The phrase “nothing about us without us” has been around in concept for hundreds of years, starting as the Latin phrase “Nihil de nobis, sine nobis.” It became a motto for people who wanted a say in how they were governed.
In the 1990s, writer and activist James Charlton applied the term to the disability rights movement, and wrote a book by the same title. He was adamant that people with disabilities know what’s best for themselves.
“Nothing about him, without him” became a mantra for my family as we worked through care issues for my father in the latter stages of his battle with Parkinson’s disease. While his health condition made communication challenging, he could understand everything, and, if given time and accommodation, he could speak for himself.
Giving voice to how he wanted to live, what care he did and did not want, and in what setting he wanted to receive that care was key. Living at home as long as possible was important to him. Most older adults share that preference, according to AARP.
Having supportive options to live in their own homes and communities as they age also comes out as a strong preference in the 2022 Older Adult and Caregiver Community Needs Assessment conducted by the Area Agency on Aging.
Older adults and caregivers across Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties provided perspective on their needs and preferences through surveys, focus groups and interviews. From the input received, a draft multi-year plan to meet the diverse needs of older adults and caregivers has emerged.
If you’d like a say in how programs, services, state policies and budget priorities can best support the unique needs and preferences of local older adults, there are three opportunities on April 4 to have your voice heard. Two public hearings and a legislative forum are planned for that day.
The Area Agency on Aging will host two public hearings on the draft multi-year plan. The plan will be presented, and the public is invited to provide comments on it.
The first public hearing will be at 9 a.m. April 4 at Hartford Public Library, 12 Church St. The second hearing will be at 2 p.m. April 4 at the Campus for Creative Aging, 2920 Lakeview Ave., St. Joseph.
To view the plan in advance, visit areaagencyonaging.org/about, or call 800-654-2810 to receive a copy by email or mail.
If you aren’t able to attend the hearings, but want to provide input, email your comments to advocacy@areaagencyonaging.org or call Theresa Uhrich at 983-0177.
Immediately following the second hearing, the public is invited to participate in the 15th annual Older Michiganians Day Legislative Forum. A panel of state legislators will be on hand to hear and respond to the 2022 Older Michiganians Day Platform of Legislative Action.
State legislators will talk with citizens about the impact of the platform issues. State Sens. Kim LaSata and Aric Nesbitt, and State Reps. Brad Paquette and Pauline Wendzel are expected to attend.
The Older Michiganians Day platform can be viewed online at areaagencyonaging.org/advocacy, or by calling 800-654-2810 to receive a copy by email or mail.
The Area Agency on Aging is committed to the principle of “nothing about you without you.” If you’re an older adult or caregiver, your voice is key to shaping state policies, budget priorities, services and supports for today’s older adults, and will help set the stage for aging well in Southwest Michigan for us all.