Uncategorized

New report reveals stress on family caregivers’ health and finances; identifies policies to help support caregivers

$81 Million Lost Nationally to Scammers in Just One Year

New law helps 800,000 Mississippi family caregivers and their loved ones

Jackson, MS – (April 2, 2015) – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), through its Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) grant program, awarded AARP Foundation a grant of $3.3 million, with an additional $1 million coming from UnitedHealthcare, to implement a multi-year $6.6 million incentive program in Mississippi and Tennessee to increase the purchase and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. The goal of this program is to increase the purchase and consumption of fruits and vegetables and to improve nutrition and health outcomes for low-income consumers.

(This story is by Margie Culbertson, an AARP Mississippi volunteer and freelance writer. Her photo is on the left.)

In Mississippi, thousands of family caregivers take care of their loved ones at home. When parents, spouses, or other loved ones go into the hospital, family caregivers can feel confused, rushed, left out, or unprepared to provide the best care when they return home. The Caregiver Act (SB 2108) is a commonsense solution that can make an incredible difference for 800,000 Mississippi residents who serve as caregivers at any time during the year. Family caregivers help their loved ones live independently at home – keeping them out of costly institutions, such as nursing homes.

(Jackson, MS) – On the heels of a new report showing Mississippi ranks 18 in the number of reported identity theft complaints, the AARP Fraud Watch Network offers tips so people can learn how to protect themselves from the top ten scams reported by Mississippians in 2014.

(This story is by Margie Culbertson, an AARP Mississippi volunteer and freelance writer. Her photo is on the left.)

The year 2015 is the year Generation X turns 50. It’s a monumental year! We want to hear from Mississippi’s first wave of Generation X as you turn 50. How do you feel about turning 50? Do you plan to celebrate? Have you thought about how you’d like to spend the next phase of your life? Plus, when your big day arrives, we’d love to see your photos and video. We want to hear from you. Email us at msaarp@aarp.org to receive a form to share your story or to get a phone number to be interviewed. 2015 is a big year!

(This story is by Margie Culbertson, an AARP Mississippi volunteer and freelance writer. Her photo is on the left.)