Wildebeests

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging recently announced a bill sponsored by Rep. Karen Boback and signed into law by Gov. Wolf that will expand eligibility and allow flexibility in the administration of Pennsylvania’s Caregiver Support Program.

The program provides support to caregivers — including caregivers of older adults, grandparents raising grandchildren, and older caregivers of adults living with a disability — with the purpose of alleviating stress and promoting well-being to help sustain a healthy ongoing caregiving relationship.

House Bill 464 — now Act 20 of 2021 — was one of PDA’s legislative priorities for the 202122 legislative session. Act 20 aligns the Family Caregiver Support Act with the federal National Family CSP of the Older Americans Act. The new law:

• Clarifies eligibility criteria for program participants.

• Removes a statutory spending limit on the cost of monthly care plans, allowing PDA to adjust those limits across the program, as necessary. This spending limit had not been increased since 1993.

• Eliminates a $300 aggregate average requirement for all CSP care plans, which will allow Area Agencies on Aging to build plans that are more customized and person-centered to the needs of each individual caregiver and better support them in their caregiving role. change allows for better alignment with the costs associated with obtaining home modifications and assistive devices in present-day markets and is more beneficial to caregivers.

Through the CSP, caregivers have the opportunity to receive vital supports and services, such as care management, benefits counseling, caregiver education, and training. Income-eligible caregivers may also receive financial reimbursement of approved, caregiving-related expenses, including respite and consumable supplies. The new law goes into effect on Aug. 10. “Expanding the protections provided under the Family Caregiver Support Act, and removing maximum reimbursement rates for out-of-pocket expenses, home modifications, and assistive device expenses, is necessary,” Boback said.

“The enactment of this bill enables Pennsylvania to further assist those across the commonwealth who need it most, like our grandparents who have been tasked with raising their grandchildren.”

Those eligible for the program also include Pennsylvanians of any age caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. According to current PDA data, 26% of caregivers are providing care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.

Learn more about Pennsylvania’s Caregiver Support Program at aging. pa.gov/aging-services/caregiver-support.

• Removes the program’s $2,000 lifetime limit on home modification reimbursement, allowing PDA to adjust this limit as necessary. This

Dauphin County Woman Wins Statewide Pageant

Jo Ann Tresco, of Hummelstown, was recently crowned Ms. Pennsylvania Senior America 2021 at the state pageant held at PA DanceSport in Hummelstown.

Tresco, who retired from the military in 2014 after 34 years of service, will represent Pennsylvania in the virtual 41st annual national pageant in August.

Usually held at Resorts Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the 2021 Ms. Senior America pageant will be held virtually due to COVID19.

Tresco, a salsa dancer, will compete in interview, evening gown, talent, and “philosophy of life” portions of the competition.

Ms. Senior America is a nonprofit organization that focuses on women over 60.

From left, 2020 Ms. Pennsylvania Senior America Esmeralda Ybarra Hetrick, of Harrisburg, passed the reins to 2021 winner JoAnn Tresco, of Hummelstown. Hetrick also won last year’s national title.

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This project was supported, in part by grant number 1801PAMIDR-01 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.