Volunteering

(Jackson, MS) – To recognize their work to support family caregivers in Mississippi, AARP names Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, Sen. Terry C. Burton, Rep. Sam C. Mims, V, and Rep. Toby Barker as 2015 “Capitol Caregivers,” a bipartisan group of state legislators, lieutenant governors, and governors from 25 states. These elected officials have advanced policies to help family caregivers who are making it possible for older Mississippians to live independently at home—where they want to be.

Ten years ago the eye of Hurricane Katrina hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast leaving a path of devastation and destruction. After Hurricane Katrina made landfall on August 29, 2005, Waveland, Bay St. Louis and the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast were changed forever.

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

AARP Mississippi is accepting nominations until June 30 for its 2015 Mississippi Andrus Award for Community Service, which honors 50+ Mississippians who are sharing their experience, talent, and skills to enrich the lives of their community members.

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.

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!

By Ronda Gooden

November is National Family Caregiver Month, and AARP Mississippi will highlight the need to support caregivers and those for whom they care.

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

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