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Though only 33, new chief advocates for retirees

By TIMES WIRES
Published February 24, 2007

Lori Parham, 33, has recently replaced Bentley Lipscomb, 70, as state director of Florida AARP, the second largest state chapter of this influential senior lobby, with 2.8-million members.

A long-term care expert, Parham grew up in Vero Beach, has a doctorate in sociology from Florida State University and has analyzed policy for the Florida Senate and the Agency for Health Care Administration. She was previously AARP's chief legislative advocate.

She took a break Friday to answer questions about her job:

How does it feel to lead an organization of people old enough to be your parents?

I grew up spending a good amount of time with my grandmothers. I watched their concerns about finances, their concerns about depending on one's family to take care of us when we get older, the concerns about getting around, which truly affect people.

I can't think of anything more exciting and challenging than moving some of these issues and bettering the lives of people as they age.

What is AARP Florida's mission?

We want to promote choice and independence for people 50 plus as they age.

How do you do that?

We need housing for folks who want to downsize that's affordable, that can withstand storms, in areas that are easily accessible in terms of walking, biking and access to community services and restaurants. For individuals who can no longer drive, we need a transportation component as well.

What are your legislative priorities for the coming session?

We would like to repeal implementation of Florida Senior Care. (That's a pilot project that would turn Medicaid's long-term care programs over to private HMOs).

Why repeal it?

We don't think managed care should be mandatory. When we polled Floridians 45 and older, we found that they overwhelmingly want to choose how, and where they receive long-term care services, that the government should not be making that choice for them.

What other legislation do you support?

Florida has an affordable housing trust fund that is supported by documentary stamps when you or I buy a house. The income is projected to be $400- to $500-million this year. But a cap limits money going into the fund to $240-million, with the rest going to general revenue. We want that cap lifted so it can all go into affordable housing.

Does the Legislature listen to AARP?

You betcha. Look at the 2006 session. We had numerous successes, like the nursing home staffing increase. We partnered with the Office of Insurance Regulation and Sens. (Mike) Fasano and (Durrell) Peadon on the long-term care partnership and consumer protection bill. No other organization has our muscle to fight for people 50-plus.

What does AARP do outside the Legislature?

We have a speaker's bureau that provides thousands of presentations on Social Security, Medicare Part D, identity theft, consumer fraud and long-term care. We have a driver safety program and a tax aid program. We help thousands of individuals each year with their tax returns.

Free tax help? Where do I find out about that?

You can call (866) 595-7678, the AARP Florida office, or go on our Web site, www.aarp.org.

Who was your favorite singer when you were 13?

Madonna. But I am also a huge Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra fan. From a very young age, I was listening to the sound track from New York, New York. If you made me choose between Madonna, Frank and Ella, Madonna would not win.

[Last modified February 24, 2007, 01:28:12]