Pennsylvania Department of Aging Plans Town Meetings in Clarion and Pittsburgh to Gather Input for New State Pla...( Pennsylvanians can Offer Opinions...),Health

Pennsylvanians can Offer Opinions on Future Needs of Older Adults

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- To help shape the future direction of services for older Pennsylvanians, the Department of Aging will host town meetings in Clarion, Feb. 7, and Pittsburgh, Feb. 8, to gather public input for the new State Plan on Aging.

"I urge older citizens to let us know of their concerns as we seek input that will help to shape the new State Plan on Aging. Their input is critical in setting our priorities for the next four years," said Secretary of Aging Nora Dowd Eisenhower.

The department is required by state and federal law to update its State Plan on Aging every four years. The new plan will set a blueprint for state aging services through 2012.

In total, seven meetings will be held in communities across Pennsylvania through March. Each meeting is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon.

The Clarion meeting will be held at the Clarion Holiday Inn, 45 Holiday Inn Road. Reservations for the meeting are being accepted by the Area Agency on Aging at (814) 226-4640.

The Pittsburgh meeting will be held at the Community College of Allegheny County, North Campus Gymnasium, 8701 Perry Highway. Reservations can be made by calling the Area Agency on Aging at (412) 350-5460.

The meetings will focus on issues like public awareness of health care and long-term living options; enabling individuals to live in the setting of their choice; empowering individuals to stay active and healthy; and ensuring the rights of individuals to prevent abuse, neglect, exploitation and abandonment. A discussion guide to help the public understand the purpose of the meetings is available at http://www.aging.state.pa.us.

"Public participation is absolutely essential to the success of our town meetings," Dowd Eisenhower said. "We are encouraging organizations involved in
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