LeadingAge Michigan Annual Conference
September 26 – September 29, 2021

LeadingAge Michigan Comes to Grand Rapids Next Week to Hosts Its Annual Conference

LeadingAge Michigan (LMI) plays a crucial role for all providers of homes and services to older adults. The non-profit organization based in Lansing represents the full continuum of nonprofit senior care with integrated services, innovation and collaboration, to improve the lives of Michigan seniors. Its political action committee is essential to LMI’s advocacy efforts and helps ensure that Michigan’s nonprofit long-term care providers remain visible and clearly heard in the ever-changing political environment.

Beacon Hill has an even closer relationship to LeadingAge Michigan as Jeff Huegli, Beacon Hill’s President/CEO, serves on its Board of Directors, providing leadership for the organization in representing long-term care providers and in working with legislators and government entities on advocacy issues impacting aging services in Michigan. Also, Ashley Edwards, Beacon Hill’s Marketing & Communications Director will be co-presenting on a panel at the Tuesday morning session, September 28, on the “Give Seniors a Say” campaign and co-hosting an advocacy session breakout group that afternoon.

LeadingAge Michigan launched the “Give Seniors a Say” campaign to recognize that seniors are a vital part of our families, our communities and our economy. All too often senior voices are dismissed as irrelevant, even when it impacts their own care. It’s the mission of “Give Seniors a Say” to change public perception of seniors and give them a voice.

In Ashley’s “Give Seniors a Say” campaign presentation, she will focus on the most recent challenges of the pandemic. She will also discuss the impact that a combined advocacy and marketing effort, through the campaign, can provide along with benefits not only to individual communities but seniors throughout Michigan. Participants will learn how LMI’s Board of Directors worked to help communities, residents and families advocate and give voice to their concerns during the pandemic and its continuing commitment to this effort.

The afternoon session that Ashley is co-hosting is designed to teach individuals about the work of advocacy and effective communication. She will be unveiling the 2022 Give Seniors a Say advocacy tool kit – covering the tools, resources, and best practices to hold successful advocacy meetings and amplify the voice of long-term care staff, families, and residents throughout Michigan. As we prepare for the next election cycle everyone will want to be prepared to reach out and connect with their elected officials.

Please visit www.giveseniorsasay.org to learn more about advocacy efforts, and how you can help.