Today, 63 million Americans — including our own Virgin Islanders — step up as family caregivers, helping older parents, spouses, and other loved ones live independently at home rather than in costly nursing homes. These everyday heroes hold up a broken long-term care system, managing medications, preparing meals, helping with bathing and dressing, and more. In the Virgin Islands alone, family caregivers provide thousands of hours of care each year, worth an exceptional amount in unpaid labor.
On October 28, 2025, Troy de Chabert-Schuster proudly testified before the 36th Legislature's Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services, championing important amendments to the Caregivers Leave Act (Bill No. 36-0086). This proposed legislation is an exciting step forward, ensuring that all full-time employees of the Government of the Virgin Islands, including those working with independent boards, commissions, and agencies, receive four hours of administrative leave every month to fulfill their essential caregiving responsibilities for a seriously ill spouse, child, parent, or any legal dependent.
We are excited to announce that Social Security celebrated its 90th anniversary in August! To commemorate this milestone, AARP VI has rescheduled a special event on St. Croix for Saturday, November 8th, from 10 AM to 2 PM—and you’re warmly invited!
Join AARP VI on November 13th at Caribbean Cinemas for a FREE screening of "Now You See Me 3." The third installment in the Now You See Me series, titled Now You See Me: Now You Don't, follows the original Four Horsemen as they reunite to recruit three skilled illusionists for a high-stakes heist. The plot revolves around the theft of the world's largest queen diamond from a powerful crime syndicate. The film promises to deliver mind-bending magic, intricate planning, and a thrilling climax.
As of November 1, 2025, millions of Americans—including many older Virgin Islanders—may not receive their monthly food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. This disruption affects individuals living on fixed incomes, many of whom rely on SNAP to afford groceries and maintain their health.
For more than a decade, AARP Virginia has joined the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke for the VMT’s annual “Grandparents Day” as a way to help connect older residents with their grandchildren.
This past summer, AARP Virgin Islands (AARP VI), in partnership with the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services, successfully convened the first two of three Elder Justice Summit sessions. These gatherings brought together legislators, financial professionals, advocates, legal professionals, first responders, law enforcement, and mandated reporters. The consensus was clear: existing protections are insufficient. Findings from the first two sessions have shaped AARP VI’s legislative priorities, and the organization has pledged to lead the charge in advancing changes that will safeguard the financial futures of our elders.
AARP VI has already briefed Senators Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Avery L. Lewis, Kurt A. Vialet, Kenneth L. Gittens, and Marvin A. Blyden of the 36th Legislature, and has engaged the Lieutenant Governor’s Office.
Scams and data breaches are in the news a lot. Considering myself a savvy consumer, I had never been the victim of either. I had taken what I thought were all the appropriate steps to protect myself.