Caregiving Needs Top Legislative Agenda

The state’s older population faces serious health challenges, with Mississippi ranking at or near the bottom on general health and clinical care for people 65 and older.

AARP Mississippi is working to change that. The 2021 legislative session starts Jan. 5, and the AARP state office and trained volunteers will be working to make life better for the state’s 470,000 family caregivers. Advocates will push for home- and community-based services, strong telehealth measures and lower prescription drug prices.

AARP Mississippi also supports expanding telehealth options, which would assist many caregivers and their loved ones. And rural residents need high-speed broadband service.

The state ranks last in the nation for clinical care for seniors, according to a report, “America’s Health Rankings.”