Iowa Candidates for Governor Discuss Caregiving, Financial Security

AARP asked candidates for Iowa governor how they would strengthen home-and community-based services for seniors, support caregivers, protect public pensions and shore up guardianship laws.

QUESTION 1: The majority of Iowans want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.  What is your aging agenda to help more Iowans live independently in their homes and communities?

QUESTION 2: Over 317,000 Iowa family caregivers help older parents, spouses and other loved ones live independently, at home, by providing assistance with activities like bathing and dressing as well as performing complex medical/nursing tasks such as administering medication and wound care.  Family caregivers far too often provide these services with little or no training.  Iowa is one of only 13 states who have not passed a minimum standard, CARE Act, for all Iowa hospitals to recognize and instruct family caregivers when their loved ones are hospitalized.  Iowa ranks 46th in person and family centered care support.

QUESTION 3: In some states, retirees and current workers with defined benefit plans are seeing cuts to their promised pension benefits.  How will you protect promised public pension benefits that our teachers, police, firefighters, and other city, county and state employees a depend upon for a modest retirement?

QUESTION 4: Nearly 23,000 Iowans, many who have Alzheimer’s or other dementia, are under guardianship and conservatorship. In 2017, an Iowa Supreme Court Task Force issued recommendations for guardianship and conservatorship reforms to ensure our most vulnerable Iowans are better protected. How will you strengthen Iowa’s guardianship and conservatorship laws?