For Immediate Release
July 21, 2010
Contact: Nathan Flood
717-787-4420
Back

A Conversation with Senator Brubaker

State Resources Available to Assist Senior Citizens

Pennsylvania is home to the nation’s second-highest percentage of senior citizens, and we are fortunate to benefit from the knowledge and experience they have gained throughout their lives. The state offers a number of programs and services to assist senior citizens with the unique challenges they face. I would encourage district residents to share this information with friends, family and neighbors who may be eligible for these programs and services.

Pennsylvania has some of the most popular and generous prescription assistance programs in the country with PACE, PACENET and PACE Plus Medicare. These programs offer low-cost prescription drug coverage for Pennsylvania seniors. To be eligible for PACE and PACENET, applicants must be 65 years of age or older, be a state resident for at least 90 days and meet income guidelines. More information on the state’s prescription assistance programs is available by calling 1-800-225-7223.

Older state residents may apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. This program provides rebates on property taxes or rent paid in the previous year for seniors and disabled Pennsylvanians who are living on a fixed income. To be eligible for a rebate, applicants must be a Pennsylvania resident age 65 or older, widows and widower age 50 or older or an individual with permanent disabilities 18 years or older and meet income eligibility guidelines. District residents can apply by calling toll-free 1-888-222-9190 weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. or by visiting www.revenue.state.pa.us. Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications are also available at my district offices.

Seniors can receive free legal advice by contacting the SeniorLAW Center, a nonprofit organization that helps to protect the rights of seniors by offering legal representation, education, advocacy and referral services. Volunteer attorneys and staff are available by calling the Pennsylvania SeniorLAW Helpline at 1-877-727-7529. More information is also available online at www.seniorlawcenter.org. The state also offers a hotline for individuals to report possible instances of elder abuse or neglect. Any person who believes that an older Pennsylvania is a victim of abuse can contact the statewide elder abuse hotline 24 hours a day by calling 1-866-623-2137.

Pennsylvania also offers a wide range of home- and community-based programs and services to help seniors remain in their communities and homes. The state’s Family Caregiver Support Program provides funding for elderly Pennsylvanians to receive assistance in their home from a qualified professional caregiver. The Domiciliary Care program allows individuals and families to open their homes to older Pennsylvanians who are struggling to live independently. Funding for adult day services may also be available to allow primary caregivers a respite from caring for seniors by offering nursing, personal care, nutrition and recreation services at an older adult daily living center. Older individuals can contact their local Area Agency on Aging for more information on these programs.

More information on all of the programs and services detailed in this column and other programs available to senior citizens are also available at local Area Agencies on Aging. Lancaster County residents can contact the Lancaster County Office on Aging by calling toll-free 1-800-801-3070. Chester County residents can contact the Chester County Department of Aging Services by calling (610) 344-6350.