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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW DO I REGISTER TO VOTE?
WHY?
Every vote makes a difference. Voting allows you to voice your opinion on
important issues through your choice of the candidate most reflective of
your ideals. Your letters, faxes, phone calls, etc. also have greater
influence over your elected representative if they can see you are a
registered voter.
To register in
Pennsylvania, you must meet these requirements:
-
Be 18 years old by
election day
-
Be a US citizen for
at least one month before the election
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Have lived in your
election district for at least 30 days before the election day.
WHEN?
Voter registration
closes 30 days before each election to allow all the new registrations to be
recorded. So register NOW while you are thinking of it.
WHERE?
Mail in form
You may obtain a mail in form from:
You need to register if:
-
You have moved, or
-
You want to change
your party affiliation, or
-
There is a mix-up in
your registration and you needed a court order to vote in the last
election
You should re-register if:
You may also register in person at many government offices including:
-
The
county Voter Registration Office
-
PennDot: with your
application for a motor vehicle driver's license
-
Other state offices
such as: public assistance offices, Marriage License Bureaus, Orphan's
Court, armed forces recruitment centers.
You stay registered even if you haven't voted recently. An elector may not
be removed from the registration rolls except:
-
By request of the
elector.
-
Upon death of the
elector.
-
Upon confirmation
that he has moved outside the county.
-
Upon determination of
a valid voter removal program.
If you will be out of
the county or unable to go to the polls on Election Day, you will need an
Absentee
Ballot.
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WHO ARE MY ELECTED
OFFICIALS?
Please visit the Government Guide:
http://mygov.governmentguide.com/mygov/index.html
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HOW DO I CONTACT MY
ELECTED OFFICIAL?
Write a Letter
Legislators are apt to respond to the needs and requests of their own
constituents. Hence your feedback is important to them in the decision
making process. Make your voices heard and speak for those who need our
help . . .
Tips on writing letters
to elected officials
Guide to Writing Letters to Elected
Officials:Pennsylvania
House of Representatives
Date
The Honorable (insert full name, ex. John
Smith)
House Box 202020 (all Representatives have
same House Box number)
Main
Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA
17120
Dear Representative
(insert last name only):
Pennsylvania Senate
Date
The Honorable (insert full name, ex. John
Smith)
Senate Box (insert Senate Box number,
which can be found on the Elected Officials page)
Main
Capital Building
Harrisburg, PA
17120
Dear Senator (insert
last name only):
FOR DISTRICT/
COUNTY ADDRESSES (see Elected
Officials Page)
FOR UNITED STATES SENATE AND CONGRESS:
The Honorable (full name)
United States Senate
Washington D.C.
20510
The Honorable (full name)
United States House of
Representatives
Washington D.C.
20515
Tips for letter
content:
- Personal letters are
more effective than ‘form’ letters.
- Identify yourself as
a constituent, or friend of the Alzheimer's Association.
- Focus on one issue;
write a separate letter for each issue of concern; keep letters to one to
two pages for convenience.
- The public policy
issue of concern for you should be stated in the first paragraph; be sure
to emphasize the need for your representative to pay attention to this
issue.
- Give reasons for
your interest in this issue that are individual and unique to your
situation; ie how this issue effects you and your family, and any personal
experiences.
- Maintain politeness;
avoid name-calling, sarcasm, etc.
- Remember to put your
complete return address on the letter itself as well as the envelope.
- Write your letter to
all candidates for office, representatives, senators, that represent your
constituency. The more letters you send, the more effectiveness your plea
will have.
Schedule a Meeting
Clearly the most powerful tool of communication is face-to-face, however,
scheduling an appointment may take some time, even as long as a month.
Don’t let this discourage you, be diligent and your elected official will
find time to meet with you!
Place a Call
When time is of the essence or you are unable to write or meet with your
elected official, making a phone call can be just as effective. If the
legislator is unable to speak with you, rest assured that his/her staff
would relay the message to him/her.
Remember they are
concerned with receiving your vote and as a constituent you can have a
powerful impact.
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THE AREA
AGENCIES ON AGING (AAA’S)
The Area Agencies on
Aging (AAA) are the local representatives of the
Pennsylvania Department of Aging that offer various programs for older
Pennsylvanians. The AAAs act as advocates to keep Pennsylvania's older
citizens active and independent in their own communities.
There are 52 such
offices, serving all 67 counties. They are staffed with caseworkers skilled
in such areas as geriatrics, social work and community resources. They can
assist you with questions regarding nursing facilities, community services
in nursing facility placement, and a wide range of other community services
tailored to your specific needs.
Click here to find the Area Agency on Aging that serves your county.
If you know the zip
code but not the county, please use either the Zip
Code Search or City
Search option to locate your local AAA.
Return to What Services are
Available to me?
PROTECTIVE SERVICES
Adult Protective Services
In the Protective
Services program there are two types of reporting - voluntary and mandatory.
Voluntary Reporting
-
Any person who
believes that an older adult is being abused, neglected, exploited or
abandoned may file a report 24 hours a day with any Area
Agency on Aging or call the statewide elder abuse hotline at
1-800-490-8505.
-
Abuse reports can be
made on behalf of an older adult whether the person lives in the community
or in a care facility such as a nursing home, personal care home,
hospital, etc.
-
Reporters may remain
anonymous.
-
Reporters have legal
protection from retaliation, discrimination and civil or criminal
prosecution.
Mandatory
Reporting
-
Employees and
administrators of nursing homes, personal care homes, domiciliary care
homes, adult day care centers and home health care are mandated by Act 13
of 1997 to immediately report any suspected abuse of a recipient of care
to the Area Agency on Aging. If the abuse involves serious injury, sexual
abuse or suspicious death, reporters must also call
police and the Pennsylvania Department of Aging at (717) 783-6207. In
addition, the reporter may also call the Pennsylvania Department of
Health Nursing Home Complaint Line at 1-800-254-5164.
-
Failure to report as
required by Act 13-1997 can result in administrative or criminal
penalties.
Ombudsman Program
The Department of Aging
administers the Ombudsman Program statewide for consumers 60 years of age or
older through contracts with each of the 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) in
Pennsylvania.
Ombudsmen respond to
complaints from the older consumers of any long-term care service provided
in an institution, a community setting, or the private home.
The Ombudsman Program
is unlike any other long-term care service, for its sole purpose is to
support and empower consumers. An advocacy role takes two forms: 1) to
receive and help resolve individual complaints and issues by or on behalf of
consumers of long-term care services, and 2) to improve and enhance the
long-term care system, its laws, regulations, policies, and administration
through public education and empowerment.
The
Ombudsman Program:
-
Must follow-up on all
received complaints
-
Must obtain consent
from the consumer/complainant before proceeding with the investigation
-
Must provide Tier Two
training to each local Ombudsman prior to allowing the Ombudsman to
investigate a complaint
-
Must refer to the
appropriate agency all complaints that allege abuse, neglect, or financial
exploitation
-
May enter a facility
at any time as necessary to advocate on behalf of a resident
-
Must ensure
confidentiality of information and records
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Must not release the
identity of the older person and the complainant without consent or court
order
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Must work with all
parties such as facility staff, family members, and regulatory agencies in
seeking a resolution to verified complaints
-
Must work with
licensing agencies for effective enforcement, as ombudsmen do not have
authority to require action by a facility or other providers of long-term
care.
Responsibilities of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman:
-
To design, implement,
and manage a statewide uniform reporting and investigative system for
complaints made by or on behalf of older consumers of long-term care
services.
-
To establish policies
and procedures for implementation of the Ombudsman Program and to ensure
compliance with all federal and state requirements.
-
To analyze and
monitor federal and state legislation that has an impact on consumers of
long-term care services.
-
To train
representatives who provide local Ombudsmen services.
-
To provide technical
assistance and information to local Ombudsmen and consumers of long-term
care services.
-
To monitor local
program implementation to ensure compliance with standards and enhance
program performance.
-
To address concerns
common to all older consumers of long-term care services by advocating at
a systems level.
-
To work within the
legislative and rule-making process to improve long-term care services
throughout the state.
The Office of the
State Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at:
Pennsylvania
Department of Aging
Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
555 Walnut Street, 5th floor
Harrisburg, Pa. 17101-1919
(717) 783-7247
Email - [email protected]
Local Ombudsman Listing
Return to What Services are
Available to me?
HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED CARE
There are programs that
provide services to older Pennsylvanians so they can remain in their own
homes and live independently for as long possible. These programs are
administered by the Department of Aging through the local Area Agencies on
Aging. Contact your local Area
Agency on Aging or click on any of the following links to learn more
about these programs.
Senior Community Centers
Statewide, over 650
full and part time Senior Community Centers offer people age 60 and older,
and their spouses, a place to go for nutritious meals, social activities,
and a range of programs such as health screenings, health and consumer
education, creative arts, exercise, and other special events that are unique
to individual centers. Senior Community Centers often work with a variety of
local organizations, and provide access to other community services as well.
Centers also offer volunteer opportunities where older people can contribute
their experience and skills in meaningful and satisfying ways.
Of the 650 Senior
Community Centers approximately 100 are known as "satellite" centers where
people age 60 and over, and their spouses, can get together, socialize, and
enjoy group dining. For information about the Senior
Community Center in your area,
contact the Area Agency on Aging serving your county, or visit the website
of the Pennsylvania Senior Centers at
www.paseniorcenters.org. This website provides
Pennsylvania's senior community centers with opportunities to exchange information
and ideas on topics of vital interest, and is designed to provide senior
community center participants with timely and useful information. A listing
of senior centers in each county
Home
Repair & Modifications
Many older persons own
their own homes and want to stay in their home and community. Sometimes,
however, medical and other expenses make it difficult to maintain the home
or to pay for needed repairs. Although
Pennsylvania does not have a state-funded home repair program, local programs are
often available. Contact your Area Agency on Aging to find out about
programs in your area.
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Available to me?
INSTITUTIONAL CARE
Domicillary Care Services for Adults
Domiciliary care is a supervised living arrangement in a home-like
environment for adults who are unable to live alone because of demonstrated
difficulties: (1) in accomplishing activities of daily living; (2) in social
or personal adjustment; or (3) resulting from disabilities. The Area Agency
on Aging is responsible for assessment and placement of residents in
domiciliary care homes. They also certify domiciliary care homes. Residents
are eligible for a domiciliary care supplement payment if they are eligible
for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or have an income less than the
combined federal/state payment for domiciliary care and are not related to
the provider. People who are not eligible for the supplement may reside in
domiciliary care homes as private pay residents.
Personal Care Homes
Personal care homes, sometimes called assisted living facilities, offer room
and board and assistance with the activities of daily living (such as
bathing, grooming, and meal preparation). They are inspected and licensed by
the Department of Public Welfare. Older people or their families who are
thinking about moving to a personal care home, should consider only those
homes with a current license from the Department of Public Welfare a listing
can be found at
http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/osp/osppchfod.asp It is also
important to have a contract with the home operator that lists the services
to be provided and the cost of each service.
CONTACT: To obtain a
copy of the current regulations or a current listing of licensed personal
care homes:
Division of Personal
Care Homes
Department of Public Welfare
P.O. Box 2675
Harrisburg, PA 17105
(717) 783-8391
Nursing
Facilities
There are approximately 635 nursing facilities located throughout the state.
These facilities provide physician-ordered medical services and supervised
nursing care on a 24 hour basis, in addition to and above the level of room
and board, for persons who do not require hospitalization, but whose needs
are such that they can only be met in a long-term care facility on an
inpatient basis.
NOTE: Basic daily care
costs are reimbursed for persons certified for Medicaid. Medicaid patients
also receive a personal allowance, included in the monthly reimbursements to
the care facility, which may be used as they wish.
Medicare may also pay
for limited coverage. Persons clinically eligible for nursing facility care
can also be served with home and community-based services through the
OPTIONS program if they meet program criteria.
It is possible for some
consumers who are eligible for care provided in nursing facilities to be
served in their own homes in the community. More information can be found in
home and community based services:
OPTIONS Program
60+ Aging Waiver Program
Continuing
Care Communities
Pennsylvania is a leader in the continuing care (life care) industry,
offering over 120 CCRCs from which to choose. A continuing care retirement
community offers independent living, usually in an apartment or cottage, and
access to a higher level of care such as personal care or nursing facility.
Residents move between levels of care as their needs change. Services, such
as meals, medical care, social and recreational activities are provided
through a contractual arrangement for the lifetime of the resident.
Residents usually pay an entrance fee and a monthly charge. Continuing care
communities are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance. Visit
Choosing a Continuing Care Community on their website
for more information.
To request a copy of
the "Directory of Licensed Continuing Care Communities in Pennsylvania"
contact:
Pennsylvania Insurance Department
Press Office
1326 Strawberry /Square
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Telephone: 717/787-3289
Return to What Services are
Available to me?
PRESCRIPTION PROGRAMS
PACE and PACENET are
funded by the Pennsylvania lottery and administered by the Pennsylvania
Department of Aging. These programs offer comprehensive prescription
coverage to older Pennsylvanians and cover most medications that require
prescriptions, including insulin, syringes and insulin needles. These
programs do not cover over-the-counter medicines, medical equipment or
doctor, hospital dental or vision services. There are no premiums or
monthly fees charged to people who enroll in these programs.
PACE
To be eligible for PACE, you must be 65 years of age or older, a
Pennsylvania resident for at least 90 days prior to the date of application,
and you cannot be enrolled in the Department of Public Welfare’s Medicaid
prescription benefit. Eligibility is also determined by your previous
calendar year’s income. For a single person, your total income must be
$14,000 or less. For a married couple, your combined total income must be
$17,200 or less. Once you are enrolled in the PACE program, a benefit card
will be sent to you, and you will pay a $6 copayment for each prescription
medication at your pharmacy.
PACENET
To be eligible for PACENET, the age, residency and Medicaid requirements are
the same as with PACE. However, the income limits are higher. Again, the
income is based on the previous calendar year’s income. A single person’s
total income can be between $14,000 and $17,000. A married couples combined
total income can be between $17,200 and $20,200. Once you are enrolled in
the PACENET program, a benefit card will be sent to you, and you must meet a
$500 deductible. Once you meet the $500 deductible, you will pay an $8
copayment for generic prescription medications and a $15 copayment for brand
name prescription medications. Prescriptions purchased prior to your
enrollment in PACENET cannot be applied toward your deductible.
New Enrollments
If you are not
currently enrolled in either PACE or PACENET, you can obtain an application
in English or Spanish any of the following ways.
Download and print, or
complete the PACE Application on-line by clicking the following link:
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE A PACE/PACENET
APPLICATION ON-LINE
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