Pennsylvania officials need to put more emphasis on helping unpaid family caregivers as part of a new State Plan on Aging that’s under development, a succession of speakers urged Wednesday at a local hearing on the plan.
Representatives of Pennsylvania AARP, the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging, the University of Pittsburgh’s Stern Center for Evidence-Based Policy and the Familylinks social services organization were among those advocating for the state to do a better job of assisting caregivers.
“We know as our population ages there will be increased reliance on the care provided by family members. [They] will function much more efficiently if they receive some down time,” for such needs as attending church or doing shopping, said Connie Kovka, an AARP volunteer from Bethel Park.
She said AARP was surprised the 14-page draft of the State Plan on Aging did not include more attention to caregivers. The state is mandated by the federal government to update its aging plan every four years, and the plan for 2016-2020 is due in October. Wednesday’s hearing at Area Agency on Aging offices on the South Side, attended by about 35 people, was the first of three public hearings to be held on the plan around the state.
The draft plan is mostly a general document sketching goals for coming years, rather than outlining specific changes in programming or funding that would affect the 2.9 million Pennsylvanians over age 60. Related to caregiving, the plan calls for the state to explore ways of expanding adult day care opportunities and to develop more education and training of those caring for family members.
State Aging Secretary Teresa Osborne said after the hearing that the caregiving theme is often raised as a top concern among consumers and advocates. One new form of help, she noted, will result from state legislation passed last month mandating that hospitals supply any necessary training to caregivers of patients who are about to be discharged and will need help at home. It takes effect next year.
The state will need to review what other improvements it can make, Ms. Osborne said, such as with its Caregiver Support Program that provides limited funds for respite care and household supply purchases to eligible families. Accessed by families through each county’s Area Agency on Aging, the help is used more widely in some counties than others, and she’s not sure why.
“We need to do better in making sure caregivers are able to meet responsibilities and in making them aware the services and supports are available,” Ms. Osborne acknowledged.
Gary Rotstein: grotstein@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1255.
First Published: May 18, 2016, 8:25 p.m.
