AARP New Mexico

Often people become family caregivers by circumstance. It starts slowly – you find yourself helping your loved one by running errands, sorting through bills, and picking up prescriptions. But how do you know when it’s time to become a full-time caregiver and who all should be involved in that discussion?

In the last few minutes of the 2014 New Mexico Legislative Session, lawmakers endorsed the idea of developing a family caregiver state plan. House Joint Memorial 4, sponsored by Rep. Tomás Salazar and shepherded through the Senate by Sen. Michael Padilla, was passed by the Senate 13 minutes before adjournment.

AARP Foundation is again providing free tax assistance and preparation for taxpayers with low to moderate income through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, in its 45thyear, is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service, giving special attention those 60 and older. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this free service.

Mary Beavis, of Albuquerque, has been named AARP New Mexico’s 2013 Andrus Award winner. The award is named for AARP’s founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus and is given to a volunteer who most exemplifies her example and motto of “to serve, not to be served.”

From time to time, AARP New Mexico seeks to honor individuals who have had a significant impact on making New Mexicans’ lives better by naming them to the Hall of Fame.

By now almost everyone is familiar with the existence of the Affordable Care Act but what many people are still unclear about is what it will mean for them.

Amy Goyer, AARP’s Caregiving and Family Expert, could have used statistics and charts to bring home the point that caregiving is expensive and difficult. Instead she simply told a story – her story -- of her parents failing health and their journey together as Goyer rearranged her life to gradually, and at points not so gradually, take over their care.

Did you miss AARP New Mexico Day at the Isotopes Ballpark Sunday? Well AARP members can still enjoy a little baseball, Wednesday, Aug. 14th. AARP Members can receive a buy one, get one free ticket to the Isotopes game against the Salt Lake Bees. Members simply show their AARP membership card at the box office to get the discounted tickets. Also members are invited to a meet and greet with Orbit, the Isotopes mascot, at 5:30 p.m.

Did you miss the AARP New Mexico Day with the Albuquerque Isotopes Sunday? There's still a chance to watch a little baseball this Wednesday, Aug. 14th. AARP Members can receive a buy one, get one free ticket to the Isotopes game against the Salt Lake Bees. Members simply show their AARP membership card at the box office to get the discounted tickets. Batters are up at 6:35 p.m. AARP members will also be treated to a meet and greet with Orbit at the park's picnic area beginning at 5:30 until 6:30 p.m.

Many people don't realize that AARP has a local presence here in New Mexico through the State Office in Santa Fe and the AARP Information Center in Albuquerque.