Katherine Shaver

Communities around New York are working to make themselves more livable for residents of all ages. The state was the first to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, and an additional 32 individual counties and communities are members as well.

With Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of dementia on the rise, AARP Virginia is offering free workshops in June to share lifestyle tips aimed at helping people stay mentally sharp throughout their lives. The workshops, both in-person and online during Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, come as an estimated 6.9 million Americans age 65-plus have the disease. Of the current number, an estimated 164,000 live in Virginia, the Alzheimer’s Association says.

A group of about 65 AARP Maryland volunteers from mid-January to mid-April advocate for bills at the Annapolis statehouse complex that are aimed at helping older Americans age in place and live their lives as fully as possible.