Pennsylvania U.S. Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick were in Pittsburgh for a field hearing to address issues impacting the senior population
PITTSBURGH —
Pennsylvania U.S. Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick were in Pittsburgh on Thursday for a field hearing to address key issues impacting the state’s senior population, including transportation challenges, social isolation and loneliness.
The hearing featured testimony from a panel of experts, including Dr. Shannah Gilliam, director of the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging.
“A person can be fed, housed and medically stable, and still go days without a real conversation,” Gilliam said.
McCormick, who serves on the Senate Special Committee on Aging, invited Fetterman to join him for the hearing at the Moorhead Federal Building downtown.
“This is the first time in 100 years that there are two senators from Western Pennsylvania, and it gives us an opportunity to work together,” McCormick said. “We’re not only good friends, but good neighbors.”
“I think this is probably the only opportunity that’s happening in the country politically when you have a Democrat and a Republican in the same room, especially, what, four or five days before the midterms? Because we’re a team, Pennsylvania here,” Fetterman said.
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The panel highlighted the impact of social isolation on seniors, particularly in rural communities. Gilliam shared concerning statistics about loneliness among older adults.
“One in three older adults reports feeling lonely. Nearly one in four adults 65 and older is socially isolated. Isolation is associated with an estimated $6.7 billion a year in added Medicare spending in Pennsylvania,” Gilliam said.
Feleen Nancarvis, executive director of Meals on Wheels of Lancaster, emphasized the importance of human connection for seniors.
“Thirty-two percent of our respondents claimed that a volunteer that they see delivering their meals is the only person they may see in a given day or even a week,” Nancarvis said. “One third of our clients see no one other than the volunteer at the door.”
“That’s very profound to me, and to remind people that’s such a critical part of living well,” Fetterman said.
McCormick said the next step is to evaluate whether current legislation addresses the concerns raised or if new bills are needed.
“What I expect we’ll do is circle back with everybody in this group over the next 30 to 60 days, and say he and I will look at the legislation,” McCormick said. “The way I typically do this is, what are existing bills that may be out there that I could jump on that could support this, or where’s the gap that we need new legislation?”
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