Health & Wellbeing

WASHINGTON, DC — Family caregivers in North Carolina provided 1.19 billion hours of care—worth an estimated $13.4 billion—to their parents, spouses, partners, and other adult loved ones in 2013, according to AARP Public Policy Institute’s new report, Valuing the Invaluable: 2015 Update. The total estimated economic value of uncompensated care provided by the nation’s family caregivers surpassed total Medicaid spending ($449 billion), and nearly equaled the annual sales ($469 billion) of the four largest U.S. tech companies combined (Apple, Hewlett Packard, IBM, and Microsoft) in 2013.

Over 40 North Carolina health care, community leaders and volunteers watched AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins when she joined President Barack Obama and hundreds of leaders focused on aging policy at the White House Conference on Aging (WHCOA) .

AARP California's Jennifer Hopson is this week's special guest on "Real Life." Jennifer talks about some of the exciting programs and the work of AARP in the Golden State. Whether it is getting people moving and active through a new walking club, helping family caregivers through informational outreach and some pampering, protecting people from fraud, or getting people better prepared to meet the financial demands of retirement, AARP is helping people live the lives they want to live. AARP is also working hard in California to make communities more inclusive to the 50 plus population.

When the state Senate revealed its budget proposal Monday night, it did NOT include fully-restored, uncapped medical deductions, or increased funding for the Home and Community Care Block Grant that helps people live independently in their own homes. Instead, the Senate proposed a $20,000 combined cap for all itemized deductions and no change to the Block Grant funding.

In the past, the state budget debate may have been something North Carolina’s non-political junkies generally overlooked or did not closely follow. But this legislative session, more age 50-plus voters have been paying close attention because tax law changes that went into effect hit them where it counts, right in the pocketbook.

GREENSBORO -- Six North Carolina organizations were presented with the 2015 AARP Multicultural Outreach Award in recognition for their work in promoting greater health and economic prosperity for all.

By Charmaine Fuller Cooper

Life Reimagined

By AARP NC Associate State Director Charmaine Fuller Cooper

In North Carolina, 1.7 million people are providing care to family members or loved ones at some point of time each year. Why is the issue of family caregiving so important right now? What kind of challenges do they face? What kind of resources do family caregivers need?