Declaration for Independence

A Call to Transform Health and Long Term Services for Seniors and People with Disabilities





May is Older Americans Month

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Each year in May we pause to acknowledge Older Americans‘influence on our society as well as consider how to maintain a society in which the presence and engagement of older Americans is respected and valued. This year the theme for Older Americans Month is Connect, Create and Contribute. We are encouraged to:

Autism Acceptance in April

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During Autism Acceptance Month, we remember that Autism is a natural part of the life experience, and we can do our part to design and promote spaces, both physical and otherwise, that don’t exclude individuals with different sensory experiences or who process things differently, but instead find ways to better engage and support people in
multiple ways

In 2019, Let’s Make Poor Access to Healthcare for Women, History

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We, as a society, must seriously re-evaluate how we treat marginalized women’s healthcare needs, especially disabled women and women of color. Reproductive healthcare, and healthcare in general, should provide adequate treatment to all women in an accessible manner without inherent bias.

Old Age Isn’t for Sissies – Thoughts on National Senior Independence Month

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by Dr. William H. Graves, Ed.D February is National Senior Independence Month. As we think about how to live an independent lifestyle as we age, we must remember that independence is also about making honest and deliberate choices about where we wish to be and how we will stay engaged in our communities. In this [...]

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The Importance of Family Caregivers

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Kathy Brill, an individual and family services industry expert The Importance of Family Caregivers: A Discussion with Kathy Brill, Yanira Cruz and Sandy Markwood As a new generation of Americans move into the 60 and over Age group, we as a society are beginning to re-think how we perceive aging. The idea of maintaining personal [...]

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Supporting Victims of the 2018 California Wildfires

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The Camp, Woolsey and Hill wildfires have quickly devastated large parts of Butte, Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, leaving countless people without their homes and belongings in Southern California, in addition to creating poor air quality for our families and friends in the Northern part of the State. If you are in California, our friends [...]

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What We’re Reading: September 3, 2018

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How To Have A Meaningful Conversation About Disability At Work | Forbes If you have a disability, you very quickly come to understand that it is an issue most people don’t open up about at work. Sure, talking about your experience with chronic fatigue syndrome, depression or a learning disability such as dyslexia might happen [...]

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What We’re Reading: August 27, 2018

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John McCain, senator and former presidential candidate, dies at 81 | CNN Whenever America was in a fight during his long lifetime, John McCain was in the thick of it. McCain, who has died at the age of 81, was a naval bomber pilot, prisoner of war, conservative maverick, giant of the Senate, twice-defeated presidential [...]

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Recollections on Olmstead 2018

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On June 22 we recognize the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Olmstead v LC. & E.W. which established that individuals with disabilities that are in institutions have the right to received community based care instead of being institutionalized. Still not yet 20 years old, the Olmstead decision is considered by some to [...]

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America’s Other Social Nemesis: Ageism and Elder Abuse

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On June 15, the United National recognizes World Elder Abuse Day. In a time where even older celebrities such as Stan Lee can be a victim of elder abuse, this day is a reminder of the importance of paying attention to the problem of physical, emotional, and financial abuse of older adults. In the beginning of [...]

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