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The Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging’s mission is to serve and protect older adults, act as a resource for families, and enhance opportunities for individuals to be empowered in areas of health and wellness, dignity and independence.
As the local representatives of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, the AAA implements various programs for older adults and the caregivers throughout Lackawanna County.
The AAA reflects a simple philosophy: to act as advocates for the aging and to serve, protect, enable and empower older adults and persons with disabilities through the provision and continuous improvement of home and community based services.
Request for Services
The Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging provides residents 60 years and older with care services in their home. If you wish to inquire about services or apply, please complete the following application by clicking on the link.
Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO) FAQs | |
Elderly Cottage Housing Opportunity Application | ECHO Rental Application |
Elderly Cottage Housing Opportunity Application (Fillable) | Echo Rental Application (Fillable) |
Area Agency on Aging 123 Wyoming Ave., Floor 4 Scranton, PA 18503 Or email the application to AAA@lackawannacounty.org |
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Agencies
Lackawanna County Aging Waiver Service Coordination Agencies Service Coordination Agencies care-manage services for Aging Waiver participants. The Waiver Program offers individuals age 60 and older, a choice of community-based services as an alternative to Nursing Home placement.
To apply for the Aging Waiver program, call the Waiver Enrollment Agency, Maximus, at 1-877-550-4227 or fill out an online application at http://www.PAIEB.com.
LIFE Geisinger
LIFE Geisinger provides additional independence for older individuals and their caregivers.
Pennsylvania Health Law Project (PHLP)PHLP is a nationally recognized expert and consultant on access to health care for low-income consumers, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. For more than two decades, PHLP has engaged in direct advocacy on behalf of individual consumers while working on the kinds of health policy changes that promise the most to the Pennsylvanians in greatest need.
Commission on Economic Opportunity
CEO’s Weinberg Regional Food Bank works through a network of partners to provide food assistance to people in need in Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wyoming, and Susquehanna Counties.
NEED HELP WITH FOOD? If you’re struggling to keep food on the table, let us help you! Apply for SNAP benefits (food stamps)
The Greenhouse Project offers opportunities to feed your mind, body and creative self with classes in gardening, plant-based eating, yoga, outdoor activities like kayaking and nature walks, as well as an array of creative art classes. GHP also hosts fun events for the community to come together and get to know one another. Outdoor and Active Older Adults (OAOA) is a special initiative for older adults – a full schedule of programs throughout the year offered at no cost to Lackawanna County residents ages 60 and up (and at low cost to those outside of Lackawanna County). Programs in the OAOA schedule include creative arts, yoga, kayaking, nature walks, gardening, and farm tours.
Jewish Community Center of Scranton (JCC)Our older adult programs provide an atmosphere for a great bunch of friendly, active, on-the-go seniors over 60! There are many opportunities for seniors to remain active at the JCC, including exercise and wellness programs, entertainment, socials, guest speakers, discussion groups, responsible care, movies, informal socializing, cards, Mah Jongg and board games. In addition, informal socializing at the Senior Café!
Lackawanna Pro Bono
Lackawanna Pro Bono provides free legal assistance to low-income people who have civil and legal problems in Lackawanna County. LPB also runs an Elder Law Clinic which provides income qualified Lackawanna County residents aged 60 and over with free Wills, Powers of Attorney, Living Wills and brief advice on civil legal matters.
Meals on Wheels of NEPA
Meals on Wheels of NEPA provides nutrition and supportive services to residents of NEPA. They strive to provide relief from hunger for the elderly and disabled, decrease the onset of disease with proper nutrition, and increase home-based support in order to delay or prevent expensive institutional care. Meals on Wheels of NEPA serves all of Lackawanna County, as well as Luzerne and Wyoming Counties. Meals are delivered Monday through Friday between 10:00 AM and 1:30 PM.
NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania
NeighborWorks NEPA coordinates an Aging in Place program which assists homeowners aged 60 and above with small home repairs, critical safety modifications, volunteer led safety modifications, resource connections and financial capabilities guidance. Interested homeowners can obtain a referral for the Aging in Place program by contacting the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging and obtaining a referral.
Serving Seniors Inc.Serving Seniors Inc.’s mission is to improve the quality of life and care of older adults throughout our community, more specifically all residents of long-term living facilities. Programs include:
- Ombudsman (advocacy)
- Guardianship
- Volunteer Visitation
- Transportation
- Volunteer Ombudsman
- PEER(Pa Empowered Expert Residents Program)
United Neighborhood Centers provides services to meet the needs of area residents through our housing opportunities, children and teen programs, education services, health initiatives, community centers, and food nutrition programs.
United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne CountiesUnited Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties works with numerous local agencies to continually have a positive impact on the community’s most compelling social problems. Implementing volunteers, collecting resources, bulking up our agency outreach programs are just a few examples of how the United Way works to serve the community on a daily basis. If there happens to be a need the United Way doesn’t have a direct solution, we work to help seek a resolution through our diverse network or collaborative partners.
Forms & Documentation
Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: FOR SENIORS AND FAMILIES
- ECHO cottages provide safety and autonomy for older adults along with easy access to family members who can provide assistance. Instead of having to travel far to pick up mom or dad for appointments or shopping, he/she is only steps away;
- Both the elder and the host family maintain their privacy and dignity;
- In addition to improving the health of the older resident, stress on caregivers is reduced and family cohesiveness is preserved;
- Placing a temporary elder cottage near one’s home is also more cost effective and timely than making home modifications, which are expensive and can change the permanent character and use of the home;
- ECHO housing is much more affordable than nursing home care; and
- Finally, but not of least importance, access to an elder cottage can prevent premature institutionalization of an older adult.
Elderly Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO) | ECHO Rental Application |
Elderly Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO) (Fillable) | ECHO Rental Application (Fillable) |