Advocacy

Delaware testified before the Joint Finance Committee on Feb. 26 to express concerns with Governor Markell’s proposal to reduce by half the existing $500 property tax subsidy currently afforded to Delaware seniors, age 65 and older. AARP strongly believes that all individuals have the right to be self-reliant and live with dignity in retirement.

If you are a Delaware caregiver, the Family Caregiving Task Force wants to hear from you.

Delaware ranks 29th when it comes to meeting the long-term care needs of older residents, but AARP cautions more must be done, at an accelerated pace, to improve an individual’s choice of setting where they receive long term care. Delaware ranked toward the bottom in this area. Delaware also ranks in the bottom for Medicaid spending for community care. Despite increased Medicaid support for in-home care, Delaware still ranks 48th among all states. These findings are from a new, comprehensive state-by-state Scorecard from AARP with support of the nation’s leading organizations behind quality long-term care, The Commonwealth Fund and SCAN Foundation.

In Delaware, from 2003 – 2012, 194 people were killed while walking. A new report, Dangerous by Design, Delaware 2014 ranks Delaware by major city and counties according to a Pedestrian Danger Index that assesses how safe pedestrians are while walking. In addition, the report presents data on pedestrian fatalities and injuries in every U.S. metro area. The report found that the majority of those deaths likely could have been prevented with better street design.

In the City of Wilmington, bus service is fairly accessible to most. In Kent and Sussex Counties, using buses as a means of getting to doctor’s appointments or to shop for food requires careful planning days in advance. If you don’t drive, you don’t get around Delaware very well. Considering that the 50+ population in the state is growing rapidly, transportation for those who may not be able to drive or may have limited driving ability is a problem that needs to be addressed.

On May 21, in the midst of Older Americans Month, AARP Delaware 's State Director and top volunteer visited Capitol Hill to urge Rep. Carney and Sens. Coons and Carper to back bills, including the Older Americans Act, that can help Americans live their best lives.

More than 18,600 Delawareans signed up for health care coverage by April 15, the final deadline of the 2014 enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Let’s not forget to care for those who care for others. Every day, unpaid family caregivers and paid professionals care for thousands of older Delawareans, many of whom suffer from a disability and have limited mobility. Without their caregivers, they may otherwise be isolated from the support and services they need. Caregivers often neglect their own health, jobs and safety to provide essential support that allows those in need to remain in their own homes and live independently in their communities.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Delaware State Legislature passes Senate Bill 33 to protect Manufactured Homeowners