Future Age – March/April 2010 - 46

aahsa	synergy aahsa	synergy
started	talking	about	Medicaid	shortfalls.	Akins	took	that	chance	 to	share	information	about	AAHSA’s	work	to	transform	longterm	care	financing. “When	I	shared	the	45-second	version	of	the	plan	with	him,	 Duane’s	ears	perked	up,”	Akins	says.	“He	immediately	asked	me	to	 set	up	a	meeting	where	we	could	talk	more	about	the	issue.” A	few	weeks	later,	Akins	and	Debra	Zehr,	president	of	the	Kansas	Association	of	Homes	and	Services	for	the	Aging,	sat	down	 with	Goossen	to	discuss	how	a	long-term	services	and	supports	 insurance	trust	could	decrease	the	state’s	Medicaid	burden.	Goossen	later	participated	in	a	statewide	forum	on	the	topic. This	story	has	two	morals.	The	first	is	to	think	beyond	your	 walls,	and	your	job,	when	it	comes	to	advocacy. “Duane	knew	me	as	a	fellow	parishioner	and	parent.	The	fact	 that	we	shared	that	bond	was	what	took	our	relationship	to	a	new	 level,”	says	Akins. The	second	moral	is	to	know	your	story.	Figure	out	what	you	 want	people	to	know	about	an	issue,	and	make	sure	you	can	share	 it	well.	According	to	Akins,	“That’s	a	surefire	way	of	turning	your	 15	minutes	into	more	and	more	minutes	on	the	issues	that	matter	 to	you.” Need	more	inspiration?	Visit	our	Grassroots	Advocacy	Web	 page.	It	features	ideas	and	resources	you	can	use	to	keep	your	 “advocacy	appointments.”

Hebrew Health Care

Bonnie Gauthier of Hebrew Health Care (center) shared her knowledge of long-term services of supports with seniors from across Connecticut at a Seniors to Seniors coalition event. At left: Mary Elia, Connecticut field staff, Alliance for Retired Americans. At right: Brenda Kelley, AARP Connecticut state director.

Check out AAHSA’s

Aging Services Career Center
at http://careers.aahsa.org

AAHSA has partnered with the National Healthcare Career Network to give you access to 1.2

million health

care professionals from across the country. At the Aging Services Career Center you can: MAXIMIZE your limited budget by tapping a larger pool of high-level talent. FIND mission-driven job seekers who care about the future of aging services. GAIN more exposure for your job openings than ever before.
To find quality candidates faster, visit the Aging Services Career Center at http://careers.aahsa.org

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futureAge	| March/April 2010
Future Age – March/April 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Future Age – March/April 2010
