Senior Advocates in Frankfort

Vessalina Romanov

The General Assembly will pass a state budget in the 2008 Session, and one of the priorities is increasing funding for senior services. Area Agencies on Aging, AARP and the Kentucky Association of Gerontology are promoting Senior Advocates in Frankfort so that we can make sure that our legislators are aware of aging issues. The goal is to get as many seniors as possible to visit Frankfort during the legislative session in January, February, and March 2008.

Some of the priorities include increasing funding to help older adults and those with disabilities remain in their homes; increasing funding for senior services provided by Area Agencies on Aging; increasing capacity for provider organizations to expand support services like transportation and home delivered meals; and reducing the long waiting lists for home care, adult day care, and personal care attendant programs. A recently conducted study shows that almost four thousand elderly persons and persons with disabilities in Kentucky are on waiting lists for services to help them remain in their homes. Other regional issues include senior transportation and development, funding, and implementation of programs and services that are designed to promote health, wellness and disease prevention.

If you are planning to visit Frankfort during the upcoming legislative session and speak with your legislators, here are some helpful tips from the AARP office: