<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Advocating for Seniors]]></title><description><![CDATA[Advocating for Seniors]]></description><link>https://www.vaforseniors.org/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:41:36 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.vaforseniors.org/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Virginians Advocating for Seniors Thanks Governor Spanberger and General Assembly Leaders for Long-Term Care Support in Biennial Budget ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Press Release RICHMOND, Va.— Virginians Advocating for Seniors (VAFS) thanks Governor Spanberger and the General Assembly for enacting the FY 2027-FY 2028 biennial budget, which underscores Virginia’s commitment to provide its seniors with sufficient resources to ensure high-quality care.     This budget combines strong accountability with more flexibility and predictability, thereby allowing Virginia’s nursing facilities to invest in people, stabilize operations, and ensure access for...]]></description><link>https://www.vaforseniors.org/post/virginians-advocating-for-seniors-thanks-governor-spanberger-and-general-assembly-leaders-for-long-t</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a44140251416e35e786cb49</guid><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 19:08:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f28da3_e33a5aaa1e1a4ea38f0ed70fd770de5f~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Joe Turcotte</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[USA TODAY: Netflix makes retirement homes look exciting. What's the reality?]]></title><description><![CDATA["Historically, nursing homes have often been portrayed as gloomy places where seniors are isolated and unhappy," says Ali Ahmad, spokesman for Virginians Advocating for Seniors. He praises more positive portrayals, but feels like they're all missing the true scope of these facilities, particularly what the realities are in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. "What these TV shows and movies usually miss is the complexity of medical issues impacting facility residents [who are cared...]]></description><link>https://www.vaforseniors.org/post/usa-today-netflix-makes-retirement-homes-look-exciting-what-s-the-reality</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4297c2c19ca7d97f2b7450</guid><pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f28da3_e33a5aaa1e1a4ea38f0ed70fd770de5f~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Joe Turcotte</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Virginians Advocating for Seniors Praises Budget Compromise: Big Win for Virginia’s Seniors  ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Press Release RICHMOND, Va. — Virginians Advocating for Seniors (VAFS), an association representing more than half of the Commonwealth’s nursing homes that care for older Virginians with complex medical, behavioral health, and long-term care needs, issued the following statement on the conference report for the FY2027-FY2028 budget to be voted on today:   “The budget deal being considered by the Virginia General Assembly today is a big win for Virgina’s seniors supported by Medicaid in...]]></description><link>https://www.vaforseniors.org/post/virginians-advocating-for-seniors-praises-budget-compromise-big-win-for-virginia-s-seniors</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a3a8fae913712517a33fb10</guid><pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f28da3_e33a5aaa1e1a4ea38f0ed70fd770de5f~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Joe Turcotte</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Strong Care, Stronger Connections: What Matters This Father’s Day]]></title><description><![CDATA[Father's Day is a simple reminder: the moments that matter most are often the quietest ones. Whether you're visiting a dad, grandfather, or another aging loved one in a long-term care facility this Sunday, what counts isn't perfection, it's presence. It's sitting together, listening to old stories, sharing a meal, or just being there. And when those visits happen in a facility that's running smoothly and prioritizing care, families can focus on what really matters: connection.   Too often,...]]></description><link>https://www.vaforseniors.org/post/strong-care-stronger-connections-what-matters-this-father-s-day</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a3a8f64b740a019c39add03</guid><pubDate>Sun, 21 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f28da3_e33a5aaa1e1a4ea38f0ed70fd770de5f~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Joe Turcotte</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Virginians Advocating for Seniors Calls on Conferees to Protect Senior Care in Budget]]></title><description><![CDATA[Press Release RICHMOND, Va. — Virginians Advocating for Seniors (VAFS), an association representing more than half of the Commonwealth’s nursing homes that care for older Virginians with complex medical, behavioral health, and long-term care needs, issued the following statement on the introduction of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee proposal for the FY 2027–FY 2028 budget:   “Virginians Advocating for Seniors thanks Chair Lucas and her entire committee for the introduction of...]]></description><link>https://www.vaforseniors.org/post/virginians-advocating-for-seniors-calls-on-conferees-to-protect-senior-care-in-budget</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a31be2d6e3aac0bcf9c0aa8</guid><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 21:21:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f28da3_e33a5aaa1e1a4ea38f0ed70fd770de5f~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Joe Turcotte</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Virginians Advocating for Seniors Commends Speaker Scott, Chair Torian and House Leadership for Release of Updated Budget Proposal ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Press Release RICHMOND, Va. —  Last week, Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott (D-Portsmouth) joined House Appropriations Committee Chairman Luke Torian (D-Prince William) and a bipartisan group of leading members of the chamber to announce the budget proposal they intend to consider when they return to Richmond on June 18th. Virginians Advocating for Seniors (VAFS), an association representing more than half of the Commonwealth’s nursing homes that care for older Virginians with...]]></description><link>https://www.vaforseniors.org/post/virginians-advocating-for-seniors-commends-speaker-scott-chair-torian-and-house-leadership-for-rele</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a317d9aa3833966018c1b6a</guid><pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:46:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f28da3_caa68bcd233c47b19935f2f6d7c5f1e6~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Joe Turcotte</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[June is Alzheimer's Awareness Month. Let's Talk About the Care That Matters.]]></title><description><![CDATA[When someone you love receives an Alzheimer's diagnosis, you begin a journey that's life-altering and profoundly uncertain. You search for answers, and you look for reassurance. But most of all, you want to know that the care and attention your loved one receives come with dignity, patience, and expertise.   As we recognize Alzheimer’s &#38; Brain Awareness Month in June, Virginians Advocating for Seniors is highlighting the important work nursing care facilities across Virginia are doing for...]]></description><link>https://www.vaforseniors.org/post/june-is-alzheimer-s-awareness-month-let-s-talk-about-the-care-that-matters</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a2c1ed58d10dcf62890db54</guid><pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f28da3_e33a5aaa1e1a4ea38f0ed70fd770de5f~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Joe Turcotte</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Virginians Advocating for Seniors Thanks Senator Favola and Secretary Sickles for Recognizing Medicaid Readjustment Needs]]></title><description><![CDATA[Press Release Richmond, VA - Virginians Advocating for Seniors thanks Senator Barbara Favola and Secretary of Finance Mark Sickles for recognizing the importance of Medicaid readjustment during the May 19 Senate Finance &#38; Appropriations Committee meeting. During the discussion, Senator Favola raised concerns about the potential impact of federal legislation on Medicaid reimbursement funding, including the challenges of planning for eligibility checks and reductions in insurance coverage....]]></description><link>https://www.vaforseniors.org/post/virginians-advocating-for-seniors-thanks-senator-favola-and-secretary-sickles-for-recognizing-medica</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a29cef7a83c9aa62bd4421f</guid><pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2026 20:54:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f28da3_caa68bcd233c47b19935f2f6d7c5f1e6~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Joe Turcotte</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>