GREENSBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) announced new transparency measures aimed at improving oversight and increasing efficiency in elder abuse investigations conducted by Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) across the state. Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich highlighted the success of these efforts during an April 3 visit to the Westmoreland County AAA.
For the first time, the Department is publishing performance metrics on its website, showcasing how quickly AAAs complete elder abuse investigations. This data, which tracks compliance with the 20-day determination standard, reveals the significant impact of PDA’s new oversight approach. Westmoreland County AAA, for example, improved its compliance rate for timely determinations from just 29% in 2024 to 97% in 2025. These improved rates mean that older adults in Westmoreland County are receiving more timely and effective protective services.
“I commend the Westmoreland AAA leadership and the entire protective services team for their hard work and dedication to improving their performance,” said Secretary Kavulich. “With our Department’s assistance, Westmoreland AAA is showing how the Shapiro Administration’s approach of making supportive change is generating measurable results.”
The progress in Westmoreland County is part of a broader effort across Pennsylvania. AAAs handle nearly 40,000 cases of suspected elder abuse annually, investigating whether cases involve abuse or neglect. The number of investigations completed within the 20-day timeframe is a critical performance measure tracked monthly by PDA. Secretary Kavulich cited this transparency as a direct response to calls from stakeholders and media for greater accountability.
Carrie Nelson, Executive Director of the Westmoreland County AAA, praised the reform efforts, saying, “Protective services is some of the most complex and challenging work we do. We come into it with our hearts, to protect older adults in our community from harm. We look forward to continuing to work with the Department to identify areas where improvements are needed and strive for excellence.”
The Department’s transparency initiative is part of a series of updates to the monitoring and evaluation of AAAs. Last month, PDA introduced the Comprehensive Agency Performance Evaluation (CAPE), an innovative tool designed to enhance accountability and improve service delivery standards. The rollout of CAPE includes plans to post agency performance results online as a way to ensure public awareness and continuous improvement.
“This new level of transparency is part of the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to ‘Getting Stuff Done’ for the people of Pennsylvania,” said Kavulich. “It is also a prime example of the Administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Pennsylvania’s rapidly growing older adult population.”
With performance improvements across 49 of the state’s 52 AAAs, PDA continues to emphasize accountability and efficiency in elder care services. These new transparency measures, coupled with ongoing reforms, signal a stronger commitment to protecting the Commonwealth’s elderly population. Moving forward, these efforts have the potential to significantly enhance the quality of elder care and rebuild public trust in Pennsylvania’s protective services.
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