ADVOCACY

NC General Assembly, Raleigh, NC

Why have a legislative body of volunteers age 60+ to raise awareness of issues that jeopardize the goals of older adults to age in health and with choice, independence, and dignity?

Well, who better to speak on behalf of older adults than a passionate, motivated group of older adults?

The NCSTHL was created to ensure that the issues most relevant to older adults across the state would be given a voice – a voice to encourage the NCGA to pay attention to the gaps and shortages in supportive services for older adults, across the spectrum of those services and their delivery across the state.

THIS IS THE HEART OF OUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS!

Mahatma Gandhi is credited with saying, “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.”

The NCSTHL is here to be the conscience of our society and the voice of the vulnerable and large population of older adults across our state.  We are here to declare the importance of honoring the contributions of our elders and ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect.

Our mission is to present vital legislation priorities to the NCGA every two years, to ensure that the interests, well-being, and supportive services of older adults are being met and accommodated.

This will fulfill our vision of North Carolina being a great state in which to grow up, and a fantastic state in which to grow old!

The mission of the NCSTHL is to identify the most challenging issues facing older adults and bring legislative solutions to the attention of the NCGA so that legal remedies will be enacted for the protection of the interests of older adults.

What are the chief factors that can result in older adult vulnerability?

  • Poverty
  • Poor health
  • Hunger
  • Access to healthy foods
  • Transportation
  • Access to health care
  • Access to the internet (going online for telehealth healthcare and to increase social interaction)
  • Isolation
  • Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues
  • Substance abuse
  • Abuse
  • Exploitation
  • Being a caregiver for another adult
  • Quality of and access to care in institutional settings (such as assisted living and skilled care facilities)
  • Access to end-of-life care