As lifespans grow, so do the challenges of providing elder care programs and services. In response to this reality, Pennsylvania’s Department of Aging was tasked with creating Aging Our Way, PA - a 10-year roadmap to meet the needs of the Commonwealth’s older adults and improve services for this rapidly growing population. With older adults desiring to age in place in their homes and communities, Pennsylvania’s comprehensive and complex service delivery system must balance the delivery of community-based care that are funded with Older Americans Act and PA Lottery funds, with institutional (e.g. nursing home) care that is funded by taxpayer dollars and PA Lottery funds.

In this keynote, Dr. Towers will share insights on advancing care for older adults, highlighting UPMC’s pioneering initiatives such as the GUIDE program, which improves care coordination and caregiver support. She will also discuss emerging strategies, including digital tools for early cognitive screening, that promote independence and aging in place. Dr. Towers will explore how health systems can align clinical excellence, technology, and compassionate care can improve health and independence for older adults.

As Pennsylvania’s aging population grows—soon among the nation’s oldest—there is an urgent need for sustainable solutions that support aging in place. This panel will examine how housing, workforce, and long-term care intersect, with a focus on affordability, accessibility, and the direct care workforce shortage. Panelists will highlight innovative housing models, workforce strategies, and policy approaches to create age-friendly communities across the Commonwealth.