AARP Missouri

In the last legislature, the state’s monopoly utility companies were working the halls of the capitol trying to raise rates on Missourians. AARP Missouri fought back and won. Even now, these same companies are arguing in front of the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) to try to raise rates through regulation – and AARP Missouri is there, fighting for you. For years, monopoly utility companies in Missouri have had bill paying stations located on-site at predatory payday lenders. It was a win-win for utilities and payday lenders because it meant utilities were more likely to be paid and Missourians on fixed incomes were more likely to take out payday loans to cover those bills – and pay triple digit interest rates on those loans. AARP has been fighting to stop this predatory practice for a long time. This year, the PSC sided with Missouri consumers and took the utility pay stations out of payday loan locations. That’s a win for every Missourian!

By Alan Greenblatt

AARP is teaming with the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis to present a Vice Presidential watch party and Social Security policy discussion on October 4 beginning at 6:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Fox-Clark Forum in Hillman Hall on the Danforth Campus located at the corner of Forsyth Blvd. and Hoyt Drive.

The devastating natural disasters that have made national news this year serve as a reminder to people of all ages that we must take action to prepare for emergencies that could affect us where we live, work or visit.

AARP in Kansas City is teaming with BikeWalk KC for the 3rd Annual KC Women's Bike Summit designed to create a venue for women of all ages and backgrounds to come together. Participants will convene at St. Teresa's Academy , 5600 Main Street from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Participants will celebrate bicycling, discuss issues that are relevant and important to women bike riders, and provide hands-on opportunities for women to become more confident riders.

As the lead sponsor of the Citizens for Modern Transit Ten Toe Express program, we have the great opportunity to offer special walks to our members and their guests. Our walks, like Ten Toe Express, incorporate public transit and walking along with opportunity to meet exceptional people while having fun!

Sharon Wells of Florissant has been selected by AARP, the nonprofit organization for people 50 and older, to receive the 2016 AARP Missouri Andrus Award for Community Service – the Association’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award for community service.

Another great Moonlight Ramble event took place on Saturday, August 20 th. AARP in St. Louis was the title sponsor and took the opportunity to provide several fun activities for all in attendance. A photo booth for all participants to get a commemorative photo was made available by AARP.

Seniors Count of Greater St. Louis is a local initiative supported by a coalition of community organizations and eldercare agencies. The mission of Seniors Count is to address the quickly growing gap between the needs of seniors and available resources in our community. Our population is rapidly aging, especially as the Baby Boomer generation reaches retirement age. Perhaps you have heard of this as the “silver tsunami”; by 2030, the number of people age 65 and older in St Louis is projected to increase by 15,000 every year. In the next three decades, the number of people in that senior set will jump by 77 percent to almost 300,000 people. Census figures from 2014 show the St Louis area had the eighth highest percentage of older people in the country, at 14.9 percent, and by 2045 it is projected that a full quarter of the region’s population with be 65 or older.

Demographic trends suggest that if you aren’t a family caregiver now – you will be someday!