The AARP West Virginia Advocacy Team is Ready to Go

A year ago, I had been officially introduced as the new AARP WV State Volunteer President.  I made my first public remarks in that role during our two day Advocacy Training and Prep Session at the WV Cultural Center on the Capitol grounds.  At that time, we were enthusiastic, engaged and ready to begin our 2020 Advocacy season.  As had become our tradition we offered a welcome reception and lunch to legislators and their staff. Our greatest concern during those two days was the heavy snow that arrived and created a few transportation challenges.  

 I had worked collaboratively with the AARP WV Advocacy team on many shared initiatives during my tenure as the Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association in WV.  It was an easy transition to join the Red Coats, as we are commonly referred to, upon my retirement.  I was proud to be a part of the astute and energetic team of AARP WV Advocacy volunteers who arrived at the Capitol each week to speak to legislators, provide information, attend committee meetings, and to speak on behalf of West Virginians age of 50 plus and their families.

 Literally on the heels of a highly successful legislative session, where we achieved success on issues related to the high cost of prescription drugs, financial exploitation and access to health care…our world changed.  Suddenly, words such as pandemic, fluid, pivot, unprecedented, and virtual became commonplace in our vocabulary.  I truly believe the most common phrase of 2020 has to be “YOU ARE ON MUTE!”

Yes, some things have changed, but the AARP WV Advocacy Team has adapted and we are ready to rock and roll in 2021.  Our training and prep sessions are not in person, but on the now familiar Zoom.  We have outlined our issues, we are educated on the needs and the strategies, and we stand ready to do what we have always done. 

This legislative session we will once again focus on key areas such as caregiving and long-term care services and supports, including home and community-based care; financial resilience including protecting assets and protecting vulnerable adults from financial abuse and exploitation; and certainly, with COVID-19, we have seen the crucial need for more work in bridging the digital divide.  We must do what we can to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet.

While we will not officially announce our legislative platform for a few weeks, you can feel confident that your AARP WV Advocacy Team is ready to do what we do best.  We’ll provide accurate information and data to legislators as they weigh issues and decisions, and to make your voice heard on issues important to those of us age 50 plus and our families in this very special Mountain State of West Virginia.  Let’s put on those red coats (or sweaters or dresses!) and get to work!