Caregiving

Holidays have always been full of family fun for us, but I’ve also used them as a time to observe how my parents are doing on their own and talk about changes. It can be tough, creating a celebratory mood while also dealing with serious family issues, such as driving, personal care, and finances. Here are my top tips for successful conversation.

Right now, there are an estimated 524,000 family caregivers in Oklahoma providing 488 million hours of care. That equals about $6 billion in unpaid care annually for older parents, spouses and other loved ones to help them stay at home—and out of costly institutions. That's why AARP Oklahoma fights for commonsense solutions to give our caregivers support, resources, training and more.

Two new state laws are expected to improve access to health care, reduce medical costs and better support family caregivers. Backed by AARP Oklahoma, both measures take effect this month.

Two new state laws, which are expected to improve access to health care, reduce medical costs and better support family caregivers, take effect today, November 1, 2016.

Across a spectrum of political views, 87 percent of likely Oklahoma voters support services that can help people live in their own homes as they age, according to a recent nonpartisan SoonerPoll. Most respondents support home- and community-based services such as hospice care, home health care, visiting nurses, transportation, home-delivered meals, senior centers, help with housekeeping, respite care and a central place for caregiving information.

Unstuck! Lightening the Heart of the Family Caregiver with Humor featuring Peter Rosenberger

The Oklahoma legislature is currently considering House Bill 2482 by Representative Pat Ownbey and Senator Frank Simpson that would update state law, creating a nurse licensure compact, to allow nurses to care across state lines. This no-cost, commonsense solution would create opportunities for nurses with licenses in neighboring states to practice in Oklahoma.