Regional News From the AARP Bulletin

Source: AARP.org | November 9, 2006

April 2008

Balancing act -- In the state that ranks last in federal funding for home- and community-based care, AARP Tennessee is hoping change is in the air.  Gov. Phil Bredesen, D, told lawmakers in his January State of the State address that he would like to give more residents alternatives to nursing home care. If adequately funded, programs such as adult day care and respite for family caregivers could help more people remain in their own homes as they age.  AARP Tennessee is working to raise support for home- and community-based care by meeting with lawmakers, placing ads, dispatching e-mail alerts and holding news conferences on polls showing that residents want more long-term care choices.  To learn more or to read an interview with Bredesen, visit www.aarp.org/tn. To urge your legislators to support home- and community-based care, call 1-800-865-1218.

November 2007

Walking tall – Retirees from the nation’s largest public utility teamed up with AARP to get fit this fall. A 10-week walking program for members of the Tennessee Valley Authority Retirees Association began in October and will conclude in December. The program features virtual walking tours between Tennessee Valley Authority locations that help participants gauge their accomplishment. They’ll find that 100,000 steps equal a trek from Knoxville to Morristown, Tenn., for example. Those who log 720,000 steps will walk the equivalent distance from Huntsville, Ala., through Memphis to Tupelo, Miss. AARP posts walking tips at http://www.aarp.org/health/fitness/walking. For more on the Tennessee program, visit http://www.aarp.org/states/tn.