The Office of Long-Term Living was established in 2007 to increase funding for home- and community-based services in Philadelphia. The office acts as a bridge between the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and the Department of Public Welfare, and works to rebalance the long-term living system by developing more options for people to stay in their communities instead of institutions. The office also helps nursing facilities retool to meet sweeping changes in the marketplace and consumer preferences for a more home-like environment.

In the past two years since this office has been in existence, home- and community-based services have grown by 10% and 5,000 people have left nursing facilities under the Governor’s nursing home transition program. For the first time, all state-funded community programs for those over the age of 60 and adults with physical disabilities are housed under one umbrella. Also for the first time, management of Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance nursing facility payment program is under that same umbrella.

The Governor’s proposal to formally combine the Office of Long-Term Living with the state's Department of Aging is in line with national trends; more than a dozen states have already consolidated their long-term living programs into a single state agency.

State Lottery funds will continue to be allocated to fund programs for people over the age of 60.