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OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma seniors and senior advocates are invited to meet at the State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 to discuss the needs of the growing number of older Oklahomans. Speaking at the event will be Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, Insurance Commissioner John Doak and Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) Aging Services Division Director Lance Robertson. 

Senior Day at the Capitol is an annual event for older Oklahomans to learn about legislation and issues affecting them. It provides an opportunity to share ideas, needs and concerns with state legislators, and visit with nonprofit agencies to learn about their services.

To pre-register for the event, go to okseniorday.com through Feb. 15. Onsite registration will also be available beginning at 8:30 a.m. on the second floor of the Capitol rotunda. The program begins at 9:30 a.m. in the House of Representatives chamber. Exhibits open at 11:30 a.m. and participants have time to visit their legislators' offices.

Estimates for 2010 indicate that 694,024 Oklahomans are aged 60 and older. A recent census calculation shows one in six Americans 65 years and older live in poverty. Applying the new census measure nearly doubled the poverty rate of those aged 65 years and older to 16.1 percent.

"Given these demographics and the current economic environment, it is critical that legislators understand the importance of programs for Oklahoma's seniors," said Robertson.

The 2012 Senior Day at the Capitol is sponsored by the OKDHS Aging Services Division in partnership with the Oklahoma State Council on Aging, the Oklahoma Silver Haired Legislature, the Oklahoma Alliance on Aging and AARP Oklahoma. For more information, visit okseniorday.com or contact the OKDHS Aging Services Division at a(405) 521-2281.