USAging Member Testifies on Social Isolation Before Senate Aging Committee in Field Hearing

• By: USAging
• On: 10/30/2026 12:07:52
• In: Policy & Advocacy

On Thursday, Shannah Tharp Gilliam, Ph.D., Director, Allegheny County Department of Human Services Area Agency on Aging, testified before members of the U.S. Senate Aging Committee at a field hearing in Pittsburgh, PA, titled Connecting Pennsylvania's Seniors: Addressing Loneliness and Social Isolation.

Her testimony highlighted the importance of her agency's services in addressing social isolation among older adults, including through senior companions, shared rides and more. She also emphasized the importance of reauthorizing the Older Americans Act (OAA) and increasing funding for OAA programs in enabling agencies to continue to best service older adults and their caregivers.

Additionally, witnesses highlighted successful community-based approaches to keeping older adults connected and explored opportunities for federal aging programs to better support these efforts. Please click here to access a recording of the hearing.