Advocacy

Aging Services of Minnesota's advocacy is well-planned, deliberate and sustained. It's having the right people in the right place at the right time, whether that's at the Capitol, in town hall meetings or in one-on-one meetings. It's e-mail, phone calls and personal visits.

Aging Services of Minnesota advocates on behalf of members across the aging services continuum. We employ powerful tactics, including creating grassroots networks, forging alliances with like-minded organizations and enlisting the support of key stakeholder groups.

With staff and contracted professionals, Aging Services is a presence in the public policy arena that can't be ignored. Aging Services' advocacy is supported by sound research, meaningful data and knowledgeable experts.

Contact Aging Services of Minnesota's Vice President of Advocacy Kari Thurlow or any Aging Services staff member to learn more.

Legislative Action Center
Aging Services of Minnesota offers resources for both members and the general public to become active in advocating for quality and innovation in older adult services.

Aging Services of Minnesota is a founding member of the Long-Term Care Imperative, a collaboration that strengthens our voice at the Capitol, works effectively for transformation of aging services and elevates our issues in the public arena. The Imperative's vision was initially articulated in a document called Principles for Change, which called for Minnesota to leave behind the "institutional model" of nursing homes of old in favor of a continuum of options for seniors whose common thread across was choice, dignity, quality and consumer-driven decision making.

In 2006, the Imperative commissioned groundbreaking research into the future of aging services. This in-depth look at demographic trends, workforce data, family caregiving, care center finances, available community services and stakeholder's best thinking about the long-term care future resulted in what we call the Demand Model, a means of predicting the need for long-term care services throughout Minnesota.

In 2007, the Imperative launched a grassroots movement called the @Home Alliance. This growing, broad-based organization was created to influence legislators to successfully advocate changes in Minnesota's long-term care needs. Our goal is to raise the profile of long-term care in 2007 and make it the top priority of the 2008 legislative session.

Aging Services thanks 2008 Annual Sponsor McKesson Medical Surgical and our other sponsors for their support and partnership.