Bill O’Boyle: State highlights vital role of volunteer ombudsmen in caring for seniors

Apr. 23—WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Department of Aging's Office of State Long-Term Care (LTC) Ombudsman this week welcomed 100 in-person and 80 virtual attendees to the Hershey Lodge and Conference Center for its two-day Volunteer Symposium, which presented information and resources to individuals who interact with older adults in long-term care settings.

The symposium also provided an opportunity to celebrate the work accomplished by ombudsman volunteers.

"Our volunteer ombudsmen serve on the front lines as a voice for older adults who may not be able to advocate for themselves in long-term care settings," said Acting Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. "These volunteers go above and beyond their duties to make sure residents are safe and treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve. I would like to thank the volunteers who are making a difference every day through their compassion, tenacity, and creative approach to problem-solving for long-term care residents and their families."

Day one of the symposium began with remarks from Kavulich, followed by a presentation on understanding mental health and having a positive impact on long-term care residents.

Margaret Barajas, the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, addressed the group and provided updates from her office.

Carol Scott, manager of LTC Ombudsman Program and Policy for The National Consumer Voice served as the keystone speaker. She commended the work of the volunteers and called attention to the difference they make every time they visit residents.

"There is nothing more satisfying than taking time to do something for someone else or for the world in which we live," Scott said. "Of all the important days or weeks of the year, National Volunteer week is an opportunity to stop and thank the many people who have made a commitment to helping others on our planet."

The first day concluded with a presentation on the best practices for volunteer recruitment and retention, and a discussion led by members of the Volunteer Task Force on residents' rights and the best ways to address when these rights are violated.

"The Volunteer Task Force offers the state ombudsman volunteers' viewpoints and suggestions on various topics," said Charlotte Kitler, Volunteer Task Force member. "The task force also gives presentations with tips and advice to help volunteers assist residents in long-term care settings. The most direct benefit for residents comes from contact with these volunteers during those visits. There are many avenues in the ombudsman program for volunteers to make a positive difference in the lives of long-term care residents, even just to make their day brighter."

Day two of the symposium featured a presentation by Dementia Friends PA, interactive fun with guided imagery and bingo, and a talk on hope and how having it can help when facing life's challenges.

Pa. helping Pennsylvanians amid

changes to Medicaid renewals, SNAP

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Acting Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh and representatives from East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM), East Liberty Family Health Center, and Pennie® this week highlighted how the Shapiro Administration, Pennie, and community organizations are collaborating to support Pennsylvanians through federal changes to Medicaid and CHIP renewal requirements so that they can protect their health and stay covered.

"Now that we have returned to pre-pandemic renewal requirements, everyone who receives their health coverage through the state will need to complete a renewal sometime in the next year," Arkoosh said. "I urge any Pennsylvanian who receives health coverage through the state to be aware of changes to our Medicaid and CHIP programs and take action so they can protect themselves and stay covered. Keep your contact information up to date with DHS, watch for information about your renewal, and when it is your turn, complete your Medicaid or CHIP renewal on time to stay covered."

The federal public health emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic allowed for individuals to remain enrolled in Medicaid even if they became ineligible based on regular eligibility criteria, except in certain circumstances.

This is also known as the Medicaid continuous coverage requirement. A federal law ended the continuous coverage requirement on March 31, 2023. All Pennsylvanians receiving Medicaid or CHIP must complete their annual renewal when it is due to maintain their Medicaid or CHIP coverage. No one will lose Medicaid or CHIP coverage without first having an opportunity to renew their coverage.

Pennsylvanians can update their contact information, report changes in their personal circumstances, and check their renewal date:

—Online at www.dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS

—Via the free myCOMPASS PA Mobile App

—By calling 1-877-395-8930 (215-560-7226 if they live in Philadelphia)

—By calling 1-800-986-KIDS (5437) if they are currently enrolled in CHIP

Renewals will be completed over 12 months at a person's usual time of renewal, and renewals due in April 2023 will be the first to be affected by the end of continuous coverage.

Meuser co-sponsors legislation

urging completion of pipelines

U.S, Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, is a co-sponsor of legislation aimed at finishing pipelines in the United States, leading to domestic energy independence and lowering prices for consumers.

H.R. 2384, The "Completing American Pipelines Act," will ensure projects across the country, including the Mountain Valley Pipeline, are finished. Once completed, the Mountain Valley Pipeline would send natural gas from West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania to North Carolina and South Carolina, including from the Marcellus and Utica shale formations.

The legislation was introduced by U.S. Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV).

Construction of the 303-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline, which is 94% complete, has been stalled by lawsuits and regulatory hurdles. Project organizers stated the finished pipeline could heat approximately 10 million homes a year.

Meuser and his colleagues who support an expansion of natural gas production and infrastructure to deliver believe it will lead to not only increasing supplies at home but will also foster a robust export market for these fuels around the world.

"Completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline is a win for Pennsylvania, where the Marcellus Shale Region can provide a bountiful supply of natural gas to other areas of the country," Meuser said. "This will create good paying jobs for residents of our district, allowing families to thrive."

Meuser said the high demand for liquid natural gas (LNG) in our country and a low supply caused consumer prices to spike in some regions over the winter.

"This pipeline will be a success story for several states, and it is time to end obstruction by the courts, which have been holding up this project," Meuser said. "There have been numerous regulatory reviews of the pipeline, and the myriad of regulatory hurdles to bring this project to fruition is very frustrating."

Sen. Casey holds hearing on older

workers/workplace age discrimination

U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Bob Casey, D-Scranton, this week held a hearing entitled — "Beyond the 9 to 5: Dismantling Barriers and Building Economic Resilience for Older Workers" — which examined the barriers older workers face in the workplace.

Casey said older Americans are working longer than ever before, many remaining in the workforce to make ends meet or regain income lost while caregiving.

During the hearing, Chairman Casey highlighted his recently-introduced, bipartisan Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA), which would make it easier for employees to prove when they are a victim of age discrimination in the workplace.

Older workers are currently required to meet a significantly higher burden of proof when alleging age discrimination than is required of workers alleging other forms of workplace discrimination.

"Far too many older Americans face barriers to advance their careers or save for retirement because of age discrimination," said Chairman Casey. "We can level the playing field for older workers and restore safeguards against age-based discrimination by passing my Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, as well as by strengthening unions and bolstering workplace protections. As we build a better economy, we must ensure older Americans are given the support and protection they need to reach economic security."

Older workers are more likely to have a work-limiting health condition or a disability. While many aging workers occupy and can perform jobs without accommodation, others face challenges in applying for, accepting, or maintaining jobs due to a health condition or disability that may not always be obvious to managers and coworkers.

These include physical barriers, such as inaccessible work locations and equipment, as well as workplace procedures or practices, such as rules pertaining to when work can be performed.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 61% of workers have access to a defined contribution plan through their employers.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.