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The room was packed at the diversity luncheon at AAHSA’s 2009 Annual Meeting in Chicago. Leaders from all over the U.S. gathered together for an intimate conversation about diversity in aging services.
Win Marshall, AAHSA’s newly inducted 2010 board chair and CFO of Christian Church Homes of Northern California, opened the luncheon moments after his historic and groundbreaking ”Man in the Mirror“ acceptance speech.
Marshall reminded us all of the importance of being inclusive. He then introduced Margaret Garcia, the Senior Center Program Manager at the Pueblo of Jemez in New Mexico. She offered a inspiring reflection in her native language and brought a gift to raffle off to one lucky audience member. It was a storyteller made by an elder in her Pueblo, because, as she notes, Pueblo culture is about listening and learning from one another.
“As our elders have told us, if you listen, you will hear,” said Garcia.
As people moved onto dessert, the panel discussion began. Four panelists, with the help of Christopher Ridenhour, director of Core Competency at Liberty Lutheran Services in Philadelphia, opened up with a discussion of our perceived differences.
After talking with the audience about their experiences, Ridenhour asked each panel member to share if there are times in their life they are aware that they are not in the majority.
“Diversity comes in all shapes and sizes. As folks begin to share their stories we will find differences, but we will certainly find more similarities,” he said.
The luncheon included a lively and fascinating discussion about how we can be intentional about sharing and learning from one another’s cultures. For example, simple things such as saying “hello” are done differently for everyone. Some people shake hands, some kiss cheeks, some only say hello. Before communicating with someone, always take a moment to consider what you are going to say.
One panelist, a Pakistani-American born in Wichita, Kan., and raised in Texas, discussed her frustration with some questions she gets from acquaintances. She said people get flustered when they ask her where she is from and she says Texas. She stressed that if you are asking a question about someone’s heritage, then ask them about their heritage.
As you are getting to know people remember, “Everyone is different, but we are all equal,” summarized one panelist. The luncheon ended with members of the audience sharing what diversity means to them. Words such as excitement, inclusion and sharing were heard. As if on queue, the last person who spoke before the program ended shouted, “AAHSA!”
At 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 11, 2009, 10 residents of Abernethy Laurels in Newton, N.C., boarded a shuttle bus bound for the P. E. Monroe Auditorium of Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory for a 6 p.m. town hall meeting held by Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.). Six of the 10 residents wore Abernethy Laurels logo shirts so as to be easily recognizable as a group and they all sat together in the third row of the auditorium, which seats over 1,400 people.
Their mission was simple: the Abernethy Ten, as I like to call them, planned to voice their opinions on health care reform, ask the congressman to learn more about long-term services and supports, and urge Congress and the president to make changes this year.
But let me back up and explain why these residents were at this town hall meeting. As Congress and the country consider and debate health care reform legislation, the residents and staff at Abernethy Laurels got proactive and held a Party with a Purpose, AAHSA’s summer advocacy initiative that encourages people invite members of their community to a party in order to learn more about long-term services and supports, and health care reform.
Before the town hall meeting, residents of the continuing care retirement community met with the executive director, Aimee Reimann, to discuss and learn more about health care reform and funding of long-term care solutions. They also heard that any health care reform will be incomplete unless it creates a new insurance-based program such as the CLASS Act, to help people pay for the services they need, when they need them, and in the place they call home. The group watched a short informational video provided by AAHSA titled “Long-Term Care Solution,” discussed long-term care funding and health care reform in general, and had their questions answered by Reimann. The residents then signed petitions to be sent to Rep. McHenry (R-N.C.), and prepared to leave for the town hall in Hickory, N.C.
Planning the Party with a Purpose on the very day Rep. McHenry was having his meeting was no coincidence. The group purposely planned it so the issues, funding of long-term care and health care reform, and would be fresh in their minds, allowing them to be as knowledgeable as possible. They felt it was imperative that Congress hear how important these issues are to their constituents, and these ten residents were proactive enough to be the ones to do tackle the job.
It was the consensus of the entire group that not only was the Party with a Purpose a wonderful idea, it helped arm them with health care reform information. The town hall meeting was very informative. The residents came away feeling as though they were being represented by someone very knowledgeable and well versed on health care reform and who would vote the way the constituents wanted. They felt empowered by the entire day.
So far, around 25 AAHSA members have signed up to help make it affordable to care. If you have a story like Abernethy Laurels, or would like to register your party with AAHSA, email me and I’ll help you with the process. It’s easy.
As Congress debates health care reform legislation, now is the time to organize and make sure that long-term services and supports are included in any health care reform package that is passed.
You can do your part by throwing a Party with a Purpose. These community gatherings will serve as a platform for conversation and action around long-term services and supports.
Members of Congress must hear how important this issue is to their constituents. They must understand that health care reform will be incomplete unless it creates a new insurance-based program to help people pay for the services they need, when they need them, in the place they call home.
The time for real health care reform is now. The time for you to act is now. And, we’ve gathered the tools you could need to make this happen.
What is a Party with a Purpose?
A Party With a Purpose is a chance to invite people in your community to learn about long-term services and supports, understand why reform is needed, and act to urge Congress and the president to make change this year. It can be as simple as a few neighbors gathered in a living room or as extensive as a town hall meeting in your organization’s auditorium. You can invite your friends and family or issue a broad invitation to your entire community.
But no matter the size, the goal of a Party with a Purpose is to build support for long-term services and supports.
At your house party, you will:
- Show AAHSA’s video about the problem and a proposed solution. Click here to see the video on YouTube.
- Share and collect personal stories related to long-term services and supports.
- Learn more about funding for long-term services and supports and health care reform.
- Urge attendees to let Congress know the importance of funding long-term services and supports by signing a petition to be delivered to Congress.
We have created everything you need to host the party. Click here to view our toolkit and please take a moment to register your event online. We want to keep in touch and help you with press and follow-up.
No one wants to ostracized by society. No one wants to die alone. However, this is the unspoken reality of many LGBT seniors in our community.
In September, a film on this topic will be released. It seems to be a call to action of sorts, based on the trailer. Click here to see it.
It is important to remember that we are all different and deserve to thrive in our environments. LGBT elders must have supportive living environments where they can express themselves freely without any fear. It is only right.
As Mahatma Gandhi said, “I want freedom for the full expression of my personality.” Isn’t that the least we can provide for our elders?
