State Profile: Pennsylvania
Welcome to the Pennsylvania State Profile Page! This page features a sample of survey and research results from a comprehensive review of state and local home modification activities across the country. It has a special focus on the aging population and the efforts of State Units on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging, and Native American aging service programs that are funded by the Older Americans Act Title VI Grants for Indian Tribal Organizations.
Check back as new updates will be posted periodically! Have any changes or additions? Please contact homemods@usc.edu
SPOTLIGHT ON STATE LEVEL HOME MODIFICATION ACTIVITIES
This section shares information that demonstrates the need for home modification in this state and highlights some of the state's important home modification efforts, policies, and funding sources.
This report by the USC Fall Prevention Center of Excellence and ADvancing States reports on a national survey
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGING (State Unit on Aging)
State Units on Aging (SUAs) are designated state-level agencies that develop and administer state plans that advocate for and provide assistance, including home modifications or repairs, to older residents, their families, and adults with physical disabilities. SUAs administer funds, including Older Americans Act funds, which may be used to support home modification or repair services through local Area Agencies on Aging and other state and local entities.
1
Caregiver Support Program
This program focuses on decreasing the stresses of caregiving by reimbursing primary caregivers for costs associated with caregiving, such as respite, caregiving-related services, and modifications to the environment that support caregiving. It is administered by local Area Agencies on Aging. In 2018, the state increased the lifetime limit for home modifications.
2
OPTIONS program
This program provides a variety of services to individuals 60 years and older to help them stay in their own homes. Supplemental Services include home modifications to improve safety and accessibility. In 2018, the state increased the lifetime limit for home modifications.
3
Access Home Modification
This program provides deferred payment mortgage loans with no interest and no monthly payment to assist persons with disabilities (or households with a family member(s) with disabilities) who are purchasing a home that needs accessibility modifications. The loan becomes due and payable upon sale, transfer, or non-owner occupancy of the property. Home modifications include changes made to the bathroom, kitchens, and access areas to the home.
4
Pennsylvania Lottery
The Pennsylvania Lottery is the only state lottery that designates all proceeds to programs that serve older adults across a state. Funds are allocated through Area Agencies in Pennsylvania for a variety of services that include home modification.
SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL HOME MODIFICATION EFFORTS
This section shares information that demonstrates the need for home modification in this state and highlights some of the state's important home modification efforts, policies, and funding sources.
This Data Brief highlights key findings from the 2019 National Survey of Area Agencies on Aging on how Area Agencies on Aging are providing and funding home modification and repair activities. It was developed by the USC Fall Prevention Center of Excellence in partnership with the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging as part of the Administration for Community Living project, “Promoting Aging in Place by Enhancing Access to Home Modifications.”
1
Home Modification Program
This program is funded by a grant received from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Keystone Communities Program. It assists low- to moderate-income residents of Chester County who have permanent disabilities to increase the accessibility of their residences. The program provides adaptive modifications which include ramps, lifts, door and hallway widening, kitchen and bathroom modifications, visual doorbells, audio phones and visual phone signalers.
2
Caregiver Support Program
The Caregiver Support Program provides resources to reduce stresses associated with caregiving by focusing on the well-being of the caregiver, providing access to respite care, addressing the need for formal and informal supports, and providing financial reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs associated with caregiving-related services and supplies. Caregivers 18+ caring for an older adult with Alzheimer’s Disease or related disorders, caregivers/grandparents/relatives 55+ caring for children under 18, or caregivers 55+ caring for an adult with a disability are encouraged to apply. Home modifications and assistive devices to make caregiving tasks easier can be reimbursed under this program.
3
Home Services – Environmental Modifications
The Clarion County Area Agency on Aging assists with facilitating environmental modifications in older adults’ own homes and improving safety, sanitation, and adaptability of the home. The need for modification is determined by a care manager and a rehabilitation specialist.
4
Minor and Major Home Modification Programs
The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) Inc., the third largest Area Agency on Aging in the country, administers several home modification and repair programs. PCA’s history, reputation, and commitment to home modification for several decades has made it possible to develop programs with specific target populations and different types of services all under the auspices of one agency: (1) The Senior Housing Assistance Repair Program (SHARP) started in 1980. It is supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery and Aging Services Block Grant Funds. SHARP provides minor repairs and adaptations to homes of older persons, providing up to $2,500 in home modifications and repairs. (2) The Caregivers’ Support Program (CSP), supported by state General Funds since 1989, provides services in support of families caring for loved ones. In addition to services, this program can also provide up to $2,000 of home modifications and assistive devices. (3) The Options Care Management Program provides services and home modifications to persons with disabilities who are age 60 and older. (4) Through a Medicaid waiver, PCA has helped maintain nursing home clinically eligible and Medicaid financially eligible older persons in their own homes since 1996. Major and minor modifications are delivered to elderly individuals who are Medicaid-eligible.