The state of Wisconsin will be advocating for aging. This year’s events, held May 10 and 12, will be offered online, but still will have the same large impact as past events held in person, according to a recent press release submitted by the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Jefferson County.
“Your voice makes a difference. This is a great way to share your stories with state legislators to help them understand your experiences,” Dementia Care Specialist Heather Janes said in the release.
Registration to participate in the virtual event will close Monday, April 26. No experience is required to participate and some training will be offered, according to the release.
Key issues
Aging advocacy online activities will focus on connecting aging advocates with their legislators to focus on several key issues, including:
• Aging and Disability Resource Center reinvestment, including funding to support the elder benefit specialist program and to expand the dementia care specialist services, caregiver support and programs and health promotions services.
• Family Caregiver Support, including a caregiver tax credit, Family and Medical Leave Act amendments and expansion of the Alzheimer’s Family and Caregiver Support grant program.
• Infrastructure Expansion, including transportation support, high-speed internet access, and housing affordability.
• Lowering Health Care cost, including falls reduction funding and prescription drug cost affordability.
Training
As described in the release, training for those interested in issues affecting older adults will focus on the following: “You’ll get the training and support you need to hold effective meetings with state lawmakers in a two-hour statewide online training (held) Monday, May 10. Then put your training to use as a local host leads you and other local constituents in short virtual meetings with your state legislators on Wednesday, May 12. Your group will present WAAN’s (Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network) 2021 priorities and share related personal stories. Your experiences are important and help policymakers understand how specific policy issues and proposals impact older constituents.”
To learn more and register, visit: https://gwaar.org/aging-advocacy-online-2021 and https://gwaar.wufoo.com/forms/z1xa9cf904ub7by/.
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