As people get older, their reliance on others increases significantly.
Those that have “others” to help them are the lucky ones. There are far too many who, sadly, have no immediate family to be there for them.
Simple things, always handled with ease — banking, grocery shopping, driving to appointments, attending family functions, you name it — become difficult, if not impossible for older people to accomplish on their own.
The Department of Aging this week announced the launch of a statewide media campaign to build greater awareness and utilization of the PA Link to Aging and Disability Resources — also known as the PA Link.
The PA Link provides information and referral services to older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Consumers, family members, caregivers and providers can contact the PA Link through the helpline — 1-800-753-8827 — or at — www.aging.pa.gov/PALINK.
One-on-one assistance is available through the PA Link to assist individuals with day-to-day activities by connecting them with medical and non-medical supports and services regardless of an individual’s age, physical or developmental disability, or ability to pay.
Using TV, radio and digital media such as Facebook and Instagram, the campaign is running statewide through mid-October and includes a Spanish-language component.
The messages feature older adults, individuals with disabilities, and their caregivers using the PA Link to obtain services and products that make it easier to live independently, connect with others and remain in their homes and communities.
• In one scenario, a man who can no longer drive is able to obtain a tablet for virtual medical visits.
• In another scenario, an adult daughter is able to obtain home modifications to help her father — who can no longer manage steps — stay in her home.
“Being able to obtain information and access support services is a vital concern for older adults, persons with disabilities and their caregivers,” said Secretary of Aging Robert Torres. “The PA Link provides seamless connection to a vast array of services, supports and one-on-one assistance delivered in local communities throughout the Commonwealth. This campaign was developed to build awareness and increase utilization of the supports that the PA Link can provide to help more Pennsylvanians live and thrive in their preferred home settings.”
The campaign is part of a broader effort to strengthen the PA Link’s service capacity, connectivity, resources and statewide presence.
These efforts are funded by a $3 million grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living to support efforts to mitigate and respond during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
The funding is enabling the PA Link to help individuals connect to services, reduce social isolation, and provide assistive technology assessments, devices and training, resource information, assistance with referrals and one-on-one assistance.
Northeastern Pennsylvania has a large elderly population and many of them are coming increasingly reliant on others. This program is a huge step in the right direction for assuring that our older adults remain active and healthy and, most importantly, happy.
Sometimes older adults can become stubborn and reluctant to ask for help. They could use a little nudge in the right direction. Pride can sometimes get in the way of assuring one’s quality of life.
Our older adults are a valuable resource for many things. They are a source of information, from history to common sense to connecting us to our past.
We all should make every effort to make sure older adults have access to everything they need in life.
As the great Diana Ross sang:
“Reach out and touch
Somebody’s hand
Make this world a better place
If you can”
God bless us every one.