Home & Family

AARP Blacksb urg chapter and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) will conduct the 2016 Health and Wellness Fair on September 14th at the Christiansburg Recreation Center. You are invited to join the approximately 100 exhibitors and 500+ citizens expected to participate. This event will focus on citizen participation and healthy living. Successful aging is not just about medical conditions and their management, but about living a full and engaged life and how a community makes that possible.

AARP Virginia is looking for people who want to make a difference in their community and in our state. We have several opportunities available for you to get involved as an AARP Virginia volunteer in southwest Virginia.

AARP volunteers and staff worked hard to ensure the passage of the CARE (Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable) Act, which helps the over one million family caregivers in Virginia as they prepare to perform a variety of medical/nursing tasks, including medication management, injections, wound care, transfers, and more upon discharge of their loved ones from a hospital setting. Most Virginians who receive assistance at home rely exclusively on unpaid family caregivers for help – at a value to the commonwealth of about $11.7 billion annually.

By Tamara Lytle

AARP Virginia is proud to be a sponsor of the 10th Annual 'Art of Aging - Life Begins at 50' event presented by Partners in Aging, Inc., in Fredericksburg!

Fredericksburg_ AARP Virginia and The Community Wellness Coalition will host a Home Fit Workshop on Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Arm of the Lord Ministries, 2100 Airport Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA.

According to AARP, 90% of older adults nationwide want to remain living in their homes for as long as possible, yet US Census data suggest that many homes may not be designed to accommodate the needs of aging homeowners. Specifically, older homes often include multi-story living, stepped entries, narrow doorways and hallways, second story bedrooms, and single bathrooms adjacent to the bedrooms, which make daily living challenging. Older homes are also likely to need repairs, modifications, and energy updates to meet the needs of older residents and remain habitable. In an effort to support aging in place, more information is needed about the homes of residents aged 50+.

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Are you an unpaid family caregiver providing care for a relative with Brain Injury in your household? Learn how to apply to receive up to $400 in reimbursement payments to purchase respite services. The $400 voucher allows caregivers to pay for respite, giving caregivers a temporary break from the ongoing stress of providing in-home care.

When lawmakers arrived at the Virginia General Assembly on Opening Day, our team of volunteer advocates were right there sharing our legislative priorities with them. We are requesting passage of legislation that will permit advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to have full practice authority. AARP Virginia is also advocating for more than $2 million to fund the state Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, more funding for a state respite care program that assists family caregivers, and for legislation to protect older Virginians from financial exploitation.