Linking people with local services focus of Active Aging event
Active Aging hosted its annual PA Link to Services Fair on Thursday at its facility on
The Pennsylvania Link to Aging and Disability Resources, commonly known as PA Link, is a networked system of local, regional and state partner agencies that collaborate to help find support for those with home and community-based needs. The PA Link allows streamlined access to resources and educational options while minimizing duplication of assets.
The network focuses specifically on those age 60 and older, people with disabilities regardless of age, those with behavioral health or substance abuse issues, veterans, caregivers and family members of such populations.
"Unfortunately, some of us at Active Aging are actively aging, and we couldn't put on a huge festival that had 150 vendors because we'd have to do nearly all of it," Freeman said.
To bring back the event and highlight PA Link, Active Aging decided to have a smaller-scale fair in its facility on a first-come, first-serve basis for vendors.
"One of our goals is to have one-stop shopping, in a sense," Freeman said. "You come here, and you can get all this information. You don't have to sit at home and try to look through a phonebook if you're not computer savvy. Even if you want to make one call, who do you call?"
Freeman said she invited local state representatives to the fair as well as a shoutout for their support of PA Link.
Kay and
"I knew (the fair) was here, but I didn't know there was going to be a big marketplace," Kay said. "For seniors, you get a lot of information at one time. This bag's clear full."
Get help
For those interested in reaching out to Pennsylvania Link with questions about long-term living services and supports, a statewide helpline operates from
"There's a lot of great companies out here with a wealth of information for them," Cicuto said. "So it really benefits them to come out here, check every table out, gain that information -- not only to have fun but also as a proactive approach. You never know when you're going to need a service in the community."
For
"We help senior citizens find extra care either in the home, personal care, nursing home care -- we do the whole contingent," Learn said. "We don't just refer to our nonprofit facilities, but anything within the community."
Despite covering
"I wish more senior citizens who need the help would reach out, and we could be able to help them find what they need to help them maintain their independence as much as possible," Learn said.
In addition to care facilities and medical equipment, mental health was also highlighted in the fair. For instance,
"I think (the fair is) awesome because this is an age group that you still need to worry about," Eckert said. "The suicide rate, age-wise, is going up recently. It's more middle-aged men that are having a hard time and farmers. It's nice to be able to reach out to this group."
Eckert explained the task force hosts a free support group every second Tuesday at
Having served at information tables in the past, she was particularly enthusiastic when it came to the collaborative nature of the fair.
"I think the cool thing about this is, from what I've seen, it's actually, instead of different agencies trying to sell themselves, it is more based on, 'Here's all the resources that could really help you,' and I like that feeling," Eckert said.
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