Dave Reville

The AARP Smart Driver® Program, a classroom driver refresher course, is offered regularly throughout Vermont. Program content addresses the changes that occur in vision, hearing, and reaction time as we age and provides useful driving safety tips for handling these changes. The course also reviews how changes in vehicles and roadways affect driving safety featuring new research-based content and information regarding Vermont motor vehicle laws. Updated content includes discussion of health and mental acuity as well as approaches to limit the need to drive in order to accomplish necessary tasks. A complete list of Vermont classes as well as other driver safety information can be found on the internet at www.VTdrivers.org.

Frauds and scams will be the focus of this month’s AARP Live airing Thursday, May 22 nd at 10 p.m. ET on the RFD-TV network.

Did you know that every three seconds someone’s identity is stolen? Con artists have been around since the dawn of time, but the problem is worse today that ever, and older Americans are in the crosshairs of these criminals. Last year alone, 12.6 million citizens were victims of identity theft! How can you protect yourself from identity theft and fraud? What are some of the ways these scammers get you to take the bait – even when you think you know better? Whether it’s bogus investment deals, the grandparent scam, e-mail ploys, lottery scams, or the newest ID theft scheme, getting informed is the best way to avoid being the next victim.

Governor Peter Shumlin today signed a bill into law that effectively prevents predatory online lending institutions from preying upon older Vermonters. The legislation, drafted by AARP Vermont and others, impacts companies offering cash advances to pensioners in exchange for part or all of their pension payments – often at very high interest rates. The new law requires these companies to register with the state and comply with strict regulations on interest rates, disclosures, etc. -- or face stiff penalties. Regulators are confident that these companies will not comply and therefore will effectively be unable to operate in Vermont.

Start your day with a brisk walk to school along with a group of local school children as part of the second annual Vermont Intergenerational Walk and Roll to School Day on May 7, 2014. Last year nearly 50 elementary schools across the state took part in the event by holding a walk/bike to school event in their community and connecting kids with older residents.

Seniors, families and friends, and professionals are invited to learn how to navigate this complicated Medicare provision when faced with a hospital short stay. “Observation status” is a Medicare designation for a hospital stay that patients experience as inpatients receiving care, but that Medicare considers outpatient. Increasingly, many Vermonters, like seniors across the country, have already suffered financial hardship particularly with rehab and nursing home bills when they transfer from the hospital from a short stay because Medicare will not cover them if they have been on “observation status.”

Every day another older Vermonter is ripped off by a telephone,

Is starting a small business right for you? Do you have an idea to start your own small business? Need basic information on what to do next, understand how much it will cost, and find out where to go for assistance?

Even though 2013 has come and gone, you can still get a tax break when you file your income tax return. How? By contributing to a Traditional IRA. If you’re self-employed, the same applies to your SEP-IRA or Keogh plan.

Four small organizations with big plans have been selected to receive Community Action Grants from AARP Vermont supporting their efforts to make Newport a more “Age-Friendly” city. In partnering with AARP Vermont, Newport has committed to embrace the changing demographics of an aging population by focusing on safe, walkable streets, better housing and transportation options, access to key services and community engagement opportunities for all ages. These Community Action Grants support that direction by funding small, grassroots organizations that are working to advance the Age Friendly movement.