Local and State leaders met at Telespond Senior Services in Scranton to lay out initiatives to protect the elderly, like a new advocacy center at Telespond. “It will be a place where any older adult that is being abused, neglected, or simply cannot live in their own homes can come and get some transitional housing for at least a month or two until they are back on their feet,” says Helen Schmid, CEO of Telespond.
PA Secretary of Aging, Jason Kavulich came to Telespond on June 15th, which was declared World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in 2006. Nearly two decades later, older adults are still subject to physical, mental, and emotional abuse, abandonment, financial exploitation, and victims of scams. “With models like this, we can see that we can make progress. We can see that communities can come together, provide support and help to older adults who are really at their most vulnerable point,” Secretary Kavulich said. Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget includes increases in funding, which Secretary Kavulich believes will help reduce isolation and improve their health and well-being. “For the local Area Agencies on Aging, it is a $10 million request for their Penn Care services and also a $5.2 million request for their housing assistance services,” Kavulich said.
AllOne Foundation has granted to Telespond and is honored to be a partner in this important initiative.
Pictured left to right: Nora Kern, Program Officer, AOF&C; Mary Carroll Donahoe, Chief Program Officer, AOF&C; Jason Kavulich, PA Secretary of Aging; Jesse Ergot, Chief Advancement Officer, AOF&C; and John Cosgrove, CEO,AOF&C.
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