Volunteering

Brenda Kelly-Nelum, a loyal AARP volunteer, is a champion for senior citizens. She has been a longtime activist for standing up and protecting seniors from abuse and wrongdoings. A Washington D.C native, Brenda attended public school before they were integrated. In 1954, her 7 th grade year, she went from a small six room elementary school to the quite large Eastern High School. The transformation she said is unforgettable. Brenda continued her education and received a BA from Howard University.

Bruce Smith, a longtime activist, grew up in Falls Church, Virginia but moved to Vienna, Virginia after the death of his father. He credits his college years to his Mother’s Social Security Survivor Benefits and the two jobs she worked to help him through those tough years. Bruce gets his spirit from his Mother, a Virginia Republican leader and activist who championed women’s rights and civil rights—issues that the Republican Party advocated for in those days. Although Bruce was a College Young Republican leader and organizer, he began drifting. When pushed to make a choice between property rights and civil rights—he chose the latter.

Carol Downs is one of our volunteers who simply cannot get enough out of life. She has a penchant for curiosity and considers herself to be a lifetime student. While she enjoys larger group activities, she is just as satisfied having a heart to heart with a close friend or simply enjoying her own company. Carol is exceptionally hard working but makes most tasks seem effortless with her cheerful and resourceful attitude. In group settings, she excels at being diplomatic and compassionate, but her best trait is her propensity to say yes in just about any situation—something AARP greatly values in her as a volunteer.

AARP VIRGINIA STATEWIDE COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE IS SEPTEMBER 8-15

By Kay Bransford

Dealing with a serious, progressive illness can be overwhelming. Whether you are living with a progressive illness, or you are caring for someone who is, you must make a lot of complicated decisions, often very quickly. It is hard to know how to navigate the health care maze, how to continue living as independently as possible, and how to put into place the unique care combination you need to be comfortable.

Normal

As we age, most of us hope to remain in our homes as long as possible. That becomes more difficult as our ability to drive and handle daily chores becomes more limited. That’s where you can help.

Interested in learning more about Medicare and related insurance?

Each year, billions of American taxpayers’ dollars are wasted on improper payments to individuals, organizations and contractors. These are payments made in the wrong amounts, to the wrong person, or for the wrong reason. In 2009, improper payments totaled $98 billion, with $54 billion stemming from Medicare and Medicaid. (SOURCE: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, March 10, 2010)