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Need Financial Help to Raise Your Grandchild?My Journals (148)
The Senate Finance Committee is taking a major step forward on health reform today as they begin debating Senator Baucus’s proposed Health Care Reform plan. This could be one of your last chances to have a major influence on how this policy gets shaped so please call Senator Schumer right away.
AARP is fighting to ensure that our most vulnerable seniors have the extra help they need to afford their prescriptions and we need your help. Today, 3 million seniors are being denied help with their drug costs because Medicare’s low income drug assistance program – which pays premiums and most out-of-pocket drug costs – has an unreasonable asset limit that punishes those who played by the rules and managed to save a small nest egg for retirement. With drug prices soaring, retirement incomes shrinking and the average senior spending 30 percent of their income on health care costs, it is critical that seniors who need the extra help get it.
AARP is calling on the Finance Committee to support Senator Bingaman’s amendment, which would increase the drug program asset test so more people who need help can qualify. Please call Senator Schumer right away at 1-800-944-6723 and tell him to support the Bingaman D4 amendment to increase asset tests and cut red tape so more people who need help can qualify.
Added: September 24, 2009
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Views: 66 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
As Washington continues the debate over health care reform, AARP has chosen a side – yours.
We’re fighting to protect the Medicare benefits you’ve earned. To guarantee that you’ll never be denied coverage because of your health or age. To prevent anyone from coming between you and your doctor. And to make sure you don’t take a backseat to insurance companies.
AARP’s mission is to make our members’ voices heard. That’s why we’ve made it clear to Congress and the President that we will fight with the strength of our 40 million members against any health care reform proposal that would cut Medicare benefits or increase out-of-pocket costs for seniors.
AARP continues to track the latest developments in Washington in order to provide you with the information you need to decide what health care reform will mean for you.
Strengthening Medicare
Medicare is a sacred promise that was made to seniors – because no one should be left to struggle with medical bills after a lifetime of hard work. At AARP, we’ve worked hard to protect and improve Medicare since its inception, and we’re not about to stop now.
Protecting Your Benefits: AARP is fighting to ensure seniors get the benefits they’ve earned and to strengthen Medicare for future generations.
We’re also working to fill in gaps in today’s benefit package, such as closing the Part D prescription drug coverage gap (the so-called “doughnut hole.”)
And, we’re working to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for important preventive care like cancer screenings and diabetes tests.
Eliminating Waste: AARP is fighting to get rid of waste, fraud and inefficiency in Medicare to better ensure the timely delivery of health benefits, both now and to future generations when they retire.
Unfortunately, Medicare costs – like all health costs – are skyrocketing due in large part to billions of dollars in system waste, inefficiency, and fraud. For example, Medicare is paying billions in extra subsidies to private insurance companies – spending 14 percent more per patient, on average, than for traditional Medicare. These are tax dollars that should be going for your care, not insurance company profits.
Other ways to reduce waste include reducing over-billing by providers, cutting out unnecessary and duplicate tests, and cracking down on those who fraudulently bill Medicare. We can also save individuals and Medicare money by preventing dangerous hospital readmissions by providing follow-up care that will help individuals safely transition back home after a hospital stay.
Preserving Your Choice of Doctor: At AARP, we know how important it is for our members to have the freedom to choose their own doctor. That’s why we’re fighting to ensure doctors get paid fairly. Without health reform, Medicare doctors will be forced to take a 21 percent pay cut. We also support giving primary care providers bonus payments, which will help ensure that people with chronic conditions can get the care they need.
No One Between You and Your Health Care: AARP is fighting to ensure that all health decisions are made by you and your doctor, not your insurance company or the government. No matter what your age, your care should be your choice.
We’re also working to ensure that older Americans have the choice to receive the services they need at home rather than in a more costly institution.
Health Care for 50+ Americans
AARP is fighting to ensure health care reform prevents insurance companies from denying coverage to you because of your health or age. To protect Medicare so it’s there when you’re ready to retire. To ensure you and your doctor are making treatment decisions – not the government or your insurance company. To make sure your care isn’t taking a back seat to insurance companies.
Preventing Discrimination: AARP is fighting for health reform to stop insurance companies from using your health or age as a reason to deny coverage.
We believe insurance companies should not be allowed to use age as an excuse to charge unaffordable premiums. Or to deny coverage if you have a pre-existing condition or drop coverage if you get sick. And we believe that those who cannot afford it should get help paying their premiums.
Protecting Consumers: AARP is fighting to stop the high prices charged by drug companies by: enabling drug price negotiation; allowing safe, legal importation of lower-priced prescription drugs from abroad; and permitting the sale of generic versions of biologic drugs – costly medications for diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis.
Protecting Medicare: AARP is fighting to protect Medicare so that you and your children and grandchildren have the health coverage they need when they retire.
No One Between You and Your Health Care: AARP is fighting to ensure that all health decisions are made by you and your doctor, not your insurance company or the government. No matter what your age, your care should be your choice.
Added: September 24, 2009
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Stacey Kratz 212.407.3708
WESTERN NEW YORK FALLS PREVENTION CONSORTIUM AND AARP CONDUCT SURVEYS TO ASSESS “WALKABILITY” OF STREETS IN AND AROUND SENIOR FACILITIES
Falls among the elderly are a significant public health issue and addressed locally as part of National Falls Prevention Awareness Day
BUFFALO, NEW YORK – Members of the Western New York Falls Prevention Consortium were joined by the Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York, AARP, Buffalo Deputy Mayor Donna Brown and Erie County Legislator Timothy Kennedy to proclaim September 22, 2009 as National Falls Prevention Awareness Day and Falls Prevention Awareness Day in the City of Buffalo and in Erie County.
After the news conference, teams of volunteers scattered throughout the City of Buffalo and Erie County to conduct “walkability” studies in and around facilities such as senior apartment complexes to assess whether the streets and sidewalks in these areas posed any risks for falls. These walkability studies developed by the AARP Public Policy Institute have also been utilized in many regions of the United States to make communities safer.
“Since our goal is to keep the elderly living as independently as possible, we must look to prevent falls both in and outside of the home,” Ann F. Monroe, president of the Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York said.
“The fact is that falls among the elderly have a significant impact to one’s independence and can alter the quality of life among older adults who would otherwise be healthy and active,” continued Monroe.
“Safe, walkable streets are vital for older residents to maintain independent lifestyles which is why AARP is out in force today assessing the communities’ concerns and needs,” said William Armbruster, AARP’s Associate State Director for Western New York. “We look forward to sharing the results of today’s survey with our legislators and county developers and ask them to create and maintain reliable options for Erie County residents.”
In declaring National Falls Prevention Awareness Day in the City of Buffalo Deputy Mayor Brown proclaimed, “Consortium members are involved in developing various programs to reduce and prevent falls in our community and these programs will be utilized by the community at large to help prevent falls among the older adults. I am pleased to join state and national efforts in recognizing September 22nd as Falls Prevention Awareness Day.”
Erie County Legislator Timothy Kennedy also is securing a proclamation declaring Falls Prevention Awareness Day for Erie County. Kennedy is an occupational therapist so he has seen the impact of falls on the elderly.
“As an occupational therapist, I have witnessed firsthand the detrimental impact falls have had on the lives of those affected,” said Legislator Kennedy. “As a public official, I realize that government must do all that we can to make the community safer and improve the quality of life for all residents. By doing so, we will naturally play a role in falls prevention.”
The Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York has committed approximately $300,000 in grants to various health and community organizations which have begun working to develop various effective preventive measures to minimize falls among the elderly. The walkability study is just one component of this effort.
According to the Community Health Foundation, New York data from 2003-2005 shows that 2,975 people in Erie County required inpatient hospital care each year due to fall injuries with 73% of these injuries impacting women. Approximately 10 percent of these falls resulted in traumatic brain injuries. The average cost of hospitalization from these falls was approximately $16,500 with a total annual cost for inpatient care of approximately $150 million. During this period, an average of 45 people died annually in Erie County from a fall related injury.
About the Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York
The Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York is an independent private foundation. It invests in, and partners with, organizations and communities in innovative ways to improve health and healthcare for the vulnerable and underserved. The Foundation’s Board of Trustees has selected frail elders and children from communities of poverty as targeted populations for health improvements over the next several years. The Foundation is based in Buffalo and has a second office in Syracuse. For more information, pleasevisit www.chfwcny.org.
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 35.5 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.
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Added: September 24, 2009
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2009
For More Information:
Kristin Legere 518.447.6723
Stacey Kratz 212.407.3708
AARP Responds to President Obama’s Speech on Wall Street
New AARP Survey Shows Support For Increased Consumer Protections in Financial Industry
Washington, DC – AARP Executive Vice President, Nancy LeaMond released the following statement in response to President Obama’s speech today on Wall Street:
“Older Americans saw their retirement savings decimated by the economic crisis. AARP has long maintained that consumers must be armed with as much information as possible so that they can make sound financial decisions. In a world where individuals must plan for their own financial futures, information is imperative and greater protections are needed in the marketplace.
“AARP supports the creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Agency that would advocate on behalf of consumers’ needs in the financial marketplace. It is important that individuals know they are buying products and getting financial advice from industry certified advisors. It is important that when individuals buy a product that has been recommended to them it is the right product for their needs.
“In a recent AARP survey, 95 percent of people 25 years and older believe in having investment services firms increase their transparency around the costs, risks and benefits of all financial products they offer. The same number of individuals believe companies that manage 401(k) plans should be required to clearly explain their fees on participant’s annual statements. AARP has long advocated for transparency in 401(k) plans, having known that the majority of investors are unaware of the fees associated with their retirement savings.
“Similarly strong support exists for providing consumers with information on how to monitor their investment advisors and report possible professional misconduct (89 percent), and allow them to check their investment advisor’s record (93 percent). Finally, 69 percent believe in only permitting investment firms to sell products that are suitable for the needs, objectives, and risk tolerance of their consumers.
“AARP looks forward to working with Congress and the Administration to protect consumer’s financial well-being and to improve the economic security of American families.”
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 35.5 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.
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Added: September 14, 2009
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Views: 72 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
Contact
Jordan McNerney or Drew Nannis
202-434-2560
AARP Reacts to Presidential Address
WASHINGTON—AARP CEO Barry Rand released this statement following President Barack Obama’s address to Congress:
“Over the last several weeks, the health care debate shifted from a conversation to a shouting match, and legitimate concerns about how we fix our health care system were drowned out by myths and mischaracterizations. It’s time to get back to the goal of fixing our system so everyone has quality, dependable health care they can afford. We are optimistic that tonight’s address will help move us toward an agreement on these important issues.
“At AARP, we’re fighting for reforms that protect and expand benefits for people in Medicare, prevent discrimination based on age or health, and ensure no one—not an insurance company or a government bureaucrat—can come between you and your doctor. We need to close the dreaded gap in Medicare drug coverage that forces many to stop taking the medicines that keep them healthy. And we need to ensure that older Americans can buy and keep affordable health coverage.
“AARP will fight on behalf of our 40 million members to ensure health care reform works for them by making coverage available and affordable and by improving the quality of care they receive.
“We applaud the president’s effort to keep health care reform moving forward. Tonight, he laid out thoughtful goals for health care reform. We share many of those goals and we will continue to work for our members and their families to ensure health care reform meets their needs.”
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 35.5 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.
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Added: September 10, 2009
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2009
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kristin Legere, (518) 447-6723
Chaunda Ball, (212) 407-3732
New Poll Shows Concerns with Current Health Care System Remain High
AARP, AMA and ANA Jointly Release New Data
WASHINGTON – New polling released today shows that Americans 50-plus remain concerned with the current health care system, underscoring the need for reform.
Data released jointly today by AARP, the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Nurses Association (ANA), show that about half of people over 50-years old are concerned that there won’t be enough nurses or doctors to provide care in the future, and two-thirds of those polled are either very or somewhat concerned that the current system limits their ability to see the doctor of their choice.
“The fact that we need to strengthen our health care system may have been lost in some of the media coverage over the last several weeks, but this survey of Americans shows that the need is as great as ever,” said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond. “Tonight the President will address Congress, and while AARP hasn’t endorsed any of the bills, it is critical – especially based on this polling – that any solution ensures that people can see the health professional they want, when they want – particularly for people on Medicare.”
The polling found that nearly nine in ten people (87 percent) believed it was important for doctors to be reimbursed adequately so they continue to accept patients on Medicare.
"This summer we’ve heard a lot of misinformation about health reform proposals on the table. The poll we’re releasing today reminds us that people have serious concerns with the health system in place now: The status quo is unacceptable,” said AMA Immediate Past President Nancy H. Nielsen, M.D. “Currently, 46 million Americans don’t have health insurance, and the Medicare physician payment formula threatens seniors’ access to care by projecting steep cuts just as the baby boomers enter Medicare. We need to cover the uninsured, implement insurance market reforms and repeal the flawed Medicare formula to ensure all Americans access to the care they need.”
The poll also revealed that most people believe there are not enough nurses to support the current health care system, and that the nurse shortage will remain a problem in the near future.
“Two-thirds of the poll respondents are sensing what we have recognized for the last decade – that we are experiencing a critical nursing shortage and that it will worsen as the rates of registered nurse retirements and aging Baby Boomers requiring health services each increase,” said ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR. “Health care reform must ensure that the RN workforce is sufficient to make universal access to quality care a reality, not just theory. We can catch up with growing demand through increased investments in nursing workforce development and educational programs.”
Also of note – more than three-fourths (78 percent) are worried that some day either they or someone they know might incur a health care cost that wouldn’t be covered by their health insurance.
The telephone survey was conducted from September 4-7, 2009 by Woelfel Research, Inc. The RDD sample consists of 1,001 United States residents at least 50 years old. The results from the study were weighted by age and gender. The margin of sampling error is ±3.1%.
The executive summary of the polling is available at: http://www.aarp.org/research/surveys/care/health/hcreform/articles/hcr_concerns.html
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 35.5 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.
About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association (AMA) helps doctors help patients by uniting physicians nationwide to work on the most important professional, public health and advocacy issues in medicine. Working together, the AMA's quarter of a million physician and medical student members are playing an active role in shaping the future of medicine. For more information on the AMA’s health system reform efforts, please visit www.hsreform.org.
About American Nurses Association
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the only full-service professional organization representing the interests of the nation's 2.9 million registered nurses through its 51 constituent member nurses associations and its 24 specialty nursing and workforce advocacy affiliate organizations that currently connect to ANA as affiliates. The ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the rights of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.
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Added: September 9, 2009
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Views: 65 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2009
CONTACT: Chaunda Ball 212-407-3732 or cball@aarp.org
AARP: CORNELL UNIVERSITY NAMED A 2009 BEST EMPLOYER FOR WORKERS OVER 50
Four Other New York State Companies Named to List: The YMCA of Greater Rochester, Adecco Group of North America, in Long Island; F.E.G.S. Health and Human Services Systems, in New York City; and Prestige Services, Inc., in Clifton Park, NY
New York, NY – Cornell University, long recognized as one of the nation’s top academic institutions, is the first two-time top finisher in the history of the AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50 program.
Cornell, located in Ithaca, New York, topped an impressive list of 50 honorees announced today by AARP. Cornell won last year as well. New York State is also home to four other winners: The YMCA of Greater Rochester, which ranked fourth on the list, Adecco Group of North America, based in Long Island, F.E.G.S. Health and Human Services Systems, based in New York City, and Prestige Services, Inc., based in Clifton Park, NY. Both Adecco and The YMCA are repeat winners. This is Adecco’s seventh time on the list, and The YMCA’s fifth appearance in consecutive years.
The diverse group of honorees this year also includes such varied employers as First Horizon National Corporation, a major financial services company based in Memphis (#2), the National Institutes of Health (#3), and computer giant Intel Corporation (#44).
More than 200 employers applied for Best Employers honors, the highest total in the nine year history of the program designed to highlight exemplary policies toward aged 50 and over workers.
“AARP is delighted that Cornell has placed first for the second year in a row in the Best Employers program,” said Lois Aronstein, AARP New York State Director. “The university is famed for its creative academic policies and its approach to 50 and over workers is no different. It has continued to innovate with new programs in the past year.”
Cornell University President David J. Skorton responded to the announcement of the award, saying: “We at Cornell are honored to be recognized again by AARP as the nation’s top employer for workers aged 50 and over.” Skorton added: “Earning this recognition for a second consecutive year affirms our collective efforts in making Cornell a caring and inclusive community for people to work, study, create and discover.”
Cornell offers a variety of progressive policies toward aged 50 and over employees, including a formal phased retirement program for faculty and staff, telecommuting and compressed work weeks, a retiree health and prescription drug plan heavily subsidized by the university, paid time off for care giving, and access for retirees to continued university education at no charge. The wellness program includes nutrition and fitness classes, as well as access to several campus fitness centers, swimming pools and a skating rink.
The university is continuing to innovate, currently setting up an “Encore Cornell” program that, among other things, will enable retirees to volunteer for short-term or other campus jobs, as well as assisting retired faculty and staff in obtaining paid positions around the country. A web site aimed specifically at university retirees is being set up to provide a variety of resources, including quality of life tips. The Cornell Retirees Association, which has been primarily Ithaca-based, is expanding to take a more national approach. For example, the Association will soon assist retirees in Florida who wish to volunteer in local schools there.
A separate hospitals and health care Best Employers honor roll was established by AARP for the first time this year. AARP decided to set up a separate category in order to acknowledge efforts in the health care field to creatively deal with shortages in qualified workers that have faced the health care industry for years.
Any U.S.-based employer with at least 50 employees is eligible to apply for the Best Employers award. Candidates are vetted to ensure that practices meet the needs of mature workers. Key areas of consideration include: recruiting practices, opportunities for training, education and career development; workplace accommodations; alternative work options, such as flexible scheduling, job sharing, and phased retirement; employee health and retirement benefits and retiree work opportunities
AARP The Magazine will feature the 2009 Best Employers in its November-December issue, available in homes September 24. The article will be found online then at www.aarpmagazine.org
For more information on the 2009 Best Employers, please go to www.aarp.org/bestemployers
Included is background on each employer’s workforce practices and a description of the selection process.
AARP New York has over 2.7 million members. 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 35.5 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.
Added: September 9, 2009
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Views: 89 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0
AARP President Jennie Chin Hansen is a featured guest this month on public television’s IN THE LIFE program. Hansen joins Michael Adams, Executive Director of SAGE (Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders), to discuss the unique needs of LGBT seniors amid America’s aging demographic. Click here to view the segment.
To find out when the entire program airs in your community, click here.
Added: September 3, 2009
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For Immediate Release: Contact: Stacey Kratz
August 20, 2009 212.407.3709/917.446.5182 cell
AARP New York Online Driver Safety Course
Now Eligible for Point and Insurance Reduction
New York Department of Motor Vehicles Now Allowing Point and Insurance reduction
for Both In-Class and Online Course
New York, NY – AARP New York announced that the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles has approved those who take the online AARP Driver Safety Course to be eligible for the same point and insurance reduction as those who take the in-class version. This change will allow increased access to insurance savings for those who are willing to trade off the discussions of the classroom based Driver Safety Course for the ease of taking the course online.
The online course presents the same information as the popular in-classroom AARP driver safety programs taught throughout the U.S. by 10,000 AARP-trained volunteers. The AARP Driver Safety Program has provided instruction to more than 12 million participants over the past 30 years in the classroom setting. Now, this same valuable information is available via the internet.
According to the most recent data from the Federal Highway Administration, there are approximately 82 million licensed drivers age 50 and older in the U.S. This constitutes 40% of all drivers on the nation’s roadways. According to U.S. government figures, this percentage is expected to increase significantly in the years ahead, increasing the need for safe driving practices.
“AARP is committed to keeping the roads safe for everyone and helping drivers stay safe as long as possible,” stated Lois Aronstein, AARP New York state director. “AARP research shows 64% of our members are regular internet users and this tool presents an opportunity to reach millions more. Now people who take the Driver Safety Online Course can receive the same reward as those who have taken the course in the classroom.”
The AARP Driver Safety Online Course is designed to help educate participants about how best to reduce traffic violations, crashes and chances for injuries; update knowledge about relevant laws; and provide safe driving strategies to compensate for age-related changes that affect one’s driving ability. The course also stresses the importance of periodically monitoring one’s own and others’ driving skills and capabilities.
The AARP Driver Safety Online Course is 6-hours long and can be taken at the participant’s own pace and within the convenience of their daily routines. The cost of the program in New York is $23.95 for AARP members and $27.95 for non-members. Though geared for drivers age 50 and older, the courses are open to people of any age. So far over 2,000 people in New York have already taken advantage of this opportunity to hone their driving skills and save some money.
To enroll for the AARP Driver Safety Online Course or for additional information visit www.aarp.org/drive/online.
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.
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Added: August 20, 2009
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For Immediate Release
August 14, 2009
Contact:
Kristin Legere, (518) 447-6723
Bill Ferris, (518) 447-6712
AARP Calls on Albany County Elected Officials to Develop a
Consumer-Oriented Long Term Care Plan
Albany, NY – AARP New York called onCounty Executive Michael Breslin and the County Legislature to develop a county long-term care plan that is grounded in consumer choice and quality care.
“A county long-term care plan should respond to the needs and preferences of seniors and people with disabilities and the people who love and support them,” said Lois Aronstein, AARP New York State Director, in a letter to Breslin and the entire County Legislature. Aronstein was referring to a recent AARP survey showing that the overwhelming majority of New York residents age 50 and older prefer services that will enable them to age in place either at home or in other community settings.
Aronstein highlighted the potential savings that could be achieved for county taxpayers when long-term care services are provided at home or in community settings as opposed to institutional care such as nursing homes. On average, Medicaid dollars can support nearly three older people and adults with physical disabilities with home- and community-based care for every one person in a nursing home, according to a 2008 AARP Public Policy Institute study.
AARP also urged the county to assure that older consumers in Albany County, including 50,000 AARP members, have access to a range of services and supports as well as unbiased information and assistance on these services through a single point of entry.
“For individuals whose preference or medical need is a nursing home, the County plan should incorporate models of home-like residences not institutional-looking settings that consumer do not prefer,” Aronstein said.
[Click here for AARP’s letter and Guiding Principles on Long Term Care sent to the County Executive and Legislature.]
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; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, AARP.org.
30 – 30 – 30
Added: August 17, 2009
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