As of November 1, 2025, millions of Americans—including many older District residents—may not receive their monthly food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. This disruption affects individuals living on fixed incomes, many of whom rely on SNAP to afford groceries and maintain their health.
It’s that time of year again, Washingtonians—Medicare Open Enrollment is just around the corner! If you are over age 65, you may qualify for a Medicare plan. Medicare open enrollment is from October 15 to December 7, 2025. Medicare beneficiaries in the District can review, switch, or update their coverage for plans that begin January 1, 2026.
In Washington, D.C., many older Black residents continue to face serious challenges when it comes to accessing quality health care. While recent studies from AARP show signs of progress, they also reveal that deep disparities remain—especially for those living east of the Anacostia River.
AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond has reiterated the Association’s opposition to including a cut to the benefits of current and future Social Security recipients as part of a year-end budget deal via a formula change known as Chained CPI. She offered the following statement:
Some are considering cramming changes to Medicare and Social Security into a year-end budget deal to avoid the "fiscal cliff." If the Medicare eligibility age goes up to 67, then 9,351, District seniors will be kicked off Medicare. More data at http://www.kff.org/medicare/med032911nr.cfm. Private insurance will cost them $2,200 a year more, and all Medicare beneficiaries' premiums will increase if the youngest and healthiest beneficiaries are dropped from the program.
Join AARP for a free screening of the award-winning documentary, Age of Champions, about inspiring, older athletes who compete for gold at the National Senior Olympics, such as the Tatum brothers from DC. Watch the trailer and RSVP for free tickets at www.ageofchampions.org/DC or call 1-877-926-8300.
Join AARP for a free screening of the award-winning documentary, Age of Champions, about inspiring, older athletes who compete for gold at the National Senior Olympics, such as the Tatum brothers from DC. Watch the trailer and RSVP for free tickets at www.ageofchampions.org/DC or call 1-877-926-8300.
The Vida Senior Centers, one of the oldest Latino organizations serving seniors in the District of Columbia, and the AARP District of Columbia State Office celebrated the establishment of Vida’s Multicultural Club, AARP DC’s first “community group, Vida’s Multicultural Club. The club is organized according to a new AARP model which recognizes the dynamics of today’s diverse environment and the desire for a more flexible approach to local gatherings that can be connected to AARP.
According to the DC Department of Health, HIV and AIDS are increasing among older DC residents. In fact, more than one-third of the people living with HIV in DC are age 50+. District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray says that 15 percent of new HIV and AIDS cases in the District are among older adults.
Thanks to the generosity of District of Columbia residents, AARP DC and the Capital Area Food Bank collected more than five tons - that's 10,000 pounds - of food in the 2012 Drive to End Hunger in DC food drive. That means 13,235 meals can be prepared for and by people at risk of hunger. That kind of food assistance is a lifeline to Ms. Bowman, a DC senior who receives food commodities.
District residents promptly recovered from power outages, water and wind damage after super storm Sandy, but our friends, relatives and colleagues in New York, New Jersey and other coastal areas continue waging a much more challenging recovery.