Pennsylvania officials have launched a new oversight tool designed to enhance the evaluation of local aging agencies and improve protections for older adults. New review system replaces pass-fail modelThe program, known as the Comprehensive Aging Performance Evaluation (CAPE), replaces the previous pass-fail system with a more detailed review process that highlights specific areas each agency needs to address.These agencies are responsible for responding to suspected abuse, neglect, and other risks faced by the state’s elderly population. “We did not deliver a perfect system, nor will we ever make such a claim. We brought thoughtful change and improvements focused on the results, not on failures,” one official said. Officials cite measurable progressGovernor Josh Shapiro’s office stated that as of March, most local aging agencies were responding to suspected elder abuse reports on time at least 85% of the time. Officials emphasized the importance of continuing this progress. “It has definitely made an improvement in the way that we are looking at running our program. It has given us the areas where we need to make improvements. It has increased communication between us and the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. It’s just really allowed us to make great strides in our determination rates and in our face-to-face compliance,” Jennifer Crouse of the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging said. The recently passed state budget includes an additional $1 million in funding to support the CAPE system.
, Pa. —
Pennsylvania officials have launched a new oversight tool designed to enhance the evaluation of local aging agencies and improve protections for older adults.
New review system replaces pass-fail model
The program, known as the Comprehensive Aging Performance Evaluation (CAPE), replaces the previous pass-fail system with a more detailed review process that highlights specific areas each agency needs to address.
These agencies are responsible for responding to suspected abuse, neglect, and other risks faced by the state’s elderly population.
“We did not deliver a perfect system, nor will we ever make such a claim. We brought thoughtful change and improvements focused on the results, not on failures,” one official said.
Officials cite measurable progress
Governor Josh Shapiro’s office stated that as of March, most local aging agencies were responding to suspected elder abuse reports on time at least 85% of the time. Officials emphasized the importance of continuing this progress.
“It has definitely made an improvement in the way that we are looking at running our program. It has given us the areas where we need to make improvements. It has increased communication between us and the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. It’s just really allowed us to make great strides in our determination rates and in our face-to-face compliance,” Jennifer Crouse of the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging said.
The recently passed state budget includes an additional $1 million in funding to support the CAPE system.