Workshops to Help Advocates Fight for Health and Long-Term Care, Older Americans Act, and other Senior Programs

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Apr 08, 2011, 02:46 ET

NCOA to Host Public Policy Sessions at 2011 Aging in America Conference

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Federal programs serving older Americans face critical challenges and potentially devastating budget cuts in Congress this year. At the 2011 Aging in America conference, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) will provide aging advocates with the tools and resources they need to urge lawmakers to protect and improve services for vulnerable seniors.

(Logo: https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100615/NCOALOGO)

NCOA will be one of the featured affiliate organizations at the 2011 conference, April 26-30, in San Francisco. Aging in America is the nation's largest gathering of professionals from the fields of aging, health care, economic security, and senior education. Full details on the conference can be found at www.NCOA.org/AginginAmerica2011.

NCOA's sessions on public policy and advocacy will take place throughout the conference and include topics such as:

Collaborating on the New Challenges & Opportunities on Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services
Understanding & Implementing the CLASS Act: A Breakthrough in Long-Term Services & Supports
The Challenges of Educating Seniors on Health Reform: NCOA's Straight Talk Campaign
Putting Ideas into Action for Older Americans Act Reauthorization
Giving Voice to Elder Economic Security
NCOA's Public Policy Priorities

Additional sessions will provide practical tips on how to use video advocacy, convey clear messages, and understand nonprofit advocacy rules and regulations, so professionals can advocate effectively on behalf of their organizations and the older adults they serve.

"This year, Congress is considering major changes to key programs for seniors, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Older Americans Act," said Howard Bedlin, vice president for public policy and advocacy at NCOA. "It's critical that advocates tell their representatives how decisions in Washington, D.C. will affect real seniors in their community. These sessions will help advocates make their voices heard."

Two workshops will focus on the innovative video advocacy strategies and policy goals of the One Away Campaign for Elder Economic Security. NCOA recently launched this national video advocacy campaign to empower vulnerable older adults to tell Congress, in their own words, about their economic struggles and call for change. The One Away Campaign is mobilizing advocates across the country to highlight the fact that 13 million older adults live on less than $22,000 per year—and discuss policy changes that could give these seniors the services and supports they need to live with independence and dignity. Stories, videos, and more are available on www.OneAway.org.

About NCOA

The National Council on Aging is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. NCOA is a national voice for millions of older adults—especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged—and the community organizations that serve them. It brings together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain active in their communities. For more information, please visit: www.NCOA.org |www.facebook.com/NCOAging | www.twitter.com/NCOAging.

SOURCE National Council on Aging