Advocacy

COVID-19 has delivered a grim reminder of the serious and chronic issues residents and staff in nursing homes face. But long before the pandemic, many of these facilities were cited frequently for problems such as poor infection control, understaffing, inappropriate discharges and more.

RALEIGH -- For several years, AARP members and other advocates working to support the needs of older adults in North Carolina have been calling on state lawmakers to make necessary investments to help meet the needs of the state’s fastest growing segment of the population – adults ages 60 and older.

Legislation would increase the Medicaid pay rate for the 120,000 direct care workers across North Carolina, who include those at nursing homes, group homes and residential behavioral health facilities, and home health aides. 

NC Work and Save is the easiest way workers can save more for retirement

The need to support our long-term care system, as well as home and community-based care, goes hand in hand with North Carolina’s quickly aging population. By the year 2025, one in every five state residents will be age 65 and older.

WASHINGTON, DC -- AARP is urging passage of the bipartisan, bicameral Credit for Caring Act (S. 1670/H.R. 3321) introduced by Senators Ernst, Bennet, Capito, and Warren and Representative Sánchez that would provide a new, non-refundable federal tax credit of up to $5,000 to eligible family caregivers to help address the financial challenges of caring for parents, spouses, and other loved ones while remaining in the workforce. The vast majority of individuals 50-plus (92 percent) support a federal tax credit for family caregivers.

On July 15, legislation that would govern electricity production for decades to come (H 951) passed the House 57-49. Critics argue that the measure could raise customer rates. Some Representatives acknowledge that the bill still needs work to gain approval by the Senate and the Governor.

Natural gas is an indispensable part of our modern lifestyle. It supplies about one-forth of the energy consumed in the United States. But if Piedmont Natural Gas Company gets what is is asking state energy regulators for, residential customers will see rates increase by almost 12 percent. AARP weighed in with the NC Utilities Commission asking them to trim and reject parts of the company's rate hike request.

Most everyone understands the importance of saving for retirement. Yet few people, unless their employers offer workplace retirement savings options like 401Ks, are doing so.

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month and AARP North Carolina is working with other advocates for the aging to help prevent exploitation, abuse and neglect of older adults in the state.