Jennifer Millea

-- The following is a Guest Blog by CT resident and AARP Connecticut Blog contributor, Fran Trelease. Fran is the owner of Boomer Den, LLC., a company that helps boomer-age adults re-invent their careers through internships. As part of AARP’s April Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Month features, we asked Fran to share her story of how she re-invented her career by starting her own business, and is now helping others to do the same.

AARP and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are teaming up to help budding entrepreneurs and new business owners ages 50 and over access the resources they need to grow their businesses and create jobs. During several events being planned for 2014, “encore entrepreneurs” will have the opportunity to link up with a number of organizations and community leaders for advice and assistance in their endeavors. The first event took place in Bridgeport on January 30. Additional event details are below:

AARP Connecticut released the following statement from AARP State Director, Nora Duncan, in response to Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy’s announcement regarding State efforts to address consumer complaints in the electric supplier market:

Thousands of Connecticut utility customers are being lured in by unscrupulous energy companies with the promise of saving money on their electric bills but they are paying more. In fact, according to a study by Connecticut’s Office of Consumer Counsel, nine out of ten customers who switched to a third party supplier in CL&P's territory and seven out of ten customers in UI's territory were paying more than the Standard Offer during the study period. The overpayments totalled about $13.7 million per month - money that residents, especially older adults on fixed incomes, could be spending on basic necessities like groceries and medication.

Did you know that when a disaster strikes, it may take emergency services up to 72 hours to reach you and your family? That’s why it’s important for all of us to prepare before disaster strikes. AARP Connecticut has partnered with the Get Ready Capitol Region campaign to encourage and empower older residents in our communities to be aware, plan and prepare for the next disaster.

AARP Connecticut volunteers Byron Peterson on Shelton, CT and Jean Caron of Old Saybrook, CT recently appeared on the program "For the Record" with host Shawn Murphy to talk about AARP and the work we do in Connecitcut. Highlights include our work to inform the public about the benefits of the new health care law and how it impacts them and their families; our advocacy work at the State Capitol, including efforts to enact greater consumer protections for utility customers; our work to expand and strengthen home and community-based supports for CT residents and family caregivers; and AARP volunteer programs that help people become safer drivers, file their taxes for free, and more! The program tapes at Ion Media WHPX-TV New London/Hartford and airs on cable channels throughout the state. Check it out below to learn more about AARP and what we're working on for you!

The numbers are in, and they are impressive – Connecticut residents on Medicare saved over $53 million -- or an average of $1000 per beneficiary -- on their prescription drugs in 2013, thanks to the closing of the “donut hole” for prescriptions under the Affordable Care Act.

The following is a Guest Blog by AARP Volunteer and Darien resident, Peter F. Eder. The article also appeared in the At Home in Darien newsletter, Out and About.

A fast-moving phone scam called the largest of its kind is targeting taxpayers across the country. Victims have reported threats of license suspension, arrest, and deportation.

AARP Connecticut has presented a check in the amount of $4500 to Operation Fuel, Inc. in Bloomfield, CT from the AARP Foundation winter relief fund to assist Connecticut seniors who are struggling to pay their heating bills this winter. The winter relief fund was established in January by AARP Foundation to support older adults suffering from the severe cold weather. The Foundation focused on states across the Northeast and Midwest and worked with local AARP State offices to direct funds to organizations providing relief to the most in need.