AARP Is Standing Up for Veterans

We offer an array of resources to help those who served

Claire Leibowitz,

AARP

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En español

Published November 10, 2025

judy and craig nicholson posing for a portrait in their home

Judy and Craig Nicholson relied on the "AARP Veterans and Families Caregiver Guide" when Craig needed major sugeries two years ago.

Diana King for AARP

Craig Nicholson, a 66-year-old Army veteran and first vice commander of the Kentucky branch of the National Association for Black Veterans, needed heart and kidney transplants two years ago. Fortunately, he and his wife, Judy Nicholson, both AARP veteran volunteers in Kentucky, knew exactly where to look for support: a booklet produced by AARP called the “AARP Veterans and Military Families Caregiver Guide.”

“[The guide] was something that we were aware of but didn’t use until we needed it. And once we needed it, we knew the value of the information inside,” Craig says.

Judy adds that it helped them organize details regarding expenses, travel, postsurgical activities and more.

The handbook is just one of the resources AARP has developed to help veterans, members of the military and their families with caregiving, postmilitary job transitions, dealing with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other issues.

“They served us, and this is our way of serving them,” says Juanita Jiménez-Soto, AARP’s national veterans and military families manager.

AARP has created a host of resources for veterans and military families, including downloadable handbooks on the following topics, among others:

Health benefits information

Use the “AARP Veterans and Military Families Health Benefits Navigator” guide to learn how to apply for VA, Pentagon and other health benefits and find free help online or over the phone by speaking with trained representatives.

Help transforming your home

VA home modification grants help veterans build or buy adapted homes or adjust existing ones to live safely and comfortably. AARP has created a primer on home modification for those with certain service-related disabilities so you can live the life you want in a home you love.

a collage showing the a a r p military caregiving guide on a laptop screen and a smartphone

The Military Caregiving Guide offers vital resources for military members, veterans and their families.

AARP (Getty Images)

Support for caregivers

The AARP booklet the Nicholsons used highlights the steps of a caregiving journey: how to assess and address needs, create a plan, build a team and more. A related booklet offers comprehensive information on how caregivers can seek help managing the stress that comes with the role. AARP also has a financial workbook for home caregivers that can help with estate planning, paying for health care and other tasks. Call 877-333-5885 for more information.

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For more support, visit our veterans page, where you’ll find links to the following:

Help with work and jobs

AARP’s Veterans and Military Spouse Job Center includes a free veterans career course, an online AARP Job Board to browse and a downloadable tool kit with more advice.

Fraud victim support

Veterans and their families are nearly 40 percent more likely than civilians to lose money to scams. Identify scams targeting the military community by reading AARP’s fraud coverage, or get help by calling the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360.

Bargain rate for AARP membership

Veterans are eligible for up to 45 percent off AARP membership. Get one year for $15 when you sign up for automatic renewal, three years for $38 or five years for $55.

Fulfilling a wish

AARP’s Wish of a Lifetime affiliate has helped thousands of older Americans, including veterans, achieve a dream. Visit Wish of a Lifetime to read inspiring stories.

Veterans tell us AARP resources are the best place to find critical help. Judy Nicholson says, “If you can’t find it on the AARP website and you can’t find it on the veterans page, then it ain’t out there.”

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