Local Resources

The stories are all too familiar – shuttling loved ones off to appointments when they refuse to get dressed, relationship problems that don’t magically go away because you are now caring for that person; and finding the strength to do what needs to be done.

When Betty’s husband suffered from complications during surgery, caring for him also became much more complicated.

To recognize their work to support family caregivers in New Mexico, AARP named New Mexico State Sen. Michael Padilla and State Rep. Tomas Salazar as 2014 “Capitol Caregivers”,a bipartisan group of 46 state legislators and three governors from 19 states. These elected officials have advanced policies to help family caregivers who are making it possible for older New Mexicans to live independently at home—where they want to be.

Do you have questions about issues facing New Mexico’s senior population? Get those questions answered and take an opportunity to voice your concerns or share your suggestions with New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department Cabinet Secretary Gino Rinaldi.

It’s a day of family fun, good music and community resources. Join AARP New Mexico for its Fourth Annual Fall Festival Saturday, Oct. 18 th, in Albuquerque.

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) recently selected Adelante Development Center to operate a Benefits Connection Center to help low-income seniors find out which governmental benefits they are eligible to receive and to assist them with the enrollment process. The agency is now providing an easy, coordinated program that helps people gain access to multiple government assistance programs through one source free of charge, making sure that New Mexico’s seniors and people with disabilities have assistance throughout the screening and application process. Adelante’s Benefits Connection Center connects people to core governmental benefits including:

Isleta Resort and Casino will be the site of a two-day Summit that will take a comprehensive look at hunger issues across New Mexico with the goal of identifying ways to end hunger in our state.

A new scorecard on long-term services shows that while New Mexico ranks first in the amount it spends on Home and Community Based Services, it ranks 37 in support for family caregivers and 38 in the area of Quality of Life and Quality of Care. Overall the Scorecard gave the state a ranking of 14, but the individual indicators show what areas still need work.

AARP is now accepting nominations for its 2014 New Mexico Andrus Award for Community Service, which honors 50+ volunteers who are sharing their experience, talent, and skills to enrich the lives of their community members.

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.