Advocacy

The state Senate has unanimously passed legislation—backed by AARP—to criminalize elder abuse.

AARP is promoting a plan to help more Iowans receive long-term care services in their homes.

When lawmakers return to Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 11, AARP Iowa will push for legislation to impose criminal sanctions for elder abuse.

AARP Iowa is calling on the state to form a task force to better protect and support nursing home residents and workers, including pushing for more staffing, personal protective equipment and virtual visitation options.

AARP Iowa is seeking volunteers in all 50 state Senate and 100 House districts to advocate for older Iowans on important topics such as caregiving, prescription drug costs and health care.

AARP Iowa is backing two proposals to provide better protection against home-repair fraud.

AARP Iowa relies on its Grass Roots Election and Advocacy Team (GREAT) volunteers to be the boots on the ground across the state, telling lawmakers about legislation and policy concerns.

After five years of working to pass legislation to support Iowa’s 317,000 family caregivers, volunteer advocates from AARP Iowa along with other partnering statewide organizations, celebrated their persistence and dedication on Tuesday when Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds inked her signature to the 2019 Iowa CARE Act, Senate File (SF) 210 at a bill-signing ceremony at the Iowa State Capitol. The legislation becomes law on July 1, 2019.

The Iowa House this morning passed the 2019 Iowa CARE Act (SF 210) by a vote of 96-3. With the bill unanimously passing the Iowa Senate earlier in the week, the legislation now moves to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. The CARE (Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable) Act outlines commonsense steps to help Iowa’s more than 317,000 family caregivers when their loved one goes into the hospital and as they transition home.

AARP Iowa has released the results of a new statewide caregiving survey, showing that 96 percent of family caregivers in the state believe it’s important to receive instruction on medical tasks they will need to provide for loved ones at home after discharge from the hospital.