AARP Colorado

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Blog by Jane Barton

When I assumed the primary caregiving responsibilities for my parents at the time my mom was 90 and my dad was 95, I was completely overwhelmed. I had to learn quickly on the job about the ( medical, financial, legal, and emotional needs for each of them individually and for them as a couple. From the time they began to have difficulties with the aging process while still residing in Chicago to the time I moved them to Denver so that I could better supervise them, Mom and Dad’s collective living situations changed eight times. From the start I learned that I needed to get organized. Being more right brained than left brained, I found this a challenge, but I disciplined myself to conquer my inadequacies. When my parents were living together, I had one spiral notebook and one folder (I found very pretty matching ones at Walgreen’s). I would keep the records in the pockets of the folder as the paperwork turned up, and then I would write down any other important information in the spiral notebook. I still had to hunt for the notations I would need at a particular time because the pages were not categorized. When I moved them to Denver and they were placed in different living facilities, I bought more folders and labeled them for different subjects. They included folders for basic information like Social Security Numbers, ID Numbers, and doctors’ phone numbers, information for Medicare, insurance, medical for Mom, medical for Dad, contracts and releases, and daily living paperwork for each of them. As they continued to have difficulties, the folders increased and ultimately, there were six file boxes full of material including photo albums, keepsakes, and retired records. This method of organization is now a part of my daily life. I always keep my own “to do” list that I revise on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. I keep folders for my own current needs and I have started to record the personal information that my children can find should anything happen to my husband or myself. Being organized helped me navigate this difficult period.

A new report, to be released nationally later this week, examines the performance of every state in meeting their commitments to fund their public employee pension plans. The report, which was compiled by the National Association of State Retirement Administrators, with financial support from AARP, can be accessed online here: http://www.nasra.org/files/JointPublications/NASRA_ARC_Spotlight.pdf.

In the midst of tax season, slick scam artists are finding ways to target innocent Coloradans through one of the largest scams of its time: the IRS imposter scam.

AARP Colorado is bringing brain health to the 9Health Fair April 18, 19 and May 3.

Caregiving tops the AARP agenda this session, and AARP is strongly supporting four bills that provide for older adults:

AARP Colorado volunteer Irene Martinez Jordan is being honored in Miami by Hispanicize, a national recognition of Americans of Hispanic descent who have made great strides in their fields to improve the lives of other Latinos.

AARP Colorado recognizes the contributions of the late Cesar Chavez with its sponsorship of a celebration and parade in his memory to be held March 28, 2015. The march will commence at Regis University at 10 a.m. and end in celebration at Cesar Chavez Park on West 41st Avenue at Tennyson Street in Denver. Call Roberto Rey at 303-318-6763, rrey@aarp.org for more information, and please take a moment to read the article below by one of AARP Colorado’s many talented volunteers.

As America celebrates the 50 th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), millions of eyes are on the hard-fought battle that was finally won in 1965.