Read the latest version of
The Advocate, a publication of the PTCOG AAA Ombudsman program.
Find out more
Click below to find out more about advocacy opportunities in the region:
Advocacy
ADVOCACY is the process by which change is effected when needed. Everyone is an advocate at some time or another; most people advocate for themselves or for their families, naturally without ever realizing it. They are simply attempting to "change" things in order to "solve problems." The point is that advocacy should not be treated as an activity separate and apart, but rather be integrated into all service and legislative activities affecting older persons.
The stereotype of the advocate is someone who confronts--someone who aggressively challenges an individual, administrative agency, a corporation or even society at large. However, effective advocates confront as little as possible. Rather, they work for change in systems and policies through persuasion and education, not confrontation.
This process of advocacy includes activities such as:
- Recognizing a problem;
- Identifying all the stake holders and drawing their attention to the problem;
- Educating others about the problem;
- Devising and suggesting viable alternatives or solutions to the problem;
- Exercising skills for persuasion, persistence, mediation and negotiation with stake holders and authorities to problem solve;
- Providing monitoring to ensure follow through of the agreed remedies;
Advocacy to improve systems and policies that affect our community is important at every age, but for vulnerable persons in our population--the very young, the handicapped and the frail elderly--advocacy is essential. Whenever we advocate for the elderly, we are in essence advocating for our future selves.
It is important to provide direct services, such as those related to nutrition, shelter and hospitalization, to older persons in need of them; however, it is equally important to recognize the systemic problems creating these service needs and "to strive for change within the system itself to eliminate those problems." Persons who are involved in efforts to make systemic changes to improve rights and entitlements for Older Americans and who attempt to improve bureaucracy's policies and methods of operation, can properly be called advocates.
