October 25, 2023

Aging With Confidence

Representative Cooper invited the Policy Committee to Westmoreland County to discuss the issues and concerns facing older Pennsylvanians. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania not only seeks to attract new residents each year but is equally committed to retaining those who have built their careers and raised families within its borders. The hearing aimed to illuminate the importance of enabling older Pennsylvanians to age with dignity in their own homes, while also emphasizing the financial savings and benefits that come from supporting this endeavor. Furthermore, the hearing raised awareness about the alarming rise in scams targeting older Pennsylvanians and provided insights on how to protect our loved ones from falling victim to these fraudulent activities.

The testifiers that joined the Policy Committee were as follows:

Senior Safety: Combatting Fraud Panel:

Hon. Harry F. Smail, Jr. - Judge, Court of Common Pleas, Westmoreland County
Hon. Nicole Ziccarelli - District Attorney, Westmoreland County
John R. Dickson, IV - President and CEO, Redstone Highlands Communities

Questions for the Senior Safety: Combatting Fraud Panel

Empowering Seniors at Home Panel:

Dr. Pam Toto, Ph.D. - Professor and Director, Doctor of Clinical Science in Occupational Therapy Program, University of Pittsburgh

Questions for the Empowering Seniors at Home Panel


Agenda - Bios – Testimony
 
Senior Safety: Combatting Fraud Panel

The first panel, "Senior Safety: Combatting Fraud," featured Hon. Harry F. Smail, Jr., a respected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Westmoreland County. Judge Smail highlighted the nuanced nature of guardianship, wherein a trusted friend or family member takes responsibility for the needs of an older adult, emphasizing that it often arises from diminished cognitive capacities rather than diminished physical capacity. He explained the court's obligation to find familial resources in guardianship cases and the requirement for medical testimony confirming an individual's inability to self-provide through their physical or mental capabilities. Power of attorney, on the other hand, can be pursued by an adult of full abilities if they wish for a trusted individual to control their finances and property.

Both guardianship and power of attorney are positions of high trust and responsibility, and the powers granted by these positions may be used to the detriment of those entrusted with their care. Judge Smail pointed out that tracking mechanisms are in place and enforced to prevent guardians from abusing the finances or property of those in their care. However, he emphasized that penalties for both guardianship fraud and financial scams are not severe enough to discourage crime, and further preventions must be taken. Additionally, he noted that judges have the authority to disallow individuals charged with crimes against older adults from holding certain jobs or engaging in certain activities, but this judicial discretion is not consistently enforced throughout the state.


WATCH
 
“There are no borders relevant to scammers. These people exist in the ether.”

Hon. Harry F. Smail, Jr.
Judge, Court of Common Pleas, Westmoreland County

Hon. Nicole Ziccarelli, District Attorney of Westmoreland County, addressed the challenging issue of combating scams. She reassured victims that there is no shame in being a victim of a scam and encouraged Pennsylvanians to reach out to local authorities when in doubt. She underscored the effectiveness of "$cam Jam" informational sessions, held by many State Representatives, in educating communities on the growing prevalence of check-washing scams tied to mail theft and other methods being used by criminals to take advantage of the public. Mrs. Ziccarelli also shed light on other common tactics used extensively in senior scams, such as phone calls, fake emergencies involving family members, and romance scams.

District Attorney Ziccarelli expressed that her office prosecutes all crimes to the fullest, and urged residents to come forward if they believe they are victim to fraud or abuse. Often a scam can be stopped in its tracks if brought to authorities immediately, but Mrs. Ziccarelli stressed that if payment is made via Bitcoin or gift cards it is nearly impossible to retrieve. In fact, if any entity calls, emails, or texts demanding payment in Bitcoin, gift cards, or some other uncommon currency District Attorney Ziccarelli shared that it is most likely an attempted scam.


WATCH
 
“We make every effort to prevent these crimes from occurring.”

Nicole Ziccarelli
District Attorney, Westmoreland County

John R. Dickson, IV, President and CEO of Redstone Highlands Communities, discussed the importance of extensive background checks for senior care workers. Redstone Highlands Communities offers premiere community living for older Pennsylvanians who no longer desire to live at home, and Mr. Dickson wants to ensure that their needs are met and his facility runs soundly. Demand for senior living communities is high, and the trend points to a rising need in coming decades, so Mr. Dickson brought his suggestions for improvement to the Policy Committee.

He pointed out a significant concern faced by adult living facility providers, highlighting that background checks for prospective employees only note convictions and not charges. This poses challenges for employers who conduct all the due diligence available to them. He also discussed liability issues in elder care, particularly in cases of falls during long-term care. If a patient falls and injures themselves in a hospital setting the hospital is rarely at fault, yet in his facilities he must always be concerned with liability even when he installs technologies and employs aids to prevent accidents. For older adults falls are a real concern, and Mr. Dickson’s facilities work to prevent them, but accidents happen even when you prepare.

Mr. Dickson emphasized that staffing ratios, similar to those applied to hospitals, represent an unfunded mandate that will dramatically increase labor costs. If the law requires more staff per patient or resident, and there are a set number of staff, then not as many Pennsylvanians will recieve service and care. Additionally, Mr. Dickson stressed the need for stable year-to-year state funding for senior care to ensure continued services for Pennsylvanians of all means and abilities. He also expressed concerns about senior care providers closing beds due to staffing mandates, potentially forcing older adults into costly hospital stays.


WATCH
 
“Background checks are the first protective layer we have.”

John R. Dickson, IV
President and CEO, Redstone Highlands Communities



Empowering Seniors at Home Panel

The "Empowering Seniors at Home" panel featured Dr. Pamela Toto, Ph.D., a Professor and Director of the Doctor of Clinical Science in Occupational Therapy Program at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Toto began by highlighting that Pennsylvania has one of the oldest populations in the United States, with residents aged 85 and older being the Commonwealth's fastest-growing demographic. With a growing older population, one would think we’d need to focus on expanding our older adult communities, but Dr. Toto instead advocated for the concept of aging in place by maintaining an active and fulfilling life at home. Dr. Toto emphasized the cost-effectiveness of aging at home compared to assisted living facilities, benefiting both residents and the Commonwealth. Often, older Pennsylvanians want to remain in their homes, maintain their routines, and age with confidence.

Dr. Toto pointed out that only 5.8% of Pennsylvania homes are age-ready for older populations. You don’t need to be a contractor to prepare your home, as installing new brighter lighting and support bars is one of the simplest and most effective ways to assist residents as they age. She encouraged enabling older adults to retain their independence through the use of new tools, technologies, and techniques instead of finding replacements for their tasks.

As older Pennsylvanians begin to investigate means to maintain their independence Dr. Toto suggests utilizing the CAPABLE program to assist in planning for their future. The CAPABLE program, currently only available to residents of Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties, coordinates support networks for older adults to enable them to age within their own homes. The CAPABLE program finds suitable occupational therapists, RNs, and a handy worker to aid older adults in maintaining their health and property. Each arrangement is specific to the needs of the older adult and is designed to reach the unique independence goals determined by the client. The program could be a fantastic cost-saver for families and the Commonwealth as a whole, with $3,000 in CAPABLE funds yielding $30,000 in healthcare savings. This program is developing throughout the nation and could be available to all Pennsylvanians in short time.


WATCH
 
“Older adults don’t want to be ‘bubble wrapped’ for the rest of their lives.”

Dr. Pamela Toto, Ph.D.
Professor and Director, Doctor of Clinical Science in Occupational Therapy Program, University of Pittsburgh


The hearing's focus on safeguarding seniors in their homes is paramount. Older Pennsylvanians should be empowered to lead their lives with dignity, be involved with their families and communities, and be safe and secure wherever they choose to reside. The insights from this hearing will inform future policies aimed at securing the well-being and happiness of older residents, reinforcing Pennsylvania's commitment to being a home for a lifetime of experiences and growth. The day’s testifiers help Pennsylvania to thrive as a home for a lifetime of experiences and growth.