Advocacy

In Wyoming approximately 74,000 family caregivers provided an estimated 62 million hours of care — worth a staggering $980 million — to their parents, spouses, partners, and friends in 2017, according to state data available in the latest report of AARP’s Valuing the Invaluable series. The complexity of family caregiving increases as medical and nursing tasks continue to enter the home, and family demographics change amidst an aging population.

Informing and listening to our members is critical to AARP Wyoming’s success

The State of Wyoming is spending big on long term care and other issues around aging and the subject has officially risen to the level of op priority for the Legislature’s Joint Labor, Health, and Social Services Committee.

Today, AARP announced the launch of ‘ Stop Rx Greed ,’ a nationwide campaign aimed at lowering prescription drug prices. The goal of AARP’s sustained campaign is to help drive down drug prices for Wyomingites and all Americans by advocating for a variety of legislative, executive, and regulatory actions at both the federal and state level.

 

To honor his integral work supporting Wyoming’s family caregivers, AARP names Wyoming Governor Matt Mead as 2018 “Capitol Caregiver,” a bipartisan group of 65 elected officials from 24 states. These leaders have advanced policies that support Wyoming’s family caregivers, who help their parents, spouses and other loved ones live independently at home and in the community—where they want to be.

Wyoming Senator Jim Anderson (R-Natrona County) is one of 20 leaders in state government around the nation named a Super Saver by AARP. The award is given to lawmakers, and other state government leaders who have worked hard to help Americans grow the savings they need for retirement.

Governor Matt Mead will join AARP Wyoming on Monday, Dec. 3 to take part in a TeleTown Hall with AARP Wyoming members around the state.

A report released by AARP shows Wyoming’s state budget could benefit from continued and increased investment in Home and Community Based Services in an effort to keep its citizens aging in their homes, and out of nursing facilities, which are often paid for by the state.

AARP Wyoming honored Casper’s Barb Summers with its Community Action Team Leader award Thursday night at the organization’s Volunteer Recognition Awards Dinner in Casper.