Advocacy

AARP Nebraska is a member of the Aging Nebraskans Task Force created by the Nebraska Legislature. The task force recently released a state plan for coping with Alzheimer's Disease to help meet the needs of patients and caregivers. Here is a summary provided by the Alzheimer's Association Nebraska Chapter.

With the June 30 homestead exemption filing deadline just days away, thousands of older Nebraskans qualify for a break on their property taxes but may not know it. AARP Nebraska urges homeowners age 65 plus to take a close look at the homestead exemption since the law was changed in 2014 to cover more people.

AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins offered the following statement in reaction to the Social Security Trustees report released today:

Attention Nebraska family caregivers! You may be caring for an older parent or loved one helping them to live independently in their own homes. Chances are that you have a lot of responsibility for your family member’s well-being, and now there’s support in place to make life a little bit easier.

We did it! State lawmakers today unanimously approved landmark legislation strengthening supports for Nebraska’s 200,000 family caregivers and their loved ones.

AARP Nebraska has several openings on its statewide advocacy volunteer team. Volunteers work on state and federal issues that are important to AARP members and older Nebraskans, such as caregiving, Social Security, home and community-based care options, transportation, aging services, healthcare, taxation, financial security and more.

It’s a promise that’s been kept for generations. You pay into Social Security, you get the benefits you earned. But to keep that promise for future generations, Social Security needs to be updated for the 21st century.

State Senator John McCollister of Omaha has introduced LB 1032, the Transitional Health Insurance Program Act. The bill will provide affordable healthcare coverage to tens of thousands of hard-working Nebraskans who don’t have insurance and can’t afford it.

A strong majority of Nebraska voters age 45 and over support paid time off for family caregiving responsibilities, according to a recent AARP survey.

AARP Nebraska has endorsed the Home Care Consumer Bill of Rights Act. LB 698, introduced by State Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha, would spell out protections for Nebraskans who receive home care services to help them stay independent and reduce their need to move into a nursing home. The bill would apply to Nebraskans over the age of 60 and younger persons with disabilities.