The Pennsylvania Department of Aging oversees 52 counties within Pennsylvania to protect elders against abuse and deadly situations. But in 2021, a small task force was specifically focused on one: the Philadelphia Corporation of Aging (PCA).
This specialized focus came about after deep concerns from department’s top officials over PCA staff shortages and case delays. Nine months were spent working to help PCA handle cases and investigations, speeding up the general process of making contact with potential victims and providing services for those potentially injured.
Peter Hans, a former representative at the Department of Aging spoke about the situation in Philadelphia. “It was an absolute mess, it was so distressing.”
Hans reported encountering cases that had been left unsolved for over a year, in which an older adult had died during the investigation. The PCA was unaware of these deaths, as they left the investigation open but not looked into.
While the department of aging reports that the situation in Philadelphia has improved, the PCA continues to have the worst record within the state. A majority of these problems range from poor paperwork management to lack of communication with medical professionals. Many cases within the PCA are not investigated within the general 20-day timeline followed by other departments in the state, and general compliance assessments have been avoided in the last seven years.
In 2019, 2020, and 2021, nearly a third of older adult deaths during investigations occurred in Philadelphia, being served by the PCA. All of these deaths have totaled over 1,000 people per year. Many public officials, including Governor Josh Shapiro’s office, have not commented the situation and its failures. When Shapiro’s office was asked if they were aware of the issue, an email response was provided stating they will “keep [you] posted on anything to add.”
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging can take punitive action (punishment or penalty to offending offices/departments) during times of crisis, but has chosen not to up to this point. The chair of the PCA, Glenn Bryan, also declined to be interviewed.
