Home & Family

Natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey can create high levels of stress and anxiety for survivors. Research shows most recover but others can suffer psychological disorders like post-tramautic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.

Texans who have lost their homes due to damage from Hurricane Harvey could be eligible for special federal disaster assistance. In addition, Texans with federally backed mortgages who were already at risk of losing their homes for financial reasons before Harvey struck are getting a temporary reprieve from foreclosure.

To help loved ones stranded by Hurricane Harvey, federal health officials have relaxed rules dealing with how hospitals and medical providers share certain information about patients.

The transition from hospital to home just got easier for patients and family caregivers under a new state law.

By Gabrielle Wilkosz

By Laura Tillman

Texas lawmakers today finalized a measure that gives important new rights to millions of unpaid family caregivers. A priority for AARP, House Bill 2425 (companion to Senate Bill 1417) would help Texans when their loved ones go into the hospital and as they transition home. The legislation goes next to the governor’s desk.

In Texas alone, there are more than 3.4 million unpaid family caregivers, many of whom provide complex medical and nursing tasks for their loved ones, and sometimes without adequate explanation or training. It’s not unusual for their tasks to include managing multiple medications, providing wound care, overseeing special diets, and operating high-tech medical equipment and monitors.

The Texas Senate took a pivotal step toward improving the quality of care in Texas nursing facilities on Wednesday by unanimously approving Senate Bill 932, which seeks to hold nursing home operators accountable for harming residents.

To promote age-friendly, livable communities, AARP Texas is hosting gardening classes across the state.