address it to the Department of Human Services, the Governor, and our Legislators. Please call, email, or write to them as soon as you are able. Simply ask them to read the letter from SWPPA and to act to stop the shift of the assessment function from AAA’s to Maximus. Also ask them to advise you of their position. Here is a link by which you can determine who your legislator is and how to contact him/her: Find Your Legislator – PA General Assembly (state.pa.us)

SWPPA Maximus Letter

Here is a link to a story on the Pittsburgh public radio station WESA this morning regarding the DHS desire to shift assessment from the AAAs to Maximus.

Department of Human Services Desire To Shift Assessments from the AAAs to Maximus

SWPPA advocates for policies that improve the lives of older citizens and all citizens.

One success for SWPPA was its creation of the Principles of the Ideal Long-Term Living System to scorecard policy provisions. These principles, listed below, have been adopted by the Pennsylvania Council on Aging and other leadership organizations. The ideal long-term living situation for the state’s older adult community must be:

1. Person-centered
2. Able to acknowledge that risk exists while supporting maximum independence
3. Focused on quality of life and quality of care
4. Simple to understand and access
5. Coordinated, with seamless transitions through a comprehensive array of services
6. Focused on prevention, wellness and early connection to home and community-based services
7. Vested in a viable and competent direct care workforce
8. Focused on continued learning and quality improvement
9. Financially feasible and encourage public/private participation

Download the full Principles of the Ideal Long-Term Living System for Pennsylvania’s Older Adults

“Home Sweet Home“
by JoAnne Klimovich Harrop
Tribune-Review
July 16, 2023

“Teaching caregiving to dementia patients’ families“
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
December 18, 2022

“The three things the Pa. Legislature did in 2021 to help older Pennsylvanians“
by Ray Landis
Pennsylvania Capital-Star
January 4, 2022

“Older Pennsylvanians Face Social Isolation and Its Real Health Consequences“
by Anya Sostek
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
December 6, 2021

“How seniors in Allegheny County combat social isolation”
By Martha Rial
Public Source
January 15, 2018

“Growing older — and designing smarter”
By Laura Poskin
American Planning Association
December 18, 2017

“Age-Friendly Pittsburgh: Action plan aims to make this a better place to grow old”
By Gary Rotstein
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
October 17, 2017