2020-21 ANNUAL REPORT
Our resilience P H I L A D E L P H I A C O R P O R AT I O N F O R A G I N G
Caring through crisis
Meeting the needs PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
of older adults in challenging times, with resilience and care
DEAR FRIENDS OF PCA, It is an honor to greet you as the president and CEO of Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). When I was appointed to this position in April 2020, PCA was met with unprecedented challenges. Like so many nonprofits across Philadelphia and the nation, PCA found itself at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic looking to evolve our services to not only meet the existing needs of our consumers, but also emerging needs during these trying times. When I look at where we were a year ago compared to where we are now, I am thrilled at how well we have adapted and how we continue to innovate. Since then, we have moved the majority of our programs to a remote space, serving older adults via internet technology and the telephone. In addition, every single PCA-supported senior community center offers a variety of remote programming, continues to distribute Grab & Go meals and conducts regular wellness calls to its members. Our Meal Distribution Center has also not skipped a beat, continuing to work on the front lines every day so that Philadelphians who are homebound receive vital nutrition. From March 2020 through March 2021, PCA’s Grab & Go and home-delivered meals programs served more than 2.1 million meals. It is equally important to me that we not only maintain services, but that we also always look for ways to improve and innovate our services. PCA is taking a focused approach to identifying solutions to strengthen operations and program efficacy, such as participating in HealthShare Exchange and the creation of our new Quality Assurance Unit. These efforts support PCA’s Four-Year Area Plan, which outlines five overarching goals for the agency: championing inclusion and person-centered practices, ensuring the safety of older adults, addressing social determinants of health, improving access to aging services through efficient and innovative best practices, and utilizing data to improve service delivery. Recently, I worked with our board of directors to create an advocacy committee. This committee is reaching out to local organizations and communities to identify priority areas where PCA’s voice is needed. While advocacy is an Older Americans Act mandate for all Area Agencies on Aging, including PCA, it is important that we raise our voices louder now to help stamp out discrimi-
nation and inequalities. Several events over the past year have highlighted the inequities that remain for many communities of color and show how important it is for us to elevate the voices of our diversity and equity in our communities. At PCA, we are unified in the motto “teamwork makes the dream work.” The accomplishments of our organization are a direct reflection of PCA staff’s commitment, dedication and investment in our mission that have made these milestones possible. Whether providing services directly or indirectly to consumers or working behind the scenes to support PCA operations, each PCA staff member has played a part in keeping services on track and connecting PCA to the older adults who need us. In addition to the perseverance and commitment of our staff, I would like to thank all of our community partners, donors and members of the aging network for your support in our efforts as we continue to navigate this pandemic. The resilience of everyone who has supported PCA allows us to keep serving older adults and people with disabilities, even during the most challenging times. Sincerely,
Najja R. Orr, MBA President and CEO, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging
Read on to learn more about our resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges in fiscal year 2020.
Our mission
Established in 1973 to serve as the Area Agency on Aging for Philadelphia County, PCA is a nonprofit organization that’s dedicated to improving the quality of life for older Philadelphians and people with disabilities and to assist them in achieving their maximum levels of health, independence and productivity. PCA advocates for all older Philadelphians and adults with disabilities while giving special consideration to assuring that services are provided to those with the greatest social, economic and health needs.
OUR VISION: PCA is a caring organization that values and supports people as they age.
OUR VALUES: PCA stands for excellence, compassion and dignity as realized through our responsive and nurturing culture.
Our resilience
PCA’s nearly 50 years of expertise and knowledge in the agingservices field allowed us to quickly respond at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to continue to serve older Philadelphians. PCA services continued, even amid stay-at-home orders and state/local restrictions. While resources to assist older adults became scarce, PCA continued to serve. Not a day went by that we were unable to help those in need with services, information, connection to resources and a kind word. The overwhelming majority of PCA services maintained at the highest capacity possible with safety measures in place. Food insecurity has been a major unmet need throughout the pandemic. Through the diligent efforts of staff at PCA’s Meal Distribution Center, volunteers and other collaborative partners, PCA has continued to address mounting food insecurity experienced by older adults in communities throughout Philadelphia.
Our commitment & spirit to serve
PCA is committed to promoting the optimum levels of health, wellness and quality of life for older adults and people with disabilities. Our programs and services support the social determinants of health by helping to create positive social connections and physical environments.
Education
Empowerment through knowledge
HEALTH INSURANCE HELP Pennsylvania’s state health insurance assistance program, APPRISE, provides free counseling to help Medicare beneficiaries of all ages understand their health insurance options and make informed decisions to meet their individual needs. PCA oversees the APPRISE Program for Philadelphia County, contracting with the Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE) and Einstein Medical Center to provide these services. As with many in-person services, APPRISE had to shift to a virtual space to comply with social distancing guidelines. Throughout the pandemic, APPRISE counselors continued to serve clients via telephone and video chat. Daniel Louis, an APPRISE counselor with CARIE, recently helped Medicare participants save about $2,000 by comparing current coverage with other viable options. “It’s important (for older adults) to consistently evaluate their Medicare plans,” Louis said. “Not only do health care and drug prescription needs change over time, but so do costs. If you don’t keep an eye on your premiums, they could be going up every year without you knowing.”
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
The PCA Helpline is the number to call for services or information to help older adults and people with disabilities in Philadelphia: 215-765-9040 (TDD for hearing impaired: 215-765-9041; toll-free outside Philadelphia: 888-482-9060). A dedicated team of friendly and knowledgeable intake specialists stands ready to answer calls each weekday, from 8:30 a.m. through 5 p.m. During a Heat Health Emergency in Philadelphia, the PCA Helpline also becomes the city’s Heatline, staying open until midnight daily to help callers of all ages stay safe in the heat. Throughout the pandemic, all Helpline and Heatline operations were continued, without interruption, as staff continued to work remotely at home.
IN FY 2020: Health Insurance Help:
PCA-funded APPRISE health insurance assistance was provided to 3,879 older adults and people with disabilities. Community Education:
PCA’s Community Outreach Program provided outreach and information to 18,702 people at 256 neighborhood events, including health fairs and community festivals. s
“For older adults, the ability to access information when it’s needed is critical,” says PCA Helpline Supervisor Beth Pfizenmayer. “The Helpline is a vital and trusted resource, connecting older adults with the benefits and services they are entitled to. The Helpline performs the intake functions for PCA’s long-term care, housing repair and protective services departments. It also provides information and referral. It’s one phone number to
The PCA Helpline provides language services to all callers, through Spanish- and Russian-speaking staff and on-call telephone translation services. In addition, PCA maintains dedicated phone lines in Chinese (215-399-4944), Korean (215-3994941), Khmer (215-399-4940), Gujerati (215-300-4943) and Vietnamese (215-399-4942).
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PCA’s Community Engagement Department quickly changed gears to continue to provide resource information for Philadelphia’s older adults by distributing a newsletter to its large network of community partners. This assured that vital information about PCA and its services reached the community, even
HELP BY PHONE
access a variety of help.”
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Our community outreach staff are dedicated to spreading awareness of PCA’s services and programs through presentations, dissemination of materials, and forging community alliances with Philadelphia’s diverse ethnic populations and faith communities. PCA cultivates and maintains strong alliances with more than 500 community partners in Philadelphia’s aging-services network with a focus on targeted outreach to interfaith, Asian, Latino and African/Caribbean communities.
though outreach events were cancelled starting in March 2020 due to pandemic restrictions.
Help by Phone:
Helpline staff received about 513 calls per day and helped 100,292 people by providing information and connecting callers with programs and services.
Economic stability Self-sufficiency and wise money management
CRISIS ASSISTANCE The Emergency Fund for Older Philadelphians provides crisis assistance to adults 60 and older whose incomes are within 175% of the federal poverty rate. It is a resource of last resort for low-income older adults in crisis who need help with the basic necessities of shelter, food, heat and medical needs. Throughout the pandemic, PCA staff worked remotely to process requests for aid so older adults in crisis could continue to access the fund when it was needed the most. “It was quite a relief to get the assistance I needed. I was getting to the point where my gas was going to be shut off and I was getting very concerned,” said a grateful recipient of emergency funding who wished to remain anonymous.
Administered by PCA since 1979, the fund has provided nearly $4 million in cash grants to older adults facing financial crises. It is guided and supported by a coalition of community-based organizations.
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS Eligibility for Social Security benefits begins at 62, but many people want or need to work longer. Some older adults choose to launch a business or start a completely new career. Others, who may have lost employment due to the pandemic or other circumstances, can find job-hunting extremely challenging. PCA-funded employment programs help older workers facing the challenge of finding work or changing jobs in today’s technology-driven labor market. These programs provide mature job seekers with on-the-job training, skill building, career support, and full- and part-time employment opportunities.
Crisis Assistance:
The Emergency Fund for Older Philadelphians provided $135,759 in crisis assistance to 1,134 older adult households. Of those funds, 63% went to pay for home heating oil and utilities; 20% was for general needs, including medical expenses; and 17% was for food. Employment Programs:
PCA-funded employment programs helped nearly 1,356 Philadelphians, 55 and older, with their careers. s
Finding and affording a lawyer can be challenging for older adults. PCA subcontracts with Community Legal Services, SeniorLAW Center and Temple Elderly Law Project to provide free counsel and assistance with legal matters to assist Philadelphians 60 and older with wills, benefits, taxes, small claims court, landlord-tenant disputes, mortgage problems, consumer protection issues and protection from abuse.
IN FY 2020:
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LEGAL SERVICES
While the court system was shut down due to the pandemic, all PCA’s legal services were provided entirely virtually until the courts re-opened for certain cases. Services continued to be provided remotely, unless in-person assistance was required.
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PCA’s two employment programs continued to accept referrals during COVID-19 by modifying operations to assist job seekers by telephone and virtually. “Older workers are a great value to employers,” said Angela Foreshaw-Rouse, AARP Pennsylvania’s manager of state operations and outreach, and a member of PCA’s Board of Directors. “Many employers are looking for people with soft skills, like being good with teamwork or collaboration or being able to write well. These are skills older workers have developed through their years of experience. With industry changes and new technologies constantly evolving, many older Americans may need to retrain before re-entering the workforce.”
Legal Services:
More than 3,400 older Philadelphians received 14,604 hours of legal services through PCAsupported programs.
Neighborhood & environment Safety and access to essential resources
by calling the PCA Helpline: 215-765-9040. Reports are anonymous and confidential.
HOME REPAIRS & MODIFICATIONS Safe and secure housing is crucial to older adults’ ability to remain in their homes, within the community. PCA’s housing programs support independent living by providing minor repairs and modifications to make homes safer and more accessible. The Senior Housing Assistance Program (SHARP) installs grab bars, tub seats, intercom systems and stair railings. In addition, home modifications are provided for participants in PCA’s long-term care programs to provide a full-range of services to support independent living. “PCA provides repairs and home modifications to help older adults remain in their homes safely, so they do not need to seek alternative housing options,” said Mark Myers, PCA director of facility operations and housing programs. “A well-maintained and safe home provides less of a chance for older adults to have an accident or injury, ultimately assisting them in maintaining their good health and stability.”
PROTECTIVE SERVICES
When Philadelphia issued stay-at-home orders at the onset of the pandemic, older adults became at greater risk for isolation. During this time, PCA issued several communications throughout its network of digital and print communications to urge family members, friends and aging-services professionals to regularly check in with older adults via phone, video chat, email, traditional mail and/or texting. Throughout the pandemic, OAPS conducted virtual investigations to safeguard PCA consumers and staff. As soon as it became safe to do so, OAPS staff resumed in-home investigations for urgent circumstances. OAPS also worked closely with several local partners, including the Philadelphia Police Department, SeniorLAW Center, PCA’s Meal Distribution Center and home health agencies, to mitigate or eliminate risk of abuse and neglect. Anyone can report suspected elder neglect or abuse, 24/7,
To ensure safe social distancing between passengers and drivers during the pandemic, passengers were limited to 50% of the vehicle’s capacity. This year’s reduction in numbers is mostly attributable to the closure of senior centers to participants.
IN FY 2020: Home Repairs & Modifications:
PCA’s Housing Department completed 508 home modifications and repairs designed to make older adults’ homes safer and more accessible. Protective Services:
PCA received 5,074 reports to Older Adult Protective Services of suspected abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of older adults, and approximately 1,800 reports for individuals 18 to 59. PCA refers reports for those younger than 60 to another agency designated by the state. s
PCA’s Older Adult Protective Services (OAPS) staff investigates
reports of suspected abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of Philadelphians 60 or older. OAPS staff can intervene when an older adult lacks a responsible caregiver, poses an imminent risk of danger to self or property, and/or cannot perform essential tasks or obtain necessary physical and mental health services.
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Approximately one in 10 Americans 60 and older has experienced elder abuse, according to the National Council on Aging (NCOA). More than five million older adults are abused each year. The actual number is likely much higher since it is estimated that only one in 24 cases of elder abuse are ever reported to authorities. Abusers are often caregivers or family members. An older adult’s only source of support may be his or her abuser, making the victim unwilling or unable to seek help. Other older adults may be too embarrassed, intimidated or confused to get the assistance they need.
Transportation is essential to maintaining independence. For older adults who are unable to drive or afford a car, reliable and cost-effective transit options are a necessity. PCA contracts with SEPTA for CCT Connect Shared Ride, a program that serves older adults who are unable to use fixed-route transit, such as trains and buses. Shared Ride provides door-to-door transportation for registered users 65 and older. This service is provided at no cost for older adults travelling to senior centers, medical appointments, adult day centers and essential shopping.
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Interior housing services were paused during the pandemic, due to health and safety concerns for both the older adults who we serve and PCA staff. As soon as it became safe to do so, PCA’s Housing Department staff began assessing older adults’ homes for exterior work, including railings, exterior doors and concreate sidewalk/step repair.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation:
PCA sponsored 150,287 rides for 1,700 older adults in the SEPTA CCT Connect Shared Ride program.
HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAMS Good health is a key component of aging well. To support healthy aging, PCA provides free community-based programs to help older adults improve their health. The Health & Wellness Program provides older adults with information, screenings and exercise activities to support good health and mitigate disease risk factors. PCA’s evidence-based programs focus on chronic disease and pain management, exercise, diabetes, and falls prevention. Health workshops and classes cover a variety of health topics, including lung disease, oral health, medication management, bullying and sexual health. “One participant reported being at a real low point and feeling depressed, but the workshop really helped, and the tools discussed made a difference both physically and mentally,” said Stephen Merrill, R.N., PCA’s health promotion nurse supervisor, who oversees the Health & Wellness Program. “The benefits of movement and walking help to reduce the pain, stiffness and discomfort of arthritis. Physical deconditioning (decreased activity due to less-demanding conditions) is a concern (especially for older adults with) decreased ability to travel or move about the community. Programs that can reach people and promote wellness and safe physical activity are especially important.” Programs normally take place at senior centers, housing facilities, houses of worship and other community locations. In the early spring of 2020, Philadelphia’s senior community centers closed to participants due to COVID-19 restrictions, and all in-person Health & Wellness Program activities were suspended. PCA and senior center staff modified operations to offer programs remotely, with some centers providing online exercise classes as early as late March 2020.
Community engagement Activities to prevent isolation
OMBUDSMAN SERVICES More than half of people in long-term care facilities never receive any visitors, including family and friends. Ombudsmen advocate on behalf of older adults living in long-term care settings and give residents a voice in their own care. Staff and
all three. These centers are a lifeline for older Philadelphians, providing a broad range of activities, recreation, learning and fitness. All across the city, older adults gather to participate in exercise classes, learn how to use an iPad or computer, take up a new language, pursue an interest in art, or just get together with others for a friendly game of cards or billiards. Centers also provide support and resources for older adults, such as help accessing benefits and entitlements, on-site health screenings, and counseling.
Social connections, meaningful activities and good health are among the elements essential for well-being throughout a person’s lifespan. PCA-funded senior community centers support
Though Senior Companions were unable to provide in-home visitation during the pandemic, these volunteers continued to address the threat of social isolation by staying connected with homebound older adults through weekly phone calls.
Senior Community Centers:
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SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTERS
Ombudsmen were responsible for advocating for the residents of 282 facilities with a total of 14,756 beds and completed 261 facility visits. Ombudsmen received 343 complaints about long-term care facilities and provided information and consultation to 607 individuals and providers.
SENIOR COMPANIONS Senior Companions are friendly visitors who provide companionship and assistance to homebound older adults. PCA administers the Senior Companion Program, which is funded by the federal Corporation for National and Community Service. Through the program, income-eligible older adult volunteers use their time, talents and skills to improve the lives of the older adults they visit. Companions receive a small stipend for their service.
Ombudsman Services:
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As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and visitation restrictions, indoor coverage of long-term care facilities by ombudsmen was temporarily suspended. Ombudsmen maintained connection with residents and their family members through window visits, outdoor visits, emails, telephone calls and video conferencing. Bi-weekly virtual Family Council meetings were held to provide family members of long-term care facility residents with additional information and support.
Most senior centers are open five days a week. All sites serve nutritious, tasty lunches. During the pandemic, senior community centers suspended in-person programming and distributed meals grab-and-go style. Virtual programs were implemented by telephone, internet and mail.
Health & Wellness Programs:
PCA served approximately 1,000 older adults through almost 80 health and wellness workshops and approximately 1,200 exercise sessions held at 18 locations throughout Philadelphia. s
volunteers visit long-term care residents to inform them of their rights and investigate complaints against the care facilities. Ombudsmen may address issues related to residents’ finances, quality of life, and communication. PCA contracts with Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE) and Center in the Park to provide these services.
IN FY 2020: s
“I have enjoyed coming to the center for many years because it engages positive self-awareness. You can get involved in so many different types of activities. I sing with the Songsters Unlimited choir and get involved with talk sessions. Also, I go downstairs and play pool with the guys, and sometimes, I win. I am definitely pleased with the activities offered. They are engaging and sending out information that is so important to the community,” said Roland Lucas Jr., a long-standing member of Center in the Park, a senior community center in Germantown.
Senior Companions:
PCA provided support for 18 full-service senior community centers and 10 satellite meal sites, which provide meals and limited programming, in Philadelphia. Throughout the year, more than 20,000 older adults participated in programs and received services at these facilities. Seventy-two Senior Companion volunteers provided 57,900 hours of companionship and assistance to 147 homebound older adults.
Quality of care
Coordinated services and supports for independent living
ASSESSMENT The first step in the eligibility process for long-term care services through PCA is to complete an assessment, which is a comprehensive in-home evaluation of an older adult’s needs to determine the appropriate services and where they should be provided. The assessment takes into account all facets of the person’s life, including medical conditions, environment, financial resources, support systems, cognitive function, ability to carry out activities of daily living and individual strengths. The assessor then recommends the most appropriate level of care and counsels the individual and his/her family members in making decisions about what services best meet the individual’s needs. Since the pandemic began in March 2020, PCA’s dedicated staff never missed a day of providing assessments to older adults in the City of Philadelphia who requested services. Our team of assessment workers, supervisors, schedulers and clerical support staff all worked together to ensure that no appointments were cancelled, and assessments continued to be scheduled. Assessment workers were able to safely provide assessments for the community via telephone.
Due to indoor gathering restrictions, adult day centers located in Philadelphia County were closed in mid-March 2020 for more than a year.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT More than half of caregivers for older adults are 50-plus themselves, and more than 16,000 older adults in Philadelphia are raising their grandchildren or other young relatives. The stress of caregiving can lead older adults to neglect their own health, so it is essential to seek support. PCA’s Caregiver Support Program helps family members, friends and domestic partners who provide unpaid care to older adults in Philadelphia. It also helps older adults who are caring for young relatives. The program provides a wide array of services and resources for caregivers, including reimbursement for caregiving services and supplies, care management, benefits counseling, home adaptations and assistive devices, and education and training to enhance skills while alleviating stress related to caregiving. In addition, free caregiver workshops are provided for caregivers in the community. The program serves primary caregivers of functionally impaired adults 60-plus, caregivers 55 and older of individuals 19-59 with a disability or dementia, and older adults who are raising young relatives under 18.
During the pandemic, Caregiver Support Program staff provided monthly wellness and support calls to program caregivers to
Assessment:
Long Term Care Assessment conducted 24,020 initial and follow-up assessments of people referred to PCA for long-term care services. In addition, 6,135 reviews of annual re-determinations for Community HealthChoices participants were completed by assessment staff. Adult Day Centers:
Through the PCA OPTIONS Program, 25 adult day centers provided a safe environment for older adults and people with disabilities. s
“Frequently, caregivers spend many years caring for others. This can take a toll on them both emotionally and physically,” said Cheryl Clark-Woods, director of PCA’s Caregiver Support Program. “Self-care and support are the fuel that keeps caregivers going. Education and training can also help support a caregiver’s resilience, mastery and ability to continue to provide care.”
IN FY 2020:
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Adult day centers provide a safe, engaging environment for older adults who cannot remain home alone, while their caregivers take care of their personal needs or go to work.
assure their needs were met. This support included discussing and connecting caregivers with COVID-related services, supplies and coping information. Reimbursement was expanded to include the cost of grocery delivery to caregivers’ homes.
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ADULT DAY CENTERS
These non-residential facilities are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging to provide personal care, nursing services, social services, therapeutic activities and meals. Some centers also offer physical, occupational and speech therapy, as well as medical services.
Caregiver Support:
The Caregiver Support Program aided 800 caregivers and families.
IN-HOME SUPPORT The In-Home Support Program provides temporary, early intervention services for people who need extra help due to a health setback, such as a surgery, injury or serious medical condition that has impaired their independence. In-home support can help prevent a health setback from becoming a crisis and facilitate long-term independence. Services can include shopping, housekeeping, home-delivered meals and transportation. PCA contracts with five organizations to provide In-Home Support Program services to Philadelphians, based on geographic location: • Northern Living Center (North Philadelphia) • KleinLife (Northeast Philadelphia) • Center in the Park (Northwest Philadelphia) • Lutheran Children and Family Service (West Philadelphia) • Catholic Health Care Services (South Philadelphia) Throughout the pandemic, In-Home Support Program consumers were able to request additional services, including home delivery of groceries/meals and home cleaning/disinfecting, to keep them safe and healthy.
SERVICE COORDINATION Service coordination through PCA connects eligible older adults with individual-directed, long-term care services and supports. PCA serves participants in the state’s OPTIONS Program, which includes Philadelphia residents who are 60 or older, need a nursing-home level of care, and meet income and asset requirements. OPTIONS services are funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery and provided on a sliding payment scale, based on the recipient’s income.
In-Home Support:
The In-Home Support Program provided temporary assistance to more than 2,256 older adults. Service Coordination:
PCA provided service coordination, or care management, to 9,922 older adults through OPTIONS, caregiver support, protective services and other programs. s
Adult daily living • companion services • counseling • home modifications • financial management • home-delivered meals • home health and support services • non-medical transportation • participant-directed goods, services or community supports • personal assistance • personal care • personal emergency response system • caregiver respite • specialized medical equipment and supplies • telecare
IN FY 2020:
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Participants may receive the following services, based on need:
Eligible veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces can hire a family member or friend to provide personal care assistance so they can remain at home. Services and supports for veterans are provided through a partnership between the Veterans Administration Medical Center and area agencies on aging in Southeast Pennsylvania, led by PCA.
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Participants in the OPTIONS Program are assigned a PCA service coordinator who works with the older adult and/or caregiver to create an individualized care plan.
VETERANS PROGRAM
Veterans Program:
Sixty-four veterans ranging from 47 to 90 received services through Veteran-Directed Home- and Community-Based Services.
P CA I S A BL E S S I NG Ida Johnson-Anderson remains active and fit at nearly 90. Prior to the pandemic, she regularly attended fitness classes at Philadelphia Senior Center – Allegheny Branch and has continued to stay on track with the help of the center’s weekly online exercise programs. “You can’t just sit around and do nothing. Yoga is so good for the body,” says Johnson-Anderson, a life-long yoga practitioner who began taking classes at the center shortly after retiring. While she likes to be physically active, visual impairments posed some challenges to her independence. Johnson-Anderson sought assistance from PCA in 2016 and, after receiving a full assessment, was assigned a PCA service coordinator through the Long-Term Care OPTIONS Program. Over the past five years, Johnson-Anderson has developed a strong relationship with her PCA service coordinator Nancy Franklin, who oversees services to assist in both her apartment and the community. “Ms. Franklin has been wonderful in facilitating my needs,” Johnson-Anderson says. “She checks on me regularly on the phone and would visit me prior to COVID.” Franklin arranged for Johnson-Anderson to receive transportation services through PCA’s CCT Connect Program and for a home health aide to come to her apartment weekly to help with housework and assist with running errands. “Without (my home health aide), I wouldn’t be able to manage on my own. I’m so grateful to be here in my home and to be able to make decisions about my own life.” says Johnson-Anderson, noting that her health aide is attentive to her needs. She refers her friends and neighbors to PCA every chance she gets. “PCA is a blessing! If you’re a senior, contact PCA,” recommends Johnson-Anderson. “PCA will take inventory of what your needs are, tell you how they can help you, and your needs will be met.”
Food services Essential nourishment for healthy aging
up your meals, and if you’re lucky, maybe, you’ll see some of your old friends. It really helps because you can get some good food. Thank you, PCA, for all you’re doing for our community and for helping keep us moving along in the right direction,” says Sally Guariglia, member of South Philadelphia Older Adult Center.
FARMERS MARKET PRODUCE VOUCHERS To comply with social distancing and other safety requirements, PCA’s annual distribution of vouchers for locally grown fresh produce to income-eligible older Philadelphians was conducted by mail, rather than in person, for the first time in the program’s history. Dozens of PCA staff from throughout the agency volunteered to process applications and mail vouchers to thousands of older adults from remote work locations.
HOME-DELIVERED MEALS
For active older adults, having a meal with others provides both nutrition and a social connection. PCA Lunch Spots, located at 28 locations throughout Philadelphia, provide tasty and healthy weekday meals served in a social setting.
“We’ve all been stuck in the pandemic, but PCA hasn’t been. They have a program for Grab & Go meals, which is feeding older adults throughout the city. When you go there, you can pick
PCA Lunch Spots:
PCA served 478,005 meals to older adults at 18 senior community centers and 10 satellite meal sites. s
When PCA-funded senior community centers and satellite meal sites suspended in-person programming in March 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, many of the sites distributed grab-andgo meals to senior center members and other older adults in the community throughout the pandemic.
Home-Delivered Meals:
More than 6,700 older Philadelphians received almost 1.54 million home-delivered meals from PCA. s
“The PCA-delivered meals are excellent. I am so appreciative of this service, because it helps me (to manage my health). The meals taste very good, and they are very good for you. You can make your choices on the menu to get whatever meals you’d like. I’d like to extend my gratitude to let PCA know how deeply appreciative I am for the staff who prepares these meals, the ones who get it out and the drivers as well. Thank you so much, PCA!” says Donna Mallory, PCA Home-Delivered Meals recipient.
PCA LUNCH SPOTS
IN FY 2020: s
PCA delivers fully prepared, nutritious meals to older adults’ homes. Based on individual needs and available resources, PCA’s Meal Distribution Center staff packs and delivers a weekly set of frozen meals, or a daily hot meal with a sandwich pack for the weekend. For participants who qualify, PCA offers the opportunity to select the meals they wish to receive from a menu of 24 different options. PCA also supports four volunteer-based home-delivered meal programs that provide meals to older adults not eligible for PCA services.
At the start of the pandemic, an additional week’s worth of shelf-stable emergency meal packs were delivered to all Home-Delivered Meals recipients to ensure an ample supply of meals in the event of a delivery disruption.
The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. This program both increases older adults’ access to fresh produce available at local farmers markets and supports Pennsylvania farmers.
Farmers Market Produce Vouchers:
PCA provided vouchers worth $25 for free produce to approximately 25,000 older Philadelphians. All figures in this report are for fiscal year 2020, which ended June 30, 2020.
Financials FISCAL YEAR 2020
Pennsylvania Dept. of Human Services: Medical Assistance: 10.9%
Federal Awards: 17.2%
Foundation & Other Revenue: 8.7% Other State Sources: <1%
REVENUE
Public Support Pennsylvania Dept. of Aging: Aging Block Grant
$51,672,014
Other State Sources (Title XIX)
$809,999
Pennsylvania Dept. of Human Services: Medical Assistance
$9,335,965
Federal Awards
$14,747,898
City of Philadelphia Awards
$63,482
Local Contributions
$13,125
Subtotal
$76,642,483
Other Revenue Client Revenue
$1,329,327
In-Kind Contributions
$108,992
Foundation & Other Revenue
$7,416,467
Subtotal
$8,854,786
Total Revenue
$85,497,269
Client Revenue: 1.6% In-Kind Contributions: <1% Client Revenue: 1.6% Local Contributions: <1%
Pennsylvania Dept. of Aging: Aging Block Grant: 60.4%
Administration: 10.9% Long-Term Care: 61.7%
Environmental Modifications: 3.4% Access Services: 9.1%
EXPENSES Administration Adult Day Care
$9,275,954
$290,668
Aging & Disabilities Resource Center Assessments
Care Management
$195,745 $7,064,347
$6,292,206
Congregate Meals $5,314,520 Consumer Reimbursement Domiciliary Care
$2,142,052
$749,871
Employment Services
$1,219.991
Environmental Modifications
$2,869,767
Equipment and Supplies
$315,333
Guardianship
$415,096
Home-Delivered Meals $8,933,088 Home Support
$134,151
In-Home Support Program (IHSP)
$2,386,594
IHSP Discretionary Service s
$493,638
Information and Referral
$4,604,919
Legal Assistance
$456,308
Ombudsman
$571,794
Passenger Transportation $1,793,655 Personal Assistance $4,923.804 Personal Care $7,499,574 Professional Evaluations Protective Services
Senior Community Center Services Senior Companion Program
$6,359 $10,554,304
$5,273,381
$529,059
Transportation Attendant $1,147,558 Community Services: 15%
Volunteer Services
Total Expenses
$12,603
$85,466,339
Our donors
The COVID-19 pandemic amplified the need to have a financial safety net and life-sustaining programs available to meet the needs of Philadelphia’s older adults, 24% of whom live in poverty. As many funding agencies and providers were forced to close, thus limiting their ability to give, other organizations and individuals stepped up to fill the void. The donor response continued to roll in throughout the pandemic.
FUNDS Contributions to PCA’s two charitable funds have allowed us to continue to meet this great need, even amid times of extreme crisis. The Rodney D. Williams Philadelphia Fund for Seniors was established to supplement public funding that had not kept pace with the growing needs of older Philadelphians. The fund supports PCA’s mission by helping PCA expand its reach by allocating funds to the areas of greatest need. The Emergency Fund for Older Philadelphians is a lifeline for vulnerable, impoverished older adults. The fund helps to meet basic human needs for those who have exhausted all other resources. No one should have to choose between heating their home to stay warm, eating three meals a day and taking the full dosage of their medicine. PCA can quickly get resources directly to people in need. To make a difference in the lives of older Philadelphians by donating to PCA, contact: 215-765-9000, ext. 5053, email teresa.heavens@ pcaCares.org or visit pcaCares.org/donate.
FUNDING & GRANTS PCA is funded primarily by federal and state sources. Governmental grants are received primarily through: • Pennsylvania Department of Aging • Pennsylvania Department of Human Services • Philadelphia Office of Behavioral Health & Intellectual disAbility Services • The Corporation for National and Community Service • U.S. Department of Agriculture • Administration for Community Living • U.S. Department of Labor
Thank you, donors! Our donors have consistently reached out to support older adults. PCA is pleased to acknowledge the individuals, foundations and companies that made contributions from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2020. Every effort was made to ensure proper recognition of each donor. (For a full list of donors, starting at the level of $50, visit pcaCares.org/donate.) $50,000+ Gateway Health Plan MKM Foundation The Philadelphia Foundation $20,000 - $49,999 Pennsylvania Health & Wellness, Inc. The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust $10,000-$19,999 BB&T, now Truist BTC Foods, Inc. $5,000-$9,999 AARP Always Best Care Senior Services AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies Aramark – Alliance for Strong Families and Communities The Becket Family Foundation Independence Blue Cross JEVS Care at Home Mom’s Meals NourishCare PECO Philadelphia Insurance Companies TriState Capital Bank Martha Wallace Willis Towers Watson
$1,000-$4,999 AARP Foundation Experience Corps Abramson Senior Care Alston Beech Foundation Asterion, Inc. Bayada Home Health Bensley Law Offices Better Medicare Alliance Bodell Bove LLC David & Maggie Bolin CareGivers America Chamberlain Hrdlicka Chung Do Erie Insurance Exude, Inc. Grant Frame Gordian Medical David & Linda Guendelsberger Hong Kong and Son Roofing Mary Hugues James Branch Cleaning Services, Inc. Laredo Mechanical LLC Law Offices of Debra G. Speyer, Esq Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Marcos Lopez Loving Care Senior Services Anthony & Patricia Mendicino Mother Bethel AME Church Northern Living Center Oak Street Health MSO, LLC
Najja R. Orr Peter & Jennifer Paradiso Srinivas Pasula Rita Romeu Charitable Fund Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP Lynne Strieb Dr. Zoltan Turi & Ms. Adele Slatko Unitarian Universalist House Outreach Program Wojdak & Associates $500-$999 Aetna Alert Medical Alarms Bertram Bauer Robert Blancato Glenn Bryan Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC Joseph Dougherty Brian Duke Encova Insurance Co. Richard Eynon Dr. Katherine Galluzzi & Mr. Kevin Bogan Green Chair Stories Nicole Herman Rachel Kaufman & Michael Torjman KleinLife John & Lydia Krzeminski The Labov Plumbing & Heating Supply, Inc.
Thank you, donors! Holly Lange LGBT Elder Initiative John & Eleanor Michele Christopher Miller & Dr. Danielle Snyderman Catherine Moore Jacqueline Morrill Barbara Murphy Lien Ngoc Do Debbie Pastrana Penn Asian Senior Services Pennsylvania Dermatology Partners, Inc. Chris Rosenbaum Securitas USA Stephen & Martha Takats India Trotter Matt & Sheila Vegari $200-$499 Judee Bavaria Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE) Carmen Damelio Edwin Douglass Drexel College of Nursing and Health Professions AgeWell Collaboratory Jane Eleey Mary J. Fallon Irene Garner Lynn Fields Harris Teresa Heavens Janelle Hoffmann Homemaker Service of the Metropolitan Area, Inc. The Honickman Foundation
JK Towels Lynette Killen Frank Klein Leah Kleylein Joseph Leonardo Edward Levin Frances Miller Lynette Moragne Sally Moritz MS Distribution Earl Murray Nayda Pagan-Piazza Sara Palmer Valerie Pearce Sanford Pfeffer Elizabeth Plantz Shay Josephine Pleasant & Henry Mitchell Ralston Center Jennifer Russell Christine Shiffer Ann Silverman Carmen Stratford Claudia Tesoro & Richard Greenstein William Van Wagenen Erika Wallace Edith Watson Elizabeth Winn Eloise Young $100-$199 Regina Bannan Earle & Yvette Bradford Valda Branison Mary Brewster Kelly Bridgeford Diane Brown
Paula Burns Francis & Anna Byrnes CGW Electric Inc. Gwendolyn Chambers Kathleen Chasteen Louis Colbert Dawn Corsiglia Teyne Crum Design Manifest Inc. Michael DiGregorio Nora Dowd Eisenhower Tamar Fox Karen Freeman Christianne Gadd Rochelle Y. Galloway Generations United Sarah Good Marietta Guertler Andre Guillory Amelia Harris Lois Hayman-El Arthur & Myra Helfand Charlotte Heller Kristine Huminski Gwynne Isaacs Jewels of Islam/Masjidullah Inc. Johnson & Johnson Suzanne Kaplan Hannah Kastenbaum Joseph Klein Susan Klein Richard Klimek Sue Ann Leary Debra Levy Marissa Liguori Shanta Mann Christine Marro
Marsh & McLennan Companies Eugene Mathis Mercy Neighborhood Ministries of Philadelphia Christopher Minnick MOG Home Healthcare Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Rhoads, LLP Darlene Mosley Maryrose Myrtetus Dr. Eliot Nierman Marie O’Donnell & Bruce Satalof Carole Parker Karen Paulus Penn’s Village Jeanine Phung Lynda Pickett Christine Pingelli Shawn Ring Alex Seltzer Morton Simon Rosalie Smith Jacob Speidel Jennifer Spoeri Norma Thomas Margot Tishberg Travelers Community Connections Emily Vagnoni Satya Verma Linda Warren Melanie Waters John Whitman Mindy Widman Jacqueline Zinn
Our leadership PCA is governed by its board of directors, which guides the development and administration of agency programs, the Area Plan for Aging Services and the annual budget. An advisory council provides input to the board and acts as an advocate for older people.
PCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2020-21
Katherine E. Galluzzi, D.O., FACOFP, Chair
Judee M. Bavaria, Vice Chair
Satya B. Verma, O.D., Secretary
Glenn D. Bryan, Treasurer
Louis A. Bove, Esq.
Nora Dowd Eisenhower, Esq.
Lynn Fields Harris
Angela ForeshawRouse
PCA ADVISORY COUNCIL Sandra McNally, chair
Sandra McNally
Fran Miller
Victor M. Negron Jr.
Eloise N. Young
Jacqueline S. Zinn, Ph.D.
Emeritus: Arthur E. Helfand, D.P.M.
Carl W. Bailey Jack Belitsky Officer Julie Carpenter Joseph J. DiMeo, Jr. Teresa Elliott Florence Gallagher Nida Imperial Frederick Lewis David Nevison Vera Tolbert Linda Tyler Heshie Zinman
MAIN OFFICE 642 N. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19130-3409 Main phone: 215-765-9000 Fax: 215-765-9066
FIND US ONLINE pcaCares.org Facebook.com/pcaCares.org Twitter.com/pcaCares_org Linkedin.com/company/ Philadelphia-corporation-for-aging
PCA HELPLINE Call us weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 24/7 to report suspected elder abuse. 215-765-9040 1-888-482-9060 (toll-free, outside Philadelphia)
215-765-9041
(TDD for hearing impaired) Read more about PCA’s programs, services and accomplishments at pcaCares.org
© October 2021. Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. All rights reserved.