AARP Texas

Wall Street speculators want to take over Texas’ largest electric utility. Hedge fund managers and bankers could snag a $250 million a year tax windfall, hurting millions of Texans. Let’s be clear: A proposed sale of Oncor is a handout to Wall Street speculators.

As Texans begin casting votes for the presidential election, it’s important to separate campaign rhetoric from the serious issues that impact our lives in the most profound ways.

For 100 years, Houston’s historic Franklin Beauty School has helped students learn new job skills and launch careers and dreams. This family-owned, workforce development institute has not only graduated a legion of entrepreneurs and leaders, but it has also been a beacon of pride for the state of Texas.

Elder abuse, like many other forms of domestic abuse, is an often hidden phenomenon that affects many older Texans. Financial exploitation is the most prevalent form of elder abuse. Every year, abuse and exploitation rob older Americans of $3 billion—and this is only the amount reported. When criminals take advantage of older people by forging a signature or coercing them to sign a will, the impact goes far beyond the pocketbook and affects the physical and emotional health of the victim. Those who perpetrate these crimes can be a stranger, such as an aide who comes into the home to assist with daily activities, or they can be someone in a position of trust, such as a family member.

As we've been spending more time with family during the holidays, Texas newspapers have been highlighting the family caregivers who give so much year round.

AARP founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus once said, “The human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live.” Every day, people give their time to help members of our age 50+ community, people like Donald and Angie Hamm. They met Veronica de Lafuente, who leads AARP’s outreach work in the Rio Grande Valley, at a Life Reimagined event in Brownsville last year.

The holidays are upon us, which means it’s a time for family, food, joy and shopping. It’s also occasion to be aware of fraudulent acts like fake charities and credit card scams, many of which target older persons.

There are more than 3.4 million unpaid family caregivers in Texas. It is with pride that we extend our thanks to each one of them.

Is your home safe enough for you to continue living in it independently as you age? What extra precautions or assistance might you need? How much will home adjustments cost, and what regulations do you need to follow?

Statistics tell a powerful story. Consider that 36 percent of Texas residents age 65 or older depend on Social Security as their only source of income. Or that more than four of 10 in this age group would live in poverty were it not for Social Security.