As of November 1, 2025, millions of Americans—including many older District residents—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.
It’s that time of year again, Washingtonians—Medicare Open Enrollment is just around the corner! If you are over age 65, you may qualify for a Medicare plan. Medicare open enrollment is from October 15 to December 7, 2025. Medicare beneficiaries in the District can review, switch, or update their coverage for plans that begin January 1, 2026.
In Washington, D.C., many older Black residents continue to face serious challenges when it comes to accessing quality health care. While recent studies from AARP show signs of progress, they also reveal that deep disparities remain—especially for those living east of the Anacostia River.
On Sept. 16, incremental changes to the City of Madison’s zoning ordinance were introduced at a Common Council meeting in an effort to support increased housing choices for homeowners. AARP supports more options for Madisonians age 50-plus to remain living in their neighborhoods should their current home no longer suit their life stage needs.
Hoping to approach Medicare decisions with more confidence? This is where AARP can help. Medicare enrollment can seem complicated, but understanding your personal needs and priorities can help you make informed decisions.
FERRUM, Va. — A community-led park in Ferrum marked a major milestone on Friday, Sept. 12, with the grand opening of a new ADA-accessible trail, made possible through a $15,000 grant from AARP’s Community Challenge program.
AARP VI and the VI Department of Human Services will collaborate to host the third component of their Elder Justice Summit: Safeguarding Older Virgin Islanders, Supporting Caregivers, on Monday, September 29, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at My Brother’s Workshop Campus, St. Thomas, VI (behind Home Depot).
Learning and growing as a caregiver is a responsibility that is ongoing, and the caregiver’s self-care can be overlooked or buried beneath an avalanche of scheduled responsibilities. The question ‘what about me’ can often be viewed as a luxury item when continued support is a necessity. Discovering when to take time for self-care is a skill that requires development and must resonate at the heart of all caregivers.
Learning how to take time for self-care may be challenged by several barriers, which may
include limiting beliefs, adjusting to role reversals and implementing new structures for caring. Caregiving can also contribute to behavioral health concerns such as burnout, negative self-talk, depression, compassion fatigue and loneliness. In short, the journey of caregiving is a uniquely personal experience.
For the past three years, Beverly has cared for her husband at home. Once an accomplished machinist, he lives with Alzheimer’s, a condition that has slowly changed nearly every aspect of their daily lives.
Identity fraud and scams are a massive and growing problem, but there are things each of us can do to protect against identity fraud, even if our data has been exposed.