AARP Arizona’s top legislative priority this year is pushing for improvements to the state’s long-term care system. AARP is looking for volunteers to help advocate at the Legislature, as well as for Arizonans willing to share their experiences with the state’s nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
For the first time since AARP began publishing the Scorecard in 2011, more than half of Medicaid long-term care dollars nationwide for older adults and people with physical disabilities went to home- and community-based services instead of nursing homes and other institutions.
Tempe became Arizona’s first “Dementia Friendly Community” and one of the first in the nation. In addition to the summit, to be held on Nov. 18, the city offers programs and resources to educate people about dementia-related diseases.