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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

COVID-19 Postcard Campaign Targets CA Seniors

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Monday, April 27, 2020   

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- More than 1 million older Californians are receiving postcards in the mail chock full of information about COVID-19.

AARP has teamed up with the California Department of Aging and Gov. Gavin Newsom to offer tips on how to get basics, like food and medicine, delivered if needed. Patricia Perez, state president of AARP California, said the printed cards are targeted at seniors who may not be comfortable accessing information online.

"It has been verified and it's simple, and it also includes phone numbers," Perez said. "So yes, websites if you have access to them. But if you don't, phone numbers where you can call, leave a message or speak to someone."

The stay-at-home orders have forced the cancellation of family visits, volunteer jobs, exercise classes and social gatherings. So the postcards encourage older Californians to stay socially connected in order to combat loneliness, anxiety and depression.

Kim McCoy Wade, director of the California Department of Aging, said the cards also tell people how to report elder abuse or suspected fraud - and they encourage everyone to reach out and make sure parents, grandparents and older friends are hanging in there during the lockdown.

"So, we want to encourage folks to make check-in calls, to know about warm lines and hot lines to reach out to and frankly, to stay safe," Wade said. "If wellness checks are needed or if fraud is suspected, we want people to know how to get that information."

The cards also include numbers for the California COVID information line, the Alzheimer's Association, the counties' local services hotline, and the state Department of Aging. Information is also available online at AARP.org/coronavirus.


Disclosure: AARP California contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues, Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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