How do I find and access senior services?

Area Agency on Aging (AAA) - county level (Pennsylvania has 52 AAAs - one or more per county) / Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) - state level

Details

What you need to know

Fee

Most services free or on sliding scale ONLINE OPTION: aging.pa.gov; compass.state.pa.us; 211pa.org WHERE TO GO: County AAA; local senior center; PA LINK 1-800-753-8827; 211 PA (dial 211)

Online Option

aging.pa.gov; compass.state.pa.us; 211pa.org

Where to Go

County AAA; local senior center; PA LINK 1-800-753-8827; 211 PA (dial 211)

County-specific variations apply

Pennsylvania's 67 counties each have their own AAA with varying resources. Philadelphia (PCA), Allegheny County (Pittsburgh), Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, and Bucks Counties (suburban Philadelphia) have the most extensive urban senior services. Rural northcentral Pennsylvania (Clinton, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Tioga, Warren counties) - known as the "Pennsylvania Wilds" - may have more limited local infrastructure. Rural agricultural counties in southcentral PA (Lancaster, York, Lebanon, etc.) have moderate resources through local AAAs.

Pennsylvania Notes

Important state-specific details

PA MEDI (Pennsylvania Medicare Education & Decision Insight Program): PA's free Medicare counseling - contact your county AAA or call 1-800-783-7067; helps with Medicare enrollment, billing disputes, and plan selection.
LIFE PROGRAM: Pennsylvania's unique PACE-like program - provides Medicaid-covered comprehensive care allowing seniors to remain in the community; offered by LIFE organizations (UPMC, Jefferson Health, etc.); available in select areas; contact your AAA for availability.
SENIOR PROPERTY TAX/RENT REBATE PROGRAM: PA DOR Form PA-1000; qualifying seniors 65+; up to $1,000 rebate; file by December 31 each year; one of the most valuable PA senior benefits.
LIHEAP: energy assistance; very important given Pennsylvania's cold winters; apply through county assistance office or 1-800-692-7462.
Adult Protective Services (APS): report elder abuse through county AAA or call 1-800-490-8505 (PA APS Hotline).

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Pennsylvania Department of Aging - aging.pa.gov | 1-800-753-8827 (PA LINK); PA MEDI: 1-800-783-7067; APS: 1-800-490-8505; 211 PA: dial 211