AARP Arizona

The Equifax breach exposed names, addresses, birthdates and social security numbers of 145 million Americans. This is exactly the information a scammer would need to take advantage of a social security recipient - who hasn’t yet set up their own “My Social Security Account”.

AARP members and their families and friends can learn how to recognize and avoid scams at a free workshop on Thursday, Nov. 16. The event features Frank W. Abagnale, an expert on identity theft, forgery and embezzlement. The workshop will be at the Sheraton Crescent Hotel, 2620 W. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix.

There is a great deal of confusion surrounding the state of taxes in America. Congress will continue to push forward on tax reform with the approval of the budget in the Senate, but there is one aspect that AARP doesn’t want to get lost in the shuffle: The Medical Expense Deduction. Essentially, this allows you to deduct out-of-pocket medical expenses after exceeding a certain level of income based on your age.

AARP Arizona is proud to sponsor KJZZ State of Aging in the Valley series. We applaud the efforts KJZZ is doing to provide its listeners and Arizona's community in general more resources and tools for more than 804,000 Arizona's caregivers.

Hey there! Welcome to our weekly event updates. If you are interested in attending any of the events, click on the link so you can register.

A packed house attended our workshop Medicinal Use of Vinegar: From the Kitchen to the Medicine Cabinet on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at the Prescott Resort Conference Center in Prescott, AZ. Our guest speaker Carol Johnston focused the conversation on scientific evidence of medicinal uses of vinegar and its recent investigation on supporting vinegar's role as a antiglycemic agent benefiting the diabetic condition. Dana Marie Kennedy welcomed guests and introduced Carol Johnston.

Perhaps given the current political climate it may be difficult to look at what is happening in Washington, however, AARP is working to make some changes for the betterment of American Caregivers. AARP is strongly behind the RAISE (Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage) Family Caregivers Act, which would create an advisory council to recommend a strategy to support Family Caregivers. The bill is bipartisan, and has already passed the U.S. Senate unanimously. The bottom line is that there is a large section of the population (40+ million) who provides free care (valued at around $470 billion) to their family members, keeping them independent, and AARP believes that the RAISE Family Caregivers Act is a way to help that cause.

FitPHX Fall into Fitness, sponsored by AARP Arizona, kicks off Tuesday, Oct. 3 from 6 to 7 p.m. in Hance Park. The FREE 10-week series features different workout formats, including Core de Force, Insanity, PiYo, P90X, Turbo Kick, Zumba and more. Register today: http://spr.ly/618784yL9.

Arizona is dedicated to ensuring those who are living with or affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias have the care and support they need. As a proud partner of the Arizona Alzheimer’s Task Force, AARP invites you to read the state plan and its calls to action.

By James E. Garcia