Driving Change: Empowering Advocacy for Older Adults Through University Centers on Aging

TL;DR

University Centers on Aging can lead advocacy efforts to improve care for older adults by building community partnerships and influencing legislation.

Contribution

The paper introduces a step-by-step advocacy strategy blueprint for other states to replicate successful aging initiatives.

Findings

University Centers on Aging can lead successful advocacy campaigns by forming community consortiums.

Practical strategies for securing state funding and engaging elected officials are outlined.

Participants gain actionable insights to drive Age-Friendly initiatives at the state level.

Abstract

This session will explore the pivotal role of University Centers on Aging in leading advocacy efforts that significantly impact older adult issues and the stakeholders who support their care. By building community consortiums to drive advocacy, education, and legislation, the CU Anschutz Multidisciplinary Center on Aging has successfully led, identified and addressed critical gaps. This session will provide a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to developing an effective advocacy strategy. Participants will gain insights from successful advocacy campaigns offering a blueprint for other states to establish similar working groups. Additionally, the session will cover strategies for securing state funding to support older adult issues, including positioning advocacy efforts within the Legislature to ensure the successful passage of legislative bills. Attendees will leave equipped with practical strategies to engage their state’s elected officials and drive support for Age-Friendly initiatives across the state and country.