Advocacy

AARP Maryland is proud to announce Sara M. Westrick’s appointment as its new advocacy director. Ms. Westrick will lead AARP Maryland’s legislative strategy, working closely with volunteers, legislators, and community partners to champion issues that matter most to older adults—from caregiving and health care to financial security and livable communities.

AARP West Virginia and a coalition of other organizations — including anti-hunger advocates, farmers and businesses — successfully advocated this year for an additional $360,000 in the state budget to help older adults facing food insecurity.

Several new AARP-backed laws passed during Connecticut’s 2025 legislative session. The laws are aimed at lowering prescription drug prices; curbing utility costs; making it easier for people to cancel subscriptions; and eliminating excess fees by requiring companies to disclose the total price of all goods and services.

Livability means different things to different people — but basically, it means an environment that supports people of all ages, abilities, and income levels.

Minnesotans who have been defrauded now have a better chance of financial recovery, thanks to a new bipartisan law championed by AARP Minnesota. The Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund, the first of its kind in the nation, was signed into law in 2025 with strong bipartisan support. This innovative fund will help victims of fraud recover lost money—especially in cases where scammers are untraceable or bankrupt.

Here are some photo highlights from AARP Virgin Islands' 90th Anniversary Celebrations on August 14th and August 15th. The USVI really knows how to PARTY!

The August 21st Elder Justice Summit focused on financial exploitation of the 65+ community. This event was held on both St. Croix and St. Thomas, with a livestream connecting both AARP offices. The Elder Justice Summit was attended by Lt. Governor Tregenza Roach, Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, as well as representatives from First Bank, Oriental Bank, the St. Thomas Credit Union, Merchant Commercial Bank, Bank of St. Croix, Frederiksted Federal Credit Union, and financial specialists from Medicaid and SNAP from the Department of Human Services.

Scammers succeed by creating an atmosphere of excitement. Learn how to protect yourself.

Cryptocurrency kiosks, may look like regular ATMs, but criminals can also use them as a fast, easy and hard-to-trace way to get access to victims’ cash.

As the nation marked the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act, signed into law on Aug. 14, 1935, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, AARP Virginia hosted a community event to celebrate the milestone and gather public sentiment on the program’s legacy.