AARP Maryland

Come say hello to AARP Maryland as we partake and enjoy the 19th Annual Howard County 50+ EXPO in Columbia, MD!

If you are raising a grandchild or another relative’s child, you are not alone. Millions of grandparents and other relatives are raising children. AARP has a wonderful Guide for GrandFamilies that can help you find your way with tips, tools and resources to the services and support you need to take care of yourself and your family. For additional help we’ve compiled a list of additional and some local resources.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is looking to expand its team of volunteers for the upcoming tax season. Approaching its 50 th year, Tax-Aide offers free tax filing help to anyone, especially those 50 and older, who cannot afford a tax preparation service. Tax-Aide volunteers make a difference in their communities by assisting many older, lower-income taxpayers who might otherwise miss out on the credits and deductions they’ve earned.

On Wednesday, October 4 and Thursday, October 5, join AARP Maryland and the Baltimore County Department of Aging at the 2017 Power of Age Expo at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Maryland. Expo 2017 celebrates the event's 30th anniversary. The show welcomes 11,000 attendees comprised of older adults, baby boomers, caregivers, families, adults with disabilities (over the age of 18) and professionals.

Updated August 7: The bad health care bill was voted down during the early morning hours of July 28! We thank Maryland Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen for voting no to proceed with the "skinny repeal," and for keeping older Marylanders 50+ and their families in mind. Find out how your Senators voted on the bill, and send them a message to tell them what you think! Additionally, read AARP's August 3rd letter to Congress to urge them to work on bipartisan, commonsense solutions to keeping health care affordable.

July 24 update: the registration website is now live! Register now for the event.

By Thomas Ferraro

Maryland ranks 12th among the 50 states when it comes to meeting the long-term care needs of older residents and people with disabilities, up from the 23rd spot just three years ago, but AARP warns more must be done to meet changing demographic demands. While the state posted gains in support for family caregivers with measures such as 2016’s passage of The Caregiver, Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act, Maryland continues to lag in the provision of services for adults with ADL disabilities. This, according to a new, comprehensive state-by-state Scorecard from AARP with support of the nation’s leading organizations behind quality long-term care, the Commonwealth Fund and the SCAN Foundation.

Hey Harford County, AARP Maryland is making a stop through your neighborhood. AARP Maryland is hosting an Open House on Tuesday, June 13th and we can’t wait to meet you! Come say “hello!” to staff and meet our lead volunteers as we all enjoy an afternoon of lunch, conversation and new connections.

AARP Maryland has teamed up with Baltimore County Restoring Elder Safety Today (BC-REST) to cosponsor a workshop on Thursday, June 15, to help Baltimore-area residents avoid financial abuse.