Advocacy

By Mac McLean

In our culture, the ALF – and the other acronymed places for the elderly, fragile, and disabled – constitutes both the family, those at-hand, and village, out-there in the social order. The caregiver is the person at-hand in assisted living. For me, she – and it’s almost always she - cleans my glasses, opens my mail, dresses and undresses me, showers me, puts me on and takes me off the toilet, wipes me. What kind of person does it take to do all that – with heartfelt feeling?

Sometimes when we’re in the community, we’ll hear from someone who says, “I’ve never met a real person from AARP!” Yes, there is an AARP Oregon State Office with a staff of 7 plus a great team of volunteer partners. We’re active on issues that matter to you and your family. In this season of gratitude and reflection, we want to share with you some of the highlights from our work this year.

AARP Oregon salutes Oregon's nearly 470,000 family caregivers during November's National Family Caregiver Month. We also recognize it's a tough job. A bit of rest now and then, or "respite care," helps prevent significant stress and burnout that can lead to worse health for the caregiver, and diminish the caregiver's ability to provide good care to their loved one. Caregivers need short breaks!

AARP Oregon is sponsoring three Vital Aging conferences across the state for AARP members and their family members and friends. The events are free, educational and fun. Speakers will explain how to parlay age and experience into new possibilities and how to foster an attitude that the best is yet to come.

Next month, Oregonians will be asked to cast their votes for new elected leaders, as well as to weigh in on important issues facing our state and our communities. One of these important issues will be presented on your ballot as Measure 97. Some of you may already be familiar with this ballot measure because it has generated considerable controversy throughout the state, and has been widely reported on by the media and in advertising spots by various interest groups, since it was included on the ballot.

Election Day is less than one month away, but soon Oregonians who are registered to vote can start mailing in or dropping off their ballots. AARP Oregon asked all the candidates for Oregon Governor three questions about issues relevant to our members and all Oregonians: retirement security, transportation/mobility options, and support for caregivers. We also asked all the candidates for Oregon Treasurer the question about retirement security.

By Dick Weinman, AARP Volunteer and Assisted Living Guru

By Merry MacKinnon

Working for a vital democracy