AARP Foundation In the News

SEC, FTC Commend AARP Foundation on Fraud Fighting

Tips from Colorado office lead to crackdown on $75 million investment scam; victims of elder fraud receive refunds. read

Shopping cart speeding down aisle-Virtual Food Drive to End Hunger

Food Drive Fueled by AARP Foundation Stats

(Lakeland Ledger, Fla., March 25) - Citing statistics from AARP Foundation on the nearly 9 million 50+ adults at risk of hunger, Florida's Lakeland Ledger reports that several Polk County organizations, including Cornerstone Hospice, have launched a Feeding Families Food Drive. Read

Praise for AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Volunteers

(Wausaudailyherald.com, April 2) - As the tax deadline approaches, local communities around the country are highlighting the volunteer efforts sponsored by AARP Foundation Tax-Aide to provide free tax-filing assistance to low- and moderate-income seniors. Read

AARP Foundation Forms Million-Dollar Partnership With LA Kitchen to Fight Hunger

(AARP.org, Jan. 8) - Robert Egger, founder of D.C. Central Kitchen, is turning AARP Foundation support into fresh and frozen foods — all prepared from locally grown produce — for older adults in need in the Los Angeles area. The nonprofit venture will also provide job training and incorporate all the Foundation's focus areas — hunger, income, housing and isolation — into its efforts. Read

See press releases from AARP Foundation. »

AARP Foundation News Archive

Jeff Gordon's Drive to End Hunger Partnership With AARP Foundation Extended (Speedway Media, Oct. 5)
AARP Foundation Financial Education Program Targets Older Americans (Consumer Affairs, Sept. 17)
A Closer Look at Seniors' Wealth (WashingtonPost.com, August 16)
Food Truck Gives Central Montana Seniors Access to Affordable, Fresh Produce (NBCMontana, July 31)
AARP Foundation Awarded $52 Million Senior Community Service Employment Program Grant (U.S. Department of Labor, July 26)

The Latest
Hunger News

Is the Recovery Leaving the Hungry Behind?

(Fiscal Times, April 3) - Despite a record-breaking surge in the stock market, reduced unemployment and a rise in housing sales, the demand for federal food stamps continues to climb. Read

Spending Cuts Could Hit Meals on Wheels Hard

(USA Today, Feb. 10) - The head of the home-delivered food program worries that proposed cuts would reduce their funding by more than 5 percent and that some 200,000 seniors could lose the benefit. Read

Congressman Launches New Campaign to 'End Hunger Now'

(Feb. 5) - Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts defends SNAP and calls for a White House Conference on Food and Nutrition. Rep. McGovern is encouraging use of Twitter hashtag #EndHungerNow to unite efforts. Watch

Hunger News Archive

Connecticut Community Center Prepares Thanksgiving Meals for Those in Need (New Haven Register, Nov. 18)
Great Boston Food Bank Meets a Growing Need (Boston Globe, Nov. 4)
California Seniors Helping Fight Hunger and Waste (CBS News, Oct. 4)
Urban Farming Finds Surprising Fans Among Food-Insecure Seniors (MSN.com, Sept. 26)

The Latest
Income News

Are Boomers Confident About Retirement Saving? Survey Says No.

(Marketwatch, April 2) - A new survey by the Insured Retirement Institute notes a marked drop in the last two years in boomers' confidence that they are saving enough for retirement. Read

Older Americans Adding to Debt to Help Relatives

(Marketplace, March 27) - Recent studies indicate that 50+ Americans now carry more credit card debt than those under 50, the first time for such a swing. And a good portion of that debt comes from older Americans helping out struggling relatives. Read

Challenges Face Those Who Want to Continue Working

(Huffington Post, March 21) - In her most recent blog, Sara Rix, senior strategic policy advisor with the AARP Public Policy Institute, notes that although many older Americans want to keep working, challenges such as ill health, job loss and caregiving responsibilities often still stand in the way; however, ongoing improvements in employment options continue to make "working close to forever" highly appealing. Read

Income News Archive

AARP Jobs Expert Discusses Ways 50+ Workers Can Find, Train for Employment (WGN, Jan. 31)
Pasadena's Women at Work Receives 'Holiday Surprises' (Pasadena San Gabriel News Journal, Dec. 10)
Lower Unemployment Rates Means Fewer State Benefits for Fla. Jobless Next Year (Palm Beach Post, Oct. 22)
Seniors Struggle to Hurdle Job Search Obstacles (Daily News-Sun, Oct. 6)
Why 'Senior' Checking Accounts Are a Rip-Off (Business Insider, Oct. 3)
A Tale of Two Job Seekers (PBS NewsHour, Sept. 25)

The Latest
Housing News

Housing Is Biggest Expense for Seniors

(Senior Housing News, April 1) - A Social Security Administration report indicates that housing expenses lead all others among those 50+, and that both the poorest and those at the lower end of the age spectrum are hit the hardest. Read

Older Adults Turn to Co-Housing to Save Money

(WCBS-TV, March 26) - Across the country, more than 100 developments feature small homes clustered around communal buildings, in some cases including communal kitchens; establishing ground rules for shared space is key. Read

Nearly Half of Older Workers Will Use Home Equity for Retirement

(NYT, Feb. 5) - A recent survey found, surprisingly, that 47 percent of workers between 50 and 70 plan to rely on the equity in their homes to finance their retirement despite the widespread loss in home values. They may have no other choice. Read

Housing News Archive

Sandy Scams: Beware Repair Fraudsters (AARP.org, Oct. 29)
Making Your Home Accessible (Chicago Tribune, Oct. 19)
Will Demand for Reverse Mortgages Rise Along With New 'Normal' Retirement Age? (Reverse Mortgage Daily, Sept. 16)

The Latest
Isolation News

Staying Connected Guards Against Isolation for Those Choosing to Age in Place

(Sacramento Bee, Mar. 20) - The Sacramento Bee reports, "According to AARP, several studies suggest that isolation is a major health risk," and notes that experts advise advance planning to ensure that "you or your loved one will have important connections and support sysytems in place as the aging process continues." Read

Documentary Details Challenges Facing LGBT Seniors Seeking Care

(Ventura County Star, Calif., Jan. 15) - "Gen Silent" follows the stories of six LGBT seniors needing care but afraid, for various reasons, to ask for help. The documentary mentions how AARP and other organizations are offering help, such as providing information on LGBT-friendly care and other resources. Read