AARP Mississippi

The 2017 legislative session has begun, and AARP Mississippi is at the State Capitol keeping an eye on things important to Mississippi’s 50-plus population.

As we start a new year, it's only natural to reflect on all that we accomplished in 2016, and turn our attention to what we hope to accomplish in 2017.

Mississippi has a poor health record, placing at or near the bottom of state rankings on obesity, cancer, diabetes and overall health. But the state excels in telehealth, and the Center for Telehealth at the University of Mississippi Medical Center ranks among the best in the nation.

More than 18,000 Mississippians reported fraud or identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission in 2015, and scammers are using new technologies to exploit more victims. That’s why AARP Mississippi is encouraging community groups across the state to schedule a free AARP Fraud Watch Network presentation.

November is National Family Caregivers Month, and AARP Mississippi aims to mark the observance by making sure caregivers know their rights under a new state law.

Joyce Nelson of Moss Point has been selected by AARP, the nonprofit organization for people 50 and older, to receive the 2016 AARP Mississippi Andrus Award for Community Service -- the Association’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award for community service.

AARP Mississippi will present a Take A Stand Debate Watch Party in Clarksdale, Mississippi, from 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 9, 2016 at Stone Pony Pizza, 226 Delta Avenue. Refreshments will be provided. The event is free.

Jackson, MS – The City of Hernando has been accepted into the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities. The city was officially inducted at 10 a.m. Saturday at a ceremony at the Hernando Farmers Market, located at the DeSoto County Courthouse, 2535 Highway 51 South. The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities helps participating communities become great places for all ages by adopting such features as walkable streets, better housing and transportation options, access to key services and opportunities for residents to participate in community activities. Hernando is the 119th city to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities, which was established in 2012. It impacts more than 56 million people.

The Good News

It’s not always easy to get to a doctor’s office, especially for people living in rural or inner-city areas with few physicians. AARP Mississippi is working to improve access to care by supporting efforts to expand telehealth, which allows doctors and other providers to use technology to treat patients remotely. Typically, telehealth involves the use of live video to “see” the patient from a distance, as well as secure electronic transfer of records and digital images to evaluate the patient’s history and monitor progress.