AARP Wyoming

Written by: Kevin McKinney, Wyoming Athlete

While finding affordable housing has become a statewide issue, Age-Friendly Laramie (AFL) has been working with the Laramie City Council - to bring focus to the cause in Albany County. AFL is a grassroots effort to consider how issues related to population aging can be addressed by the community now and into the future. The organization is a part of AARP’s Age-Friendly Network of States and Communities and receives support and best practices from The World Health Organization’s Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities.

While you may hope calling 9-1-1 will result in an ambulance arriving at your door, in Wyoming, getting help from an Emergency Services agency is not a given.

Written By: Dave Freudenthal, Wyoming's Former Governor

With the 2024 election less than a year away, the Wyoming Legislature will consider changes to Wyoming’s statewide election laws in February that will impact everything from how long you have to live in the Cowboy State to vote to reporting requirements on who is trying to influence your vote. “At AARP Wyoming, we know no group values their right to vote more than the age 50+,” says AARP Wyoming State Director Sam Shumway. “That is why we keep an eye on bills that impact voting rights, methods, and who is trying to change your minds when it comes to an election.”

Lawmakers Not Sure The Fix, But Considering Options

The State’s Legislature is looking for ways to get help to vulnerable adults who most need it and has forwarded a few bills to the 2024 Legislative Session to do just that. The Wyoming definition of a vulnerable adult is any person 18 years of age or older who is unable to manage and take care of themselves or their property without assistance as a result of advanced age or physical or mental disability. The Mental Health and Vulnerable Adult Task Force of the Wyoming Legislature, newly minted after the 2023 Legislative Session, could not sponsor its own bills but did have a busy interim, producing several proposed pieces of legislation.

Written by: Stella Montano, AARP Wyoming State Volunteer President

AARP Wyoming will rent out ten lanes and offer prizes while running trivia games and handing out tickets for prize drawings. The more you bowl at the event, the better your chances to win prizes. AARP Wyoming will also provide snacks and water while you bowl.

The walks kicked off last week as Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins joined the inaugural lap group. On the first Thursday of each month a short presentation or discussion takes place, on different aspects of healthy aging such as diet, nutrition, and mental wellness, and then the walk gets underway.