Community

Many older LGBT citizens face difficulties getting proper medical treatment. Some live alone due to fear of discrimination. Others can find it hard to settle into nursing homes because of potential mistreatment.

Austin enjoys a reputation as a young city. It’s also among the fastest-growing areas for people 55 and older. City leaders are taking the growth trend seriously. On Thursday, the Austin City Council approved a plan to help people “age in place.”

Every year, Sept. 15 marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. For 30 days, the nation comes alive with the sounds of Latin music, cultural murals, and events that celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of Hispanic people throughout history. When the observance began in 1968, it only lasted for one week. It wasn’t until 1988 that the celebration expanded to 30 days.

With people staying healthy and active longer, communities have to adapt. There’ll be need for more safe, walkable streets, better housing and transportation options, and opportunities for civic engagement. The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities gives cities guidance on how to reach their goals in becoming great places for people of all ages.

AARP invites Texans to kick off National Hispanic Heritage Month in San Antonio Sept. 15 with a guided bus tour of the historic San Antonio Missions, where Native Americans lived and worked in the 1700s. The tour is one of several free events during the month-long celebration.

AARP Texas is proud to announce and welcome Melodía Gutiérrez to the Association’s Dallas-Fort Worth team. Gutiérrez, an AARP associate state director of outreach and advocacy, is leading AARP’s work in Fort Worth and surrounding areas.

For her exceptional accomplishments in Fort Worth, AARP’s Carmel Perez Snyder has been named the 2016 recipient of the Association’s Maureen McKoy Award for Excellence in Service.

AARP leaders from the nation's most populous states gathered in San Antonio this week for talks about the Association's work in communities, which aims to fully engage members and non-members alike.

For generations, Social Security has provided much needed earned benefits to the people who have paid into the system. While many are able to rely on these funds today, this vital social safety net may not be there for future generations. Social Security needs to be updated for the 21st century. If our leaders don’t act, future retirees could lose up $10,000 a year.

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.