Advocacy: A Voice for Older Adults
Senior Resources of West Michigan serves as the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa counties. As required under the Older Americans Act, we are designated to advocate on behalf of older adults and family caregivers. In this role, Senior Resources works to ensure that public policies, funding decisions, and community systems support the health, independence, dignity, and well-being of older adults. We educate public officials, consumer advocates, and the community about aging-related issues and monitor proposed legislation at the local, state, and federal levels.
Senior Resources partners with Michigan’s Area Agencies on Aging, USAging, the Area Agency on Aging Association of Michigan, and other stakeholders to elevate the voices of older adults at every level of government.
What We’re Advocating For Right Now
Senior Resources’ current advocacy efforts focus on protecting and strengthening programs that support older adults and caregivers, including:
- Older Americans Act services, such as home-delivered meals, transportation, caregiver support, and wellness programs
- Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services, which help individuals remain in their homes rather than institutional settings
- Caregiver supports that recognize the critical role family and informal caregivers play
- Sustainable funding for the aging network at the state and federal levels
Help Advocate for Older Adults Today
Congress is making important decisions about funding for aging services and the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act.
These programs help older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities remain independent, supported, and connected to their communities.
The U.S. Senate passed the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act in July, but additional congressional action is still needed. Please contact your Members of Congress and encourage them to protect aging-services funding and complete reauthorization of the Older Americans Act.
Your voice can make a difference.
Why Advocacy Matters
Public policy decisions shape access to meals, in-home services, caregiver support, transportation, and health care. Advocacy helps ensure these decisions reflect the needs of people aging in our communities—especially those who may not be able to speak up for themselves.
Advocacy Areas Include:
- Health care and long-term services and supports
- Home- and community-based services (HCBS)
- Housing and aging in place
- Transportation and mobility
- Income supports and economic security
- Consumer protections
- Support for caregivers
Reasons to become an advocate:
- Influence policy change
- Raise awareness of aging issues
- Strengthen civic engagement
- Promote equity and social justice
Your voice matters. When older adults and caregivers share their experiences, policymakers better understand the real-life impact of their decisions.
Take Action: Make Your Voice Heard
Advocacy doesn’t require prior experience—just a willingness to speak up about what matters. Your voice matters. When older adults and caregivers share their experiences, policymakers better understand the real-life impact of their decisions.
Connecting With Your Elected Officials
Elected officials value hearing directly from their constituents. Personal outreach helps lawmakers understand how legislation affects real people.
- To locate federal legislators directly, visit: congress.gov/members
- To contact your member of the House, visit: house.gov
Tools to Help You Advocate
Connecting with elected officials is one of the most effective ways to influence policy. Senior Resources provides tools to help you advocate confidently and respectfully:
Senior Advocates Coalition & Advisory Committee
Senior Resources convenes the Senior Advocates Coalition, a non-partisan group of community members who are interested in learning about aging issues and engaging in advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels.
The Coalition provides opportunities to:
- Learn about current policy issues affecting older adults
- Ask questions and hear from public leaders
- Engage in respectful, informed advocacy
- Build a community of advocates across Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa counties
Ready to Make a Difference? Join Our Next Meeting!
Advocacy is strongest when we work together. We invite you to join the Senior Advocates Coalition and take an active role in shaping the future of aging services in West Michigan. Meetings are held throughout the year and are open to all community members—whether you have been an advocate for years or are just getting started.
How to join us:
- In-Person: Tanglewood Park, 560 Seminole Road, Norton Shores, MI
- Virtual Option: Join us from the comfort of your home! Email us to request the Zoom link for our next scheduled meeting.
- Meetings take place throughout the year. Dates and times are posted as scheduled.
