Caregiving

Attend AARP’s free, two-part webinar to find out how.

The state Legislature gets back to work March 5, and AARP Alabama is ready to advocate on many issues important to people 50 and older.

Assuming guardianship of another person's property, medical decisions, and finances is a large responsibility. To ensure that the process protects our most vulnerable at such a critical time, AARP has been working with organizations and state leadership to improve guardianship and conservatorship practices in Alabama.

A new booklet helps Alabama’s caregivers understand how to manage money on behalf of the loved-ones they are caring for. AARP Alabama, together with other member organizations of the Alabama Interagency Council for the Prevention of Elder-Abuse, prepared this booklet to assist caregivers with the often-challenging issues of money management.

Which issues will be front and center when the state legislature convenes in January? Find out during a tele-town hall on Tuesday, Nov. 28. AARP Alabama will detail its legislative priorities for 2018, including help for family caregivers, access to home and community-based services, improving guardianship laws, and protecting Medicaid.

The Area Agency on Aging in Mobile is offering training and assistance to caregivers through their Caregiver College on Wednesday, January 18 from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. This FREE class for caregivers will be held at the GM & O Building, 110 Beauregard St., Second Floor Training Room, Mobile, AL 36604.

On Friday, September 11, the Alabama House passed a General Fund budget that includes a 9% cut to the Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS). This deep cut to ADSS will have devastating consequences for Alabama’s seniors and their families. ADSS provides critical services for seniors under the Medicaid waiver program, including meals on wheels, prescription assistance, home health aides, and respite care for caregivers. Without these vital support services, many at-risk seniors will be unable to remain in their homes, where more than 90% would prefer to stay. Instead, many could be forced into institutional care.

With the Alabama Legislature going into a second special session today, AARP Alabama has joined more than 200 organizations, health care providers, and faith-based groups and churches across our state in urging the Legislature to find an equitable solution to the General Fund budget deficit. AARP Alabama has been particularly focused on fighting potential cuts to services that are critically important to older Alabamians and their families.

AARP Alabama will host a tele-townhall on Wednesday, September 2 at 10 AM CDT on the topic of the General Fund budget crisis. Joining us will be Governor Bentley's Chief of Staff, Seth Hammett; Christy Cain, Executive Director of the advocacy group Alabama Children First; and Jim Carnes from Alabama Arise.

Contact: Jamie Harding