DURHAM, NC — Transportation is the vital link that connects older adults to social activity, economic opportunity, and community services that support their independence.
Being a caregiver is one of the most meaningful roles a person can take on — but it often comes with personal sacrifices. Across North Carolina, thousands of people dedicate their time and energy to caring for loved ones, while also trying to balance their own financial, emotional, and professional needs.
ASHEVILLE, NC — AARP North Carolina has released a powerful new video, “Rebuilding with an Age-Friendly Lens.” Just under four minutes long, the video showcases the voices and visions of community leaders working to ensure older adults are not left behind in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation.
AARP is working to make North Carolina communities better places for people of all ages. Two major Triad Counties, Guilford and Forsyth have recently joined A ARP's Network of Age Friendly Communities and are working on changes that will make it easier for people to age in place.
ASHEVILLE -- The irony was perfect: outside the front door of Asheville’s NC Stage Company, teenagers were skateboarding down Walnut Street, an elder’s classic stereotype of adolescence if there ever was one. Inside, a different group of teens (and elders) were creating and putting on a performance––“Mind the Gap”––about breaking down such stereotypes.
RALEIGH –Medicare contributes $19.5 million to North Carolina’s economy, equivalent to 21% of state and local government spending in the state, according to a new report from AARP. Medicare also covers 1,788,687 beneficiaries in the state. Older Americans have said Medicare is one of their top issues in the 2018 mid-term elections, and AARP North Carolina is working to encourage voter participation this election season.
In support of that work, AARP is excited to be able to provide funding to organizations through the AARP Community Challenge to help them jumpstart progress on ongoing work. These “quick action” grants are being distributed to 129 organizations, with at least one in every state, Washington D.C, and Puerto Rico, including right here in North Carolina. The Community Challenge grants provide communities with the chance to fund innovative projects that can inspire change in areas such as transportation, open spaces, housing, and other innovative projects to improve the community and make North Carolina’s counties, cities, towns and rural areas better places to live for all residents.
With vacation season in full swing, you may be looking to book vacation rentals for your summer trips. Be careful as you make these reservations – scammers are ready with fake vacation rental ads to steal your money and leave you stranded on vacation. Scammers may place real homes on vacation rental sites without the consent of the homeowner, and change the contact and payment information to their own. They may also make up nonexistent properties and advertise them with great prices or amenities.
AARP North Carolina is encouraging caregivers to share their stories to help build momentum for advocacy. Through legislation backed by AARP, the state recently joined the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, which can help ease a shortage of health care providers. AARP also supported a power of attorney law that makes it easier for families to take care of loved ones across state lines.
The right to vote, along with full and fair representation, is the most basic of all political rights. AARP North Carolina is against the effort for a state constitutional amendment (HB1092) that would, in practical terms, reduce voter participation by inhibiting basic American voting rights. We urge legislators and voters to oppose any constitutional amendment for new identification requirements.
RALEIGH – To recognize their integral work to support family caregivers in North Carolina last year, AARP named Governor Roy Cooper, State Senators Warren Daniel and Paul Newton and State Representatives John Szoka, Gale Adcock, Beverly G. Boswell, Donna McDowell White as “Capitol Caregivers."