AARP Colorado

Istockphoto/(c)monainshanghai The Alzheimer's Association offers peer or professionally-led groups for Spanish-speaking caregivers and others dealing with Alzheimer's disease. All support groups are facilitated by trained individuals.

Each time that a crisis occurred when I was caring for my elderly parents, I took a deep breath and tried to focus on finding a temporary solution to the prevailing problem. It would be a time to investigate alternatives and options for the issue I was facing. That always required doing some research.

Greetings one and all...

AARP Foundation is looking to build its team of volunteers for its Tax-Aide program. Tax-Aide is a free tax assistance and preparation program for taxpayers with low to moderate income through the AARP Foundation.

Let the Rocky Mountain Senior Games begin! Colorado athletes will compete in the 39 th Annual Rocky Mountain Senior Games scheduled for June 8-12, 2016 in Greeley.

Please join us at the National Western Stock Show for AARP Day on Wednesday, January 20, 2016. AARP members and guests will receive $6 off regular priced tickets on the January 20th 7:00 p.m. rodeo plus service fees will be waived.

As Ms. America International 2016, my journey is not only about making a difference in the lives of others but to encourage those I meet along the way to do the same. But with so many worthy causes, deserving charities and individuals in need, sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start. “It made a difference to that one” are the words that inspire and motivate me to get involved every day especially when I’m feeling small and helpless during troubling times. I think we all have those moments where overwhelming events or circumstances leave us feeling hopeless and believing that one person can’t possibly make a difference in a world where there is so much turmoil. These are the times that I am reminded of “The Star Thrower” by Loren Eiseley (or “The Starfish Story”) which is about a man throwing starfish beached after a storm back into the sea so they didn’t die in the morning sun. When told there were too many to save and that he could not make a difference, the man smiled, threw another starfish back into the sea and said “it made a difference to that one”. Whether it is a friendly smile, words of kindness or comfort, or reaching out to help someone in need, we all have the power to change a life, a mind, or a circumstance one kind gesture at a time. Have you saved your “starfish” today?

On Nov. 25, AARP Colorado arranged for AARP volunteer and executive council member Jill Taylor, who is located near the city of our recipient, to present Lynn St. John of Loveland with the painting at her home to recognize her hard work as a caregiver to her husband Randy.

Check out the following recorded webinars for free.

By Sandra Ford Walston, The Courage Expert