A Senior for All Seniors

By Beth A. Klahre

In March 2022, the North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature (STHL) inducted Kathryn Lawler as delegate for Brunswick County. The STHL advises the North Carolina General Assembly on issues of importance to seniors. Lawler has an unbridled passion for making a difference in the lives of seniors. Why?

“Because I am one,” Lawler says. “This coming of ageism, when you experience it yourself, makes you look at aging from a different point of view. I want to make as much of a productive contribution as I can for as long as I can.”

Lawler recalls seeing an ad posted at one of the senior centers for the open delegate position. “I was interviewed by Cape Fear Area on Aging.

NC SENIOR TAR HEEL LEGISLATURE 2023-24 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

The North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature recommends these priorities to the North Carolina General Assembly. These recommendations totaling $18.75M will provide supportive services and protection for the state’s 2.4 million older adults. Visit www.ncseniorlegislature.org for more information. Data provided by the NCDHHS Division of Aging and Adult Services.

#1

Allocate an additional $8M in recurring funds for Adult Protective Services (APS) to address staff shortages.

In SFY 21, APS received 32,075 reports, compared to 14,001 reports in SFY 2005-2006, an increase of 129% in 17 years.

#2

Increase the Senior Center General Purpose Appropriation by $1,265,316 in Recurring Funds.

Senior Center General Purpose funding is currently

$1,265,316, which is not meeting the demands of a growing population.

#3

Allocate an additional $8M in recurring funds for the Home and Community Care Block Grant.

The Home and Community Care Block Grant is the primary funding source for programs that support people 60 and older. The current state appropriation is $36.9M.

#4

Allocate an additional $1.5M in recurring funds for 11 Additional

Long-Term Care Ombudsmen. Ombudsmen serve as advocates for residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, providing protections for vulnerable elders. The current state appropriation for this program is $918.8K.

#5 Strengthen Long-Term Care Staffing Standards.

In nursing homes, NC mandates minimum staffing standards for RNs and LPNs. For CNAs, there are no staffing standards, resulting in a strong likelihood of substandard care of frail elders.

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

My experience in geriatric care and my political background helped me acquire the position,” she says. Originally from New York, Lawler is deep-rooted in Brunswick County culture after living here for the past 23 years.

A Lifelong Learner

Lawler is a self-proclaimed lifelong learner. She has four degrees in addition to her registered nurse diploma: bachelor and master of science in nursing, master of arts in human development, and doctorate in psychology. Lawler’s career includes clinical nursing, bedside and supervisory specialty cardiac care, nursing education and administration, and a hospital vice presidency. Lawler ran a marketing business with her husband, had a private counseling practice, worked as a stress management program coordinator and eventually found her way into leadership training.

“I was always doing three or four things at the same time,” Lawler says. “When I was laid off from Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville, North Carolina, I obtained my real estate license while maintaining my private practice in hypnosis for smoking, stress, pain, and phobias. I went into private homes and facilities to provide long term care insurance benefits. I delivered specialized training in dementia.”

The Coming of COVID-19

Lawler loved focusing on geriatric issues until COVID restricted her access to facilities and forced her retirement after 58 years. “I gave up my nursing license, but not my nursing career,” she notes. She retired from real estate in 2023.

Lawler lives by her personal mission statement, first written after reading Steven Covey’s highly popular book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. She says, “I have continued to follow my mission statement my entire life: I am a lifelong seeker and sharer of wisdom and knowledge. I seek opportunities to learn, communicate and educate.”

Lawler is doing just that through her delegate role, informing both the public on what is available for seniors and legislatures on senior needs. “I have learned that good communication, not waiting for someone else to take action, and diplomacy are the keys to influencing others. Influence, not shove, through knowledge with understanding,” Lawler advises.

Seniors Need Transport and Housing

In addition to the five 2023-2024 STHL-approved priorities, Lawler says there are two other main concerns of North Carolinians aged 60+: lack of continued on page 12 continued from page 11 adequate transportation and affordable housing.

“Working in real estate emphasized to me the size of Brunswick County, yet access to public transportation is lacking,” she said. “Driving can become almost hazardous for some seniors. Transportation to a doctor or a senior center for much-needed socialization or to the grocery store forces reliance on friends and neighbors,” she explains.

Lawler is aware of the housing situation from personal experience. “My husband and I have moved for the third time in two years to find affordable housing as we age. It gets harder to maintain a home as you get older. Even getting on a ladder to change a light bulb or finding people to hire is difficult,” Lawler says.

According to Lawler, there are other issues facing seniors, including health care. “Ten years ago there were no geriatric specialists in the county and physicians didn’t want to take on patients with Medicare. There are still not enough geriatric specialists today.” On the positive side, views of health care have changed, Lawler says. Dementia, for example, is now a recognized medical diagnosis.

Lawler notes that the Cape Fear Area Agency on Aging is fully supportive of the STHL priorities and the work by these individuals is phenomenal. She will be making speaking rounds to Brunswick County senior centers.