AARP Virgin Islands

Local officials want to improve Virgin Islanders’ health, but to work effectively, they need to know what the population’s health habits are.

In the Thursday May 26, 2016, Board of Trustees meeting of the Government Employees’ Retirement System (GERS), the vice-chairman of the board Judge Edgar Ross after a lengthy discussion on the provisions in Title 3, Chapter 27 Sections 718 and 718(a), and Chapter 28A, Sections 767 and 767a of the Virgin Islands Code, made a motion consistent with the law in Sections 718 and 767 (regular retirees) and 718a and 767a (early retirement program). The motion, effective immediately, directed the Administrator not to pay new benefits unless the total costs of benefits are paid by the plan sponsor (Government of the Virgin Islands) in accordance with the law. The motion failed on a tied vote. Notwithstanding, the Administrator was directed to enforce the law.

¿Quiere ahorrar algo de dinero de impuestos y asegurarse de que pueda permanecer en su hogar a medida que envejece?

Virgin Islanders who care for an aging loved one at home just got a huge boost of support from the legislature. A new law, which took effect March 30, improves communication and coordination between hospitals and family caregivers.

Español Want to save some tax money and ensure you can stay in your home as you age? You can save as much as 20% on your property taxes for up to 10 years if you plan ahead.

If you visited the AARP Virgin Islands booth at the Agricultural Fair in February, you were given information about the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the survey that is being done in the territory. The BRFSS is a project within the VI Department of Health’s Chronic Disease Prevention Program which is tasked with compiling health studies on various topics. The studies are completed using data received from Virgin Islands residents. The studies are very important to the territory as a whole. They are used for a variety of purposes including: 1) to help the Department of Health identify community health needs 2) to help apply for various health grants 3) to help policy makers make decisions based on the actual needs of the community and 4) to identify the types of health care personnel that the territory needs to recruit.

“The consumer has more power than they think,” stated Devin Carrington, the Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) at a recent Town Hall meeting on St. Thomas, “Too often we depend on the government to do everything, but we, as consumers need to work in solidarity and not allow businesses to provide us with products or services that are not up to standard.”

English En un movimiento sorpresa, el Gobernador de las Islas Vírgenes Kenneth E. Mapp vetó el proyecto de ley de Cuidado o en ingles CARE (proyecto de ley Nº 31-0237) a finales de marzo citando numerosas preocupaciones como justificación para su veto. La oficina de AARP Islas Virgenes recibió la notificación del veto, el sábado 26 de marzo durante el fin de semana de días feriados y comemoraciones de Pascua.

En Español In a surprise move, Virgin Islands Governor Kenneth E. Mapp vetoed the Caregiving Bill (Bill Number 31-0237) late in March citing numerous concerns as justification for his veto. The AARP VI office received notification of the veto on Saturday, March 26 in the middle of the Easter Holiday weekend.

Tracy Sanders, RN, MN, CNS