AARP and Best Selling Author Gail Sheehy Join Together to Launch the World’s Largest Online Community and Resource Center for Caregivers
Source: AARP Press Center | 2009-01-16
January 16, 2009
Contact: Michelle Alvarez, AARP, 202-434-2560, malvarez@aarp.org
WASHINGTON (January 16, 2009) – AARP, the leading organization for people 50+, today announced the debut of exclusive new online resources and content to help the more than 44 million caregivers across the country in their unique daily challenges. AARP’s Ambassador of Caregiving, Gail Sheehy, will serve as a major contributor to the online caregiving portal on www.aarp.org.
The renowned author of Passages will communicate with AARP’s 40 million members and others through interactive Web casts featuring exclusive videos of caregiving families, personal blogs and online chats. Her mission is to guide members through the emotional and practical sides of the caregiver role and to build a community of ideas and practical solutions.
As AARP’s Ambassador of Caregiving, Sheehy traveled around the country to film the personal stories of families in different phases of the caregiving journey. She also interviewed experts who hold the key to the best resources. The Web casts will roll out throughout 2009. The first installments are available now on www.aarp.org/gailsheehy.
“Gail’s expertise and emotional compassion on the issue of caregiving makes her the ideal voice to speak to our members and we’re thrilled to be able to provide these new tools and resources,” said Emilio Pardo Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer, AARP. “Not only will we be able to connect her “in real time” with our members, we’ll also continuously be updating the site with relevant news and information that our members can use to empower themselves on a daily basis.”
“None of us is prepared for the role of caregiving,” said Sheehy. “Many of us find ourselves thrust into this universal passage with nowhere to turn and a sense of helplessness and fear that only add to the stress. Through the power of the AARP community, I can share my own personal passage as a caregiver and that of the thousands of people I have met along the way with the many millions who feel alone and without direction. To be able to do this in real time on the Web offers me a unique opportunity, and I am grateful to AARP for their vision and dedication to this issue touching so many Americans.”
Described as America’s “emotional tour guide,” Sheehy has published 15 books. Her book 1976 book Passages was named by The Library of Congress as one of the ten most influential books of our time. Passages has been printed in 28 languages and remained on The New York Times Bestseller list for more than three years. In 2006, Random House rereleased Passages in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of its first printing. Other best sellers include The Silent Passage, New Passages, Understanding Men’s Passages, and Hillary’s Choice. She is also a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and to Parade since 1984. Her articles have won her numerous journalistic awards.
ABOUT AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 34.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
