Advocacy

The coronavirus pandemic highlighted long-standing issues with the state’s long-term care system. Problems include staffing shortages, low wages, high turnover, a lack of oversight and not enough technology for virtual visits,

RALEIGH, NC -- As COVID-19 cases in North Carolina continue to climb, AARP renewed its call for state legislators to better protect nursing home residents and staff from the coronavirus. The latest release of the AARP Nursing Home COVID-19 Dashboard finds concerning trends in North Carolina’s nursing homes, with nursing home deaths, resident cases, lack of personal protective equipment and staff shortages all above the national average.

RALEIGH – Thanks to the work of AARP advocates in North Carolina, nursing home patients and their loved ones may soon be able to visit in person. With key COVID-19 metrics stabilizing in the state, and strong infection prevention and control requirements in place, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services issued a Secretarial Order updating visitation guidelines for nursing homes to allow indoor visitation.

Congress Must Act Before August Recess to Save Thousands of Lives

RALEIGH -- In the wake of the coronavirus where there is a record number of jobless in the state. There has also been no shortage of questionable debt settlement companies promising to reduce North Carolinians’ debts. Too often, after charging high fees, they only deliver increased debts, collection suits and ruined credit. To help prevent abuses from these companies, legislative action is urgently needed.

RALEIGH -- With social distancing recommended by state by federal health officials, many older adults have serious concerns about their safety if forced to go to crowded polling places in November. AARP members asked us to advocate for changes and most of our recommendations were included in House Bill 1169, an act to make various changes to the law related to elections and to appropriate funds to the state board of elections in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

RALEIGH -- The North Carolina Institute of Medicine Task Force on Serious Illness Care, recommends actions to improve quality of living for individuals with serious illness and their caregivers. The full report of the Task Force will be released this summer, but with COVID-19, serious illness care is touching a record number of North Carolinians and there are some recommendations that can’t wait.

Serious Illness Coalition applauds NC General Assembly, Governor, and Secretary of State for giving people more flexibility in preparing important legal health care documents

AARP urges approval of the North Carolina Caregivers Act

By Michelle Ries - NCIOM