Health & Wellbeing

March for Meals is a month-long observance to spotlight senior hunger and food insecurity (one in seven seniors in America faces food insecurity on a regular basis) and how Meals on Wheels solves the problem by providing daily hot, nutritious meals to seniors.

“A good day was filled with joy and laughter. The tough time was exhaustion—the constant lifting and lack of sleep," Yvette, Boise, ID.

You’ve probably seen the ironic bumper stickers claiming “Dog is My Copilot.” It may be a play on words, but it’s also frequently true, especially during the holiday season. Idahoans all over the state will be making the rural-trek to see family and friends, with their “furry copilot.”

If you think Medicare is free, then you are in for a surprise. People on Medicare are spending a lot on health care! To see how much people on Medicare are really spending, click the picture below and explore AARP's Public Policy Interactive Storybook on Medicare.

As you age, will you be able to take care of yourself or need to rely on others? What services and supports will you need? Are they available in your community?

Boise, ID— In AARP’s latest survey on brain health, it found that although virtually every adult age 40 and over (98%) believes it is important to maintain or improve their brain health, only about half (56%) are doing one of the two most important activities to support their brain health—engaging in exercise and eating a healthy diet. According to a 2011 study by the Mayo Clinic and a 2010 study published in the Nature Reviews Neuroscience Journal, engaging in aerobic exercise regularly and eating a healthy diet are the two most important activities to maintain and improve brain health. To help empower people to maintain and improve their cognitive health, AARP is launching the Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH)—an independent collaborative of scientists, doctors, scholars and policy experts. This collaborative will provide trusted information on what actions people can take to support their brain health through quarterly white papers, scientific reviews and other research.

Emergency Caregiving Respite (ECR) is a respite care program designed to assist 24/7 family caregivers. Through ECR any Idaho caregiver providing 24/7 care to any person of any age (child, adult or elder) is eligible to apply for funding.

Idaho Family Caregivers Provide $2.2 Billion In Unpaid Care According to AARP Study

Disaster rarely gives you a heads up, and can take many unexpected forms. Everyone should have a plan of action, but some Americans can be particularly vulnerable during times of uncertainty. It's important to keep this in mind when forming an effective plan, and to consider your personal needs. Disaster preparation is more than storing water and food, and every situation requires a different solution.

A new public service announcement sponsored by AARP Idaho and state officials is helping people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers locate useful resources. In the PSA written by AARP Idaho, Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter (R) calls attention to Idaho’s free hotline, called 2-1-1 CareLine. People can dial 2-1-1 to be connected with local support services and educational materials – some are free or low cost for those who are eligible. The public service announcement will begin airing in May 2013. To learn more go to 211.idaho.gov or to view the PSA click here.