Standing Up for Seniors Across the District!

It has been said that a budget is a set of priorities put in numbers. Show me your budget, and I’ll see what you value. For over 65 years, AARP has advocated in a non-partisan way for older Americans to have what they need to live their best life at any age, choosing where they want to live, and never being discriminated against because of their age, gender or financial status.

Currently, the Mayor is in the process of developing the District’s budget for Fiscal Year 2026. With volunteers and staff, we fight for the issues important to our 78,000 members in the District, and all District residents over 50 along with their families and caregivers.

During the FY2026 budget process, AARP DC is working to improve services and the lives of older adults by fighting for:

• Homecare Partners Homemaker Program – In 2024, there were approximately 76,000 caregivers providing 69 million hours of care per year in the District, totaling $1.37 billion in unpaid labor annually. Additionally, caregivers in the District spend over $7,200 on average for out-of-pocket caregiving costs per year. AARP is fighting to ensure Homecare Partners Homemaker Program’s budget is not cut and the six-month funding deficit is filled.
• Funding and Implementation of Certified Nurses Amendment Act of 2024 – DC lost 4000 formerly licensed certified nurses aides and home health aides when they decided not to renew. Inadequate staffing for the elderly population has resulted in burnout for direct care employees and negative health and financial outcomes for patients, including a higher frequency of medical errors, mortality, and unpaid labor by family members. AARP has called on the Council to fully implement and fund this bill.
• Preventing cuts to legal aid services to seniors – Legal Counsel for the Elderly is one of the primary sources of legal services for the most vulnerable senior residents, and these services save the District money by preventing the wrongful exploitation of seniors, and causing these individuals to be more dependent on subsidies to survive. AARP is working to ensure the Access to Justice Grant is fully funded to ensure older adults have access to affordable and pro bono legal services.

As the budget process moves forward, AARP DC will continue its fight to ensure adequate funding, staffing, and resources are available to improve the well-being and quality of life for older adults in the District. But we can’t do it without your help!

We will keep fighting for the policies you care about and help all residents 50 and over in all 8 Wards live their best lives. If you want to volunteer with us to make real improvements in your neighborhood, your Ward, or across the District, join us! If you are interested, please email dcaarp@aarp.org with your name, contact information, which Ward you live in and what issues you care most about!

For the latest and most up to date information on the issues listed here, and for upcoming announcements, please visit our website, aarp.org/dc, and follow us on social media at facebook.com/aarpdc or x.com/aarpdc.