Caring for Our Iowa Seniors: Senior Wellness and Security Expos

Statement

Earlier this week, I organized and hosted Iowa Senior Wellness and Security Expos in Des Moines, Creston and Council Bluffs. Located throughout the District, these expos were three unique and valuable opportunities to meet with and listen to folks here at home in Iowa's Third Congressional District, and each provided Iowa seniors with a one-stop-shop of federal, state, and local resources. Despite Wednesday's storms, we had a great turnout at each event, and I enjoyed and appreciated meeting with and listening to everyone who attended!

I hosted these expos to bring Iowa seniors, their families, and caretakers together with the variety of services and information available to them. Over 60 organizations participated in one or more of the expos, to provide resources, and share more about their work for seniors in our communities. Representatives from AARP, Facebook, the Iowa Attorney General's office, the Iowa Insurance Division, the Social Security Administration, and many more were in attendance. Thanks to these groups, Iowans had convenient access to free health screenings conducted by local health care professionals, and the ability to dispose of prescription drugs with the assistance of knowledgeable volunteers.

At each expo, I facilitated presentations led by expert panelists, which informed Iowans about Social Security and Medicare issues and answers, social media and online safety best practices, and how to identify, avoid and protect against ever-growing threats from scammers and fraudsters. I appreciated the opportunity to engage with folks in these important discussions and provide attendees with a forum to ask questions and voice concerns.

Many conversations I had with Iowans at each expo centered on concerns about the longevity of Social Security and Medicare. I hear these concerns often while crisscrossing the Third Congressional District, which is why in Congress, I am working hard to ensure those who paid into the system receive the benefits they worked a lifetime to earn. We must work to ensure these programs are able to pay out benefits in full for current and near beneficiaries, as well as future generations. As I have said before, I am willing to work with anyone in Congress to ensure we uphold the promises made to our seniors in Iowa and across the country.

This promise includes the commitment to work on Iowans' behalf, and throughout the week, staff members from my office were at the expos to assist with casework and remind folks about our ability and role in helping to navigate the federal government bureaucracy. If you were unable to attend any of the expos, or currently require additional assistance or answers, please remember staff members from my office are always ready and willing to help.

We have constituent services offices in Des Moines, Creston, and Council Bluffs, as well as in Washington, D.C., and staff members are able to assist with issues involving Medicare or Social Security, veterans' benefits, issues with federal government agencies, and more.

Ultimately, this week's Iowa Senior Wellness and Security Expos in Des Moines, Creston, and Council Bluffs were a great success. I look forward to building on this positive momentum as I continue working to empower our Iowa seniors by easing access to resources, services and information they need.

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