Wednesday, on the state Capitol lawn, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared May as Older Michiganians Month. (Or is it Michiganders? The debate goes on …)
“Seniors have spent their lives building this great state,” Whitmer said. “It’s our duty to ensure they’re taken care of and have the dignity, respect and independence they deserve.”
Whitmer presented the proclamation Wednesday to the Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan. Nearly 250 seniors, advocates and aging services professionals heard from the governor, Senate and House leadership, and aging policy professionals about the state of aging in Michigan and policy priorities necessary to allow seniors to age with dignity and independence in the setting of their choice.
Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Decatur, addressed the crowd lauding the importance of family caregivers, and the work of Area Agencies on Aging.
“The importance of family caregivers is underappreciated. It’s not just about quality of life, but also the cost savings to the state that adds to the quality of life,” Nesbitt said. “Thank you, Area Agencies on Aging, for your work to help folks to stay in their own homes.”
The event was livestreamed across the state. Nesbitt encouraged those attending in person as well as via livestream to share their stories with their elected officials. “It’s important to share your stories as we shape budget appropriations to make sure our priorities are in check,” Nesbitt said.
The theme of Older Americans Month in 2023 is Aging Unbound. Area Agencies on Aging know the vital role older adults play in our state and individual communities – as family members, friends, mentors, volunteers, civic leaders, members of the workforce and more – and their experience, knowledge and passion truly knows no bounds. Sponsored by the Area Agencies on Aging Association, Older Michiganians Day focused attention on public policy issues of importance to older adults, their families, and caregivers, including more than 1,500 service providers that directly deliver an array of supports and services annually to more than 250,000 seniors and persons with disabilities.
“It is critically important to advocate for Michigan’s older adults to ensure continued access to effective in-home and community-based services,” Julie Wetherby, president of the Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan said. “Older Michiganians Day is a historic event that brings current issues to our Legislature that older adults are facing daily to remain successful and independent in their community and their homes.”
The Aging Network has prioritized five platform issues for 2023: Support Family and Informal Caregivers, Support and Strengthen the Direct Care Workforce, Support and Strengthen the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Increase Access to Home and Community-Based Services, and Expand Access to MI Choice.
“OMD is an annual opportunity to recognize the contributions of older adults and people with disabilities to our state and nation,” David LaLumia, executive director of Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan said. “Together we advocate for an aging network which enables healthy aging, promotes dignity and respect and extends home and community-based supports to all wishing to live independently in the home of their choice.”
To learn more about the policy priorities presented at Older Michiganians Day, visit areaagencyonaging.org/advocacy.
Individuals interested in supporting the Older Michiganians Day platform and participating in continued senior advocacy efforts, including social media messages, a letter writing campaign and conversations with elected officials, should email advocay@areaagencyonaging.org.
Christine Vanlandingham is CEO of Region IV Area Agency on Aging in Southwest Michigan. Questions on age or independence services? Call the Info-Line for Aging & Disability at 800-654-2810 or visit areaagencyonaging.org. The Generations column appears each weekend in The Herald-Palladium.