Jason Kavulich, Secretary of Aging for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (PA) believes, “Pennsylvania’s aging population provides us with an opportunity – not a challenge – to build better communities for all generations.” A roadmap for building these communities across the Commonwealth has been set forth in PA’s first-ever Multisector Plan for Aging (MPA), Aging Our Way, PA .
Creating the 10-year plan began in 2023, when Governor Josh Shapiro launched a comprehensive, “whole-of-government” approach led by the PA Department of Aging (PDA), thoughtfully engaging 29 different state agencies in a vision to transform the systems of care as they relate to aging. An integral part to successfully implement the plan and realize the vision of system transformation is the Commonwealth’s commitment to “reframe how we think about, talk about, and value older adults to recognize the momentum, experience, longevity, economic contributions, and wisdom of older adults…”
Pennsylvania’s long-term work to change perceptions and communication about aging statewide is grounded in PDA’s partnership with the National Center to Reframe Aging to educate leaders across the state and at every level on the principles to reframe aging. This includes educating PDA’s staff, directors of Area Agencies on Aging, and other leaders in aging. The National Center to Reframe Aging has presented the fundamentals of good framing to in-person network meetings and delivered the in-depth Core Elements to Reframe Aging course to leaders from across Pennsylvania. It is this kind of comprehensive, multi-level approach, reaching from state leadership to local communities, that the National Center to Reframe Aging knows is needed to make meaningful change in how people think about aging.
Reflecting on Pennsylvania’s multifaceted, public-private approach, Hannah Albers, Director of Program Development for the National Center to Reframe Aging said, “Leaders in Pennsylvania understand the critical need to be intentional in how we communicate about aging and about the services that the Commonwealth provides to support us all as we age.”
What began by ensuring a well-framed MPA has set the stage for the much broader scope needed to truly transform systems. Building on this work, in July 2025, PDA and the National Center to Reframe Aging announced a new collaborative effort to reframe communications about Pennsylvania’s 400+ Senior Community Centers (SCCs) and emphasize their role as vital spaces for older people to be active, connected, and valued. Effective framing strategies, tools, and new insights will be developed for advocates, families, and community leaders to better communicate the value of SCCs and promote policies to support their continued growth and relevance in Pennsylvania.
This partnership is setting up a model for all states to realign public perceptions with the essential role senior centers play in community life. A proud Pennsylvania native, the National Center to Reframe Aging’s Executive Director Patricia D’Antonio said, “Working together to reframe the conversation, PDA and the National Center will build stronger community support for SCCs as vital spaces where older people remain active, connected, and valued.”
Join the Movement to Reframe Aging
The National Center to Reframe Aging is developing tools to help advocates across the country effectively communicate for policies and funding that support the well-being of all of us as we age.
- What strategic initiatives, such as an MPA, are underway in your state?
- Which leaders have the ideas, influence, and leverage to transform systems at all levels?
- How can you partner with the National Center to Reframe Aging to improve understanding about aging in your state?
Reach out to the National Center team to learn how you can inspire change within your state!