Margaret Barajas

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging's Refresh Plan outlines a multi-phase approach to revitalize the PA Link program, a network connecting older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers to resources and support. Key objectives include preparing stakeholders for change, redefining program functions, rebuilding internal structures, enhancing services, and ensuring sustainability. The plan aims to strengthen leadership, improve network partnerships, enhance consumer access and experience, increase visibility, and foster continuous improvement, ultimately making it easier for individuals to navigate health and social needs.

The meeting included a review of the agenda, committee introductions, and an overview of the Department of Aging, as well as the ADRD office history and plans. Discussions covered the Aging Our Way plan, Act 111 requirements, and the ADRD State Plan development steps. Workgroups will be developed using the Healthy Brain Initiative Framework designed for stakeholder organizations and advocates with expertise in aging and dementia. Also discussed were tactic action plans, draft and design plan, review and public comment and final publication.

The meeting included agency updates from the Department of Human Services, Department of Aging, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Department of Health, Department of Transportation, and Pennsylvania Association for Area Agencies on Aging. Discussions covered topics such as technology summits, transportation work groups, budget requests, direct care worker wage increases, staffing ratios in nursing homes, home and community-based services rate and wage study, investments in Aging Our Way, regulation of skill games, VetCon conference, long-term care transformation office, nursing facility regulations, certified medication aide program, public transportation funding, and the Alzheimer's, Dementia, and Related Diseases Office.

The meeting included discussions on the launch of the Pennsylvania Caregiver Toolkit and Pennsylvania's designation as an Age-Friendly State. Legislative priorities, including House Bills related to patient advocacy, property tax/rent rebates, lottery profit margin repeal, grandfamilies assistance program, reverse mortgage counseling, dementia care training, and ADRD research and funding, were outlined. Updates were provided on transportation funding, the shared ride system, and the Caregiver Toolkit rollout. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman shared updates on Resident Rights Month and best practices in facility closures, as well as specialized skilled nursing care for older adults with severe mental illness. Outcomes from the LTC RISE program and the Quality Investment Pilot were reported, and workgroup updates were given on the Direct Care Workforce Blueprint and the Long-Term Care Patient Bill of Rights.

The meeting included agency updates from the Department of Human Services and the Department of Aging, focusing on technology summits, service coordinator training, transportation work group, and Age-Friendly Pennsylvania initiatives. The Long-Term Care Council Workgroups provided updates on the Caregiver Toolkit, Direct Care Workforce Blueprint, and budget advocacy priorities, including increased Medicaid reimbursement, investment in the direct care workforce, and expansion of HCBS and adult day services. The council discussed potential federal Medicaid funding cuts and the possibility of co-signing a letter opposing these cuts. The council also discussed planning for an in-person meeting in Harrisburg.