AARP WV Releases Results of 2025 State Legislative Issues Questionnaire

Legislative action to support the work of family caregivers and combat frauds and scams highlights the priority items AARP members in the Mountain State would like state lawmakers to tackle during the 2025 Regular Session of the West Virginia Legislature.

AARP shared a questionnaire with its Mountain State members prior to the February 11th start of the 2025 legislative session on the issues important to West Virginians 50-plus and their families.

The majority of respondents (89 percent) ranked support for caregivers providing in-home care for older adults as the number one priority AARP should focus on in its state advocacy work at the State Capitol. Family caregivers provide estimated $3 billion in annual unpaid care to adult loved ones in the Mountain State.

AARP is advocating for creation of a tax credit to offset care expenses and costs incurred by unpaid caregivers, who spend on average $7,200 a year out of pocket to provide essential care to a family member, loved one or friend.

Approximately 80 percent of respondents have either served as an unpaid caregiver, or know someone who has provided unpaid care for a family member, loved one or friend, while nearly 70 percent of respondents have spent money out of pocket to provide care.

Other key findings from the 2025 West Virginia Legislative Issues questionnaire:

· 74 percent of respondents want the West Virginia Legislature to strengthen laws to combat frauds and scams.

- 73 percent of respondents want lawmakers to make sure retirement benefits of West Virginia's public sector employees/retirees are preserved and enhanced

· 73 percent of respondents want the State to remain committed to the continued investment in the build out and expansion of high-speed internet service

"We look forward to working closely with lawmakers throughout the 60-day session, to ensure that the voices and concerns of 50-plus West Virginians and their families are heard at the State Capitol," said Gaylene Miller, AARP West Virginia State Director

AARP, which counts a quarter-million West Virginians among its members, is focused on bipartisan solutions that provide real relief to West Virginians. The questionnaire captured responses submitted online from AARP West Virginia members statewide between January 18 and February 9, 2025.

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AARP WV Media Contact: Tom Hunter, tphunter@aarp.org, 304-340-4605