Sen. Ed Markey Headlines 'Powerful' Volunteer Conference

AARP Massachusetts showcased the variety of opportunities available for volunteers to help the Bay State’s 50+ population at its annual conference. Senator Ed Markey (D- Massachusetts) was the keynote speaker.

Sen. Markey shared his family’s caregiving story and how it helped him forge legislation. Markey has been representing Massachusetts on Capitol Hill since first elected to the House in 1976. In 2013, he was elected to the Senate.

‘Family members are heroes’

Markey talked about how his father, a retired milkman from Malden, helped care for his mother after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1985 while Markey was a congressman. Markey told the audience how his father decided after the diagnosis, his mother would not be going to a nursing home, instead she would stay in their home, right in the living room.

“Through this, I got to see what the system was for the United States What plans there were. I learned most of it from my father” Markey told the audience.

Markey shared an experience at a nursing home where his mother was sent after a fall. The home, Markey said, determined his mother was not progressing and there was nothing more they could do. Markey’s father picked her up, brought her home and within weeks, with his and his family’s help she was walking around the house.

“Family members are heroes and heroes need help,” said Markey.

Markey talked about the small hacks his dad developed to keep things running smoothly, such as putting masking tape on the car door handle so they could drive to Revere Beach, grab a roast beef sandwich from Kelly’s and watch the ocean.

Markey pointed out that taking someone considered homebound out at the time was against the rules. If a homebound person was able to get out even for an hour, they could lose care from a visiting nurse. Markey worked to change the law.

It was among the many efforts Markey has spearheaded, among them the independence at home program and the current Alleviating Barriers to Caregivers act.

“We need to center Seniors on how we think about public benefits and community programs. We need to rework and rethink how our programs work to guarantee that the people who need benefits can get them without getting mired in burdensome and confusing paperwork” Markey told the crowd as he committed to protecting and saving Social Security.

State Director Mike Festa and State President Sandra Harris presented Senator Markey with nearly 1,000 thank you letters from AARP members. Markey has backed a proposed Department of Labor Retirement Security Rule that will close the legal loophole that allows some financial advisors to give advice that prioritizes their own interests, instead of consumers.

Building Powerful Connections

At the annual conference this year at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, veteran and rookie volunteer shared their experiences. The theme this year was “Building Powerful Connections.”

Volunteers broke into in groups. Newer volunteers were able to hear the basics of volunteering in an orientation session. Longtime volunteers got a chance to find out ways they can get involved at different levels within the organization. They also learned about AARP’s ladder of engagement.

There were also opportunities to learn more about four key roles of volunteering in the Massachusetts state office; Tabling where AARP gives out helpful information at community events; Speakers Bureau where volunteers give presentations on everything from fraud prevention to brain health to social security; Livable Communities where volunteers help make their communities great places for people of all ages. There was also a group discussion about advocacy. Volunteers heard how they could help shape legislation on Beacon Hill.

There were also tables with information about AARP Drivers Safety, AARP Foundation Tax Aide and Literations. Literations is a local organization that teams former teachers with students who could use reading coaches.

Former WCVB TV reporter and AARP Massachusetts Executive Council Member Jorge Quiroga interviewed three volunteers who play outsized roles in volunteering with AARP Massachusetts. Anita Albright, Dennis Hohengasser and Janean brown Muhammad spoke about the variety of roles they’ve held and the joy they get from volunteering.

The conference was also an opportunity to recognized AARP State Director Mike Festa. He’s leaving the organization in July after serving as the head of the office for 11 years. State President Sandra Harris was also honored. This is the last year of Sandra’s six year run as the lead volunteer at the Massachusetts State office.

If you’re interested taking your first step in volunteering like attending our monthly volunteer network meetings or diving deeper into a program like livable communities or advocacy, let us know.

AARP Massachusetts has a role for everyone. You can help the Bay State’s 50-plus population from your own home or connect in-person.

AARP is here to help you turn your lifetime of experience into an experience of a lifetime.

Send us an email at MA@aarp.org