PA Department Of Aging Showcases Services

This week, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) showcased the services and resources it makes available to older Pennsylvanians during a two-day Aging Network Volunteer Conference in Pittsburgh. Some 52 agencies from throughout the Commonwealth were welcomed. “This conference is a unique forum for our volunteers to meet with their fellow volunteers from across the Commonwealth in the same program areas while engaging, recognizing and strengthening their skill sets. Our aging network couldn’t deliver the services that it does without the support of nearly 26,000 volunteers. This year’s conference theme is ‘Volunteers are Everyday Heroes,’ and the caring individuals who volunteer are heroically making a difference in older Pennsylvanians’ lives. They help older adults stay informed, healthy, independent and in their communities” said Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. “I commend all the Pennsylvanians who devote countless hours to volunteering. I also invite anyone who may be thinking about volunteering to join our robust group of aging network volunteers. It’s an opportunity to make a difference not only in the lives of older adults, but also in their own lives.” The Shapiro Administration and PDA are working to improve the infrastructure of the aging services. In May, the Department will launch a comprehensive Caregiver Toolkit to support the needs of PA’s 1.5 million unpaid caregivers. The nearly 26,000 aging network volunteers across the Commonwealth donate an estimated 1.6 million hours of service a year with an estimated value of more than $53.4 million.