The question of the hour is “Are You Ready?” Since its launch in 2010, the so-named AARP/The Links Inc. program has put this question on the minds of thousands of African American women. More importantly, the initiative has helped women age 50 and over make sure they can answer this question with a firm “Yes!”

See also: Black Community: How to Live Your Best Life.

The Links Inc. is a not-for-profit organization whose thousands of members have donated more than two million hours to community service over the past few years.

"Are You Ready?" offers resources on a range of topics. — Photo by Tom Merton/OJO Images/Getty Images

The “Are You Ready?” initiative provides information, tools and resources from a grassroots level to help African American women age 50 and over to prepare for and manage the health, financial and lifestyle changes that come with aging.

Through this program, both AARP and The Links, Incorporated advance shared organizational goals to foster health, wellness and financial literacy.

“Are You Ready?” emphasizes two tracks: self-empowerment and caregiver empowerment. Program participants benefit from workshops, tools, guides and other resources in 10 primary areas:

• Exercise and diet
• Caregiving, support systems and tools
• Preventative care
• Financial planning
• Preparing for retirement
• Support for the currently retired and elderly
• Health and life insurance
• Time and money management
  
• Health care reform education
• Grandparenting support
  

The Links, Incorporated and AARP want their members to think ahead and plan for the future.