FYI by PLS » House Aging

House Aging Committee Conducts Hearing on Elder Abuse

Jeff — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:25:54 +0000

The House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee conducted an informational hearing on the role of government in addressing elder abuse and the Older Adults Protective Services Act. Legislators heard from a panel of experts including Secretary of Aging Brian Duke. The panel discussed current efforts to protect the elderly and suggested changes in the Act. All agreed that they have seen a large increase in cases involving financial exploitation. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.

House Aging and Older Adult Services Receives Information on the Use of Current Demographic Resources in the State Planning Process

intern — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:59:03 +0000

The House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee held an informational meeting today to discuss the use of current demographic resources in the state planning process. The committee played host to John Maurer, the Pennsylvania State Data Center, State Capital Office Coordinator, who presented a power point presentation on the changing demographics in Pennsylvania. He explained to the committee that the “baby boomer” generation is approaching retirement age, and commented that it is a situation that warrants observation, as they will utilize a larger portion of adult services offered in Pennsylvania as time progresses.

The Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA), Brian Duke, told the committee that PDA is in the beginning stages of the State Plan on Aging “will combine the PDA policy initiatives and the Administration on Aging’s requirements to serve as the blueprint governing the future path of aging and disability services within Pennsylvania.” Look for the full story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon.

House Aging and Older Adult Services Holds an Informational Meeting On Adult Day Services In Pennsylvania

intern — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:22:54 +0000

The House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee held an informational meeting today on the topic of Adult Day Services in Pennsylvania and House Bill 1196, which establishes a statewide system for adult day care resource and referral services. The Committee heard from a panel consisting of representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and also Providers of Adult Day Services. Chairman Tim Hennessey (R-Chester) stated that “Adult Day Services are a key component of Pennsylvania’s health and community based services menu,” and added that they ”are not only a long term care component, they can also be a key economic development tool for families who are caring for loved ones.” Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.

House Aging and Older Adult Services Votes to Join Interstate Agreement

Eric — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:36:30 +0000

The House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee met this morning and voted to join a group of other states who have adopted unified procedures for adult guardianships. The bill authorizing this, HB 1720, was amended prior to final adoption. The Committee also amended and passed HB 1052 dealing with independent informal dispute resolutions. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.

Hearing Held on the Establishment of An Independent Informal Dispute Resolution Process

intern — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:32:18 +0000

The House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee held a public hearing today on House Bill 1052, which would establish an independent informal dispute resolution process. Currently, informal dispute resolution is handled entirely within the Department of Health. Secretary of Health, Dr. Eli Avila stated that the Department of Health “welcomes initiatives to improve upon the efforts currently made to work with facilities and health care consumers toward the effective licensing of the facilities.” Rep. Gingrich (R-Lebanon), sponsor of HB 1052, believes that this additional option, with which facilities can challenge deficiencies, will serve to strengthen the dispute resolution process, and in turn, overall patient care.

Look for the complete story in the the Capital Toolbox later today.

House Aging and Older Adult Services meets with PALA

intern — Tue, 24 May 2011 15:37:20 +0000

The House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee today met for an informational meeting with the Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association. Jeremy Adlon, Executive Director of PALA and Timothy Coughlin, Chairman of the Public Policy Committee of PALA informed the committee about issues they are facing with regards to PA’s Assisted Living Regulations as well as with PA’s licensure and licensing fees.

Coughlin cited common goals of “first, defining personal care homes and assisted living residences as two, distinct levels of long term care for all concerned … second, assuring the quality of life and the safety in both of those levels of care for all of our present and future residents, particularly in the area of fire safety, and third, causing assisted living to finally become a thriving, growing, and quality residential housing and long term care service option for our Older Pennsylvanians and other adults who depend upon us for care.”

Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.

House Aging and Older Adult Services Receives Testimony from Facility Based Long Term Care Providers

Eric — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:52:06 +0000

This morning the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee heard testimony from PHCA and PANPHA on the state of nursing homes, personal care homes and assisted living residences in the state. According to their testimony, the need for facility based 24/7 services are still great yet their MA reimbursement is far below the cost of the care they deliver. They also discussed the state of new licensure requirements for Assisted Living Residents and their impact on the industry. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.

House Aging and Older Adult Services Votes Out One Bill and Learns About LIFE Program

Eric — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:14:06 +0000

The House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee met this morning and amended and then voted out HB 463 (determining eligibility in PACE and PACENET). The Committee then heard testimony from several providers and the Department of Aging on the LIFE program and its all inclusive care model for seniors. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.

House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee Learns about Homecare and Hospice Services

Eric — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:18:24 +0000

The House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee met as part of their continuing series to learn about the breadth of services available to seniors in the Commonwealth. During today’s hearing they heard from representative of private duty homecare, home health care and hospice services. Testifiers argued that all three of these services deliver care directly in the patient’s home and is much more cost effective than institutional care. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.

House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee Hears from AAAs

Eric — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:16:37 +0000

The House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee held its first in a series of informational hearings on the variety and depth of services available to seniors in the state. Today, the Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) were present to deliver presentations defining the scope of AAA services, assessments, care management, protective services and the job of the ombudsman. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.