FORT WASHINGTON, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) has unveiled the PA CareKit, a comprehensive resource designed to aid caregivers across the Commonwealth. Introduced on May 28 by Secretary Jason Kavulich, the CareKit aims to equip informal caregivers, including spouses, adult children, and grandparents raising grandchildren, with the tools and training necessary to provide effective, personalized care.
The PA CareKit offers a range of resources, from tailored guides to connect with professional caregiver services, to training and access to respite services. This initiative marks a significant step in the first year of implementing Aging Our Way, PA, a 10-year plan developed to strengthen Pennsylvania’s aging service infrastructure. The development of the CareKit began in August 2024 and was completed in nine months.
“Caregiving is important work that can be deeply rewarding, but it also presents significant challenges for caregivers’ personal resources and well-being,” said Secretary Kavulich. “The PA CareKit is an innovative tool that makes the caregiving process easier for both caregivers and their loved ones.”
The CareKit launch responds to Pennsylvania’s unique demographic challenges. With a growing elderly population, nearly one in four Pennsylvanians today is over the age of 60, a figure projected to rise to one in three by 2030, making it the fifth oldest state by population. Caregivers, who provide vital services such as medication management and transportation, are increasingly in demand.
The PA CareKit ties directly into the broader goals of Aging Our Way, PA, which prioritizes both community-based aging solutions and caregiver support. Governor Josh Shapiro has proposed a $3 million budget allocation for the second year of this plan, with a focus on modernizing and expanding PA Link, the Commonwealth’s Aging and Disability Resource Center network, to improve access to services statewide.
Key stakeholders joined the launch to emphasize the CareKit’s importance. Senator Maria Collett, a nurse and former caregiver, remarked, “With the launch of the PA CareKit, our Commonwealth is sending a clear message: caregivers deserve respect, appreciation, and above all, support. Because when our caregivers thrive, so do aging and disabled Pennsylvanians.”
State Librarian Susan Banks underscored the role of public libraries in delivering the CareKit’s services, describing the initiative as a “natural fit” for libraries that serve as community hubs. Print materials from the CareKit will be freely available at libraries, Senior Community Centers, and Area Agencies on Aging across the state.
The PA CareKit represents Pennsylvania’s forward-looking commitment to addressing the challenges of an aging population while empowering caregivers to fulfill their roles with dignity, efficiency, and confidence.
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