As 2025 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on a year of advocacy that shaped lives, strengthened communities, and advanced opportunities for Floridians 50+.
As of November 1, 2025, millions of Americans—including many older adults—may not receive their monthly food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. This disruption affects individuals living on fixed incomes, many of whom rely on SNAP to afford groceries and maintain their health.
AARP Florida’s latest nursing home quality report reveals troubling trends as private investment group acquisitions reshape the state’s long-term care sector.
AARP Florida is expressing strong concerns about Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) newly filed settlement agreement, noting that it prioritizes corporate and business interests over the needs of residential customers.
AARP Florida continues to express concern over the quality of care provided to nursing home residents in Florida, especially in the aftermath of significant nurse staffing reductions mandated by the state legislature in recent years. Data recently released by federal agencies highlights a mixed record on the quality of care, particularly for short-term nursing home residents who require rehabilitation and care following hospital stays.
AARP Florida invites local eligible non-profit organizations and governments across the country to apply for the 2024 AARP Community Challenge grant program, now through March 6 at 5p.m. Eastern. AARP Community Challenge grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and more.
Just as New Year’s football bowl games are ending, we in Florida kick off a critical period in the state for older Floridians, with the 60-day 2024 Florida legislative session beginning January 9.
Today, AARP Florida released its 2024 legislative priorities, highlighting the importance of maintaining a well-trained direct care workforce, enhancing the quality and oversight of Florida’s long-term care system, expansion of home and community-based services and increasing consumer protections as top priorities for the AARP advocacy team and volunteer advocates.
Jeff Johnson is the State Director of AARP Florida. Johnson joined the AARP team in 2000 with a background in public relations, marketing and sales, working with the Tampa Bay (then) Devil Rays. Since 2010, he has served as the State Director of AARP Florida, leading a team of staff and volunteers across the state to fight for and equip Floridians 50+ to choose how they live as they age. A proud lifelong Floridian, he was raised in Jacksonville, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Wake Forest University. Johnson is a board member of the St. Petersburg College’s Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions, the President-elect of Florida Council on Aging, and is immediate past chair of the board of the Florida Civic Advance. He is active on social media and can be found on Twitter at @JeffPJohnsonFL.
AARP Florida is warning people about election-related fraud targeting older voters, including requests for donations to fictitious political action committees and soliciting sensitive information during fake voter registration efforts.
William “Bill” Ternent retired and moved to Ormond Beach in 1997 after a long career as a college professor and administrator. He started volunteering for AARP the following year and is still going strong.
When Emily Mather’s husband, Michael, returned home from his eleventh military deployment with a severe brain injury, she knew that everything was about to change. At the time, they were married for only three years: Michael was a forward observer in the U.S. Army after serving nearly nine years – and 10 deployments –with the United States Air Force. Emily was a 28-year-old mother earning an associate degree in human services.