About AARP

During the busy holiday season, family caregivers – over 268,000 right here in New Hampshire – already feel overwhelmed with daily responsibilities, leaving them vulnerable when the stress of the holidays arrive. Turning to unhealthy behaviors – drinking more eggnog, eating more sweets, getting fewer hours of shut-eye, and forgoing exercise – is not the answer.

Most drivers know drowsy driving is risky, yet too many still do it. Of course we cannot always get enough sleep as easily as we can avoid alcohol and drugs, but we must try, because drowsiness can be every bit as dangerous. It causes 100,000+ crashes nationally every year, killing over 1,500 of us and injuring at least 40,000 more. And those are conservative estimates, because drowsiness is so difficult to quantify and track. According to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety research, 28% of motorists reported struggling to keep their eyes open while driving in the previous month, more than a third have fallen asleep behind the wheel at least once, and more than one in ten has done so in the past year.

Doug Masson of Cambridge, VT was named Volunteer of the Year for the AARP Vermont Driver Safety Program. Doug has been insrtumental in delivering the program on many levels, according to Dave Peters, Driver Safety state coordinator. Doug serves as an instructor, district coordinator, trainer and Car Fit technician. In 2014 alone he taught 9 classes and recruited and trained 4 new instructors. He has been active in launching and conducting CarFit programs around Vermont and helped train 3 new technicians for the program.

The AARP Smart Driver Safety Course has a new look! Available in all areas of the state, this program features newly produced text and audio-visual materials with an emphasis on data-based research and Vermont motor vehicle law. While we focus on the needs of older drivers, the program is appropriate for any age. Classes are four hours in length and address how changes in roads, vehicles, and ourselves affect our driving and safety.

If you’re making a career change—by choice or out of necessity—you can take steps to help ensure a smooth transition. AARP is here to help with a variety of resources at www.aarp.org/WorkResources. Help includes tips on networking, learning about job openings, researching employers and applying for positions.

Four small organizations with big plans have been selected to receive Community Action Grants from AARP Vermont supporting their efforts to make Newport a more “Age-Friendly” city. In partnering with AARP Vermont, Newport has committed to embrace the changing demographics of an aging population by focusing on safe, walkable streets, better housing and transportation options, access to key services and community engagement opportunities for all ages. These Community Action Grants support that direction by funding small, grassroots organizations that are working to advance the Age Friendly movement.

A number of important issues ranging from health care to financial security are being debated this legislative session, learn more about AARP-VT's efforts in the legislature to improve the quality of life for the 50+ population across the state. To find ways to get involved and take action please contact us!

AARP Foundation announced Wednesday that it has established a relief fund to support older adults suffering from the severe cold weather that has gripped much of the nation. AARP and its members are committed to helping those in need; so to support these emergency relief efforts AARP and AARP Foundation will match dollar-for-dollar contributions up to $250,000, which could mean up to $500,000 in aid.

Kelly Stoddard Poor has been appointed to associate state director at AARP Vermont in charge of state and community development. She will be responsible for developing AARP Vermont’s volunteer capacity on social impact campaigns that improve the quality of life for all Vermonters as they age. In addition, she is responsible for statewide public education efforts and outreach to directly engage AARP Vermont members and their families on the issues that most affect their lives.

Since 1979, AARP Driver Safety has offered the nation's first and largest refresher course for drivers 50+ and has helped millions of drivers stay in command of the road. Now, we're offering our online course to ALL drivers for only $5 during the month of May.*