AARP Texas

Texas ranks 35 th when it comes to meeting the long-term care needs of older residents and people with disabilities, and AARP warns more must be done, at an accelerated pace, to meet changing demographic demands. Specific areas of concern in Texas include the percent of high-risk nursing home residents with pressure sores, as well as the percent of nursing home residents who are inappropriately receiving an antipsychotic medication. This, according to a new, comprehensive state-by-state Scorecard from AARP with support of the nation’s leading organizations behind quality long-term care, The Commonwealth Fund and SCAN Foundation.

As temperatures rise and Texans rely heavily on air conditioning in their homes, AARP Texas seeks to educate consumers, including older Texans, on how to protect themselves against the rising costs of electricity and other utility expenses.

AARP Texas Director Bob Jackson released the following statement today in reaction to the news of the passing of Luis Alonso Wilmot of San Antonio, who served as the AARP Texas Director from 2002 to 2007:

With nearly half of all deaths in Texas related to COVID-19 occurring among nursing home residents and staff, advocates at AARP Texas are encouraging those with loved ones in long-term care facilities to check regularly on the loved ones’ health and wellbeing.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler drew a smidgeon of laughter from a crowd of about 120 Central Texas AARP members when he told them that not everyone needs to give up their cars and ride city buses in HOV lanes. Rather, he said, just enough motorists should do so to speed up the lane he likes to drive.

Inflation and food insecurity are impacting many older Texans, but there are assistance programs, such as SNAP, available to help.

The new Statewide Interagency Aging Services Coordinating Council has started work on a five-year plan to meet the needs of a rapidly aging population.

A Statewide Interagency Aging Services Coordinating Council will meet quarterly to ensure that public agencies in Texas providing services to older adults communicate and collaborate.

** High-Priority Nursing Home Quality Legislation Approved **

AARP Texas and KSAT hosted a recent conversation about the future of Social Security. Starting 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, watch a 30-minute segment from the event.