Advocacy is an important part of LeadingAge Maryland’s mission. LeadingAge Maryland defines advocacy broadly and advocates for older adults in ways that go beyond the realm of public policy to include public and consumer education, building public will, and changing attitudes and perceptions of aging. LeadingAge Maryland’s advocacy is based on research and practice in the areas of expertise of LeadingAge Maryland and its members.

Together, LeadingAge Maryland and its members, along with other partners, also advocate for sound public policy that is good for the diversity of older adults in Maryland and that facilitates the provision of the consumer’s choice of needed supports and services. To make certain that those supports and services are available, it is also important that the needs of organizations and their employees are addressed.

LeadingAge Maryland's Advocacy Principles

The following principles will guide LeadingAge Maryland’s advocacy as it seeks to be a trusted source of fair and balanced information.

Affirmation of the rights and responsibilities of older adults

• To be free from abuse, neglect and exploitation.
• To be treated with dignity and respect without regard to race, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, economic ability or source of payment.
• To engage their talents and abilities in the wider community and across generations.
• To exercise meaningful choices of supports and services offered in ways which promote autonomy and engagement – balanced with the obligation to protect older adults who have diminished capacity.

Access to Quality Services and Supports

• Older adults deserve the supports and services they need, where they need them, in the place they call home, including preventive and whole-person wellness-oriented services and mental/ behavioral health services.
• Older adults deserve access to education and information in order to make informed decisions about services.
• Consumers, legislators, regulators, individuals and organizations that provide supports, services and care, in partnership with other stakeholders, should work together to ensure sufficient funding for quality services to older adults in a wide variety of financial circumstances.
• A balance must be struck between a sufficient level of regulation to assure quality and accountability, and sufficient flexibility to provide space for innovation, new solutions and the ability to address the needs and preferences of individuals in cost-effective ways.
• To ensure a skilled and compassionate work force, programs and policies should address recruitment, retention, training, and ability to work across generations and cultures.
• Recognizing the critical roles they play, services and supports should also be provided to community caregivers.

Community Education

• All Marylanders should be informed about: healthy aging; ways to plan for the future as they age; available services and ways to navigate health and social support systems; and other issues that affect older adults.
• As mission-driven not-for-profit organizations, LeadingAge Maryland member organizations have unique responsibilities as guardians of values, crucibles of innovation, cultivators of volunteerism and stewards of the public interest.