Health & Wellbeing

AARP and a statewide coalition of partners worked diligently to introduce the Share the Care Act into the 2018 legislative session. The group fought hard for the bill, which would allow family caregivers to get the help they need as they balance family, work and caregiving. For a variety of reasons, the bill never made it out of committee. AARP is already building another strong grassroots effort for next year to re-introduce this important piece of legislation and ensure it passes.

I recently had the opportunity to join the dynamic staff and volunteers at AARP for their annual Lobby Day at Legislative Hall in Dover. It was my first time in my new role as AARP Delaware State President. The person in this top volunteer role represents AARP to a variety of governmental, corporate and community partners in the state and helps drive the mission of AARP – to make life better for those over age 50, and their families.

Beginning April 1, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will begin mailing NEW Medicare cards to all people with Medicare health insurance. CMS, Delaware's Division of Health and Social Services, with other statewide partners, will be presenting information about this and many other services available to Delaware residents with Medicare. Mark your calendar, and bring a friend:

Join our online Q&A sessions for tools for keeping your 2018 healthy resolutions all year

Strokes, surgeries, and trauma from falls or other injuries sometimes result in patients needing extensive care by physical, occupational or speech therapists. But because of inaction by Congress, many seniors on Medicare are facing expensive out-of-pocket costs for treatments they need to remain independent.

Caregiving is challenging, as Delaware’s 123,000 unpaid family caregivers can attest. Home health aides can provide needed support with tasks such as bathing, dressing and feeding. But because state law does not allow these workers to administer medications, family caregivers often have to leave work to do it themselves.

Each day, thousands of Delawareans serve as caregivers for family members. These family caregivers often have full-time day jobs; they return home from work to provide evening care, or dash home at lunch to check in on loved ones. They provide trusted care to those they hold most dear—an emotionally challenging, but critical, role in our society.

Diabetes can cause heart disease, stroke, amputation, blindness and even death. More than 13 percent of Delaware adults have diabetes, and 38 percent have prediabetes.

Join AARP and the YMCA for a Celebration of Better Health

The kick-off season of Walk4Health begins in October! We are excited to invite you to join us this year at one or all of walks that we have designed for you!