Advocacy is action taken on behalf of an individual or group to secure their rights and/or benefits. In the Older Americans Act, Congress charges the Area Agency on Aging to "serve as the chief advocate and focal point for the elderly within the community by monitoring, evaluating and commenting upon all policies, programs, hearings, levies and community actions which will affect the elderly." To this end, CAAC:

• keeps abreast of developments affecting the elderly and communicates with those responsible for action, including local, state and federal elected officials and organizations;
• encourages local grass-roots advocacy efforts by informing citizens of these developments and soliciting their involvement;
• conducts advocacy training for local citizens to provide information and assistance to better enable them to advocate for senior issues;
• conducts public hearings to provide opportunities for seniors and the general public to express their concerns and viewpoints on particular issues;
• supports other advocacy efforts and organizations such as the Alabama Silver-Haired Legislature, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging www.n4a.org, the White House Conference on Aging www.whcoa.gov, the National Council of Aging www.ncoa.org, AARP www.aarp.org and others. For more information on these agencies, click on their links.

If you would like additional information on how you can help advocate for seniors, contact CAAC Caac.Info@adss.alabama.gov at 334-240-4666 or 800-264-4680.