Age-Positive Advocacy Toolkit
How to Talk about Aging Issues
The work you do makes a big difference in the lives of older adults in your community. Whether you want to speak out about funding for your community-based organization or key issues like transportation, benefits access, or food security, here’s how to effectively convey your message to policymakers.
Age-positive messaging tips
Start with the goal, not the problem
Starting with “crisis” language is a sure-fire way to turn people away from your message. And your lawmakers likely already are keenly aware of the problem. Draw them in with a solution-based call to action.
| ❌ Instead of | The high price of health care is a national crisis. Many older adults skip doctor visits because Medicare is so expensive. |
| ✅ Try | No one should skip a doctor’s visit or dose of medicine because they feel like they can’t afford it. Tell your members of Congress why a healthier American depends on affordable Medicare costs. |
| ✅ Try | Everyone benefits when health care is accessible and affordable. |
Tell stories that show lived experience
Data and statistics are important, but real-world stories propel policy change. And storytelling can be powerfully effective. Firsthand examples of how a funding cut could impact a person in a lawmaker’s own community work best. But don’t try to play on sympathy.
| ❌ Instead of | A cut in nutrition funding would devastate people like Delores, 85, who relies on her local senior center’s congregate meal program for her daily lunch. |
| ✅ Try | Delores, 85, has lunch at her local senior center every weekday. She says seeing her friends is as gratifying as the hot meal. |
| ✅ Try | David, 87, says "it is thanks to government-funded services that I am still in reasonably good health and able to continue working part-time and to volunteer to support other older adults. When our basic needs are met, we elders can continue to contribute to our families, to our country, and to our economy.” |
Tip: Get permission to share people’s personal stories. And ask whether they are OK with you sharing their first name. You can tailor this sample consent form to your organization. And check out this The People Say database of real older adults stories.
Explain how we all benefit when…
We are all aging. Everyone benefits when our communities support each one of us.
| ❌ Don’t | Pit one group against another. It’s common to see funding arguments that wrongly frame support for older adults as draining away from other needs. |
| ✅ Do | Show examples of multigenerational win-wins, like mentoring programs and community centers where older adults and preschoolers interact. |
Use images of real older adults
Research shows images of real older adults in everyday situations actually have a greater positive impact than images glorifying what older age looks like.
❌ Don’t: Rely on glossy stock images of idealized older adults.
✅ Do: Get permission to use photos of older adults in your community (Here's a sample consent form). Don’t have photos on hand? The Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh free photo bank is an excellent resource.
Newsletter text
Transportation
Connecting Our Community, One Ride at a Time
As Americans live longer and healthier lives, reliable transportation plays an important role in helping us stay connected to the people, places, and services that support our well-being. When transportation options are readily available, older adults can continue attending medical appointments, participating in community activities, and maintaining the routines that help them live healthy, engaged lives.
Take Margaret, a member of our senior center. When she stopped driving, getting to follow-up medical appointments became more challenging. Through a local transportation assistance program, she found a dependable way to get where she needed to go. Now she can get to her appointments, attend activities at the senior center, and stay involved in her community.
Did You Know?
Transportation can make it easier to get health care, stay connected with friends and family, and participate in community activities. If you need help finding local transportation options, contact our senior center.
Affording Medicare
Finding the Benefits You've Earned
Many people don't realize they may qualify for programs that help lower Medicare costs. These programs can help pay for premiums, prescription drugs, and other health care expenses—putting money back in your pocket.
That's what happened to Robert, a retired school custodian and longtime volunteer. As health care costs increased, he found it harder to stretch his monthly budget. Like many people, he assumed he was already getting all the benefits available to him.
Then, he attended a benefits counseling session at his local senior center. As a Benefits enrollment Center, the senior center provides free, one-on-one assistance to help people understand available benefits, complete applications, and enroll in programs.
With guidance from a trained counselor, Robert reviewed his options and completed the application process. As a result, he qualified for programs that reduced his Medicare-related costs and helped him save money each month.
"Getting help wasn't something I had considered before," Robert said. "Now I have more peace of mind knowing I can focus on staying healthy and doing the things I enjoy."
Stories like Robert's highlight an important lesson: when communities connect people to the resources they have earned, everyone benefits. Access to trusted information, benefits counseling, and community-based support helps people make informed decisions and remain active participants in community life.
Food Insecurity
Nourishing Our Community at Every Age
Healthy meals play an important role in helping us feel our best. But with grocery prices continuing to rise, many people are looking for ways to make their food budget go further.
Linda knew the importance of good nutrition, but she wasn't aware of the programs available to help make healthy food more affordable. After attending an information session at her senior center, she met with a benefits counselor to learn more about her options.
During that conversation, Linda discovered that she qualified for SNAP, which helps eligible individuals pay for groceries. She also learned about nutrition programs supported by the Older Americans Act, including community meal programs that bring people together and home-delivered meals for those who need them. She even found resources through the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, making it easier to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables.
"Having access to these resources has made a real difference," Linda shared. "I can focus on preparing healthy meals and enjoying time with friends and family instead of worrying about every trip to the grocery store."
Linda's experience reflects an important reality: many older adults qualify for food assistance programs but have never applied because they are unaware of the benefits available or find the enrollment process confusing.
Housing
Home, Community, and the Opportunity to Thrive
A safe, affordable home is the foundation that supports health, independence, and community engagement for older adults. Across the country, communities are exploring innovative ways to help people find housing options that meet their changing needs. From home repair programs and accessible housing improvements to affordable housing developments and property tax relief programs, new solutions are helping more older adults remain in the communities they value.
For example, after retirement, Maria began looking for ways to manage rising housing expenses while continuing to live near friends, family, and the activities she enjoyed. Through a local housing resource program, she learned about assistance opportunities and housing options designed to support people as they age.
Today, Maria continues to participate in community events, volunteer activities, and educational programs while enjoying the peace of mind that comes from living in housing that fits both her needs and her budget. "Having access to information and resources helped me focus on what matters most," Maria says. "I can spend my time enjoying community activities and staying connected with friends."
Stories like Maria's remind us that housing is most effective when it supports people's goals, strengths, and contributions. Communities thrive when residents of all ages can find homes that are safe, affordable, and accessible.
By expanding housing options, improving access to home modifications, and connecting people with available resources, communities can help ensure that everyone has the opportunity to stay engaged, independent, and involved in community life.
Social media posts
Transportation
Transportation Supports Healthy Aging
Access to transportation creates opportunities to stay active, engaged, and involved in community life. Whether it's attending a fitness class, visiting a friend, or getting to a medical appointment, transportation helps us thrive as we age. 🚐 #AgingWell #MobilityMatters
More Than a Ride
Transportation is about more than getting from one place to another.
It's about staying connected, participating in our communities, and having the freedom to pursue the activities that bring us meaning and purpose. 🌟 #AgingWell #Community #SocialConnection
Affording Medicare
Benefits You've Earned
Many older adults are surprised to learn that programs exist to help pay Medicare premiums, copays, deductibles, and prescription costs. Connecting people with benefits they've earned helps support financial well-being as we age. 💙 #Medicare #MIPPA #AgingWell
Access Creates Opportunity
Having access to quality health care is an important part of staying active and engaged in our communities. 💙
Programs that help make Medicare more affordable can help remove barriers to care—creating opportunities to thrive at every age! ✨ #AgingWell #Medicare
Did You Know?
Did you know millions of& older adults may qualify for Medicare Savings Programs that help cover premiums and other out-of-pocket costs? 💡
Learn about available resources for greater financial security and peace of mind. ⬇️ #BenefitsAwareness #OlderAdults #Medicare
Food Insecurity
Thriving Through Nutrition
Good nutrition is a key part of aging well—and helps support our health and independence. 🍽️
As Americans live longer and healthier lives, creative community solutions can help all of us access to affordable, nutritious food and thrive at every age. #ReframingAging #NutritionMatters #HealthyEating
Food as a Foundation
Aging well starts with a strong foundation. Access to affordable, nutritious food helps people maintain their health, pursue their interests, and continue contributing their talents and experience to their communities. 🍓🥗 #AgingWell #FoodForHealth #Nutrition
Nutrition and Community
Aging well involves us all.
When people have access to nutritious food and programs like home-delivered meals, farmers market initiatives, and nutrition assistance, they have more opportunities to stay connected and engaged with their communities. 🥬 #AgeFriendlyCommunities #Nutrition #CommunitySolutions
Housing
Let's Talk Housing Solutions
How can we make aging in place safely a reality for more people? 🏡
Solutions like home repair programs, property tax relief, housing counseling, and accessible housing design can help older adults remain safe, independent, and comfortable in their communities as they age. Innovative solutions exist when we work together! 💙 #AgingInPlace #HousingMatters #FallsPrevention
Expanding Choices
Most of us want to remain in our communities as we age. By expanding housing choices, from smaller homes to accessible apartments, we can give people more opportunities to find a home that supports their independence and goals. 🏘️ #AgeFriendlyCommunities #AgingInPlace #HousingChoices
Building for Every Generation
Communities thrive when people of all ages can find housing that works for them. 💙
Home modifications, affordable apartments, and mixed-generation neighborhoods are just a few ways we can help people age well in their communities. #AgeFriendlyCommunities #HousingSolutions
Social media graphics
Use these graphics to bring more attention to your social media posts.
Download Reliable Transportation Option 1
Download Reliable Transportation Option 2
Download Healthy Foods Option 1
Download Healthy Foods Option 2
Download Access to Benefits Option 1
Download Access to Benefits Option 2
Download Age-Friendly Communities Option 1
Download Age-Friendly Communities Option 2