Ann Arbor, Michigan Takes Top Honors as the #1 Healthiest City to Live and Retire In

AARP Fitness Ambassador Martina Navratilova offers tips to help get active and healthy

1. Check with your doctor if you have a medical condition.
2. Invest in good shoes that fit well.
3. Look for walking groups or start your own.
4. Start with a warm up - a good stretching exercise.
5. Check your heart rate and breathing while walking.
6. Use good posture, swing your arms, and keep your head up, back straight and abdomen flat.
7. Carry water.
8. In hot weather, wear a hat with a brim and apply sunscreen.
9. Get a pedometer to track the distance you’ve walked or the number of steps you’ve taken.
10. Keep your work out interesting.  To increase your fitness, add a route with some hills or changes in terrain.  

For Immediate Release:                                           

• Be female age 40 or over (as of August 31, 2008);
• Be able to demonstrate financial need; and
• Be enrolled in an accredited post-secondary school or training program within 6 months of the scholarship award date.

News Release

Older people are especially at risk from heat related health problems such as heatstroke and heat exhaustion. With the heat wave we are currently experiencing, now is not the time to do chores, run errands or weed your garden.

"Heat can be miserable for all ages, but potentially life threatening for older persons," according to Elinor Ginzler, AARP Director for Livable Communities.

Here are 10 tips for dealing with the heat wave:

1. Relax and put off chores and any strenuous activity.
2. Stay indoors during the hottest times of the day.
3. Close your shades to keep out the sunshine.
4. If you do not have air conditioning, stay on the lower-level in your home—heat rises.
5. Check with your local agency for cool places you can go such as libraries and public buildings, or a mall with air conditioning.
6. Wear light-weight, loose fitting clothing and protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat, sunglasses or use an umbrella.
7. Drink plenty of water even if you are not thirsty. This helps keep your body cool.
8. Avoid alcohol or caffeinated beverages.
9. If you have a chronic medical condition, talk with your doctor about additional precautions you should take to prevent heat related illness. Some conditions and medications may place you at higher risk.
10. Neighbors, friends or family should check in on older people in their homes to make sure they are not suffering from the heat.

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. 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, 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.

AARP Sets Aside a Day to Make a Difference

WASHINGTON – In keeping with its long-standing commitment to volunteer service, AARP today announced that its 8th Annual Day of Service will take place on May 8, 2008 in communities throughout the country.  In recognition of AARP’s 50th Anniversary, AARP has introduced “50 Ways to Make a Difference” for this year’s Day of Service.

“Fifty years ago, AARP was established in the spirit of service when Ethel Percy Andrus created a founding principle -‘To serve, not to be served,’” said Bill Novelli, Chief Executive Officer of AARP.  “By taking action and setting aside this day for community service, we are using our national presence to make a difference where our members live.”

The “50 Ways to Make a Difference” initiative aims to ensure that anyone can be involved in promoting positive change in his or her community by highlighting small actions that can make a big difference.  From the click of a mouse to helping a neighbor to volunteering at a local organization, AARP encourages its employees, volunteers, and members to help their communities.  AARP’s website, www.aarp.org, has more information on the “50 Ways,” and provides ideas on how anyone can participate in the Day of Service.

On May 8, thousands of AARP employees, volunteers, and members will take part in the Day of Service.  AARP has continuously served as a leader in communities, providing driver education, and a host of other community-based service to older Americans, and the Day of Service provides everyone the chance to work on community projects at various sites all over the nation.

AARP’s Day of Service has taken place on the second Thursday in May for the past 8 years. On that day, AARP closes its offices and invites everyone to take part in a community service project of their choice.  In 2007, more than 33,000 people participated.

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 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.

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AARP and NCOA Launch New Resource as Part of Stimulus Payment Education Campaign

Easy to Understand Materials and Consumer Education at Heart of Ongoing Efforts

The AARP Foundation and the National Council on Aging (NCOA) launched a user-friendly online tool to simplify the economic stimulus payment application process for millions of Americans who are not otherwise required to file income tax returns. The online tool can be found at www.aarp.org/stimulus.

The online tool, developed with expertise from AARP Tax Aide (an AARP Foundation tax assistance and preparation program offered in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service), is the latest effort in AARP’s campaign to help older Americans learn how to apply for stimulus payments and protect themselves from fraud.

Earlier this year, AARP helped lead efforts in Washington, DC, to expand stimulus eligibility to include approximately 20 million Americans who primarily depend on Social Security, certain railroad retirement income or veterans disability income.

The new online resource allows users to print out a completed economic stimulus form after answering a few simple questions. This tool can also be used by trusted loved ones and volunteers to help those in need without Internet access.

AARP staff and volunteers have been working with the IRS, Social Security Administration, and other organizations to inform and equip the estimated 20 million Americans who are eligible for the stimulus payments but are not otherwise required to file income tax returns. Key tips for filers include:

• Applications for the stimulus payments are not subject to the April 15th tax filing deadline. The IRS is accepting stimulus payment forms until the Fall, providing time for individuals to answer any questions and safely file their stimulus applications.
• Individuals should beware of stimulus payment scams. Scammers are calling and emailing individuals asking for personal information, including Social Security numbers and bank account information. The IRS never emails or calls tax payers asking for personal information – individuals should not give information to people posing as IRS representatives over the phone or through email.
• Resources are available for those who have questions or need help. AARP offers a number of resources on its website including a set of Frequently Asked Questions, printable easy-to-understand instructions for filling out a stimulus application, and the new online tool. AARP Foundation’s Tax Aide volunteers are available online to answer questions throughout the year with more complicated stimulus filings.

“We are encouraging friends, family and community organizations across the nation to join the 32,000 volunteers at AARP Foundation’s Tax Aide program who are looking out for and helping older Americans securely receive their stimulus payments,” said COO Tom Nelson. “Print out the instructions or use the online tool-–straightforward ways to help every person who is eligible for a payment get one.”

To learn more about how to apply for your stimulus payment and help others apply, visit www.aarp.org/stimulus or www.aarp.org/taxaide.

Through KeepMedicareFair.org, AARP is alerting members and others about Congress’s plan to raise Medicare premiums to cover rising health care costs. Site visitors can sign a petition and easily spread the word to friends and family to tell Congress that it’s not fair. Many apparently agree, as 45,000 signed the petition the first day. More <https://secure2.convio.net/aarp/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=111>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                 

February 26, 2008             

Steve Westly Joins Governor Schwarzenegger

as Co-Chair of Redistricting Reform Campaign

Sacramento, CA – Today, California Voters First announced that former State Controller Steve Westly will co-chair the redistricting campaign with Governor Schwarzenegger, who announced his support of the reform on December 3, 2007 alongside AARP, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, California Common Cause, and the League of Women Voters of California. 

“I’m excited to be a part of this team.  Legislators designing their own districts is a clear conflict of interest – this initiative solves that problem. California Voters First puts the task of reapportionment into the hands of a truly independent multi-partisan commission,” Westly announced today. “This is a cause I’ve advocated for since I was State Controller and I’m looking forward to all that we can accomplish with this initiative.”

California Voters FIRST campaign chair, California State AARP President Jeannine English welcomed the endorsement, “Mr. Westly joining the leadership team is one more demonstration that our campaign is truly committed to a bipartisan solution that results in fair redistricting reform. He is a champion of good government and having him at the head of our group is a great step towards getting this on the ballot.”

“I want to thank Steve Westly for making redistricting reform a top priority and for joining me as co-chair of this campaign to pass the California Voters FIRST Act,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “The people of this state deserve a system where voters choose the politicians not where politicians choose the voters. I ask all Californians - Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike - to join us in supporting this important measure.”

Governor Schwarzenegger, Steve Westly, AARP, The Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, The League of Women Voters of California and California Common Cause are actively working to gather signatures and qualify the California Voters FIRST Act for the November 2008 ballot.  

The Act will create a 14-person independent citizens commission comprised of five Democrats, five Republicans and four individuals not registered as a member of either major party to draw district boundaries for the Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization. The measure creates a more open and transparent redistricting process, takes the power to draw district lines out of the hands of lawmakers and puts into place a non-partisan process that requires respecting existing city boundaries, county boundaries and communities.

“Today’s announcement is a great step forward for the campaign and for California’s voters.  We need bipartisan co-chairs like Governor Schwarzenegger and Steve Westly to be at the forefront of this reform.  Currently, communities are split up into as many as four districts.  This proposal will change that and give a voice to communities currently silenced by the way our legislative districts are drawn. Thank you Governor Schwarzenegger and thank you Mr. Westly for making this important issue a top priority,” Kathay Feng, Executive Director for California Common Cause, said on Tuesday.

The initiative was filed with the Attorney General’s office on October 23, 2007. The measure is a constitutional amendment, which requires 694,354 signatures to qualify for the ballot. 

Attached is a fact sheet and full text of the California Voters FIRST Act. Please visit www.cavotersfirst.org for additional information.

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