Advocacy

RALEIGH -- Today, roughly half of North Carolina private-sector workers don’t have a way to save for retirement through their job. That’s roughly 1.8 million residents who are unprepared to support themselves in the future and more likely to have Social Security as their only source of retirement income. And those who work for our state’s small businesses are even less likely to have a savings plan. N.C. State Representatives Jarrod Lowery, Jeffrey McNeely, Jon Hardister, and Harry Warren introduced a new bill in March to help change this.

Latest AARP research attaches monetary value to the estimated hours of unpaid care that North Carolina family caregivers provided in 2021.

Updates are needed to improve North Carolina's guardianship laws

RALEIGH -- When Frances Williams, a Raleigh native, sought healthcare for pain in her leg, her internist did not even touch her to assess the issue. Desperate for a more engaged caregiver, Williams took a suggestion from a nurse to visit Schquthia Peacock, a family nurse practitioner in Cary.

Medicaid expansion in North Carolina progresses

RALEIGH -- Joining Our Voices: Envisioning the Future of Serious Illness Care is a weeklong free virtual symposium that brings together policy professionals, advocates, and peers in conversation to share experiences, innovations, and opportunities for the future of North Carolina’s serious illness care.

RALEIGH -- As the North Carolina Serious Illness Coalition (NCSI Coalition) approaches the end of its second year, COVID has provided an important catalyst for more than 160 members and 85 organizations coming together with the common goal of improving the lives of the seriously ill and their caregivers. AARP North Carolina has been an instrumental part of the Coalition's efforts.

By 2029, every fifth North Carolinian will be 65 or older. By 2031, there will be more people 65 and older than there will be children. AARP North Carolina is working to ensure the state is prepared for this. It is a member of the newly created Task Force on Healthy Aging, a project of the North Carolina Institute of Medicine.

RALEIGH – If the NC House of Representatives acts in the Short Session, state lawmakers will make substantial progress when it comes to improving both the access and affordability of health care in the state. Following many years exploring healthcare policy changes and a recent bipartisan Joint Legislative Study Committee on Access to Healthcare and Medicaid Expansion, the state Senate passed HB 149 with bipartisan and near unanimous (by one vote) support.

RALEIGH -- May is Older Americans Month and the state budget proposed by Governor Roy Cooper reflects some of the important needs of our growing population of older adults. Many will credit an added focus on aging to North Carolina’s changing demographics where there will soon be more older residents than young.