Joyce E. Williams

Equipping the Vulnerable to Protect Themselves

Celebrating grandparents, grandchildren and everyone in-between.

Adding to poverty, lack of adequate housing and transportation, and food insecurity, the rural areas of Appalachia face problems with access to adequate and appropriate health care. Efforts to combat those issues were highlighted recently in the continuing series—Livable Appalachia—hosted by AARP Virginia, AARP North Carolina, and AARP Tennessee.

The kids are whining, “We don’t have anything to do.” Grandpa says, “The doctor says I have to get some exercise.” Aunt Tilly needs distraction from the stress of her job. “I love to paint. I just wish I knew where to take a class.” What to do!

Unbelievable? Believe it! So, how can those unpaid caregivers that provide such an extraordinary contribution be acknowledged? That is a question on which Delegate Sam Rasoul, representing the 11th House District of the General Assembly of Virginia, has focused for some years now.

For 20 years Delegate Vivian Watts, representing the northern Virginia 39th House of Delegates district in the Virginia General Assembly, has been beating the drums for nursing home reform, trying to raise awareness of the insufficiency of staffing in facilities.

The new series of virtual offerings called Lynchburg Serves made its debut on March 15, the first of the monthly series hosted by AARP Virginia that will have nine installments focused on the Meals on Wheels program of the Greater Lynchburg area.

Highlighting Marie Foster's impact on the LOA and AARP Virginia

Roanoke-area organizations, businesses, and volunteers came together to support this year's food drive, which totaled nearly 22 tons of food for local seniors.

Despite a long history of poverty in Appalachia, governmental and non-profit agencies are working to make housing in the region more affordable and accessible, particularly for older residents.