HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) has unveiled significant strides in improving transparency and efficiency across Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), particularly in investigating suspected elder abuse. Using the recently launched Comprehensive Agency Performance Evaluation (CAPE) strategy, the department is enhancing oversight while giving the public greater insight into local agency performance.
Among the initiatives’ early successes is the progress showcased by Delaware County AAA, which significantly boosted its compliance rate for timely elder abuse determinations. Compliance more than doubled from 40% in 2024 to an impressive 89% in early 2025. This surge reflects PDA’s collaboration with AAAs statewide to expedite investigations and better safeguard vulnerable older adults.
“I commend the Delaware AAA leadership and the entire protective services team for their hard work and dedication to improving their performance,” said Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. “Our approach of supportive change is generating measurable results that benefit and protect older Pennsylvanians.”
AAAs handle nearly 40,000 elder abuse reports annually statewide, addressing allegations of neglect, financial exploitation, and other harms. A key metric for evaluating agency responsiveness is the percentage of investigations closed within 20 days. Under PDA’s leadership, Delaware County’s success exemplifies systemic improvements across Pennsylvania, with compliance reporting now publicly available for all 52 AAAs on the department’s website.
PDA’s transparency push also builds on earlier initiatives, such as publishing data on whether initial assessments of elder abuse cases are conducted within designated timeframes. This effort has seen notable gains, with 49 of 52 AAAs achieving at least 85% compliance, up from prior years.
Secretary Kavulich attributes these advancements to CAPE, which works in tandem with tools that help AAA supervisors track performance and allocate resources efficiently. Delaware County AAA leaders emphasized the department’s role in driving progress, with Deputy Director Joanna King stating, “Our supervisors have been able to track performance in every area of our work… to complete investigations in a timely and thorough manner.”
Looking ahead, PDA plans to further engage AAAs on performance enhancements while fostering a transparent environment that prioritizes elder protection. With tools like CAPE and expanded public reporting, the Department of Aging continues to amplify its commitment to Pennsylvania’s aging population.
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