Tag Archives: politics

September 11, 2021 · 12:01 pm

20 years after 9/11

It’s hard to believe that it has been 20 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

I remember my father being particularly saddened by the scenes of destruction in New York City, the first place he called home when he arrived in America. My father had a passion for global affairs, especially those where repressed people were uprising. He wrote many letters to the editor over the years, discussing political affairs not only in his homeland of Northern Ireland but in Africa and the Middle East. He was an avid reader of large tomes on military policy and strategy. I wish I’d had deeper discussions with my father about world events. One of the worst aspects of dementia for my father was losing the ability to read, his favorite hobby.

I hope you’ll have time today to reflect and spend time with loved ones.

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February 12, 2017 · 6:39 pm

Advocating for aging issues in the midst of political turmoil

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Aging is a bipartisan issue. Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, Independent, a member of another political party or reject all such labels, all of us will experience the consequences of aging, save for those who meet a premature death. Even those who don’t experience old age themselves may have dealt with aging issues when caring for a loved one.

As Washington deals with political upheaval, the lives of seniors hangs in the balance. The work to address senior and caregiving issues must continue, no matter who resides in the White House. I subscribe to the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement newsletter, and their January update provided a list of Congressional members who play an important role in committees that address Alzheimer’s and aging issues.

In addition to your local representatives, reaching out to the Senate Committee on Aging is a good place to begin. The bipartisan leadership includes:

  • Chair: Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)
  • Ranking Member: Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA)

Their contact information can be found on the committee’s website, along with an online submission form.

According to AIM, just this past week, 12 senators sent President Trump a letter to encourage greater investment in Alzheimer’s research and introduced a resolution to make address Alzheimer’s issues an “urgent national priority.”

So call your representatives, email them, write letters, reach out to them on social media … make your concerns known. I do believe personal stories make a difference, and can help fuel greater legislative effort.

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