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Nearly 70,000 people in Oregon are living with Alzheimer's disease. (Beaunitta Van Wyk/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

National Healthcare Decisions Day: Make end-of-life planning early

It's National Healthcare Decisions Day, which highlights the importance of planning for the future when it comes to medical choices. In particular…

Voting women age 50 and older are split on this year's presidential candidates. (Simone/Adobe Stock)

International Women's Day: 50+ women make up influential voting bloc

It's International Women's Day, and AARP is highlighting the important role older women will play in this year's election. The organization recently …

The AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide program includes 26,000 trained volunteers, who help people nationwide file their income tax forms. (JohnKwan/Adobe Stock)

Tax-Aide program to the rescue in Oregon

A program to assist people with their taxes has gone live in Oregon. The AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide program has sites across the state to help people …

A project from the city of Chiloquin in southern Oregon was among those selected for a Community Challenge grant in 2023. (Michael McCullough/Wikimedia Commons)

AARP grant 'unique' opportunity to fund community projects in OR

A program that funds ideas for improving communities is now open to applications. The AARP Community Challenge grant program is accepting …

Caregiving duties differ based on the medical conditions of the person being cared for. (Chinnapong/Adobe Stock)

Family caregivers reminded to take care of themselves

November is National Family Caregivers Month and a few tips can help people with these duties. Executive Director of the Oregon organization Aging …

Anne Bellegia, center, is the recipient of an award recognizing volunteerism in Oregon. (AARP Oregon)

OR Andrus Award winner volunteering for social connections

A volunteer active in Ashland has been recognized for her service in the community with a prestigious award from AARP Oregon. Anne Bellegia is the …

About 3,700 students attend Western Oregon University in Monmouth where the summit will be held. (IanDewarPhotography/Adobe Stock)

'Making communities work for everyone' focus of Age-Friendly Oregon Summit

Supporters of efforts to make Oregon cities more livable and accessible for people of all ages are meeting this week. The Age-Friendly Oregon …

Oregon has more than 470,000 family caregivers. (AboutLife/Adobe Stock)

OR slips to 7th in long-term care scorecard

Oregon ranks in the top 10 in a recent analysis of long-term care systems across the country. The state comes in seventh on AARP's Long-Term …

Seven in 10 Oregonians over age 45 have been caregivers for a loved one. (anut21ng Stock/Adobe Stock)

Assisted Living Week: Access to Long-Term Care Critical, Oregonians Say

This week is National Assisted Living Week, highlighting the hard work put in to help older people and people living with disabilities. Many …

With a grant from AARP Oregon, the Sutherlin Library Foundation will help close the digital divide for local residents. (sutherlinlibrary.org)

Grants Help Make Four OR Communities More Age-Friendly

Four Oregon organizations have received grants from AARP Oregon to help make their communities more age friendly. One of the chosen projects is the …

Former President Harry Truman was present when President Lyndon Johnson enacted Medicare. (White House Press Office)

Proponents Celebrate 58th Anniversary of Medicare's Start

Nearly six decades after its creation, Medicare continues to provide a health-care safety net for older Americans. On July 30, 1965, President …

Three of the projects chosen for the AARP's Community Challenge program in Oregon are located in Portland. (Shambhala/Adobe Stock)

Community Grant Program Selects Six OR Projects

Six projects to improve communities in Oregon have received grants from AARP. The organization has announced the recipients of its annual Community …

Volunteerism dipped during the pandemic and now, many organizations are looking to ramp up participation again. (vectorfusionart/Adobe Stock)

Volunteer Fair Aims to Fight Isolation for Older Oregonians

A volunteer fair is encouraging older Oregonians to get involved in their communities and fight social isolation, which became pervasive during the …

At the height of the pandemic, nearly two million Oregonians volunteered their services, according to AmeriCorps. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Are You One in Two Million? An OR Volunteer Will Be Award Winner

The nomination process is open for a prestigious award handed out to volunteers in Oregon each year. The Andrus Award for Community Service award is …

A new survey found 92% of respondents age 45 and older say staying physically healthy is important. (JackF/Adobe Stock)

Survey: Financial Strains Top of Mind for Older Oregonians

A new survey found older Oregonians are concerned about the cost of living in many aspects of their lives. The Vital Voices research program from …

While heart failure is a long-term condition, there ways to make it manageable. (interstid/Adobe Stock)

Heart Month: Tips for Handling Heart Failure

February is heart month and many in the country are living with a chronic condition that affects this vital organ. Heart failure is the term for a …

The food truck West Coast Torta Company has been selected for Tigard, Ore.'s first Launch Pod, a business accelerator. (tigard-or.gov)

Grant Program 'Fast Tracks' Projects That Improve Communities

Imagine community projects that can be turned around quickly. Sounds unlikely? A program that does just that is open for applications. Started in 2017…

Much of the town of Phoenix, Oregon. was destroyed in the 2020 wildfire season. (Oregon Department of Transportation/Wikimedia Commons)

Grants Support 2020 Fire Recovery for Southern Oregonians

Southern Oregon continues to recover from the fires of 2020 and grants are helping residents in the region. The Almeda Fire in Jackson County …

Kathy Goeddel won the 2022 Andrus Award for Community Service for her work with an annual Tax-Aide program. (AARP Oregon)

Award Highlights Important Role of Volunteering in OR

An Oregon woman who helps people with their taxes has won a prestigious award for volunteers. AARP Oregon has awarded the 2022 Andrus Award for …

More than 40 million Americans provide unpaid caregiving work to a loved one. (Chinnapong/Adobe Stock)

Giving Thanks in OR During Family Caregivers Month

It's National Family Caregivers Month, a time of year to underscore the important work these folks do. Family caregivers provide unpaid aid to the …

More than 130,000 Oregonians are providing caregiving to someone with Alzheimer's, according to the Alzheimer's association. (Waseem Ali Khan/Adobe Stock)

Praise for Caregivers During Alzheimer's Awareness Month

November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and, importantly, it also coincides with National Family Caregivers Month. The progressive …

Family caregiving can be a struggle if the caregiver has to be away from the workforce to do it. (pressmaster/Adobe Stock)

Caregiving an Under-the-Radar Issue in OR Election

With the election a little over a month away, some say caregiving and long-term care are issues too big for candidates in Oregon to ignore. There …

People need two witnesses and a notary for a validly executed will. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

Make-a-Will Month: End-of-Life 'Road Map' for Families, Friends

August is National National Make-a-Will Month, highlighting how important it is for everyone to make sure their affairs are in order when they pass …

The Inflation Reduction Act allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices for the first time in two decades. (JohnBlottman/Adobe Stock)

Inflation Reduction Act Paves Way for Lower Drug Prices

President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law Tuesday, providing a means for making prescription drug prices more affordable in the …

A grant from AARP Oregon is funding a 40-by-36-foot outdoor venue near Ashland Senior Center. (Isleen Glatt)

Grant Program Helps Create 'Age-Friendly Communities' in OR

Projects making communities more age-friendly in Oregon are getting support from the AARP. After six projects were chosen by AARP in June to receive …

The number of workers ages 55 and older has grown steadily in recent decades. (Panumas/Adobe Stock)

Older Oregonians Re-entering Workforce Get Training, Job Support

Older Oregonians looking to reenter the workforce face a number of barriers. An organization in the state is helping them with training and a network …

Mosier is a small Oregon town in the Columbia River Gorge with a population of about 700, according to the 2020 Census. (Ian Poellet)

Small OR Town Among Recipients of AARP Project Grant

AARP has selected six projects in Oregon to receive funds for its Community Challenge grant program. The largest grant, $20,000, is going to a …

The state of the economy is dominating voters priorities ahead of the November midterms. (Joaquin Corbalan/Adobe Stock)

Survey: 'Reliable, Consistent' Bloc of Women Voters 50+ Shouldn't be Ignored

Women ages 50 and over cast a big chunk of ballots, with a big impact in American elections, and a new poll looked at what they want. Findings in …

Oregon voters passed a measure allowing medical aid in dying in 1994. (Joel bubble ben/Adobe Stock)

Fed Lawsuit Settlement Nixes OR Residency for Aid-in-Dying Law

Oregon's residency requirement to access the state's medical aid-in-dying law is no more, after a settlement in federal court. The Oregon Death with …

Polling has shown the vast majority of Americans think prescription drug prices are too high. (kmiragaya/Adobe Stock)

Oregonians Call on Action from Congress on Prescription Drug Prices

Many Oregonians want Congress to act on the escalating prices of prescription drugs. More than 65,000 people from around the state have signed an …

Easily accessible transportation is a crucial issue, especially for older people, in cities across the country. (Victoria/Adobe Stock)

AARP Grants: An Opportunity for OR Communities to Try New Ideas

Local organizations and governments in Oregon looking for funding for their projects now have an opportunity with AARP's Community Challenge Grant…

Volunteers with the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program are trained and IRS-certified to review and file income-tax returns. (Darylann Elmi/Adobe Stock)

Tax-Aide Available to Oregonians, with Pandemic Alterations

Oregonians can get free help with their income taxes once again this year. However, as in recent years, the pandemic is changing what the assistance …

Fraud experts say if an online deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Tips for Protection from Scammers Trying to Steal Holiday Cheer

PORTLAND, Ore. - People are out and about, shopping for the holidays. Unfortunately, scammers are looking to take advantage of their good cheer…

A session at the Vital Aging Conference will explore traveling tips for older Oregonians. (pikselstock/Adobe Stock)

OR Vital Aging Conference Helps Folks Live Vigorous Life

PORTLAND, Ore. -- This week, a conference is helping people live with intention as they get older. The 10th annual Oregon Vital Aging Conference …

Along with older people, vaccine booster shots are recommended for workers such as health professionals and grocery store workers. (wachiwit/Adobe Stock)

Boosting Booster Shots: State's COVID Response and Recovery Unit

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Recommendations have been released for some people to get booster shots for the COVID-19 vaccine. Oregon is following the FDA and …

The Social Security program will only be able to make full payouts for the next 12 years, according to a new report. (larryhw/Adobe Stock)

Report: Pandemic Will Cause Social Security Funding Shortage

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The pandemic presents some future funding challenges to benefits for older Americans, according to the 2021 Social Security and …

An AARP study finds family caregivers spend an average of 26% of their income on caregiving activities. (verbaska/Adobe Stock)

Study: Taking Care of Family Costly for Caregivers

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Family caregiving is rewarding and challenging, and it can also put a big strain on people's wallets. A new study from AARP found …

Julie Manuel, left, was the winner of the 2020 Andrus Award in Oregon. (Joyce DeMonnin/AARP Oregon)

Award to Honor OR Volunteer During 'Difficult Times'

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The call is out for Oregonians who are making a difference in their communities through volunteering. AARP has opened nominations …

The CDC recommends people wait until they're fully vaccinated before traveling domestically. (Fabio/Adobe Stock)

What Travelers Can Expect as Overdue Summer Plans Take Shape

PORTLAND, Ore. -- With vaccination rates increasing, people are making summer plans again. A webinar is offering Oregonians tips to keep in mind …

The COVID-19 vaccine is especially important for Oregonians 50 and older, who account for more than 95% of virus deaths. (Lakshmiprasad/Adobe Stock)

Survey: Vaccine Hunt Generates Frustration, Elation in OR

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Older Oregonians have felt frustration and relief in their search for the much-coveted COVID-19 vaccine. A survey by AARP of more …

More than 2 million people reported instances of fraud to the Federal Trade Commission in 2020. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

"Scam Jam" Comes to OR as Fraud Cases Rise

PORTLAND, Ore. - Oregonians have opportunities this month to find out how to protect themselves from fraud. The Oregon Scam Jam is taking place …

Milton-Freewater was the recipient of an AARP Community Challenge grant last year. (Ian Poellet/Wikimedia Commons)

Grants Program Funds Projects with 'Immediate Impact' on Communities

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Applications are open for AARP's Community Challenge grant program. The program provides funds for projects that can be produced …

The Oregon Attorney General's office advises that people do not have to pay for COVID-19 vaccines. (rafalbloch/Adobe Stock)

Scams Target COVID-19 Vaccine Seekers

PORTLAND, Ore. -- COVID-19 vaccines have brought hope there's an end in sight for the pandemic, but Oregonians are being warned to watch out for …

Labor Day fires in Oregon displaced thousands of people across the state. (Oregon Dept. of Transportation/Flickr)

Wildfire Relief Fund Helps Recovering OR Communities

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The 2020 wildfires devastated Oregon communities, burning more than a million acres and destroying homes. Grants from the AARP …

The holidays likely are different for most families this year, but there still are ways to make gatherings special. (wavebreak3/Adobe Stock)

Tips to Brighten Up Holidays for Family in Long-Term Care

PORTLAND, Ore. - The holidays are hard for many folks this year because of the pandemic, especially for people in long-term care facilities. AARP …

Primary medical director Pam Miner is among the doctors making house calls in Oregon. (Andie Petkus/Housecall Providers)

Housecall Providers Celebrates 25th Year in OR

PORTLAND, Ore. -- This year marks the 25th anniversary of a unique program that provides in-home care for some of Oregon's most vulnerable residents…

La directora de Atenci�n M�dica Primaria, Pam Miner, est� entre los doctores que atienden llamadas a domicilio en Oregon (Andie Petkus/Housecall Providers).

“Housecall Providers” celebra su 25º Aniversario en Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Este año marca el 25º aniversario de un singular programa que ofrece atención a domicilio para algunos de sus …

Oregon has free resources available for people who have been affected by this year's wildfires. (Dzmitry/Adobe Stock)

Webinar Offers 'Lifetime' of Financial Tips, Pre- and Post-Disaster

PORTLAND, Ore. -- An online conference on Friday is designed to prepare Oregonians for financial resilience in the face of disasters. AARP and the …

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OR: Senior Issues