Carve more than turkey this Thanksgiving

By AARP North Carolina President Bob Palombo

When it comes to Thanksgiving, AARP believes there is much more to the holiday than Native Americans and Pilgrims, turkey and football. It is time to think what you are truly grateful about.

If you are anything like me, Thanksgiving is a time to express my love for family, friends and community. It is a time to appreciate and count my blessings, as well as look for ways to share some of my skills, gifts and time with those who may need extra help or a helping hand.

During the holidays, many people volunteer at local food banks, community kitchens and other places that help feed the hungry. Please think about making a greater commitment to your community and creating the good by finding meaningful, long-lasting, volunteer opportunities including those with AARP. You can learn more at www.aarp.org/NCVolunteer. You can also help feed the hungry and take on the problem of adult hunger by supporting the efforts of the AARP Foundation www.aarp.org/hunger

Another way you can help support your community is hold off a bit on Black Friday and save some shopping for Small Business Saturday. This national initiative is a day to support local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy, and preserve neighborhoods around the country by driving shoppers to local, independently-owned merchants. There are no shortage of quality products and merchants in North Carolina and they deserve our support.

Others who deserve our support are family caregivers. I encourage you to thank those who are offering their labor of love to care for family members. You may even want to offer some support by doing something special or directing them to helpful information and resources, as well the community of family caregivers that are part of AARP’s Caregiving Resource Center.

Family time is also an opportunity for important family conversations. AARP can help make sometimes difficult conversations easier especially when it comes to your wishes and living the life you want to live.

Decide.Create.Share is an AARP initiative dedicated to increasing awareness

about the depth and breadth of long-term care and the benefits of planning.

Informed by research, the initiative’s resources engage families, informal networks, and communities to learn about long-term care, actively plan for a secure future and share what they learn with others.

It encompasses three primary steps:

DECIDE where you see yourself in the future.

CREATE a comprehensive plan that includes your home, health, finances and wishes.

SHARE your decisions with others so they know your preferences. You may also

want to share this planning process with friends and family, so they, too, can plan their futures.

But let’s not forget, the holidays should also be a time to recharge and have some fun. AARP’s website is filled with great information that can help you make the most out of the holidays and every day of the year. Visit www.aarp.org where In the Spotlight you will find the best holiday movies and entertainment for grownups, healthy holiday recipes, great AARP member offers and discounts and so much more.

Keep in mind, the holidays can be joyous and inspirational, but they can also be lonely and present extra hardships on some. So I hope you all can celebrate and enjoy the family time and the blessings of our lives. But as you carve the holiday turkey, make sure to carve out the time to reflect on your wishes and help those who may be a little less fortunate than you.