It's an election year. AARP DC is keeping a close eye on where candidates stand on the issues that matter most to the 50+ in the District. In May we will release voter guides to help keep the public aware of candidate positions on issues identified in our 2017 Member Survey. We want you informed when it’s time to cast your ballot. We'll also continue to advance policies that improve the overall quality of life for the 50+ in DC and keep DC elected officials accountable. Below are our areas of focus for 2018:
Keeping DC Age-Friendly
AARP DC wants the District to remain an Age-Friendly city. We are working to cultivate a different mindset about aging-in-place among DC policymakers and public and private stakeholders. We will provide data, resources and personal stories from the 50+ community to better enable them to engage in urban planning that gives measurable consideration to older workers, the physically disabled, lower-income families, unpaid caregivers, and marginalized communities.
HCBS & Caregivers
Working in partnership with other community allies, we will advocate for city government to improve home and community-based support for older adults and those living with disabilities. We will fight to protect and increase the District’s FY19 HCBS budget, in an effort to ensure those in need of home care and community-based services are able to access adequately funded programs. We'll continue fighting for local caregiver-friendly policies and publicly funded programs serving caregivers.
Budget and Property Taxes
AARP DC knows how important it is to continue to find ways to better enable people to live and age as they choose. That’s why we’re fighting for property related tax proposals that protect the home as an asset and make it easier for people to easily age in place. We will demand a city budget that helps hard-working and underserved residents in every Ward.
Back to Work 50+
The cost of living only continues to increase in the District and it’s critical that people are able to work. We’re working closely with our partner at DOES to identify DC residents who are 50+ and provide them with the support, training, and employer access they need to regain employment, advance in the workforce, and build financial resiliency. We will advocate for policies that support workers, support working parents, and support re-tooling persons for new work.
There are 198,000 DC residents who are age 50 or older. AARP DC's mission is to ensure that each one is able to live their best life. Over the year we will work with our volunteer leaders, called Ward Liaisons, to significantly boost outreach efforts in their Wards and engage in high-visibility advocacy work with key stakeholders, community partners, and District elected officials.
This work won’t be easy, which is why the support and participation of community members are essential. Please accept our invitation to join us as a volunteer at the frontlines. Everyone can play a part in transforming the District into a city fit for all generations. And don’t worry if you don’t have a lot of time to contribute. Do what you can.
In the words of the esteemed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”
