In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, AARP Foundation is prioritizing the health of those we serve and the community at large. All of our in-person events are on hold for now, based on local health guidance.

The following programs are affected:

• AARP Foundation Tax-Aide - Currently, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide services are suspended until further notice. 
• AARP Foundation Experience Corps - Currently, Experience Corps volunteer tutoring services are suspended. All of our program offices are still open through teleworking if you seek additional information.
• Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) - As of now, SCSEP participants will be on paid leave through March 28. Project directors will continue to operate the program remotely, and further decisions will be made as circumstances dictate.
• Work for Yourself@50+ - Contact your local organization to find out when workshops will resume. 
• BACK TO WORK 50+ - If you are unsure about the status of a workshop, please call 855-850-2525 to obtain information about cancellations in your area. 

We are exploring the delivery of online workshops for some of our workforce programs, and looking at virtual options for other events.

General announcements about AARP Foundation and its services will be updated on this page. Be sure to follow CDC guidelines (as detailed at cdc.gov) while participating in any AARP Foundation programs and services.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic is challenging us all — including organizations like AARP Foundation and our team at Connect2Affect — to adapt to new ways of thinking and behaving. Actions that used to seem harmless — handshakes, hugs, just being in a crowd, even going to work — now have the potential to make us sick and spread the virus even further.

For people who are older, the vulnerabilities so many of us are feeling now are magnified. It’s alarming to hear that people over 60 are at higher risk of infection. Shutting down gathering places makes sense as ways to slow the spread of the virus — but those decisions also leave many older adults without any form of social interaction.

As social distancing becomes the norm, it’s vital that we do what we can to avoid social disconnection in the process. We can still check on loved ones or our neighbors by phone, text, or video chat. We can consider volunteer efforts to provide needed services in our own neighborhoods and communities while also keeping ourselves and others safe. 

Read more on Connect2Affect

Nearly one in four community-dwelling older adults are socially isolated. A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, sponsored by AARP Foundation, explores opportunities for the health care system to help address the health impacts of social isolation and loneliness. View the report highlights and recommendations. 

Press Release: Statement from Lisa Marsh Ryerson