AARP Online Community: AARPCO - My Journals & Blogs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 15, 2008

CONTACT

Morie Smile

303/717-2974

AARP Colorado KEY VOTE NEWS ALERT

ATTENTION NEWS DESKS: AARP is recording House and Senate roll call votes on key issues throughout the 110^th Congress, and informing its nearly 40 million members of the results of these key votes.

AARP Thanks Congress for Keeping Medicare Fair, Overriding White House Veto

Bipartisan Bill Improves Low-Income Help and Boosts Quality through National E-Prescribing, Helps Ensure Access to Doctors

SUMMARY: Today the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate voted overwhelmingly to override a White House veto and pass important Medicare legislation. The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act will improve Medicare’s low-income programs, boost health care quality with a system of national e-prescribing, and help ensure the access of patients to their doctors.

Colorado	VOTED YES TO PASS MEDICARE BILL	VOTED NO ON MEDICARE BILL
Degette, Diana	X
Udall, Mark	X
Salazar, John	X
Musgrave, Marilyn	X
Lamborn, Douglas	X
Tancredo, Tom		X
Perlmutter, Ed	X

Senators

Salazar, Ken	X
Allard, Wayne		X

*Did not vote

** How a legislator votes on issues is only one factor in evaluating his or her legislative performance, which should also include such things as constituency services and committee work.

“Today’s vote is a victory for the 44 million Americans who depend on Medicare, and we applaud Representatives DeGette, Udall, Salazar, Musgrave Lamborn and Perlmutter and Senator Ken Salazar for their continued support,” said Jon Looney, AARP Colorado State Director. “This bipartisan legislation will help more Americans afford their health care bills while bringing doctors offices and pharmacies into the 21^st century with e-prescribing.”

Looney added: “We are disappointed that Representative Tancredo and Senator Wayne Allard voted against this important legislation. This bill would begin to bring down health care costs for millions of Americans, while reducing dangerous drug interactions with electronic prescriptions.”

AARP has been advocating for several months to ensure that lawmakers keep Medicare fair for the people who depend on it when Congress addresses physician payment cuts. AARP has also been advocating for this bill’s improvements to Medicare, particularly the low-income programs and electronic prescribing.

Since launching the “Keep Medicare Fair” initiative in April, AARP’s grassroots volunteers and activists have sent more than 1.2 million messages to Congress and the White House. As part of this effort, an AARP survey released May 19 found that of adults 50-plus, 81 percent oppose additional increases to Medicare premiums and 66 percent are less likely to vote for a Member of Congress who supports those increases.

AARP notified the 110^th Congress that it was tracking roll call votes on key legislation important to its 39 million members and reporting the outcomes of these votes back to its members.

“We believe people make the right choices when they understand the issues and positions taken by their elected officials. AARP intends to ensure that its members get that information,” Jon Looney concluded.

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 33 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP’s 39 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.

30 – 30 – 30

Added: July 16, 2008
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Local Vision Helps Many Internationally

Fort Collins, Colo. – Some would call these three Colorado State University researchers—pioneers. Their visionary work, performed nearly 50 years ago, led to creation of one of America’s best known and enduring institutions: The Peace Corps.

Former Colorado State University researchers Maury Albertson, Pauline Birky-Kreutzer, and Andrew Rice will be honored here this summer by Returned Peace Corps Volunteers for their vital role in the creation of the Peace Corps.

The ceremony is part of a three-day celebration honoring the Peace Corps and its many, many contributors.

Peace Corps and Friends: A Celebration runs August 22-24, and will include numerous activities designed to honor the Peace Corps and its volunteers, illustrate their experience, and inform about the current programs and plans of the agency as it enters the 21^st century. Both the general public and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers are encouraged to join in this amazing weekend by registering online at http://beetstreet.org/Peace-Corps-Reunion, or calling (970)-419-8240.

The weekend includes the Colorado premier of the Symphony for 1000 Drums, interactive panel discussions, the juried International Peace Corps Photography Exhibition, a procession of flags, country-by-country reunions and a Concert for Peace. Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and Sierra Club President Carl Pope will deliver the closing keynote address on Sunday, Aug. 24.

Maury Albertson was a professor at Colorado State University in 1961. He oversaw much of the work for the New Frontiers for American Youth, the Congressional feasibility study for what later became the Peace Corps. Maury, who has retired from CSU, remains active in the Fort Collins community and is the founder of the nonprofit organization Village Earth.

Pauline Birky-Kreutzer, a former Research Associate with the Colorado State University Research Foundation, was a fellow author along with Maury Albertson and Andrew Rice of the same feasibility study.

Pauline spent two years working with the very first group in Pakistan with the Peace Corps. She was also one of the first women to travel abroad with the Peace Corps. A large contingent of Pakistan-1, the group she volunteered with, is expected in Fort Collins for the ceremony in August. Pauline has written several books and articles about her Peace Corps experiences. Today Pauline lives in Green Valley, AZ.

Andrew Rice was a graduate student doing research at Colorado State University for the Peace Corps project when he co-authored, with Maury Albertson and Pauline Birky, the feasibility study. Beginning in the 1970s, he was a member—and later Chairman—of the Board of Directors of the Worldwatch Institute. In recent years he has been actively involved in the United Nations Association, organizing three national UNA conferences and serving for four years as President of the UNA of the National Capital Area.

Fort Collins has a special heritage with the program known as the Peace Corps. For 47 years, in 140 nations, volunteers from all over the U.S. have traveled all over the world to offer assistance to developing nations in the areas of health, education, business, and engineering. Throughout those years, CSU has been a leader in the number of volunteers serving in the Corps each year.Beet Street will honor the efforts of our young men and women who have given their assistance selflessly by inviting them all home to where the Peace Corps got its start.

The public is invited to register for the entire conference and enjoy all three days’ activities for a modest registration fee, or join the free Celebration activities on Friday evening, August 22. These include a Procession of the Peace Corps Nations’ Flags, a performance of the Symphony for 1,000 Drums, world music and international foods by Colorado vendors. Friday’s events take place at the Old Fort Collins Heritage Park across from Northside Aztlan Community Center beginning at 5pm.

Beet Street is an economic development initiative created by the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority in 2007 to distinguish Old Town Fort Collins as a cultural destination that fosters, celebrates, and inspires human creativity through diverse cultural experiences and programming. Beet Street will create a collaborative learning community in Fort Collins, Colorado, where everyone of every age is welcome to share in discussion, reflection, and creative expression.

Full details on the Peace Corps reunion can be found at http://beetstreet.org/Peace-Corps-Reunion, or by calling 970-419-8240.

Added: July 15, 2008
Views: 14 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

SEEKING AARP DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM INSTRUCTOR

"AARP believes that volunteer service is a unique and valuable contribution which benefits both the volunteer and society…"

AARP Driver Safety Program is the nation’s first and largest classroom driver refresher course especially designed for drivers age 50 and older. The course is taught by AARP trained-volunteers usually in two four-hour sessions. It covers rules of the road, current roadway conditions and normal age-related physical changes that may impact your driving and tips to compensate for these changes. Tests are not given. Course graduates may qualify for an auto insurance discount in 36 states and the District of Columbia or a voluntary discount in the remaining states. For more information, visit our website at www.aarp.org/55alive or call toll-free 1-888-227-7669.

Position Function: The Instructor actively promotes and organizes Driver Safety Program classes and conducts them in accordance with AARP Driver Safety Program national office guidelines.

Responsibilities:

Presents AARP Driver Safety Program courses in accordance with AARP national office guidelines.
Actively promotes classes among AARP Chapters, RTA Units and other groups and organizations in the community focused on persons 50 years or older.
Organizes classes through active recruitment, pre-course preparation, scheduling and arranging of classroom facilities.
Accepts teaching assignments from the Assistant State Coordinator.
Recruits Instructor candidates from class participants and other sources.
Attends workshops and other meetings as required.
Submits appropriate reports in a timely manner, at the conclusion of each course, to the national office. Provides information to Assistant State Coordinator as requested.
Keeps Assistant State Coordinator informed regarding scheduling of new classes, sponsorship promotion, recruitment and other program activities.
Actively recruits and involves diverse populations in program activities.
Promotes AARP’s priorities and goals.

Qualifications:

Demonstrated competence in helping older adults learn
Commitment to the goals and priorities of AARP
Ability to work well with diverse populations.

Term of Service and Length of Service:

One (1) year with option by supervisor to renew as appropriate.

Training Required:

Orientation to AARP
Driver Safety Program course completion
Instructor training session and annual in-service workshops

Travel Required: State and local travel as necessary.

Appointed By: Assistant State Coordinator, AARP Driver Safety Program

Supervisor: Assistant State Coordinator, AARP Driver Safety Program

Progress Review:

The performance of the Instructor will be monitored on an ongoing basis. As appropriate, the Instructor and his/her supervisor will develop a work plan that will serve as the basis for the volunteer progress review.

Available Resources:

AARP will provide volunteer travel accident insurance and comprehensive general liability insurance while performing volunteer responsibilities. Expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with program and AARP policies.

It is the policy of the Association that all AARP volunteers will receive equal opportunity and treatment throughout recruitment, appointment, training, and service. There will be no discrimination based on age, disabilities, gender, race, national or ethnic origin, religion, economic status, or sexual orientation.

D14294 (6/02)

Added: July 11, 2008
Views: 43 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

SEEKING AARP DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM MARKETING SPECIALIST

"AARP believes that volunteer service is a unique and valuable contribution which benefits both the volunteer and society…"

AARP Driver Safety Program is the nation’s first and largest classroom driver refresher course especially designed for drivers age 50 and older. The course is taught by AARP trained-volunteers usually in two four-hour sessions. It covers rules of the road, current roadway conditions and normal age-related physical changes that may impact your driving and tips to compensate for these changes. Tests are not given. Course graduates may qualify for an auto insurance discount in 36 states and the District of Columbia or a voluntary discount in the remaining states. For more information, visit our website at www.aarp.org/55alive or call toll-free 1-888-227-7669.

Position Function:

The Marketing Specialist has program marketing responsibility as determined by the State Coordinator. This includes identification of potential statewide sponsors, development of statewide sponsors, coordinating program exhibits at statewide sponsor events, and collaborating with AARP State Office staff and state sponsored volunteers on program promotion activities.

Responsibilities:

Provides guidance and counsel to the State Coordinator on matters of statewide marketing opportunities and general program sponsorship.
Identifies potential statewide sponsors including associations, corporations, social service agencies and organizations for the aging.
Initiates development of statewide sponsorship with those groups indicating interest.
Coordinates exhibiting of program materials and volunteer staffing of exhibit at statewide meetings of program sponsors or potential sponsors.
Collaborates with AARP state office staff and state sponsored volunteers to enhance sponsorship promotion.
Serves as a consultant on marketing and sponsorship to state Driver Safety Program volunteer leadership.
Actively seeks and involves diverse populations in program activities.
Promotes AARP’s priorities and goals.

Qualifications:

Membership in AARP.
Background in sales and marketing
Commitment to the goals and priorities of AARP.
Ability to work well with diverse populations.

Term of Service and Length of Service: Two (2) years with option by supervisor to renew as appropriate.

Training Required:

Orientation to AARP.
Program skills training.

Travel Required: Regional, state and local travel as necessary.

Appointed By: State Coordinator, AARP Driver Safety Program

Supervisor: State Coordinator, AARP Driver Safety Program

Progress Review: The performance of the Marketing Specialist will be monitored on an ongoing basis. As appropriate, the Marketing Specialist and his/her supervisor will develop a work plan that will serve as the basis for the volunteer progress review.

Available Resources: AARP will provide volunteer travel accident insurance and comprehensive general liability insurance while performing volunteer responsibilities. Expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with program and AARP policies.

It is the policy of the Association that all AARP volunteers will receive equal opportunity and treatment throughout recruitment, appointment, training, and service. There will be no discrimination based on age, disabilities, gender, race, national or ethnic origin, religion, economic status, or sexual orientation.

D16103 (6/02)

Added: July 11, 2008
Views: 28 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

Divided We Fail Press Release

For Immediate Release Contact: Morie P. Smile

July 10, 2008 303/764-5990

mpsmile@aarp.org

Divided We Fail Initiative gains momentum throughout the state
RepresentativesUdall and Musgrave are the latest to support Divided We Fail

Statewide - The Divided We Fail initiative continues to press candidates and elected officials to make access to quality, affordable health care and long-term financial security top issues in the national political debate.

“This initiative now represents more than 20,000 Coloradans who have signed the pledge since the initiative’s inception. This includes Coloradans from throughout the political spectrum, all united behind the goal of influencing the national debate to address issues that affect every one of us,” said AARP State Director Jon Looney. “Divided We Fail has worked to ensure detailed policies on health care and financial security are being offered by candidates; now we must continue to work to generate the political will necessary to tackle these critical issues.”

Divided We Fail, launched nationally in January 2007, has worked to engage the American people, elected officials and the business community to find broad-based, bi-partisan solutions to the most compelling domestic issues facing the nation: health care and the long-term financial security of Americans.

The national effort encompasses traditional grassroots and legislative work, speaking engagements, media events, private meetings with legislative leaders and opinion leaders, advertising in national outlets and in the primary states, and online activities which engage the public, business and elected officials in the debate, encouraging public leaders to offer solutions.

In Colorado, Divided We Fail will continue to secure pledges from members of Congress and the candidates in support of the effort. To date, Representative Diana DeGette, CD 1, Representative John Salazar, CD 3, Representative Marilyn Musgrave, CD 4, and Representative Ed Perlmutter, CD 7, and US Senate Candidate Bob Schaffer have all signed the Divided We Fail pledge. Representative Mark Udall, CD 2, sent a letter of support. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper signed the pledge in May. They join Presidential candidates, Senator McCain who sent a letter of support and Senator Obama who signed the pledge.

More information about Divided We Fail efforts can be found at www.dividedwefail.org.

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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, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, http://www.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.

Added: July 11, 2008
Views: 24 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

Press Release-July 2. 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 2, 2008

Morie Pierce Smile

AARP

303/764-5990

Dean Holzkamp

Colorado Medical Society

303/748-6113

COLORADO MEDICAL SOCIETY AND AARP CRITICIZE ALLARD FOR BLOCKING BILL TO PROTECT ACCESS TO DOCTORS AND IMPROVE MEDICARE

(Statewide) Gridlock has paralyzed the U.S. Senate, derailing a critical bipartisan bill that would have stopped a 10 percent cut to doctors who treat Medicare patients, kept Medicare premiums fair, and made significant improvements to a program that 44 million Americans depend on.

Last week, Senator Allard joined a minority of Senators in voting to block legislation that would have helped people on Medicare maintain access to their doctors, keep premiums fair and improve benefits for the most vulnerable while boosting health care quality through national e-prescribing. The Senate vote on the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331), which passed by a bipartisan landslide in the House of Representatives, was purposely scheduled for June 26 so it would become law before the cuts to doctor payments were to go into effect on July 1.

"We are deeply troubled that Senator Allard voted to block a bill with bipartisan support that would have preserved patients’ access to their doctors and improved Medicare for the 44 million Americans who depend on it,” said Jon Looney, State Director, AARP Colorado. “For the sake of older Americans, people with disabilities and military families, we urge Senator Allard to listen to his constituents and reconsider his/her vote when the bill comes up again after the congressional recess.”

In addition to preventing a 10 percent cut to payments to doctors, the Medicare bill would have: helped keep premiums fair; strengthened protections for lower income beneficiaries; improved Medicare’s coverage of preventive services, and made Medicare more efficient through electronic prescribing. The Senate is currently scheduled to reconsider H.R. 6331 immediately following the July 4th recess.

“Because of Senator Allard’s vote, the Senate went home for July 4th recess leaving care for our nation’s seniors, disabled individuals, and military families hanging in the balance,” said Colorado Medical Society (CMS) President Dave Downs, M.D. “We call on Senator Allard to reconsider his vote and return to Washington to do what’s right – vote to ensure patient access to care and improve health security for 44 million Americans.”

Throughout the debate on Medicare legislation, AARP, AMA, and CMS have engaged their members in the fight to keep Medicare fair and protect access to doctors. Hundreds of thousands of AARP supporters, including 15,457 in Colorado, called and emailed Congress, signed petitions, wrote letters to their local papers, and participated in Keep Medicare Fair events around the country over the last several weeks. In addition, more than 41,000 patients and physicians called Congress in June through the AMA grassroots hotline, and the AMA is airing new radio and television ads that urge opponents of H.R. 6331 to put patients’ access to care before insurance profits by voting for the bill as soon as they return to Washington from their holiday recess.

# # #

Added: July 2, 2008
Views: 38 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

2007 Colorado Transportation Survey: Aging and Mobility

2007 Colorado Transportation Survey: Aging and Mobility is now available on AARP Policy & Research.

This series of surveys examines the transportation use, attitudes toward public transportation, and health and disability status of AARP members in Colorado. Findings show that while the vast majority of members are able to drive, those with multiple health and disability problems are the most likely to be isolated and have few transportation alternatives.

http://www.aarp.org/research/housing-mobility/transportation/co_transport_07.html

For additional information, please contact Roberto Rey at 303-318-6763

Added: June 18, 2008
Views: 81 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

Media Release: Keep Medicare Fair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 12, 2008

CONTACT: Kelli Fritts 303-764-5991

AARP Colorado KEY VOTE NEWS ALERT

ATTENTION NEWS DESKS: AARP is recording House and Senate roll call votes on key issues throughout the 110^th Congress, and informing its nearly 40 million members of the results of these key votes.

AARP Dismayed by Senate Vote to Block Medicare Improvement Bill

Bipartisan Package Would Have Improved Benefits for Prevention, Mental Health and Low-Income Programs, Boosted Quality through National E-Prescribing

SUMMARY:Today a minority of the U.S. Senate blocked critical legislation to protect and improve Medicare for the 44 million Americans who depend on it. The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, which would have improved Medicare’s prevention, mental health, and low-income programs and instituted a national program for electronic prescribing, was blocked by a group of Senators during a procedural vote.

Colorado	VOTED YES TO MOVE MEDICARE BILL TO DEBATE AND VOTE	VOTED TO BLOCK MEDICARE IMPROVEMENT BILL
Allard, Wayne		X
Salazar, Ken	X

*Did not vote

** How a legislator votes on issues is only one factor in evaluating his or her legislative performance, which should also include such things as constituency services and committee work.

“While we are disappointed by today’s outcome, we applaud Senator Salazar for voting to improve Medicare and bring this bill to the floor for an up-or-down vote,” said Jim Dolbier AARP Colorado State President. “This bipartisan legislation would have helped more Americans afford their health care bills while bringing our doctors’ offices and pharmacies into the 21^st century with e-prescribing. We look forward to continuing to work with Senator Salazar and his colleagues to pass a bill this month to improve Medicare and keep premiums fair for the 44 million Americans who rely on the program.”

Jim Dolbier added: “We are disappointed that Senator Allard voted to block this Medicare improvement bill from open debate and an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor. This bill would begin to bring down health care costs for millions of Americans by boosting Medicare’s prevention, mental health, and low-income programs and promoting e-prescribing—one way to reduce harmful and costly medical errors.”

AARP has been advocating for several months to ensure that people in Medicare do not face an unfair increase in their premiums when Congress addresses physician payment cuts. AARP has also been advocating for improvements to Medicare, particularly the low-income programs, including raising asset limits, simplifying the application process and improving collaboration between Medicare and the Social Security Administration to screen people who may be eligible for low-income help and not know it. The bill brought up for a cloture vote today included all of these changes.

The AARP initiative, titled “Keep Medicare Fair,” to date has generated more than a half million phone calls, e-mails and petitions sent to Senate offices. As part of this effort, an AARP survey released May 19 found that of adults 50-plus, 81 percent oppose additional increases to Medicare premiums and 66 percent are less likely to vote for a Member of Congress who supports those increases.

AARP notified the 110^th Congress that it was tracking roll call votes on key legislation important to its 39 million members and reporting the outcomes of these votes back to its members. “We believe people make the right choices when they understand the issues and position taken by their elected officials. AARP intends to ensure that its members get that information,” Jim Dolbier concluded.

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 33 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP’s 39 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.

30 – 30 – 30

Added: June 13, 2008
Views: 77 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

Keep Medicare Fair--We Need Your Help Today!

You may have seen our ad “Keep Medicare Fair” in the Sunday Denver Post. We need your help today as we expect a vote on this very important issue tomorrow!

Call Senator Allard at 1-800-795-5336

and tell him to support legislation that keeps Medicare fair.

Why?

AARP has endorsed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 put forward by Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-MT), Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) are also on the bill.

The “Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008”protects people on Medicare from unreasonable increases in their Part B premiums. The monthly premiums paid by beneficiaries have more than doubled since 2000, far outpacing increases in Social Security cost of living adjustments.

Unlike other proposals that focus almost exclusively on changes to physician reimbursement, the Baucus-Snowe bill improves the Medicare program and begins to lay the groundwork for broader changes in our health care system by:

Improving low-income protections for the most vulnerable
Helping more people with low-incomes pay drug costs
Expanding coverage of preventive services
Reducing coinsurance for mental health services
Preventing cuts in physician reimbursement and keeping Medicare 2009 Part B premium increases lower:
Protecting Medicare beneficiaries from unscrupulous marketing tactics
Helping to prevent potentially dangerous prescribing errors by requiring electronic prescribing
Taking notable steps to reward quality over quantity of care

KeepMedicareFair.org

Added: June 11, 2008
Views: 102 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

Get Fit on Route 66

"Get Fit on Route 66" is an award-winning, fun physical activity adventure designed to inspire you to be more active as you trace the famous route of this virtual highway. Whatever physical activity you enjoy doing—tennis, jogging, swimming, biking, softball, or something else, this is a fun way to motivate yourself into keeping fit. In 2006, " Get Fit on Route 66" was recognized by the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) with an innovation in physical activity programming award.

How does it work? Your goal is to "travel" from Chicago to Santa Monica (2,448 miles) by recording your physical activity minutes. The program converts the minutes to miles with one minute equaling one mile. You set the pace, whether it’s ten miles a day or sixty. You’ll find it easy to use and the healthy recipes section takes the guesswork out of preparing a nutritious meal. Plus motivational emails will keep you moving.

For those who have actually traveled Route 66, the program will bring back fond memories.

For those who haven’t, you’ll discover fun facts about Route 66 along the way.

Who Can Participate?

Everyone can participate—occasional, regular and advanced participation levels make it challenging and fun to complete the route, whether you’re already active or just beginning to get more active.

How Do I Get Started?

Visit Get Fit on Route 66 and register for this free program from AARP. We celebrate the attitude that age is just a number and life is what you make it.

If you have completed Get Fit on Route 66, consider our other online step counting program, "Step Up to Better Health," designed to motivate you to walk more frequently as part of your daily routine.

Added: June 4, 2008
Views: 164 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

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