Seniors, caregivers and other people interested in senior issues are invited to meet with state elected officials on Monday, April 4th, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. for the 15th annual tri-county Legislative Forum on Senior Issues hosted by Region IV Area Agency on Aging as a part of Senior Action Week 2022.
This in-person and live streamed event provides an opportunity for seniors, caregivers, people with disabilities, and professionals working in the field of aging to engage in a dialog with state legislators around a platform of issues key to people’s ability to age with dignity and independence in their own homes and communities.
The five advocacy priorities for Senior Action Week 2022 include supporting and strengthening the Direct Care Workforce, rebalancing community-based long-term services and supports, expand access to the MI Choice Waiver program, increasing access to a range of home and community-based services and bridging the digital divide for older adults.
“This event brings together seniors, caregivers and advocates from Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties to meet with their state representatives and senators to discuss critical issues facing seniors in southwest Michigan,” says Christine Vanlandingham, Chief Executive Officer for Region IV Area Agency on Aging. “Unprecedented challenges are having an impact on area seniors, caregivers, and their families. This forum is an opportunity for seniors, caregivers and others to discuss these impacts and urge legislators to take action by ensuring adequate funding, support, and access to services for seniors and caregivers in the FY2023 budget for critical supports and services older adults.”
Slated to participate in the discussion at the time of this release are Senator Kim LaSata, Senator Aric Nesbitt, State Representative Brad Paquette, State Representative Pauline Wendzel and State Representative Beth Griffin.
Senior Action Week takes place after the tri-county Legislative Forum on May 9th through the 13th with featured daily policy topics aimed to raise statewide awareness around policy priorities of importance for area seniors. Everyone interested in state policy issues impacting older adults is encouraged to attend. You can register for the event or find more information at www.AreaAgencyonAging.org/Advocacy.
Senior Action Week is part of a state effort by the aging network consisting of sixteen area agencies on aging and more than 1,300 service providers that directly deliver an array of supports and services to more than 250,000 seniors and persons with disabilities annually. For more information and resources visit www.AreaAgencyonAging.org/Advocacy.
