AARP Oregon

By Elaine Friesen-Strang

Welcome to our new blog series written and curated by Oregonians about the state of livability in our beautiful state.

Long Term Care Ombudsman

AARP Oregon is excited to be a Portland Sunday Parkways sponsor again this year! Portland Sunday Parkways is a wonderful series of community extravaganza that promotes healthy active living through a series of free events opening the city's largest public space - its streets - to walk, bike, roll, and discover active transportation while fostering civic pride, stimulating economic development, and represents the community, business, and government investments in Portland's vitality, livability, and diversity.

Have you or a loved one recently been laid off or are looking for work? Are you thinking about changing careers? Whether you are seeking meaning in your career, or just a new job, or simply want to explore your real possibilities, don't miss the Career Transformations Conference in Medford on Saturday, March 15 th.

What are the key issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) elders, teens and inbetweens today? What are the similarities and differences in experiences across generations? Join AARP Oregon and community partners on October 20 for LGBT Seniors, Teens, & Inbetweens: All-Ages LGBT Community Conversation in Eugene.

According to research most of us will need some form of assistance to maintain our desired quality of life, independence and dignity as we age. Dealing with declining health, loss of ability and accepting help from loved ones or paid caregivers is hard enough, for those in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, aging and receiving care has its unique challenges and complications.

Older adults are one of our city's richest resources. If we can ensure that they can participate fully in the life of the community for as long as possible, our entire community will benefit. But what does “age-friendly” really mean? How can we improve our city’s physical and social environments to allow residents to remain healthy, independent, and autonomous long into their old age?

AARP Oregon will recognize best decorated bikes at the July 28 th North Portland Sunday Parkways. You can submit your bike for consideration on-site at Peninsula Park between 11am and 3pm. You must provide a valid email address for notification. Submissions can also be made via twitter using #bestbikepdx @aarpor.

Over the past year, we here at the AARP Oregon state office have been contacted several times by AARP members and our own family and friends living in other parts so the country with requests for information about relocating to Oregon. When they hear about people coming to Oregon, native Oregonians often jest and quote a sign that Governor Tom McCall supposedly ordered to be put up at all major state borders, “Welcome to Oregon, enjoy your visit.” But it seems the word has gotten out! Oregon is beautiful and a wonderful to place to live. And based on the requests we have received people from a variety of places seem to be considering moving here.