I spent an evening recently watching a focus group – a moderated conversation about the election and Social Security with 30 undecided voters.  For those of us in Washington, DC who are around policy and politics all the time, it’s very helpful to hear what “real people” think. The group included men and women, from young adults voting in just their second Presidential election to older voters who have witnessed a lifetime of political promises.

Maybe that’s where the cynicism comes from – and there was a tremendous amount of cynicism. After years of being bombarded with negative ads and sound bites, these voters have stopped listening. The 24/7 news cycle and flood of social media content – good, bad and ugly – has sped up this lifecycle for Millennials.

These voters are more than just undecided. They’re distrustful, and some are downright angry about their choices. The group’s moderator took them through different exercises – reading things that candidates have said and watching a selection of campaign ads and candidate videos. They don’t believe most of what they hear, and they like even less.

So how can a candidate break through?

One way is to make sure the candidates are asked the right questions. Voters may be tuning out a lot of the campaign noise, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have thoughts about important policy choices – or want to hear where the candidates stand.

In the same session, our undecided voters had a fairly robust and reasoned discussion about Social Security – the shortfall the program faces and what our elected officials should do to fix it. They believe Social Security is important and are frustrated by Washington’s inability to come up with a bipartisan solution to what they think is a solvable problem. They said they wanted the presidential candidates to talk honestly about their plans, and the majority said the next president should take action during the first year of the new Administration.

This takeaway is consistent with recent polling performed by AARP on voters and Social Security.

Next week’s Presidential Debate is an ideal platform to spur a discussion between the candidates. Last week, I sent a letter to Lester Holt the debate’s moderator – urging him to ask a question about the future of Social Security.

That’s step one. But candidates – you need to do better answering the question if you want to be heard. These voters don’t trust you – at all. But, they want to be able to believe what you say. You’ll have to work hard to earn back their trust.

Be specific about what you support, what you don’t and why. These voters are tired of generalities. They understand the options and want to know what you will do. They are more concerned with protecting benefits for future retirees than expanding the program.  So, if you want to expand benefits, you’ll need to explain how you’ll pay for it and why you think it’s important to expand a program that they feel is under threat.

Most of all; be honest. If the real answer will take more than 30 seconds, say so. If it means not everyone will get everything they want, say that. If you expect those who can to sacrifice a little to support those less fortunate, tell them why that’s important to you – and to the country.

The glass half-empty view is that this is a year of cynicism. The glass half-full perspective is that 2016 is the year of authenticity. If this group of undecided voters is anything to go by, there just might be something positive going on – if only the candidates will step up and give them what they want.

Nancy LeaMond, chief advocacy and engagement officer and executive vice president of AARP for community, state and national affairs, leads government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

We’re in the homestretch of the 2016 election and women voters are certainly getting a lot of attention. Older women — particularly women of the boomer generation — may decide the presidential election. Unfortunately, the candidates and the news media aren’t addressing their everyday needs and concerns.

What really worries boomer women — and how the next president and Congress can help — is spelled out clearly in a new AARP survey of 50-plus women voters in battleground states conducted by bipartisan pollsters Celinda Lake and Linda DiVall.

The big picture is clear: A 50-year-old woman today is looking at 20 or even 30 more years of life after so-called retirement age, and this is creating a new set of anxieties — especially if she makes less than $50,000 a year. She’s worried about making ends meet and whether she’ll be financially secure when she retires. She’s wondering if there will be anyone to take care of her as she ages even as she worries about being able to take care of her loved ones.

Pocketbook issues and retirement security are the biggest concerns

As with many Americans, the incomes of boomer women haven’t gone up very much in the last few years. So making their finances work is a delicate balance. Anything that eats into their earnings can tip the scales.

When it comes to family budgets, they worry most about two things on the expense side of the ledger that are out of their control.

• A significant majority (64 percent) of boomer women across income levels said they worry about prices rising faster than their incomes.
• Nearly two-thirds (61 percent) of those earning less than $50,000 also worry about paying too much in taxes.

As they look ahead to retirement, staying independent and being financially secure are big concerns.

• Almost half (47 percent) of all boomer women polled said they worry about being able to take care of themselves as they age. For women making less than $50,000, that number goes up to 56 percent.

As a group, older women face tough financial prospects. They live longer than men, but, on average, their incomes are lower and they’ve had fewer retirement savings opportunities. In fact, millions are nearing traditional retirement age with little or no savings. Many women have taken time out from the workforce to care for their families, which also lowers their income, their savings and their Social Security benefits.

Social Security is the cornerstone of financial security

It’s hard to overstate the importance of Social Security to women. A quarter of women age 65 and older rely on Social Security for nearly all of their family income, and it keeps about a third of older women above the poverty line.

According to our survey, boomer women across party lines have very strong views about the importance of keeping Social Security strong — even as nearly half (43 percent) lack confidence that Social Security will be there when they retire. Almost two-thirds (62 percent) of boomer women say they would be hurt by future benefit cuts, and nearly three-quarters (71 percent) want the next president and Congress to take immediate action on Social Security.

A significant majority think it is important for the presidential candidates to talk about their plans for Social Security, but most feel they haven’t heard enough from either Secretary Clinton or Mr. Trump on this issue.

AARP, through our Take a Stand campaign, has been pressing the presidential candidates to give voters real answers about how they’ll keep Social Security strong so future generations get their promised benefits. The longer we wait, the more challenging it becomes to make the adjustments needed to keep the program strong.

Family caregiving is the new normal

Our survey found that more than half (55 percent) of boomer women are or have been family caregivers. They do the unpaid work taking care of loved ones with chronic health conditions or disabilities or who need additional help as they age, often while juggling full- or part-time jobs — and some are still raising kids.

Candidates should note that more than two-thirds (68 percent) of the boomer women we surveyed said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who favors providing support for family caregivers. This isn’t a Republican issue or a Democratic issue. It’s a family issue.

Fortunately, caregiving is starting to get the political attention it deserves. It has emerged as a legislative issue in statehouses across America and, more recently, in Congress. And it is an issue that both presidential candidates have addressed:

• Secretary Clinton wants to provide a family caregiver tax credit and adjust how Social Security calculates benefits to take into account time spent out of the workforce on caregiving responsibilities.
• Mr. Trump also would provide tax relief for working family caregivers and a tax-preferred savings account that could be used for expenses related to caring for aging loved ones.

The AARP survey highlights an array of issues affecting women’s economic and retirement security that affect their outlook and will likely play into their voting decisions. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump — and the candidates for the Senate and the House — have a golden opportunity to connect with boomer women on these economic security and family issues.

I hope they take it!

Nancy LeaMond, chief advocacy and engagement officer and executive vice president of AARP for community, state and national affairs, leads government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

When you think about the sharing economy, you probably conjure up an image of Millennials using the latest app on their smartphones to order up something on-demand or provide a service to someone they’ve never met. Yes, the younger generation is leading the movement, but older Americans are also taking advantage of this trend.  In fact, according to a study by PWC, close to one quarter of sharing economy providers are 55 and older.

With research showing that many Americans aren’t able to save what they need for a secure retirement, signing up as drivers with ride-share services or providing a room to paying guests have become practical options for older Americans looking to generate additional income.  An estimated one in four Uber drivers is someone over 50 with no prior professional driving experience, and hosts ages 60 and older are the fastest growing category of providers with Airbnb.

In fact, women 60 and over have become the best hosts in the Airbnb network, with 63% of trips hosted by older women resulting in a five-star review.  That’s the highest percentage of top reviews of any age group, male or female.  Most are empty nesters leveraging their biggest asset – the family home – as a way to help make ends meet.  For some, it’s the only way to stay at home as they age.

The sharing economy is also helping communities become more age-friendly – particularly when it comes to getting around town. The city of Altamonte Springs in Florida, for example, is partnering with Uber to make it easier to get to doctor’s appointments, rail stations, or social activities.  Residents using a special app to order their Uber ride-share get discounted fares funded by the city.

Other services with sharing or on-demand applications include pet-sitting, parking spots, grocery shopping, errands and household chores, reselling clothes, and renting sporting equipment.  Not everything makes sense for everyone, and some have concerns about safety and privacy.   The AARP Bulletin online has a good overview of some of the major sharing economy services that includes what to watch out for whether you’re a provider or a consumer.

One thing seems certain.  The sharing economy is here to stay, and it’s likely to grow as the technology that makes it possible becomes more embedded in our lives.  And, as we’re seeing even today . . . it’s not just for Millennials anymore. Older Americans can find real value in the experience – tapping their inner entrepreneur to boost their income or taking advantage of flexible, affordable goods and services to help them as they age. Sounds like a win-win to me.

Nancy LeaMond, chief advocacy and engagement officer and executive vice president of AARP for community, state and national affairs, leads government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize the 40 million Americans who take care of a loved one — helping them live independently at home where they want to be. What family caregivers do is extraordinary — adult children taking care of their parents, husbands and wives caring for their spouses, mothers and fathers caring for adult children. They deserve our gratitude and support throughout the year and most especially during this month when we traditionally give thanks.

Together, family caregivers spend 37 billion hours each year providing unpaid assistance to their loved ones — a contribution valued at $470 billion. They help with bathing and dressing, driving to appointments, preparing meals, managing medications, handling finances and so much more. Many are also juggling full-time or part-time jobs, and some are still raising their families.

Without a doubt, family caregivers are the backbone of our care system. As we say thanks, we can also empower family caregivers by giving them a forum to talk about their experiences and listening to their stories. As I read through the thousands of experiences shared by family caregivers through AARP’s I Heart Caregivers storytelling initiative, I am struck by the common themes of hope, love and dedication as well as the shared challenges.

Today, I was especially moved by the stories of Tamesha, Clarence and Wendy.

Tamesha

Despite the challenges, I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be with my mother and create precious memories during the last two and a half years of her life. I would not trade that experience for anything in the world. I felt it was the least that I could do since she had sacrificed so much for me as a stay-at-home mom.

Clarence

We live in a small town in a rural setting in the foothills of the Sierras. Since our son is nonverbal and needs help with almost all activities of daily living, we have an extremely hard time to find respite help/providers who are responsible, and compassionate caregivers that we can trust.… We love our son and would not want him to suffer, but we also still love each other and long to spend more time alone with each other.

Wendy   

 I remember how difficult it was to care for her [Wendy’s mom] daily, but would do it again. I hope that others will get the much-needed help. This is no easy task. Caregivers need the support, training and protection.

As a family caregiver myself — first for my mother and now, with the help of my millennial sons, for my husband who has ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) — I know just how overwhelming, stressful and exhausting caring for a loved one can be. And we are the lucky ones. My family has good health insurance; we have the resources to pay for dedicated, professional home care; we have a strong network of friends; and, together, we have the time to navigate through websites and contacts to get the information we need. Many family caregivers don’t have this level of support. I honestly don’t know how they do it. But they do. Every day.

Fighting for family caregivers
At AARP we believe this labor of love deserves more recognition and support. That’s why we celebrate family caregivers and fight to make their big responsibilities a little bit easier. Across the states and on Capitol Hill we’re working to give caregivers support, help at home, workplace flexibility, training, relief and more. Here are just a few examples:

On Capitol Hill:

• The bipartisan Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage Family Caregivers (RAISE) Act (S. 1719/H.R. 3099) passed unanimously in the U.S. Senate last year; it is now being considered by the U.S. House. Endorsed by AARP, the bill would create a national strategy to recognize and support family caregivers.
• The bipartisan Credit for Caring Act (H.R. 4708/ S. 2759) was introduced in the U.S. House and Senate earlier this year. Also endorsed by AARP, the bill would create a federal tax credit of up to $3,000 for eligible family caregivers who provide financial assistance for their loved ones while also working.
  
  

And in state capitols across the country, this year alone, we’ve fought successfully to pass nearly 50 laws and policies to support family caregivers, including:

• The CARE (Caregiver, Advise, Record and Enable) Act, which helps family caregivers when their loved ones go into the hospital and as they transition home. Since 2014, this AARP model bill has been enacted in 33 states, a monumental step forward.
• Bills to help family caregivers have flexibility at work. For example, Vermont and New York passed historic paid leave laws so family caregivers who work don’t have to worry about losing their jobs — or pay — when they need to take time off to care for a loved one, including older parents. Additionally, Illinois passed ELECT, a new AARP model bill that allows working caregivers to use their existing personal sick leave to care for their loved ones.
• Making sure respite care programs — such as adult day services or periodic visits in the home — are available in the community to give family caregivers some relief from their caregiving duties.
  
  

I hope you will join me in saying thank you to all family caregivers this November — and share your own family caregiving stories to help us raise awareness of all that you do, and fight for more support for you and your loved ones.

Your story matters. Share it today.

Nancy LeaMond is AARP chief advocacy and engagement officer. She leads the organization’s Communities, State and National Group, including government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

The outcome of the 2016 presidential election took many people by surprise. I’ve spent a fair amount of time listening to experts analyze the election results over the past week. There are almost as many explanations as there are pundits . . . the rural vote came out in droves for President-elect Trump; Secretary Clinton didn’t turn out the “Obama Coalition”; votes to third-party candidates swung states one way or the other. All of those analyses are valid to a certain extent, but one thing that hasn’t been talked about is the largest swath of voters (the 50-plus) and how they broke heavily for Donald Trump.

Nearly half (45 percent) of the electorate this year was 50 or older. 50-64-year-olds comprised 30 percent, while voters 65 and older made up 15 percent. Nationally, Donald Trump took 53 percent of the 50-plus vote, compared with Hillary Clinton’s 44 percent. There wasn’t a significant difference in voting patterns between voters ages 50-64 and those 65-plus.

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Taking a step back from the national numbers, it looks like 50-plus voters played an even larger role in key states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. In both of these states, older voters accounted for 51 percent of the electorate. In Wisconsin, President-elect Trump was the choice of 55 percent of older voters, while 53 percent of older Pennsylvanians supported him.

But it would be a mistake to characterize all older voters as leaning to one party. The reality is more nuanced. Democrats picked up two seats in the U.S. Senate with the help of older voters. In Illinois, 50-64-year-old voters supported Sen.-elect Tammy Duckworth over Sen. Mark Kirk by 9 percentage points (51 percent vs. 42 percent), according to available exit poll data (data on voters 65 and older is not available). In New Hampshire, Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan edged out Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte by fewer than 1,000 votes overall. While voters ages 50-64 preferred Ayotte by 1 percentage point (49 percent vs. 48 percent), those 65 and older went to Hassan (50 percent vs. 49 percent).

The most significant difference in voting patterns among people 50-plus is seen in multicultural communities. African American and Hispanic/Latino voters overwhelmingly supported Secretary Clinton across all ages. While exit poll data doesn’t specifically break out the 50-plus demographic, the margins are large and clear: Ninety percent of African Americans over 45 voted for Clinton, 67 percent of Hispanics ages 45-64 voted Clinton, and Hispanics 65 and older voted 70 percent for her.

Another data point that I find very interesting is that most voters made up their minds months ago. In fact, the majority of both Trump and Clinton voters never seriously considered voting for the other major-party candidate. For the first time that I can remember, the two major candidates had nearly universal name recognition from the start. They have both been in the public eye for decades, and people’s opinions about them were largely formed years ago. The cake was baked, as they say, early on.

So, what does this mean for a policy agenda moving forward? This election cycle was largely devoid of serious policy discussion. Voters spoke out for change above all else. Americans want their government to work for them again.

AARP regularly asks people 50 and older what issues matter to them, and what we hear is surprisingly consistent given the divisions we see across the electorate as a whole:

• Social Security: In a nationwide survey of more than 23,000 AARP members, all age 50 and over, 67 percent of poll respondents across party lines ranked the future of Social Security as their No. 1 concern. This is what our Take a Stand campaign was all about.
• Health care costs: The 50-plus are also very concerned about health care costs, particularly the rising cost of prescription drugs. Three-quarters of adults over 50 take prescription medication on a regular basis, and a significant majority (81 percent) thinks prescription drugs are too expensive.
• Caregiving: A new AARP study shows that family caregivers on average spend 20 percent of their income providing care to their loved ones. In a survey of voters conducted on Election Night, 87 percent across all ages said they support a tax credit to help family caregivers afford the costs of care.

The 50-plus and the American people have spoken. It’s time for us to move past an election of ill will and rancor and find common ground. There are many issues that need to be addressed in the coming years, but together — as Americans — we can accomplish these tasks. Just as we have done for the last 240 years.

Nancy LeaMond, chief advocacy and engagement officer and executive vice president of AARP for community, state and national affairs, leads government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

AARP recently conducted a survey to find out where people want to live when they retire. You may think a warm weather climate topped the list, but the number one place was right where they are now. More than two-third of respondents – 69 percent – said they want to stay in their homes and the communities where they currently live.

Staying put has a lot of benefits – you’ll be near your friends and the social activities that you’re used to, you can keep your doctor, and if children and grandchildren are nearby, you can spend more time with them. But, there can also be significant financial obstacles. Owning a home – especially if it’s a larger family home – comes with a lot of costs. After retirement, affording mortgage payments, insurance, maintenance and property taxes become much more difficult.

For a long time, it was expected that by the time you hit retirement your mortgage would be paid off – eliminating that expense from your monthly budget. But, a number of studies show that that’s no longer the case for a growing number of retirees. According to the data from the National Health and Retirement Study analyzed by the Urban Institute, the percentage of Americans over 65 with mortgage debt has increased from 16 percent in 1998 to 24 percent in 2012. And, the dollar amount of monthly mortgage debt has also gone up. The federal Consumer Financial Protection Board reports that between 2001 and 2011 the median mortgage debt for seniors went up by 82 percent to about $79,000.

To help defray these costs, a growing number of older Americans are seeking out alternative living arrangements. For some, this could mean selling the family house and setting up pre-fab living units in the backyard of an adult child or caregiver’s home. Others are turning to the “sharing economy” – either opening their homes to full-time housemates or renting out rooms to short-term paying guests. In Portland, Oregon, a service called Let’s Share Housing hosts an on-line database of homeowners and potential housemates. The business was launched in 2009 with the older population in mind, and by 2013, 80 percent of its client base was Boomer women. With the support of the state’s Area Agencies on Aging, two non-profits – Home Share Vermont and Home Share Now –matches Vermonters looking for housemates with those looking for affordable homes. The service includes help negotiating everything from appropriate rent to whether or not the housemate will be expected to do household chores.

Many older homeowners interested in shorter-term arrangements are turning to companies like Airbnb, the online community marketplace that specializes in one-time travel rentals. In fact, the 60+ demographic is one of the fastest growing host demographics for company. In terms of economic impact, Airbnb reports in a new study that its older hosts have collectively earned a $747 million by renting out rooms through the service. More than half – 58 percent – of its 60+ hosts say that this additional income helped them stay in their homes.

While technology is facilitating home-sharing in the 21^st century, the concept really isn’t new. In fact, the U.S. census has counted “roomers and boarders” for over 100 years. The numbers peaked at 3 percent of the total household population during the Great Depression. So, today’s trend is really a “Back to the Future” way of living.

As I’ve written before, participating in the sharing economy may not make sense for everyone and some have concerns about safety and privacy. The AARP Bulletin online has a good overview of some of the major sharing economy services that includes what to watch out for whether you’re a provider or a consumer.

Nancy LeaMond, chief advocacy and engagement officer and executive vice president of AARP for community, state and national affairs, leads government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

Across all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP is fighting to help families address important day-to-day issues—from caring for a loved one to retiring with confidence.  In fact, this year alone we’ve successfully fought to bring more support to millions of family caregivers and help millions of workers save for retirement.

But we didn’t do this critical work alone.  Progress is possible thanks to the state legislators who write, support and move legislation, and who work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get things done.

To recognize these elected leaders, AARP is announcing our . . .

• Third bipartisan class of Capitol Caregivers – those who have fought to bring more support to family caregivers and their loved ones, and
• Second class of Super Savers – those who have fought to help Americans retire with confidence.
  
  

Capitol Caregivers
Every day, 40 million Americans help their older parents, spouses and other loved ones live independently at home — where they want to be. They provide transportation, cook meals, manage finances, perform complex medical tasks, help with bathing and dressing, and so much more.

A labor of love to be sure, family caregiving can also be a stressful, exhausting, and emotional job. That’s why AARP is fighting for commonsense solutions to make these big responsibilities a little bit easier — and we’ve seen real progress in states across the country.

AARP’s 2016 class of Capitol Caregivers includes state elected officials who were integral to the passage of key caregiving legislation this year. The inaugural class of Capitol Caregivers was announced in 2014. This year, AARP recognizes 57 state legislators from 23 states who helped family caregivers by:

• Passing the Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act to support family caregivers when their loved ones go into the hospital and as they transition home
• Expanding nurse scope of practice so they can heal to the full extent of their authority
• Increasing respite services that allow family caregivers to get some relief from their caregiving responsibilities
• Passing a bill to help working caregivers balance responsibilities at home and work
• Passing the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protect Proceedings Jurisdiction Act to ensure specific adult guardianship laws are consistent and honored from state to state
• Passing a bill to update state guardianship laws to better protect vulnerable adults and provide family caregivers and other legal guardians more training and support.
• Passing power of attorney legislation to help protect vulnerable adults and provide their caregivers with the tools they need to make important financial decisions
• Passing a bill to break down the barriers that prevent use of telehealth—digital information and communication technologies, like computers and mobile devices
• Protecting or increasing the number of older adults who have access to state-funded services at home, like home care and adult day care

A list of AARP’s 2016 Capitol-Caregivers and the legislation they championed can be found here.

 Super Savers
Today, 45 percent of working-age households have zero saved for retirement. At AARP, we believe you should retire with confidence. That’s why we’ve been fighting for Work and Save, a convenient way to save for retirement through a simple payroll deduction. Employees who are able to save for retirement out of their regular paychecks are 15 times more likely to save.

AARP’s second class of Super Savers includes state legislators who were integral to the passage of Work and Save plans in 2016. The class includes 13 state legislators from four states who helped their residents save for the future.

A list of AARP’s 2016 Super Savers and the legislation they championed can be found here.

More work to do . . .
In 2017, AARP will continue to work with state legislators across the country and fight for the issues that matter to you and your family.  To stay up-to-date on our work, or get involved, sign up here.

More information
2014 Capitol Caregivers
2015 Capitol Caregivers 
2015 Class of Super Savers

Nancy LeaMond is AARP chief advocacy and engagement officer. She leads the organization’s Communities, State and National Group, including government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

With the start of the new Congress and new Administration, health care policy is on the front burner in Washington. The future is very uncertain, and the stakes are high. Health care touches all of us and affects nearly 20% of the U.S. economy. AARP is very focused on making sure any health care reforms protect older Americans and their families, particularly from rising costs that push many to the brink. We are especially concerned about plans for Medicaid, which provides health care and long-term services and support coverage for millions of Americans, including 17.4 million low-income seniors and people of all ages who have disabilities.

For these individuals and their families, Medicaid is a vital lifeline. Without it, they would not be able to afford health care, nursing home care, or the help they need to live independently in their homes and communities. Because they have chronic conditions or disabilities, many need ongoing assistance for life’s daily tasks – such as eating, bathing, dressing – as well as support managing medications, getting to and from doctor’s appointments and more.

Many people think Medicare covers this kind of long-term care. It doesn’t. In fact, Medicaid is the main source of funding for this kind of support.

To be sure, Medicaid is complicated. It’s a federal-state partnership where states provide a package of services to qualified individuals based on federal guidelines. Today, everyone who meets the criteria knows that their health care will be covered. In return, the federal government picks up part of the tab, sharing the actual cost of services with the states. The cost-sharing formulas and other details are very complex, but that’s it in a nutshell.

One of the proposals on the table in Congress is to “block grant” the Medicaid program – that’s Washington-speak for providing each state with a fixed sum of money and significantly fewer, if any, restrictions or guidelines on how they spend it.

There are a number of problems with that approach.

First, if the federal government decides in advance how much money to send out to states, there’s a good chance that, at the end of the day, it won’t be enough to cover actual costs. Things like rising health care costs, more people who need Medicaid assistance because of an economic downturn, or emerging acute health needs like the Zika outbreak or opioid addiction are hard to predict ahead of time. So what happens if the federal outlay is insufficient? States would need to cover the difference out of their own coffers or cut services to those most in need.

And, a block grant approach means that individuals who currently are guaranteed access to care – for example, an older American of modest means with Alzheimer’s or a child with a severe disability – would no longer have the assurance that their needs would be covered.

That’s why AARP opposes block granting Medicaid. It would end the individual guarantee of coverage and cut services for America’s most vulnerable citizens while shifting a lot more cost of providing care to states and their taxpayers.

As Congress considers changes to Medicaid, one common-sense approach is to give states more flexibility under the program to provide home and community-based services- things like home care aides, durable medical equipment and adult day-care – without a lot of red tape and restrictions, the same way they currently provide nursing home care. Our AARP surveys show that 90 percent of older adults want to stay in their own homes and communities as they age. We also know that providing home and community based services is cost effective. On average, the per person cost of services delivered in homes and communities under Medicaid is one-third the cost of institutional care. This seems like a win-win – a way to help people they way they want to be helped while reducing overall costs.

Photo: Squaredpixals/istockphoto

Also of Interest

• 8 easiest (and no-cost) steps for a scam-free 2017
• Closing the ‘Doughnut Hole’ has protected millions of medicare beneficiaries from high drug costs
• Get help: Find out if you’re eligible for public benefits with Benefits QuickLINK
• Join AARP: Savings, resources and news for your well-being

Nancy LeaMond, chief advocacy and engagement officer and executive vice president of AARP for community, state and national affairs, leads government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

If you have a hard time understanding what the wonks in Washington are talking about, welcome to the club. Beltway buzzwords are at dime a dozen on Capitol Hill, but there’s one particular term to watch out for that simply means massive health care premium hikes for older Americans.

“Age rating” is the practice of varying health insurance premiums based on age. It’s Washington-speak for overcharging older Americans by thousands of dollars for their health care.

>> Ge the news that matters to you — AARP Advocacy Newsletter

Currently, by law, health insurance companies are allowed to adjust premiums based on age, but by no more than a 3:1 ratio. In other words, an older person can be charged no more than three times what a younger person pays for the same type of coverage. However, there are proposals to change this 3:1 ratio to let insurance companies push even more of their costs onto hardworking older Americans.

Published reports suggest that one such regulatory proposal would allow insurance companies to charge older Americans 3.49 times as much. Why 3.49? Proponents apparently argue that since 3.49 rounds down to three, the adjustment would comply with current law and not require congressional approval. Certainly a case of being too cute by half, but don’t be fooled — it’s an attempt to boost insurance company profits at the expense of older Americans by sidestepping our legislative process.

A proposal that Congress is considering would change the age rating ratio from 3:1 to 5:1 or even higher. According to a new study from AARP’s Public Policy Institute conducted by the independent actuarial firm Milliman, the 5:1 proposal would dramatically increase premiums for older adults. On average, adults age 60 and older would see their insurance bills go up by $3,200 — making their average annual premium a whopping $17,900.

Charging older Americans five times more for the same coverage just isn’t fair. Seniors already spend one out of every six dollars on health care — they can’t afford to spend more. AARP is calling on Congress to set aside the jargon and stand up for older Americans, not insurance companies.

Call your representative in Congress at 844-617-2688 and urge them to oppose H.R. 708, the bill that would allow insurance companies to charge 50- to 64-year-olds thousands of dollars more for their health care. Remind Congress they should be standing up for their constituents, not insurance companies. You can also send a message to your representative by going to this following website.

Photo: izusek/iStock

Nancy LeaMond, chief advocacy and engagement officer and executive vice president of AARP for community, state and national affairs, leads government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

Also of Interest

• Protecting Medicare’s promise
• Are my Social Security benefits taxable?
• Donate to help struggling Americans 50+ and older
• Join AARP: Savings, resources and news for your well-being

See the AARP home page for deals, saving

I spent time a few weeks ago with hundreds of our nation’s mayors at the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ 85th Annual Winter Meeting. In addition to listening to leaders like New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx (during his final hours in that position) talk about the state of our cities, I shared the results of a survey AARP and the U.S. Conference of Mayors conducted last year.

In the survey, mayors from 108 communities of all sizes around the country provide valuable insight into how they are thinking about and planning for their cities’ aging populations. (And make no mistake, our country — and nearly every community in it — is aging.) Mayors are very aware of this demographic reality and are starting to plan accordingly. An overwhelming 90 percent of mayors reported that aging issues are important to their cities, and over half — 60 percent — have established some kind of task force or initiative to address the challenges and seize the opportunities that come with this important shift. These mayors also have a keen sense for the local issues that have the biggest effect on older Americans’ lives:

(1) Easy access to health care and supportive services

(2) More — and more affordable — housing options

(3) Accessible and affordable public transportation

(4) Increased police presence and communication between police and community residents

(5) Housing located close to stores, transportation, health care facilities and other community services

Achieving these goals would mean a safer, healthier, more productive and happier community for all of us — old, young and in-between. That’s the really interesting thing about what we at AARP call livable communities: We’re helping make the places where we live the kinds of places where everyone wants to live, where people of all ages and walks of life can thrive.

Mayors are also working to create vibrant social connections within their communities — making it easier for residents to get involved with their local government and with each other. Again, this kind of civic engagement helps people of all ages. Older residents stay engaged and are able to share a lifetime of experiences; younger residents put down deeper roots as they raise their families; and the youngest among us learn about the value of citizenship and neighbor helping neighbor.

In an era when too often our public discourse is hyper-partisan and divisive and our policymaking is gridlocked, I’m heartened to see so much positive action happening at the local level. At AARP, we see this firsthand as hundreds of our staff and thousands of our volunteers work side-by-side with mayors and local leaders in more than 230 neighborhoods, towns and cities across the country.  Mayors and other community leaders are leading the charge — and we’re working with them — to create places that are great for all citizens.

We are proud to have partnered with the U.S. Conference of Mayors in a robust dialogue about our communities and with America’s mayors to help everyone achieve the health, wealth and self we all strive for.

Nancy LeaMond, chief advocacy and engagement officer and executive vice president of AARP for community, state and national affairs, leads government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WORK OF AARP LIVABLE COMMUNITIES

Visit AARP.org/livable

See which towns and cities are in the
AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities

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AARP Livable Communities e-Newsletter 

When you work for an organization powered by more than 58,000 exceptional volunteers, National Volunteer Week is more than a footnote on the calendar. It’s an important reminder to thank and honor the unpaid heroes who make a difference in our communities through their time, experience and dedication.

I see the incredible value of volunteers’ commitment every day. There is honestly no way that AARP could meet our goals for improving the lives of older Americans without their hard work. Across the country, AARP volunteers are making a contribution through actions large and small. Many are serving in our efforts to support family caregivers, help individuals save for retirement, and fight against proposals that raise health care costs and cut Medicare and Medicaid benefits. Others help friends and neighbors file taxes, protect against fraud, improve their driving skills and brush up their technology know-how. Still more are working on ways to make their communities great places to live for people of all ages. The list goes on and on.

Of course, our volunteers are far from alone. More than 62 million Americans devote their time (an estimated 7.9 billion hours a year!) — and passion — to service.

Why do they do it? According to an AARP survey of people 45-plus, the top reasons are all about giving back and making a difference for their communities and people in need. While being acknowledged for their efforts didn’t even crack the list, genuine appreciation from those we love and value goes a long way.

So please, take a little time out of your week to recognize the volunteers in your life with a cup of coffee, a hug or simply your heartfelt thanks. It requires so little and means so much!

And, THANK YOU to all of our wonderful AARP volunteers! (You should know that my relationship with AARP volunteers goes back a long way. I was actually introduced to the organizations by volunteers: my parents and other family members who served through an AARP chapter in New Jersey.) You truly are the secret to our success.

Nancy LeaMond, chief advocacy and engagement officer and executive vice president of AARP for community, state and national affairs, leads government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

This week, the U.S. Senate began its consideration of the RAISE (Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage) Family Caregivers Act — an important piece of legislation that would start a national conversation about ways to aid Americans’ greatest support system — family caregivers. Thanks to the leadership and support of Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and ranking member Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the bill was quickly approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee (which goes by the very appropriate acronym . . . HELP).

Every day, more than 40 million Americans across the country are caring for parents, spouses, children and adults with disabilities and other loved ones so they can live independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible. They manage medications, help a loved one with bathing and dressing, prepare and feed meals, arrange transportation to medical appointments (or do the driving themselves), handle financial and legal matters and much, much more. Many do all of this while working full time and raising families.

The unpaid care family caregivers provide — a staggering 37 billion hours valued at about $470 billion annually — helps delay or prevent more costly care and unnecessary hospitalizations, saving taxpayer dollars.

I know from firsthand experience that caring for a loved one is a tremendous responsibility. As my two millennial sons and I care for my husband, their father, who has ALS, I know that, while my experience may be in some ways unique, I have much in common with my fellow caregivers. Every family caregiver I encounter — including the thousands who have shared their stories on AARP’s I Heart Caregivers — expresses a need for support, whether that means help at home, training, workplace flexibility, or the opportunity to get some relief from caregiving responsibilities.

The RAISE Family Caregivers Act recognizes this tremendous need and calls for the development of a national strategy to support family caregivers, bringing together stakeholders from the private and public sectors to identify specific actions communities, providers, government, employers and others can take to make it easier to coordinate care for a loved one, get information, referrals and resources, and improve respite options so family caregivers can reset and recharge.

AARP commends the sponsors of the RAISE Family Caregivers Act — as well as the chairs of the bicameral, bipartisan Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus — for their leadership on this important issue. They understand that family caregiving is not a Democratic or a Republican issue, or even an older or younger person’s issue. Recent research shows that a surprising one-quarter of millennials are family caregivers. And, according to a poll we conducted, 4 in 10 millennials say that they are already worried about taking care of their parents on a day-to-day basis.

In fact, this is a family issue that touches us all. We are either family caregivers now, were in the past, will be in the future — or will need care ourselves one day.

Last year, we made tremendous progress on this important piece of legislation. This year, we look forward to working with the bill’s Senate and House champions — as well as other organizations that advocate for and support family caregivers as well as family caregivers themselves — to push this bill over the finish line.

Nancy LeaMond, chief advocacy and engagement officer and executive vice president of AARP for community, state and national affairs, leads government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

Photos: iStock/BraunS, iStock/ktaylorg, AARP

“The polls got it wrong.” We hear this a lot when election outcomes don’t match pre-vote predictions.  But what about the exit polls – the Election Day surveys that pollsters and pundits use to tell us what really happened? Turns out, there is a lot those tallies miss – particularly when it comes to older voters.

AARP commissioned an analysis by Echelon Insights of how many people in different age groups actually voted last November using what campaign pros call the ‘voter file’ – state by state data on registered voters and their voting activity. This research revealed some really interesting things.

First, the 2016 exits polls significantly underestimated turnout of older voters. Looking at counts of actual voters in 42 states (the remaining 8 and the District of Columbia do not keep track of voters’ ages), more than half of the 2016 electorate – 55% — was age 50 and up. This is a full nine percentage points higher than the 46% shown in the national exit polls.  In fact, 50+ voters topped 50% in every one of the states where voter file data is available.

Second, voters age 65 and older are the most consistently undercounted. According to national exit polls, this segment of the older voter population was 16% of the 2016 electorate, when the true share is closer to 25%.  And, all of the 25 statewide exit polls conducted in 2016, underreported voters age 65 and older, some by more than 10 percentage points.

Why is this important? The role of older Americans in deciding elections should not be understated.  Americans age 50 and up were not only the largest single voting bloc by age in the last election – they were the majority of voters. This is a trend that we’ve seen over the last few election cycles and one that will continue in 2018.

In fact, older voters will be even more important in 2018 than they were in 2016. Historically, older voters make up an even higher share of the electorate in midterm elections, when participation of younger voters – who are more likely to vote in Presidential years — drops.  In 2014, almost 60% of the 65+ and close to half of 45-64 year olds reported voting – compared to a little over a third of 35-44 year olds and less than one-quarter of 18-34 year olds.

This statistical reality means that in most races, across both red and blue states, older voters pick the winner. They are perhaps the most important swing voters in the country.  In 2016, the 50+ voted for the winning candidate in 17 out of 19 Senate races where we have exit poll data by age. (In Nevada and New Hampshire, the 65+ voted for the winner, while the 50-64 voted for the other candidate.) There was a similar story in 2014. Looking at 23 Senate races, all but one of the winning candidates carried 50+ voters.

With 2018 on the horizon, candidates of both parties need to think about – and talk to – older voters in their states and districts. They are the nation’s most reliable voters. They are informed and engaged . . . and they make up their minds early. So, word to the wise . . . there’s no time to waste.

Nancy LeaMond, chief advocacy and engagement officer and executive vice president of AARP for community, state and national affairs, leads government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

With more than 60 percent of America’s 40 million family caregivers balancing their caregiving responsibilities with paid employment, there is a pressing need for employers to do more to support employees who are also caring for loved ones. In fact, according to a survey AARP conducted with the Northeast Business Group on Health (NEBGH), an overwhelming majority of the company benefit managers – 82% – say that family caregiving will become an increasingly important issue for their companies over the next five years. That is why AARP is partnering with NEGBH to help employers assess their company culture and develop strategies and policies to create a caregiver-friendly workplace.

In addition to time spent at the office or job site, family caregivers, on average, spend a little over 24 hours per week on a whole host of tasks to help their parents, spouses, children with disabilities and other loved ones live independently. They manage medications, prepare and serve meals, help their loved ones to bathe and dress, arrange transportation (or do the driving themselves), handle financial and legal matters and much, much more. About 60 percent of family caregivers assist with medical or nursing tasks like injections and tube feedings.

Some have to readjust their work schedules, often working fewer hours than they otherwise would, using paid time off for caregiving duties and taking unpaid time off when needed. Others work more hours or take an additional job to cover the bills. Many put their own health at risk for the sake of their loved one, and many say they feel isolated at work, unable to be honest about the responsibilities they carry at home for fear of judgement or reprisal.

There are a lot of things employers can do to support employees who are also family caregivers. It could be something as simple – and low cost – as forming an employee support group or distributing a list of caregiver resources. Some companies are leveraging employee assistance programs and new digital tools to help employees manage their care tasks. Other practices to consider are re-thinking sick leave and flex-time policies to take caregiving responsibilities into account or offering back-up care and respite care services as employee benefits.

At AARP, we live our values with paid caregiving leave, flex-time and back-up care options and an organizational culture that recognizes and supports our family caregiving colleagues. (I’ve frankly never worked at an organization that walked the walk on this issue the way AARP does.) A recent report by AARP and ReAct, a coalition dedicated to addressing challenges faced by employee caregivers, highlights a number of promising practices at other organizations. For example, Allianz Life offers quarterly educational sessions and a 24/7 support line for employees caring for aging relatives and other loved ones. Bank of America employees can tap emergency back-up care at a reduced rate and have access to legal and senior care consultants. And, staff at CBS can get help navigating the health care system through the company’s Health Advocate program.

To help other organizations support employee caregivers, we’ve developed an employer toolkit in collaboration with NEBGH. Resources include a self-assessment tool and a comprehensive guide complete with checklists and handouts to help employers identify and implement ways to support the caregivers in their workforce. One quick and easy step in the right direction is a list of caregiving resources ready that can be copied and distributed. The toolkit is available for free at www.employercaregivingtoolkit.org.

Whatever the changes, our research shows that having caregiver-friendly workplace policies is good for business. 87% of respondents in our caregiving and workplace survey say that supporting family caregivers in the workforce can increase productivity, and 75% say that having a caregiving-friendly workplace would help attract and retain talent. In addition, policies that help family caregivers take care of themselves – physically and mentally – can reduce employers’ healthcare costs in the long run.

As our country ages with more older Americans staying in their homes, the nation’s 40 million family caregivers are the bedrock of our long-term care system. We need to make sure that that they have the resources and support they need to care for their loved ones – especially when they are also working hard to support themselves and their families.

Nancy LeaMond, chief advocacy and engagement officer and executive vice president of AARP for community, state and national affairs, leads government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond

As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, let’s also remember that November is National Family Caregivers Month – a time to recognize and express our appreciation for America’s 40 million family caregivers. They are truly the backbone our care system, helping aging parents, spouses, and other relatives and friends manage chronic conditions and disabilities.

At AARP, supporting family caregivers like Olivia Garcia is one of our top priorities. Here is Olivia’s story in her own words:

My name is Olivia, and I am my mother’s primary caregiver. Her name is Rosalinda, and she is 61 years young! My family and I have been taking care of her for 11 years, and she’s been living with us for about four years now. She was diagnosed with dementia at the young age of 54, then Alzheimer’s at 58. It’s been one hell of a rollercoaster of stress, emotions, questions and exhaustion!  But, we love her and know that good we are doing by the quality of care she receives. Thankful to the fullest for our local Agency on Aging that helped us so much during the beginning times of our journey. Mom attends an adult day care during the day so I can continue to work and provide for my young family of five – including mom! Life isn’t easy or fair at times, but your attitude about it makes all the difference. When her moments of clarity come in and she’s full of joy, I know we are doing amazing things for her!  God bless all the caregivers and their families!

To help Olivia and the millions of family caregivers across the country, AARP provides information, develops educational programs, and advocates for a range of federal and state legislation.

Our work is informed and driven by a number of important trends:

• The need for family caregivers is growing. America is aging. By 2030, one in four Americans will be over age 50, and by 2050, one out of five will be age 65 and over. People are living longer, managing chronic conditions over an extended period of time, and, more and more, they are staying in their own homes.
• Family caregivers are as diverse as America. We sometimes talk about the “typical” family caregiver . . . a 49 year old woman who spends 24 hours each week caring for her mother.  But, this data point masks the broader picture. Nearly one in ten family caregivers are over age 75. One in four are Millennials. Four in ten are male. While there may be a common bond, every caregiver’s situation is different, so there is no one-size-fits all solution to the challenges they face.
• Technology innovations to support caregivers and their loves ones could be transformative – but we’re not there yet. Venture capital firms are pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into companies that provide technology, tools and resources for senior care. And, brand-name companies are rethinking how their products can be used by – and marketed to – seniors and others who require help to stay independent. But, an AARP study found that while 71% of caregivers say they are interested in technology that supports their caregiving tasks, only 7% are using what’s currently available.
• Family caregiving is a workplace issue. A little more than 60% of American’s family caregivers are in the paid workforce. That’s 24 MILLION Americans who are balancing their caregiving responsibilities with jobs – either full or part-time. Employers can do a lot to help. AARP’s research shows that creating a caregiver-friendly workplace can increase productivity and help attract and retain talent. We’ve created a toolkit to help employers support their caregiver employees.
• Family caregiving is no longer simply a personal issue. It is now firmly planted as a BIPARTISAN legislative and political issue.  At the state level, the CARE Act – a law that helps family caregivers get information and training to support a loved one who has been in the hospital – is on the books in 39 states and territories that cover the political spectrum. And, here in Washington, AARP is proud to work with Senators and Representatives on both sides of the aisle to promote legislation like the Credit for Caring Act and the RAISE Family Caregivers Act.

In September, the RAISE Family Caregivers Act passed the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent . . . a strong sign that in an age of partisan gridlock, family caregiving is an issue that policymakers of all political stripes can get behind. AARP is continuing to bolster support for the legislation in the U.S. House.

We are hopeful that Congress will pass the bill to create a national strategy that recognizes and supports family caregivers so families like Olivia Garcia’s can get the help they need to make the big responsibilities of caregiving a little bit easier.

Nancy LeaMond, chief advocacy and engagement officer and executive vice president of AARP for community, state and national affairs, leads government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

In addition to advocating for older Americans in the halls of Congress, AARP staff and volunteers are working on the ground in all 50 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to make a difference in people’s lives through advocacy. This year, we have helped enact state policies to support more than 30 million family caregivers and provide thousands of workers with a new way to save for retirement.

Achieving these results took a lot of hard work and dedication from state legislators, governors and other elected officials. They worked together – often across party lines – to write, support, and advance commonsense policies that make people’s day-to-day lives a little bit easier and gives them more financial security in their retirement.

To recognize these elected leaders, AARP is proud to announce our fourth annual bipartisan class of Capitol Caregivers who fought to increase support for family caregivers and their loved ones along with our third annual bipartisan class of Super Savers who fought to help more Americans retire with confidence.

Capitol Caregivers
Every day, 40 million Americans help parents, spouses and other loved ones live independently at home, where they want to be. Family caregiving is a labor of love, to be sure, but it can also be a challenge. Care responsibilities can include providing transportation, cooking meals, managing finances, performing complex medical tasks, helping with bathing and dressing, and so much more. Sixty percent of family caregivers juggle full- or part-time jobs with their caregiving duties, and many are still raising their families.

AARP is fighting for commonsense solutions to make these big responsibilities a little bit easier—and we’ve seen real progress in states across the country.

AARP’s 2017 class of Capitol Caregivers recognizes 91 state legislators, five governors, one lieutenant governor, and one justice from more than 30 states, who advanced policies that:

• Support family caregivers when their loved ones are admitted to the hospital and as they transition home
• Expand nurse scope of practiceso they can heal to the full extent of their skills and ability
• Allow nurses to delegate and transfer authority to trained home care professionals in regular direct contact with patients
• Increase respite services that allow family caregivers to get some relief from their caregiving responsibilities
• Help working caregivers to balance responsibilities at home and work with workplace flexibility and paid and unpaid leave policies
• Update state guardianship laws to better protect vulnerable adults and provide family caregivers and other legal guardians more training and support
• Help protect vulnerable adults and provide their caregivers with the tools they need to make important financial decisions through power of attorney laws
• Break down the barriers that prevent use of telehealth — using digital information and communication technologies, like computers and mobile devices
• Protect or increases the number of older adults who have access to state-funded services at home, like home care and adult day care
  
  

A list of AARP’s 2017 Capitol Caregivers and the legislation they championed can be found here.

Super Savers
Today, 45 percent of working-age households have no retirement savings at all. At AARP, we believe everyone should be able to retire with confidence. That’s why we’re fighting for Work and Save plans that give more workers access to a payroll deduction retirement savings plan. Employees who are able to save for retirement out of their regular paychecks are 15 times more likely to save.

AARP’s third class of Super Savers includes six state legislators and two state treasurers who were integral to the passage of state-facilitated retirement programs in 2017.

A list of AARP’s 2017 Super Savers and the legislation they championed can be found here.

More work to do . . .
In 2018, AARP will continue to work with elected state leaders across the country to fight for the issues that matter to you and your families. To stay up-to-date on our progress, or get involved, sign up here.

More information
2014 Capitol Caregivers
2015 Capitol Caregivers
2016 Capitol Caregivers
2015 Super Savers
2016 Super Savers

Nancy LeaMond is AARP chief advocacy and engagement officer. She leads the organization’s Communities, State and National Group, including government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

If you have a hard time understanding what the wonks in Washington are talking about, welcome to the club. Beltway buzzwords are at dime a dozen on Capitol Hill, but there’s one particular term to watch out for that simply means massive health care premium hikes for older Americans.

“Age rating” is the practice of varying health insurance premiums based on age. It’s Washington-speak for overcharging older Americans by thousands of dollars for their health care.

>> Ge the news that matters to you — AARP Advocacy Newsletter

Currently, by law, health insurance companies are allowed to adjust premiums based on age, but by no more than a 3:1 ratio. In other words, an older person can be charged no more than three times what a younger person pays for the same type of coverage. However, there are proposals to change this 3:1 ratio to let insurance companies push even more of their costs onto hardworking older Americans.

Published reports suggest that one such regulatory proposal would allow insurance companies to charge older Americans 3.49 times as much. Why 3.49? Proponents apparently argue that since 3.49 rounds down to three, the adjustment would comply with current law and not require congressional approval. Certainly a case of being too cute by half, but don’t be fooled — it’s an attempt to boost insurance company profits at the expense of older Americans by sidestepping our legislative process.

A proposal that Congress is considering would change the age rating ratio from 3:1 to 5:1 or even higher. According to a new study from AARP’s Public Policy Institute conducted by the independent actuarial firm Milliman, the 5:1 proposal would dramatically increase premiums for older adults. On average, adults age 60 and older would see their insurance bills go up by $3,200 — making their average annual premium a whopping $17,900.

Charging older Americans five times more for the same coverage just isn’t fair. Seniors already spend one out of every six dollars on health care — they can’t afford to spend more. AARP is calling on Congress to set aside the jargon and stand up for older Americans, not insurance companies.

Call your representative in Congress at 844-617-2688 and urge them to oppose H.R. 708, the bill that would allow insurance companies to charge 50- to 64-year-olds thousands of dollars more for their health care. Remind Congress they should be standing up for their constituents, not insurance companies. You can also send a message to your representative by going to this following website.

Photo: izusek/iStock

Nancy LeaMond, chief advocacy and engagement officer and executive vice president of AARP for community, state and national affairs, leads government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

Also of Interest

• Protecting Medicare’s promise
• Are my Social Security benefits taxable?
• Donate to help struggling Americans 50+ and older
• Join AARP: Savings, resources and news for your well-being

See the AARP home page for deals, saving

I spent time a few weeks ago with hundreds of our nation’s mayors at the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ 85th Annual Winter Meeting. In addition to listening to leaders like New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx (during his final hours in that position) talk about the state of our cities, I shared the results of a survey AARP and the U.S. Conference of Mayors conducted last year.

In the survey, mayors from 108 communities of all sizes around the country provide valuable insight into how they are thinking about and planning for their cities’ aging populations. (And make no mistake, our country — and nearly every community in it — is aging.) Mayors are very aware of this demographic reality and are starting to plan accordingly. An overwhelming 90 percent of mayors reported that aging issues are important to their cities, and over half — 60 percent — have established some kind of task force or initiative to address the challenges and seize the opportunities that come with this important shift. These mayors also have a keen sense for the local issues that have the biggest effect on older Americans’ lives:

(1) Easy access to health care and supportive services

(2) More — and more affordable — housing options

(3) Accessible and affordable public transportation

(4) Increased police presence and communication between police and community residents

(5) Housing located close to stores, transportation, health care facilities and other community services

Achieving these goals would mean a safer, healthier, more productive and happier community for all of us — old, young and in-between. That’s the really interesting thing about what we at AARP call livable communities: We’re helping make the places where we live the kinds of places where everyone wants to live, where people of all ages and walks of life can thrive.

Mayors are also working to create vibrant social connections within their communities — making it easier for residents to get involved with their local government and with each other. Again, this kind of civic engagement helps people of all ages. Older residents stay engaged and are able to share a lifetime of experiences; younger residents put down deeper roots as they raise their families; and the youngest among us learn about the value of citizenship and neighbor helping neighbor.

In an era when too often our public discourse is hyper-partisan and divisive and our policymaking is gridlocked, I’m heartened to see so much positive action happening at the local level. At AARP, we see this firsthand as hundreds of our staff and thousands of our volunteers work side-by-side with mayors and local leaders in more than 230 neighborhoods, towns and cities across the country.  Mayors and other community leaders are leading the charge — and we’re working with them — to create places that are great for all citizens.

We are proud to have partnered with the U.S. Conference of Mayors in a robust dialogue about our communities and with America’s mayors to help everyone achieve the health, wealth and self we all strive for.

Nancy LeaMond, chief advocacy and engagement officer and executive vice president of AARP for community, state and national affairs, leads government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

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When you work for an organization powered by more than 58,000 exceptional volunteers, National Volunteer Week is more than a footnote on the calendar. It’s an important reminder to thank and honor the unpaid heroes who make a difference in our communities through their time, experience and dedication.

I see the incredible value of volunteers’ commitment every day. There is honestly no way that AARP could meet our goals for improving the lives of older Americans without their hard work. Across the country, AARP volunteers are making a contribution through actions large and small. Many are serving in our efforts to support family caregivers, help individuals save for retirement, and fight against proposals that raise health care costs and cut Medicare and Medicaid benefits. Others help friends and neighbors file taxes, protect against fraud, improve their driving skills and brush up their technology know-how. Still more are working on ways to make their communities great places to live for people of all ages. The list goes on and on.

Of course, our volunteers are far from alone. More than 62 million Americans devote their time (an estimated 7.9 billion hours a year!) — and passion — to service.

Why do they do it? According to an AARP survey of people 45-plus, the top reasons are all about giving back and making a difference for their communities and people in need. While being acknowledged for their efforts didn’t even crack the list, genuine appreciation from those we love and value goes a long way.

So please, take a little time out of your week to recognize the volunteers in your life with a cup of coffee, a hug or simply your heartfelt thanks. It requires so little and means so much!

And, THANK YOU to all of our wonderful AARP volunteers! (You should know that my relationship with AARP volunteers goes back a long way. I was actually introduced to the organizations by volunteers: my parents and other family members who served through an AARP chapter in New Jersey.) You truly are the secret to our success.

Nancy LeaMond, chief advocacy and engagement officer and executive vice president of AARP for community, state and national affairs, leads government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

This week, the U.S. Senate began its consideration of the RAISE (Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage) Family Caregivers Act — an important piece of legislation that would start a national conversation about ways to aid Americans’ greatest support system — family caregivers. Thanks to the leadership and support of Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and ranking member Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the bill was quickly approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee (which goes by the very appropriate acronym . . . HELP).

Every day, more than 40 million Americans across the country are caring for parents, spouses, children and adults with disabilities and other loved ones so they can live independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible. They manage medications, help a loved one with bathing and dressing, prepare and feed meals, arrange transportation to medical appointments (or do the driving themselves), handle financial and legal matters and much, much more. Many do all of this while working full time and raising families.

The unpaid care family caregivers provide — a staggering 37 billion hours valued at about $470 billion annually — helps delay or prevent more costly care and unnecessary hospitalizations, saving taxpayer dollars.

I know from firsthand experience that caring for a loved one is a tremendous responsibility. As my two millennial sons and I care for my husband, their father, who has ALS, I know that, while my experience may be in some ways unique, I have much in common with my fellow caregivers. Every family caregiver I encounter — including the thousands who have shared their stories on AARP’s I Heart Caregivers — expresses a need for support, whether that means help at home, training, workplace flexibility, or the opportunity to get some relief from caregiving responsibilities.

The RAISE Family Caregivers Act recognizes this tremendous need and calls for the development of a national strategy to support family caregivers, bringing together stakeholders from the private and public sectors to identify specific actions communities, providers, government, employers and others can take to make it easier to coordinate care for a loved one, get information, referrals and resources, and improve respite options so family caregivers can reset and recharge.

AARP commends the sponsors of the RAISE Family Caregivers Act — as well as the chairs of the bicameral, bipartisan Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus — for their leadership on this important issue. They understand that family caregiving is not a Democratic or a Republican issue, or even an older or younger person’s issue. Recent research shows that a surprising one-quarter of millennials are family caregivers. And, according to a poll we conducted, 4 in 10 millennials say that they are already worried about taking care of their parents on a day-to-day basis.

In fact, this is a family issue that touches us all. We are either family caregivers now, were in the past, will be in the future — or will need care ourselves one day.

Last year, we made tremendous progress on this important piece of legislation. This year, we look forward to working with the bill’s Senate and House champions — as well as other organizations that advocate for and support family caregivers as well as family caregivers themselves — to push this bill over the finish line.

Nancy LeaMond, chief advocacy and engagement officer and executive vice president of AARP for community, state and national affairs, leads government relations, advocacy and public education for AARP’s social change agenda. LeaMond also has responsibility for AARP’s state operation, which includes offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You can follow her on Twitter @NancyLeaMond.

Photos: iStock/BraunS, iStock/ktaylorg, AARP