Cynthia Fagyas

2016 will mark the third year of a successful program in which AARP hosts community networking groups in Tucson.

Are you considering your next step in life?

AARP Arizona State President Dan Martinez of Gilbert, Arizona, chairs the council. Dan has been a volunteer with AARP since 2006. He was appointed to the AARP Arizona Executive Council in 2012. Prior to volunteering with AARP, he spent 17 years as an academic advisor and professor of reading with the Maricopa County Community College District. In previous years, he held a position with the International Programs Office at New Mexico State University where he worked with the U.S. Agency for International Development for the Country of Paraguay. For more than a decade, Martinez also held positions in Student Financial Aid at four universities in New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona, including Arizona State University.

A new survey by AARP in Arizona finds 54% of residents 45+ are currently, or have recently provided care to an older adult. The survey, released as part of November National Caregivers Month recognizes the important role that caregivers play in helping relatives or close friends with chronic, disabling, or serious health problems to remain living at home for as long as possible.

November marks National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize the 40 million Americans – more than 800,000 of which live in Arizona – who help older parents, spouses, and loved ones live independently at home, where they want to be. The unpaid care they provide – managing medications, cooking meals, driving to appointments, performing complex medical tasks and more – is valued at about $9.4 billion in Arizona alone.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has recognized Arizona AARP State Director Dana Marie Kennedy with its Arizona 2015 Social Worker of the Year Award.

AARP believes family caregiver stories aren’t celebrated nearly enough.

In talking with 72 year old Nick Perry of Prescott, you would never guess that he was born with a disability that requires him to use crutches to walk. His reminisces of years past include a rich list of careers highlighted by his work with various charitable causes.

The Phoenix Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) recently honored AARP Arizona Community Outreach Director David Parra with its Annual NAHN Community Partnership Award. The award recognizes individuals for outstanding contributions and support of the Hispanic/Latino nursing community.

AARP has announced that Frank W. Abagnale, nationally renowned expert on identity theft and fraud schemes, has been named AARP Fraud Watch Network Ambassador. Abagnale will work with the Fraud Watch Network to provide online programs and community forums to educate consumers about ways to protect themselves from identity theft and cybercrime.