Winter is coming, and that means slippery road conditions are around the bend. In Idaho, a program is offering tips on how people can drive safely during the cold months. AARP Idaho is offering its driver safety program virtually and in person.

Steve Moreno is a volunteer driver safety instructor who says one of the program's goals is to provide tips for people as they age.

"How do we compensate for the fact that we don't hear, see or react as quickly or as well as we did when we first started driving?," Moreno asked.

He noted the course is not just for older Idahoans; it is open to everyone. If someone has points on their license which they accrued for violations, they can have up to three removed by attending a course. Moreno said the first in person course in Boise is scheduled for Oct. 24.

Moreno said winter driving presents a number of challenges to the person behind the wheel. Along with snowy and icy roads, there are fewer daylight hours. He had some suggestions for what people should have in their car to be prepared for winter weather emergencies, even if they are just driving around town.

"Things like an ice scraper, snow brush, windshield washer fluid that's designed for cold weather so it doesn't freeze, a blanket perhaps," Moreno outlined. "Make sure you got good tires, all of your lights work; headlights, taillights, turn signals, etc."

Moreno said one tip he offers, especially for drivers who are retired, is to consider waiting out the bad weather and traveling later, rather than venturing into potentially hazardous conditions. He made other recommendations for long-distance trips, especially in the West where there are many places without alternative routes.

"If something happens on the road that you're traveling on, you may be there for a long time until it's cleared, and for that reason I would suggest that you do two things." Moreno said. "One is to make sure you have a full fuel tank, and the other is to make sure you have an empty bladder before you leave home."

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month and new research examined the connection between dementia and awareness about money management skills.

Some 17,000 South Dakotans aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's disease, and another 17% of residents age 45 and older have what's known as subjective cognitive decline.

Ian McDonough, associate professor of psychology at Binghamton University in New York and the study's co-author, said people with dementia are unaware if they are making errors in handling their bank accounts and other financial tasks. For those without cognitive decline, awareness improved over time.

"When you're aware of those declines, you can adapt," McDonough pointed out. "You can ask for help, you can use calculators. If you're not aware, you might be going on your daily business, doing some mental arithmetic and then that's when those errors might be introduced."

McDonough noted it increases their vulnerability to fraud at a time when Americans, including older adults, are losing more money to scammers. He stressed preventive efforts by caregivers are important so people with dementia can avoid being taken advantage of and still have some autonomy over their finances.

If this type of conversation is needed between a person with dementia and a loved one, McDonough advised it is best to take a measured approach in adding safeguards instead of completely taking control of the person's finances right away. He added a person's relationship with the money they have earned is part of their identity, and making any moves requires preserving their sense of dignity.

"They're not gone (and) we shouldn't treat them like they don't live in society anymore," McDonough explained.

He noted diving in too fast could also be trouble for the relative taking charge if they are unfamiliar with things like investment portfolios. Added precautions could include signing up for extra alerts from a bank or imposing certain withdrawal limits. Next up for researchers is learning how e-banking complicates matters, with tasks like remembering complex login passwords.


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At least 10,000 people retire every day in the United States, with nearly half of them relying on Social Security as their sole source of income.

As lawmakers debate cuts to social service programs, AARP Nebraska has launched a campaign to draw attention to its importance.

AARP Nebraska's "90 days to 90 years" marks the Social Security administration's anniversary in August.

AARP Nebraska state director Todd Stubbendieck said in its 90 years, Social Security has never missed a payment to recipients - and a lot of Nebraskans are relying on that money.

"Forty-three percent of Nebraskans rely on Social Security for at least 50% of their family income, and 17% rely on Social Security for 90% of their income," said Stubbendieck. "So, this program, has direct impacts both on our state and at the individual level."

AARP Nebraska is encouraging Social Security recipients to add their names to an online Pledge for Action to support Social Security, which turns 90 years old on August 15.

Federal lawmakers are debating cuts to federal programs in the Trump administration's budget reconciliation bill that could include changes in Social Security benefits.

Stubbendieck said reductions to the service would be historic.

"I think one of the best things about Social Security is that it has always been a bipartisan issue," said Stubbendieck. "For 65 years, AARP has worked with every president and every Congress on Social Security, so we're confident it will continue to be a bipartisan, popular initiative."

Nearly 371,000 Nebraskans, or nearly one in five people, receive a total of more than $7.7 billion in Social Security benefits every year.

Next Monday marks the beginning of "PROTECT" week, when AARP helps seniors learn the signs of financial fraud.

Experts say Maryland seniors can protect themselves and their finances through education. According to data from the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost nearly $5 billion due to fraud in 2024, increasing 25% from the previous year. A poll from the University of Michigan found 75% of adults from ages 50 to 80 experienced a scam attempt, and 30% experienced fraud.

Karen Morgan, a member of the AARP Maryland executive council, said a government agency would never call someone out of the blue if there's a problem.

"If the caller is asking or demanding that you do something immediately, that's a huge red flag," she said. "If they're telling you that there's something urgent that you're about to be arrested, that's a huge red flag. You can't get arrested over the phone."

Victims age 60 and older experienced an average loss of more than $80,000, according to AARP.

Jane Dean was a victim of senior financial fraud. She received a call from someone posing as a government agent for the Social Security Administration. Eventually, she paid the scammers more than $25,000.

She said one of the biggest lessons from her own fraud case is taking a pause when you receive an alarming call. She explained that thinking the situation through could save someone from losing thousands of dollars.

"They just need to stop. Stop and just dial it back when you find yourself in a heightened emotional state in response to either a text, phone or email," she said. "That's the most important thing. Put the brakes on."

AARP is streaming a number of free workshops, town halls and interviews on elder financial abuse from Monday through June 20.