Volunteering

The Iowa General Assembly convenes Jan. 8, and AARP Iowa is continuing to press for legislation that can ease the transition from hospital to home for patients and family caregivers.

Ila Plasencia of West Des Moines was named the 2017 recipient of the AARP Andrus Award for Community Service — the Association’s most prestigious and visible volunteer award — at AARP Iowa’s annual volunteer recognition event in Des Moines on Nov. 8. She is the first Latina recipient of the Andrus Award in Iowa. In addition to the award, Plasencia received a check for $1,000 to donate to her charity of choice, the Midwest Educational Resources Development Fund.

AARP is pleased to welcomes the 2017 Class of AARP Iowa Executive Council members, leaders from across the state who are joining with a team of volunteers to provide strategic direction and leadership in support of accomplishment of AARP priorities in Iowa.

AARP Iowa is working with employers to help them understand and support employees who also serve as unpaid family caregivers. The goal is to identify resources that can help not only caregivers but employers, as well.

AARP Iowa is hosting briefings this month to inform members about health care reform and possible changes to Medicare.

Looking to make a difference in your community? We invite you to join AARP in helping older Iowans learn more about Medicare benefits by volunteering for the Iowa Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)*. SHIIP is a free health insurance counseling service that help Medicare-eligible Iowans with their health and long-term care insurance needs. More information on SHIIP can be found here.

The state population is aging, and financial crimes against older people are a growing concern. Thirty-seven percent of fraud complaints filed with the Federal Trade Commission in 2015 came from consumers 60 and older.

AARP Iowa’s top legislative priority in 2017 will be passage of the Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act. The legislation would provide training and support for family caregivers when a loved one comes home from a hospital stay.

Don Corrigan of Des Moines has been named winner of the 2016 AARP Iowa Andrus Award for Community Service, AARP’s most prestigious and visible volunteer award.

AARP Launches New Ads, Sponsors Debates, Urges Social Security Question