Personal Care Homes and Assisted Living Communities to receive $50 million in emergency funding from Commonwealth of Pennsylvania HARRISBURG, PA – Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association (PALA) Executive Director Margie Zelenak released the following statement on the recent enactment of  HB 2510, the Senior Protection Act to Safeguard At-Risk Seniors, which includes $45 million in federal CARES Act funding to help personal care homes (PCH) and assisted living communities (ALC) and $5 million in additional funding to support communities that serve residents receiving the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) during the COVID crisis: “The Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association applauds the decisive action taken by Governor Wolf and the General assembly to provide immediate emergency relief to our members. The $50 million in funding will help the 1200 Personal Care Homes and Assisted Living Communities that provide direct care to more than 50,000 seniors throughout the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania became only the second state to provide funding from the federal CARES Act to personal care homes and assisted living communities. “PALA worked tirelessly with the Governor’s office and members of the State Senate and House of Representatives to address the financial needs of our members so they may continue to provide the exceptional care to our seniors. This funding is also a recognition of the needs of the frontline workers our members employ. It is their dedicated service that makes the difference. They are Heroes!

“PALA is especially thankful to Senator Pat Brown and Representative Matthew Bradford for their leadership to include dedicated funding to personal care homes and assisted living communities. Our success in helping seniors was dependent on the work of Senator Browne and Representative Bradford. PALA thanks them for their support, Zelenak concluded.” In response to the enactment of HB 2510, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman, Senator Pat Brown stated the following, “Over the years, PALA has been a critical partner advocating for seniors across the Commonwealth. I am proud to work with PALA to make sure that the people they represent receive the support necessary to ensure the protection of some of the most vulnerable members of our community during this pandemic.” 

James Balda, President and CEO of Argentum, the national association of PALA recognized their legislative victory, “We applaud PALA for their tireless efforts on behalf of companies operating professionally managed, resident-centered senior living communities and the older adults and families they serve. As a direct result of their unwavering advocacy, Pennsylvania is one of the first states to dedicate a portion of the federal CARES Act to senior living communities.” 

###Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association is a professional not-for-profit trade association representing Personal Care Homes and Assisted Living Communities for-profit and not-for-profit that vary in size from small owners to large state and national corporations.For more information, please call 717-695-9734 or visit pala.org.

Contact:           Margie Zelenak, Executive Director
Phone:             (717) 695-9734
Email:              mzelenak@pala.org