Set for May 1 is the 16th annual Region IV Area Agency on Aging Legislative Forum. The Area Agency’s Alexandra Newman tells us the organization invites lawmakers to come and speak with seniors about issues of importance to them every year. What’s on everyone’s minds?
“There’s quite a bit of a direct care workforce shortage right now,” Newman said. “That’s due in part to the pandemic, and we want to focus on that as one of the topics. They could be supported with more legislation and care and time focused on supporting these workers because they’re so important to caring for that older population in our community.”
Newman said local lawmakers have shown themselves to be receptive to the message of seniors and their advocates. On hand for the May 1 event will be state Representatives Joey Andrews, Pauline Wendzel, Brad Paquette, and Steve Carra. There will also be office reps of state Senators Aric Nesbitt and Jonathan Lindsey. The forum will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Campus for Creative Aging in St. Joseph. Everyone is invited.
