Welcome to Lackawanna County, PA

Area Agency on Aging

Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging Mission Statement

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)
Please complete both applications and return to: Area Agency on Aging 123 Wyoming Ave., Floor 4 Scranton, PA 18503 Or email the application to AAA@lackawannacounty.org

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

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

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 Counties

United 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

What is ECHO Housing?

ECHO stands for Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity. Elder cottages are small, separate, manufactured residences that are temporarily placed in the side or rear yard of an older adult’s friend or family member. It is an affordable housing option, meaning that the resident will pay no more than 30% of their income on rent.

What are the Benefits of ECHO Housing?

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.

Who Will Own and Manage the Cottages?

The cottages will be owned and managed by the Housing Partner Agency, a nonprofit organization that has extensive experience in developing, owning and managing affordable housing.

Who can Live in an ECHO?

ECHO targets adults 60 years and older with incomes below 80% of the area median income (AMI). These individuals do not have to be from the County administering the program, although the host family they want to live near must be located in the administering County. Moreover, since the ECHO resident must be able to live independently to maintain eligibility, the older adult must maintain services consistent with their level of care as determined by the County Area Agency on Aging (AAA).

How Will Host Families and Older Adults be Screened and Selected?

The AAA will conduct outreach to a variety of public and private agencies and individuals in the administering County to identify older adults and host families interested in participating in the ECHO program. They will then be responsible for screening all prospective participants to ensure that they meet the age, income, and other program eligibility requirements.

What Will be the Responsibilities of the Landowner or Host Family and How Will They be Assured?

The landowner/host family will be responsible for maintaining the property, allowing the utilities for the cottage to be hooked up to the main house and permitting the Housing Partner Agency to inspect the cottage on a biannual basis. These responsibilities will be secured through a Letter of Agreement between the Housing Partner Agency and the landowner/host family. A good faith deposit may be required once it is determined that ECHO is a viable option for all interested parties and steps are being taken toward securing an ECHO cottage. In addition, the host family may be requested to pay for unusual expenses related to setting the ECHO cottage.

Will the Host Family/Homeowner Need to Pay Additional Taxes on the Cottage?

No. Since the ECHO is considered a temporary structure, no additional taxes will be required.

What Happens when the Older Adult No Longer Needs to Live in the Cottage?

Once the ECHO cottage is no longer needed by the older adult the cottage will be removed by the Housing Partner Agency and relocated to the property of another host for their older adult. At that time the landowner will be responsible for returning the land back to its desired condition, although funding may be available to assist with that process, depending on what is available at that time.

What are the Responsibilities of the Older Adult Occupant and how Will They be Assured?

The older adult occupant will sign a lease with the Housing Partner Agency for the cottage. He/she will also be responsible for providing the necessary information regarding income, for paying rent to the Housing Partner Agency and for keeping the cottage in good condition. The Older Adult Occupant may also need to obtain renter’s insurance.

How Much Will the Occupant Pay to Lease the Cottage?

The older adult will lease the cottage for 30% of his/her gross income.

Will Income be Recertified Annually?

Yes. The Housing Partner Agency will conduct annual income re-certifications and make adjustments as necessary to the rental amount. In addition, the older adult occupant will be required to submit information to the Housing Partner Agency at any time there is a change in his/her income.

What Happens if the ECHO Occupant Needs Supportive Services such as Personal Care or In-Home Meals?

The AAA will provide Care Management services to the ECHO Occupant. When an Occupant requires additional supportive services, the AAA will assess the Occupant for AAA program eligibility and make referrals to other programs as needed.

What If the Host Family is No Longer Able to Participate in The Program Due to a Change of Circumstance?

The Housing Partner Agency will take responsibility and will work with the AAA to either seek another host family to accommodate the older adult or to find another suitable living arrangement for the individual.

Are there Zoning Considerations that the Landowner/Host Need to Address?

No. The Housing Partner Agency will research the zoning regulations associated with the location of a prospective host site and advocate for any changes needed and will let the landowner know whether or not it is feasible to proceed. (Sample ordinances are available)

How Can a Township Ensure that Only Eligible Seniors and Their Families or Families of Choice Benefit from the Program?

A township may develop a Special Exception to their current zoning ordinance to regulate the siting and use of ECHO cottages. The Special Exception can be written to allow cottages specifically under the Westmoreland County ECHO Program. It can define how the process will proceed and enable the Township to consider each case on its merits, defining the circumstances under which a property owner can place an elder cottage on his/her property. In addition, as long as it does not violate fair housing laws, the Township can limit occupancy to older adults, can define eligible host families, and can regulate setbacks, side yards, utilities, and other property requirements. Finally, the Special Exception can be granted for a specified period of time to be terminated when the eligible occupant vacates the premises, and/or to require periodic re- approvals. Sample ordinances are available through the PA Department of Aging or DMA.

Elderly Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO)	ECHO Rental Application
Elderly Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO) (Fillable)	ECHO Rental Application (Fillable)

Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: FOR SENIORS AND FAMILIES

Information & Brochures