Influential advocacy group AARP has highlighted a number of of its present lobbying priorities, which embody a deal with making it simpler for retirees to age in place of their present houses throughout varied states.
In Indiana, for example, growing old in place is a central pillar of a not too long ago revealed advocacy replace. The submit stated that “bettering entry to home- and community-based providers, equivalent to transportation and grownup day providers” ranks extremely on the group’s advocacy priorities within the Hoosier State.
“An almost $1 billion forecasting error final yr led to a Medicaid disaster within the state, together with prolonged waits for home- and community-based care,” AARP defined. These providers permit individuals to proceed residing at house independently and are sometimes less expensive than institutional care, in accordance with Ambre Marr, AARP Indiana’s legislative director.
“As of October, there have been practically 9,000 individuals on the ready listing for an HCBS (Residence and Group Based mostly Companies) program that gives providers to adults 60 and over, in accordance with the Indiana Household and Social Companies Administration,” the article said.
In response, AARP will purpose to encourage state lawmakers to “assist the state’s long-term care system meet growing calls for, together with HCBS offered by means of Medicaid, the joint state-federal medical health insurance program for low-income Individuals.”
AARP has additionally issued its personal awards to extend accessibility and livability in sure communities. In an replace from its Florida chapter, the group described issuing grants designed “to make security enhancements within the houses of older residents.” It disbursed an estimated $101,920 throughout the state for bettering accessibility and security.
One other ingredient that usually enters aging-in-place conversations is the idea of enhanced group residing by making areas the place seniors reside simpler to journey as a pedestrian. AARP is focusing a few of its advocacy for this objective on the nationwide degree and goals to advocate “for improved auto security options to guard these touring on foot.”
On Nov. 18, the group issued a letter to the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) to spotlight latest will increase in pedestrian deaths from auto collisions, noting that older Individuals are at the next degree of danger than others.
“Strolling is a element of practically each journey taken, whether or not it’s the solely mode of journey or a part of a multimodal journey,” David Certner, AARP’s legislative counsel and legislative coverage director, wrote within the letter to the NHTSA. “Incorporating pedestrian security wants into automobile design is a important step towards growing security for everybody, together with older adults, who’re most acutely in danger as pedestrians.”