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In life, we all get a bit rusty, eventually. One friend needs a hip replacement and another is recovering from neurosurgery on his lower back. I have had surgeries to repair each of my shoulders and am planning on getting other procedures to essentially repair what is malfunctioning due to wear and tear. In other words: I’m getting old. Aging into the sixties and beyond immerses nearly everyone into an expanding world of medical maintenance. Whether our friends, family or ourselves, repair of aging ‘systems’ is a reality for most people.

During tax-filing season, it pays to be aware of the ways that scammers and hackers may try to put your potential refund in their pocket.

This past week, AARP Iowa hosted a live teletown hall on Public Measure A - the local option sales tax in Des Moines, which local residents will vote on at the polls next Tuesday, March 5. AARP Iowa State Director Brad Anderson was joined on the call by Christine Hensley, former Des Moines City Council member and Joe Van Haalen, president of Des Moines Firefighters IAFF Local 4.

AARP is now accepting applications for the 2019 Community Challenge grant program to fund “quick-action” projects that spark change in local communities. The grant program, which is now in its third year, is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which aims to make communities great places to live for everyone.

Despite the inclement weather outside, the Iowa State Capitol was turned into a sea of red vests and red hearts this morning as more than 60 AARP Iowa volunteer activists and a large coalition of healthcare advocates from across the state rallied for support of the 2019 Iowa CARE Act (SF 210/HF 340), a common-sense bill to help Iowa’s 317,000 family caregivers. The CARE (Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable) Act was passed earlier this month in the Senate Human Resources Committee and is awaiting the vote of the full Senate. The bill passed a House Subcommittee, led by Rep. Cecil Dolecheck (R-24) earlier today.

This past Wednesday, AARP Iowa hosted a teletown hall event featuring the 2019 Iowa CARE (Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable) Act. The bill features four important provisions. The name of the family caregiver is recorded when their loved one is admitted into a hospital, if a patient chooses to designate one. Second, the designated family caregiver is notified when their loved one is to be discharged back home. Third, the hospital discusses the caregivers’ abilities and limitations. Finally, the hospital discusses the patient’s care needs at home and provides an explanation and live instruction on the medical tasks to be performed – such as medication management, injections, wound care, and transfers.

The Internet can be a wonderful place to start friendships and relationships. Sometimes, this is done intentionally through dating sites or apps. Other times, it happens through social media or in a chat room. Fraudsters build trust through online relationships for the sole purpose of stealing money from victims.

Only 22 percent of Des Moines streets are rated in “good condition” by national standards, and the vast majority of city streets are on the verge of requiring major maintenance. This is one of the many data points that city residents will learn about over the next three weeks through an AARP Iowa postcard campaign, set to hit mailboxes today, which highlights how Public Measure “A,” the local option sales tax, will improve the city’s infrastructure.

Legislation would help Iowa’s 317,000 family caregivers

AARP Iowa is sponsoring two upcoming theatrical productions in the Des Moines area – The Lion in Winter, Feb. 22 – March 3, at Kum and Go Theater, and Catch Me If You Can, March 22 – April 14, at the Des Moines Playhouse. AARP is offering discounted tickets for the run of both shows, as well as to other performances at each location for the 2018/2019 season. In addition, a limited amount of free tickets will be available to a private screening/preview event of The Lion in Winter on Thursday, Feb. 21, and Catch Me If You Can on Thursday, March 21.