Volunteering

ASHEVILLE -- Reflecting the increasing number of older adults in North Carolina, the 1.1 million-member state affiliate of AARP is also growing and is extending its service to communities in Western North Carolina. AARP has hired Rebecca Chaplin as its new Community Outreach Associate State Director to serve the mountain region of the state.

CHARLOTTE - Aging in America today is not what it was for your parents. Times have changed, and so have your options for a long and productive life at 50 plus! As the Boomers change the demographics of the country, so, too, must our perceptions of aging change. And there is no better way to change those points of view than by sharing stories and allowing ourselves to be inspired by those leading the way.

DURHAM – When it comes to improving the health, finances and personal fulfillment of people across the state, few volunteers work as hard as Ronald “Ron” and Cynthia Ivey of Raleigh. The couple was honored this week with North Carolina's prestigious Andrus Award for Community Service presented annually by AARP .

By AARP North Carolina President Bob Palombo

RALEIGH, NC – AARP North Carolina expert on financial security and family caregiving Debra Tyler-Horton is leaving to become the State Director of AARP Georgia, after having built an extensive network of volunteers and partner organizations that help thousands of North Carolinians improve their own financial resilience and better handle the responsibilities of caring for older or disabled loved ones.

CARY, NC – AARP North Carolina provided the Cary-based US Veterans Corps with a one-thousand dollar contribution today to help support their disaster relief efforts for flood victims in South Carolina.

Volunteer service is a unique and valuable partnership that benefits the volunteer and society. AARP volunteers are necessary and vital force in achieving AARP’s mission and goals. Volunteering with AARP is one of the many paths people can take to become active, involved and engaged.

Last week, Governor Pat McCrory signed the state's long overdue budget bill that included more funds to help seniors and their family caregivers with services such as Meals on Wheels, in-home health aides, transportation to medical appointments and more. The budget also offsets rising health care costs with the reinstatement of the medical expense deduction that was eliminated in 2013.

This week on Real Life, you’ll learn about Mentor Up – a program where young people help older adults stay connected and adjust to the many challenges they face in today’s changing world.

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.