AARP Virgin Islands

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AARP in the Virgin Islands is backing legislation by territory Sen. Novelle E. Francis Jr. (D) that would give full-time government employees up to four hours of paid caregiving leave each month.

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we wanted to spotlight our incredible volunteer, Pablo Rojas, and have asked him to share his favorite recipe from Ecuador.

On October 28, 2025, Troy de Chabert-Schuster will testify before the 36th Legislature in support of amendments to the Caregivers Leave Act (Bill 36-0086). This legislation proposes that all full-time employees of the Government of the Virgin Islands—including those employed by independent boards, commissions, agencies, autonomous and semi-autonomous agencies, and other instrumentalities of the Government—who are the primary caregivers for a seriously ill spouse, child, parent, or any individual who is a legal dependent of the employee, be entitled to four hours of administrative leave per month for caregiving duties.

In 2022, AARP VI proudly awarded a Community Challenge grant to the St. Croix Orchid Society, Inc., an exciting step toward revitalizing the historic Orchid House at the St. George Village Botanical Garden, which had suffered damage from Hurricane Maria. The dedicated repairs included replacing the ridgepole and rafters, adding new shade cloth, updating the grillwork, and enhancing the irrigation system. After three years of hard work and determination, the Orchid House has been beautifully restored and now shines as a key attraction in the garden!

Join AARP VI at Caribbean Cinemas on October 23rd for a FREE screening of "Regretting You." The movie on St. Croix will start at 6:30 PM, while the St. Thomas screening will begin at 7:00 PM. Registration is FREE for everyone, and you do not need to be a member to enjoy the event!

AARP VI and the VI Department of Human Services will collaborate to host the third component of their Elder Justice Summit: Safeguarding Older Virgin Islanders, Supporting Caregivers, on Monday, September 29, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at My Brother’s Workshop Campus, St. Thomas, VI (behind Home Depot).

Learning and growing as a caregiver is a responsibility that is ongoing, and the caregiver’s self-care can be overlooked or buried beneath an avalanche of scheduled responsibilities. The question ‘what about me’ can often be viewed as a luxury item when continued support is a necessity. Discovering when to take time for self-care is a skill that requires development and must resonate at the heart of all caregivers. Learning how to take time for self-care may be challenged by several barriers, which may include limiting beliefs, adjusting to role reversals and implementing new structures for caring. Caregiving can also contribute to behavioral health concerns such as burnout, negative self-talk, depression, compassion fatigue and loneliness. In short, the journey of caregiving is a uniquely personal experience.

No matter where you are in the caregiver journey, these local agencies and organizations can help make the process easier

After two years of hard work, the amendments to the Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Prevention Act (Bill 36-0099) passed unanimously today before the 36th Legislature. AARP VI testified in support of the amendments to the territory’s Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Prevention Act (Bill 36-0099). This Bill was sponsored by Senator-at-Large Angel L. Bolques, Jr. "Elder abuse is not an abstract problem - it is a harsh reality in our islands. Too often, it is hidden in silence, whether in the form of financial exploitation, physical harm, neglect, or psychological manipulation. Each case represents not just a crime, but a betrayal of trust and a violation of the fundamental right to live with dignity and safety," stated AARP State Director Troy De Chabert-Schuster.