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The new AARP survey says Eight in ten (81%) say they are 'very likely' to vote in the 2023 primary election for Philadelphia Mayor, with just 4% saying they will not vote. (Rawpixel.com/AdobeStock)

Monday, March 27, 2023

Poll: Pennsylvanians Over 50 will Play Major Role in Mayoral Primary

With fewer than 60 days until the May 16 mayoral primary election, a new survey by AARP Pennsylvania shows what key issues voters over the age of 50 …

Family caregivers provided 770 million hours of unpaid work in Washington state in 2021. (Svyatoslav Lypynskyy/Adobe Stock)

Report: WA's Unpaid Family Caregivers Provide $16.8 Billion Value

Family caregivers provide valuable work to Washington state - even if they don't get paid. A new report puts a value to the unpaid work they do…

Illinois advocacy groups say they are educating policymakers on the benefits of hospital screening as a solution to prevent medical debt, both for low-income patients and the hospital. (volgariver/Adobe Stock)

IL Legislation Would Help People Avoid Medical Debt

A new report finds thousands of low-income or uninsured people in Illinois face medical debt that is depleting their savings and, in some cases…

Some 37.3 million Americans, or about one in 10 people, have diabetes. About one in five don't know they have it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Insulin Price Cap Doesn't Apply to All Iowans Who Need It

Drug-maker Sanofi has joined two other large manufacturers in capping monthly insulin prices at $35. In Iowa, advocates for more affordable health …

Kiplinger rates Missouri, and nine other U.S. states, as

MO Lawmaker Proposes Raising "Circuit Breaker" Tax Credits

Every Missourian knows property values and property taxes have risen dramatically in the past 15 years, as well as the cost of rent. State lawmakers …

The National Alliance for Caregiving forecasts that

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NE Family Caregivers Provide Invaluable Service, Provide Billions in Unpaid Care

Many Nebraskans know how crucial a family caregiver is to one of their family members. Now AARP research has put a dollar value on that unpaid care - …

Washington state lawmakers will begin crafting their budgets as the session begins to wind down in April. (Zack Frank/Adobe Stock)

Housing Assistance on Docket for Lawmakers in Olympia

Affordable housing is a major concern in Washington state and lawmakers in Olympia are considering a slate of measures to address it. One option is …

In the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 federal legislation provided states with significant funding to ensure continuous Medicaid coverage of individuals enrolled in the program. But that is ending. (Pixabay)

FL Group Works to Keep Eligible People on Medicaid

As Florida "unwinds" from the COVID-19 public health emergency and returns its Medicaid program to pre-pandemic rules, there's a possibility that …

More than 65 million people in Colorado and across the United States depend on Medicare coverage, but the fund's trustees warn that cuts to benefits will be necessary by 2028 without increased revenues. (Adobe Stock)

Millionaires: Medicare Tax Proposal Just What the Doctor Ordered

President Joe Biden's proposal to increase taxes on Americans earning more than $400,000 a year from 3.8% to 5% in order to shore up Medicare is being…

A new report found nationally, the estimated economic value of family caregivers' unpaid contributions in 2021 was $600 billion. (Evrymmnt/Adobe Stock)

Report: CA's Unpaid Caregivers Contribute 4 Billion Hours per Year

Some 4.4 million family caregivers in California provide more than four billion hours of uncompensated care each year; work worth about $81 billion…

The estimated economic value of family caregiving is $600 billion as of 2021, based on about 38 million caregivers providing an average of 18 hours of care per week. (Adobe Stock)

Report: AZ Family Caregivers Provide Billions in Unpaid Care to Loved Ones

The unpaid care provided by an estimated 850,000 Arizona caregivers is valued at $14.5 billion, according to an AARP report, a $3.9-billion increase …

According to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, a couple can request a Spousal Impoverishment

'Spousal Impoverishment' Preserves Assets from Medicaid Recovery

Seventy percent of those who reach age 65 will need long-term care services or expensive in-home nursing care, and 42% of it nationwide is paid for …

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the sector has lost nearly 229,000 caregivers, or more than 14% of its workforce, since February 2020, the worst job loss among all health-care sectors. (Adobe Stock)

New Task Force Seeks Ohio Residents’ Feedback on Nursing Homes

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently created a Nursing Home Quality and Accountability Task Force, and its members want to hear directly from families and …

A new report from AARP New York finds the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program doesn't meet the program's own definition of regular ombudsman presence, since only 9% of all nursing homes received a weekly visit from an ombudsman. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NY Nursing Homes Not Getting Enough Oversight

A recent report finds nursing homes across New York are going without proper oversight. AARP New York's report finds about 80% of New York City's …

Colorado's SNAP Outreach program helped bring $47 million in federal funding to Colorado's grocery stores, generating more than $71 million in overall economic activity.<br />(InputUX Adobe Stock)

SNAP Benefits Drop as Food Prices Soar

As the cost of groceries continues to soar, SNAP benefits boosted to help families during the pandemic are back to pre-COVID levels. Even with …

According to a report from AARP, Virginia family caregivers provided over 920 million hours of unpaid care to family members in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Report: VA Family Caregivers Provide Swaths of Unpaid Help

A new report shows just how much unpaid care Virginia family caregivers provide to loved ones. As part of AARP's Valuing the Invaluable series…

Regular brisk walking can help prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and type 2 diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY Small Towns Find Ways to Increase Walkability

Whitesburg residents have put the finishing touches on a walking trail aimed at increasing outdoor exercise among residents and linking local business…

In recognition of Women's History Month, AARP celebrates Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus. Her passion for working with retirees grew into her becoming the founder of AARP in 1958. (Robert Kneschke/AdobeStock)

AARP Provides Resources for Caregivers During Women's History Month

In celebration of Women's History Month, AARP Arkansas is sharing resources and information affecting women ages 50 and up, specifically women who …

An overhaul of Michigan's tax system, signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this week, will bring savings to thousands of senior and low-income taxpayers. (Adobe Stock)

Governor Signs Overhaul of MI Tax System, Ends 'Retirement Tax'

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed a new law that rolls back Michigan's "Retirement Tax" that was implemented more than a decade ago. The new law…

In a new AARP report, the work of unpaid family caregivers in Wisconsin is valued at $16.97 per hour. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Uptick in Hours, Value of Unpaid Family Care in WI

The economic value of uncompensated family caregiving in Wisconsin has increased by more than $2 billion, according to the latest report estimating …

According to the Federal Trade Commission, pay-for-delay deals cost consumers and taxpayers $3.5 billion ever year in higher drug costs.(Adobe Stock)

NY Budget Seeks to Reform Prescription Drug Prices, Transparency

New York's executive budget is calling for reforms to prescription drug prices. For starters, Governor Kathy Hochul is calling for public disclosure …

The AARP's Tea and Coffee Tuesdays webinar series takes place on the second Tuesday of every month. The next one on March 14 will address ways older Americans can cope with the impact of climate change. (AARP)

Group Helps Older Americans Adapt to Climate Change

Surveys show that 3 in 4 Americans older than 50 want to age in place, but climate change can make that difficult - and expensive. Next Tuesday…

Beyond providing relief to family caregivers, adult day-care programs create opportunities for people living with dementia to be in social settings with professional supervision. (Adobe Stock)

SD's Care Programs for Dementia Patients on Verge of Lifeline

A bill headed to the governor's desk aims to boost South Dakota programs that provide adult day services. Supporters say it is getting harder for …

Since 2017, AARP has awarded more than $12.7 million to more than 1,060 projects, including 22 in Colorado, through the Community Challenge to nonprofit organizations and government entities. (Adobe Stock)

AARP Colorado Seeking Projects to Help Improve Communities

AARP Colorado is putting out the call for creative projects to help improve communities, by creating new public transportation and housing options…

According to analysis by the American Health Care Association, job growth for nursing-home employees slowed in 2022. It says if that pace remains, nursing homes won't return to pre-pandemic staffing levels until 2027. (Adobe Stock)

CT General Assembly Considers Nursing-Home Reforms

Connecticut's General Assembly is considering legislation to establish sweeping nursing-home reforms. Senate Bill 989 would establish minimum …

A national study from 2022 found a higher percentage of young adults ration their insulin supply, compared to those 65 and older. (Adobe Stock)

An Insulin Hurdle Out of The Way, Others Remain

Some older patients with diabetes are now getting easier access to insulin. But there is concern many younger ones are still navigating a difficult …

The U. S. Census Bureau estimated in 2016 the total population in Arkansas was more than 2.9 million people and more than 21.6% of the residents are seniors aged 60 or older. (Chris Ryan/KOTO/AdobeStock)

AARP Priority: Connecting More Arkansans to High-Speed Internet

Broadband internet is increasingly seen as a necessity, but many rural Arkansas communities still lack high-speed broadband service. Arkansas ranks 4…

AARP Washington set up a demonstration of an accessory dwelling unit near the Capitol in Olympia. (AARP Washington)

WA Lawmakers Consider Backyard Solution to State's Housing Crisis

Lawmakers in Olympia are looking for a solution that can fit in people's backyards to help ease the state's housing crisis. A bill in the Washington …

According to USDA data, more than 33% of SNAP beneficiaries are in families with members who are older adults or are disabled. (Adobe Stock)

IN Legislature Advances Bill to Improve Seniors' Access to SNAP Benefits

The Indiana Senate has approved a bill to simplify access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for people older than 60 or those with disa…

More than 93,000 people live in certified nursing care facilities in California. (C.Davids/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Report: Nursing Homes Sedate Too Many Residents

Groups that advocate for older Americans are speaking out about the overuse of psychotropic medications in nursing homes. Last November, the …

More than 40 million Americans receive aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. (jetcityimage/Adobe Stock)

WA Bill Provides Food Assistance in Face of Federal 'Cliff' to Aid

The pandemic-era boost to federal food aid is scheduled to end soon, but legislation in Olympia aims to help fill the gap in hunger relief. The …

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 …

A survey of Texans found only public education ranked higher than a need for increased spending on health care, according to the Episcopal Health Foundation. (Adobe Stock)<br /> <br /><br />

Survey: More Texans Support Increased Mental Health-Care Funding

For the past five years, Texans' priorities for improving health care have not changed, but in the latest survey, the need for more mental health …

Social Security was implemented in 1935, and the Medicare program was created 30 years later, in 1965. (Adobe Stock)

AARP to Congress: 'Hands Off Social Security, Medicare'

As a showdown looms in Congress over whether to raise the federal debt ceiling, AARP Arizona is among the groups voicing concerns about the future of …

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…

Nearly nine in 10 Americans (88%) between 50 and 80 years of age said it is important to remain in their homes as they grow older, according to the latest University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging. (Adobe Stock)

Older Kentuckians Want Aging-in-Place Support, Affordable Medication

Kentuckians age 50 and older across the state continue to struggle with high prescription drug costs, caregiver stress, and lack of long-term care …

According to the American Council on Aging, the average

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More NE Long-Term Care Facilities Risk Closure Without Funding

Nebraska's long-term care facilities face staffing shortages and other factors that could lead to more closures if state funding isn't increased…

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program has nine sites in the Treasure Valley alone, and others across Idaho. (Paolese/Adobe Stock)

Free Tax-Aide Program 'Goes Live' Across ID

Tax time is here again. Between now and mid-April, Idahoans in need of assistance can find free help across the state through the AARP Foundation's …

Since 2017, AARP has awarded more than $12.7 million to more than 1,060 projects, including 10 in Wyoming, through the Community Challenge to nonprofit organizations and government entities. (Adobe Stock)

AARP Wyoming Seeking Projects to Help Improve Communities

AARP Wyoming is putting out the call for creative projects to help improve communities, whether by creating new public transportation and housing …

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 …

The City of College Place, Wash., received a grant to improve wireless internet connection in the community. (City of College Place)

Community Challenge Grant Provides Unique Opportunity for WA Cities

A grant program to improve communities is open for applications. Started in 2017, the AARP Community Challenge program provides grants to …

South Dakotans logged nearly 14 million hours of formal volunteer service, according to AmeriCorps in its latest report. (Adobe Stock)

SD Among Top States for Volunteer Work

New data about volunteering in the U.S. is good news for South Dakota. Every other year, the independent government agency AmeriCorps works with the …

AmeriCorps says in its latest report, Minnesotans logged 108 million hours of formal volunteer service. (Adobe Stock)

MN Fares Well in New Volunteer Rankings

New data on volunteering in the U.S. carries good news for Minnesota. Every other year, the independent government agency AmeriCorps works with the …

In a national survey, Michigan was ranked 27th among the 50 states for its cost, access and quality of long-term care supports and services. California was ranked first. (Flickr)

MI State of State: Whitmer Promises Seniors Tax Breaks, Better Care

In her fifth State of the State address this week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer emphasized policies designed to put more money in Michiganders' pockets…

From February 2020 to November 2021, the number of workers in nursing homes and other care facilities dropped by 410,000 nationally, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Adobe Stock)

Critical Number of Rural IA Nursing Homes Close

Health-care professionals say low pay and a worker shortage have led a dramatic number of nursing homes in rural Iowa to close their doors. They hope …

In the past year, consumers saw the biggest inflation hike in 40 years, which took a bite out of grocery budgets. (Adobe Stock)

SD Enters Debate Mode on Grocery Tax Repeal

A South Dakota legislative committee has begun discussions on a plan to repeal the state's grocery tax. It has been a politically divisive issue …

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes provisions to lower prescription drug costs for people with Medicare coverage, including those who take insulin, which went into effect this month. (Sebra/Adobe Stock)

New Changes to Medicare Set to Benefit Georgia Seniors

Big changes are underway for Medicare participants, after historic legislation put them in motion this month. More than 1.8 million Georgians who …

DTPlays, an electric cargo bike that carried outdoor games, a shade tent and water around downtown Boise in 2022, received a Community Challenge grant. (AARP Idaho)

Grant Program to Improve Communities Open for Applications

A grant program that helps with projects that benefit local communities is back. The AARP Community Challenge program selects projects for small…

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