Advocacy

AARP Vermont is ramping up its advocacy for legislation that would require employers to offer paid family and medical leave to support the state’s unpaid family caregivers.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. We advocate on issues that affect residents at the local, state, and national levels.

For the first time since AARP began publishing the Scorecard in 2011, more than half of Medicaid long-term care dollars nationwide for older adults and people with physical disabilities went to home- and community-based services instead of nursing homes and other institutions.

In the 2023 legislative session, Vermont lawmakers passed a bill, now law, to modernize the state’s power of attorney laws and update protections to prevent power of attorney abuse.

With bipartisan support, VTSaves is headed to the Governor’s desk

The last several years have shown us the importance of being prepared for an uncertain future, and that includes having savings to depend on. Unfortunately, thousands of Vermonters who work for themselves or small businesses have no retirement benefits at work. The truth is that many small businesses want to be able to provide a workplace retirement savings option, but can’t because of how expensive and time consuming it is.

Advocating for what is important to our members and giving you a voice at the state and federal levels is a priority for AARP Vermont. Your voice matters. We work with local organizations and town and city officials on making our communities more livable and greater places to age with dignity and purpose.

Advocating for 50-Plus Vermont Residents & Their Families

AARP Vermont is collaborating with Team Better Block to implement a Community Demonstration Project in one Vermont community in 2016. The $15,000 initiative is an approach to revitalization that begins with temporarily transforming a single block into a vibrant destination that illustrates the potential for new business, safer streets and improved livability. Typically, cities have used their Better Blocks to set up farmers’ markets, beer gardens, bookstores and fruit stands. They’ve built swings and climbing areas, set up trampolines and presented school plays, local dance troupes and open-mike musicians. They often lead to more permanent neighborhood improvements.

Bethel Better Block Final Report