Whether you are a new or current Medicare beneficiary, or are several years away from enrolling in Medicare, AARP of Oregon is committed to helping our members find meaningful volunteer opportunities in the community. By volunteering just a few hours a month, you can make a powerful difference in someone’s life. SHIBA is this kind of opportunity!
Settling back in his ergonomic chair, Richard Loescher begins to talk about his most recent adventure, and how much he enjoyed it. His eyes twinkle mischievously, he wears a big smile. The sense of adventure and satisfaction is almost palpable as he recounts the story.
From her glass-walled conference room perch, Carla Kelley has the world at her feet—well, at least Portland. Portland, where she came for love, found that her true love was Portland itself. Now in the position of Senior Counsel at a major Portland law firm, Carla actually retired from full-time employment several years ago. But her experience and skills made her an attractive candidate to work in the firm’s business group. She now works part-time and, at age 71, is a woman on the go with a “rolodex” any mover and shaker would envy.
In five years as an Oregon Long Term Care Ombudsman volunteer, I’ve seen a lot, sometimes inspiring, occasionally appalling. We are free, confidential advocates for the rights, dignity, and quality of life of adults in licensed nursing, residential care, assisted living, and adult foster care homes, where we visit, get to know residents, investigate complaints, watch and listen for problems and, with the resident’s approval, work to resolve them.
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.
Veterans Day is a good time to remind our friends and family who served their country in the military that veterans are a special target for some kinds of frauds and cons warns AARP Oregon.