How are your New Year’s Resolutions coming along?

Like most people, when the clock ticked over to 2011 I made a few resolutions for the year – you know the ones: exercise a little more; watch the chocolate consumption; limit coffee to a reasonable number of cups per day – those types of resolutions.

I also made a few “deeper” resolutions – meaning these resolutions are to benefit others. The first is to make a concerted effort to be more purposeful in my interactions with residents and staff. Like many of you reading this, when I’m in a facility, I’m there to “work” – so oftentimes people get overshadowed by the necessity of paperwork.

The second resolution is a unique one, due to the fact that if others make this same type of resolution – it has the potential to become rather significant. I’m talking about grassroots advocacy.

Advocacy is an easy, yet potentially powerful tool we can use to benefit our residents and staff. And no matter if you are someone who is comfortable testifying at the Capitol or have yet to contact your legislator, any advocacy goes a long way.

I kid you not. A little bit of advocacy by a lot of Association members will have a significant impact. That’s what happens with grassroots advocacy.

And this year, our advocacy efforts are really needed. This year, Minnesota is faced with a deficit that is over six billion dollars; add to that, the Health and Human Services (HHS) budget makes up a large part of that figure. And funding for long-term care is nestled into the HHS budget, which makes us prime for cuts this year.

What can we do to stop or mitigate those cuts? Grassroots advocacy!

Here’s what you can do – Invite your representative and senator now to tour your housing establishment or nursing facility. Set a date to show her/him around – and just as you would any other guest, introduce him/her to employees and residents. Let them see what you do and who is served; let them know how much you add to the town’s economy and the number of jobs you provide.

Can you imagine the impact we would have if every state representative and every state senator visited our housing and nursing facilities and saw the wonderful and necessary work we do – and the jobs we provide?

Think about making the advocacy resolution. You CAN do it. And if it’s your first time and you want to talk through it – call me or call the Association. We are available; we are here to help.

Here’s to a healthy year.

Gail

Gail Sheridan
gsheridan@careproviders.org