Trending
PITTSBURGH - U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, a member of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging held a field hearing in Pittsburgh last week alongside U.S. Sen. John Fetterman examining loneliness and social isolation among older Pennsylvanians and how federal programs can better help seniors stay connected to their communities.
"Pennsylvania seniors helped build our communities, worked our mills and mines, and served our country, and they deserve to stay connected," said McCormick. "Today's hearing is about finding practical ways to reach isolated seniors and ensuring local organizations across Pennsylvania have the support they need to help."
Pennsylvania is home to more than 2.5 million residents age 65 and older, and that population continues to grow. For many seniors, losing a spouse, living far from family, or no longer being able to drive can make it harder to stay connected. Social isolation is not just a quality-of-life issue; it can have serious consequences for older Americans' health and well-being.
"I've always believed in the importance of connecting forgotten communities and making sure they aren't left behind. That includes our aging neighbors and the often unaddressed needs they have," said Senator Fetterman. "Hearing that Meals on Wheels might be the only human contact older folks have that week is alarming. Social isolation and loneliness are serious issues, and I'm grateful for the witnesses' testimony today and understanding how we can better serve the community."
The hearing featured four experts in aging services and research, representing Allegheny County, Penn State, the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, and Meals on Wheels of Lancaster.
Witnesses discussed how the Older Americans Act can better support meal delivery, senior centers, transportation, and other services that help seniors stay connected. Pennsylvania receives approximately $45 million annually through the Act. Senator McCormick cosponsored its bipartisan reauthorization, which passed the Senate unanimously in July.