Aging and Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has one the largest (in both absolute and relative terms) populations of older people in the nation. With a current ranking of fifth, PA is home to nearly 2 million persons age 65 and older. In addition, only the state of Florida has a greater proportion of older persons than Pennsylvania's 15.3%. By 2030, Pennsylvania is expected to have more than 2.8 million people age 65 and older comprising an estimated 22.6% of the population, which represents a growth rate of more than 50 % for the older age group compared to total state population growth of 4%. Pennsylvania's largest minority population is African American, which is also expected to increase in number and proportion.

Many of Pennsylvania's older citizens reside in rural areas--31% compared to a national average of 25%--and the number of rural elders is growing at twice the rate of elders in urban areas. Providing quality health care to rural areas has been a challenge in most states. As the population ages, this challenge will only intensify--both because of the need for additional primary care physicians, but also because of a paucity of specialists--mental health specialists, for example--in rural areas.

To meet the needs of this population, Pennsylvania's cabinet-level Department of Aging has developed a broad range of services. Pennsylvania is a national leader in expenditures per capita for older persons (largely because of the dedication of lottery funds for the benefit of senior citizens) and has an innovative, well-integrated system of local, state, and federal programs to assist the elderly. The Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) program and current development of a community-based, long-term care system are prime examples of this effort.

The resources of the Gerontology Center and Penn State have supported this extensive service network in the past. Ongoing collaboration will continue to enhance the aging experience within the state and throughout the rest of the nation.