Family & Relationships

Last few years have seen a tremendous increase in the demand for emotional support animal letters. It is one of the ways that help to ensure that you and your pet are not denied of any necessity at all. But, still, many are unaware of benefits associated with ESA. This article focuses on one of its primary benefits and how it can transform your way to visualize the world.

FROM THE ARTICLE. Progress in Creating Livable Communities for People of All Ages. By Rodney Harrell, AARP Public Policy Institute. Published February 03, 2026. With the right tools and support, people have the power to improve communities for residents of all ages. Keeping that in mind, our AARP Livable Communities team created the AARP Livability IndexTM platform and manages the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities (AARP age-friendly network) to help residents measure and support their progress towards making their neighborhoods more livable. Now there is new evidence that those efforts have indeed had a positive impact on the lives of older Americans. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/livable-communities/livability-index-data-progress-livable-communities/

I am finding it difficult to go where there may be some replies to my post. AARP is a good site but navigation thru the forums is hard. Doesn't help my 77 years. Anybody have any thoughts? would appreciate.

Let's be penpals! 

I don't understand why dredging up old posts is helpful or interesting...

Hello my name is Tawanna. I'm new to all this and is looking for help on what's free and how to use this AARP. thank you and God Bless Everyone.

TODAY: Why the Savannah Bananas Are Selling Out Stadiums Across US  VERY entertaining for the whole family - Not your conventional baseball to say the least - different rules some of which involve the fans.   Stilt hitter and pitcher - I just love them - they are now making their national tour - play like teams in major stadiums across the country - today they are in NYC - Bronx at Yankee Stadium playing the Firefighters (another like team). Highly recommended for entertainment - Ryan Cox is my favorite player - he's one of the best trick players I have ever seen.  

FROM THE ARTICLE.  Affordable Housing in Ohio Key to Aging in Place. With limited supply and high costs, AARP Ohio is promoting affordable housing initiatives across the state, such as revised zoning laws to allow accessory dwelling units. By Sarah Hollander, AARP. Published January 19, 2026. While record-high property values are a boon for many Franklin County homeowners, the accompanying rise in property taxes has left some older residents feeling pushed out of neighborhoods they’ve lived in for decades.  With a lack of affordable housing options and a limited homestead tax exemption, older adults “feel like they’re being punished,” said Michael Stinziano, Franklin County auditor.  Working together with AARP Ohio, his office is conducting a study to seek ways to ease the burden.   “At the root of it, if you don’t have stable and quality housing, it’s really hard to have everything else, from health security to financial secu

I’m 40. I live in Phoenix with my 7-year-old son. We’re fine — he’s thriving, I work full-time, we eat dinner together, laugh at cartoons, and I even managed to save a little for his college fund. But lately… I’ve been staring at my 401(k) statement like it’s a mirror. And what I see isn’t numbers. It’s loneliness. I got divorced three years ago. No drama, no courtroom battles — just quiet paperwork and a bank account that felt like an empty suitcase. He took the house, the stocks, the “future.” I kept the kid, the credit card debt, and the nightly tuck-ins. Now I’m thinking about retirement — not because I want to stop working, but because I’m terrified of what happens after. Who’s going to be there when I’m 65? Who’s going to ask if I ate today? Who’s going to notice if I don’t answer the phone? My son will be grown. He’ll have his own life. His own family. And I’ll be… here. In this same house. With the same routines. Maybe a dog. Maybe a garden. Maybe silence.&n

FROM THE ARTICLE. 5 Ways AARP Is Fighting to Keep Heat and Electricity Bills Affordable. We’re battling rate increases to keep costs within reach for older adults. By Molly Snow, AARP. Published January 15, 2026. Older adults are contending with higher prices on almost everything, and utilities are no exception.​Nearly two-thirds of older Americans say their electric bill has gone up recently, and 83 percent fear it will climb even higher, according to a 2025 survey by AARP Research. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/advocacy/affordable-utilities-older-adults/

FROM THE ARTICLE. A New Chapter in Our Shared Story. Valuable lessons learned from a year listening to you. By Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, CEO, AARP. Published January 08, 2026. The past year was my first as CEO, and I spent lots of time listening and learning from the remarkable people who embody our mission every day. And now we turn the page together to a new year full of energy and possibility. AARP enters 2026 with a renewed sense of purpose as the experiences and aspirations of 125 million Americans age 50-plus guide our work. Across the country, I’ve seen our mission come to life through the stories of our members. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/advocacy/ceo-lessons-learned-first-year/

I've been hearing and reading that Social Security cards would not be considered proof of citizenship.  This does not make sense.  First, non-citizens who have the right to work in the U.S. have a special designation on the cards, whereas those who don't have the right to work cannot obtain the cards;  only actual citizens have cards without special designations.Second, when I initially applied for and received a card, it was specifically for the purpose of proof-of-citizenship- a class in high school was taking a trip to Canada, our teacher said we might be asked for proof at the border, and said it'd be easier to obtain Social Security cards than to haul around our birth certificates.What changed????  

FROM THE ARTICLE. A grant program to make communities more livable for people of all ages with tangible improvements that jump-start long-term change. Page published January 7, 2026 . Since its inception in 2017, the AARP Community Challenge has awarded 2,100 grants totaling $24.3 million to projects that benefit residents — especially those age 50 and older — and accelerate community change. AARP is accepting applications for the 2026 funding cycle that: (1) Deliver tangible improvements to communities, such as new crosswalks, benches, bike lanes, housing designs, and public space enhancements. (2) Leverage additional support from public, private, and philanthropic sources. (3) Help communities overcome policy barriers and implement lasting change. (4) Foster new collaborations and increase community engagement. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/community-challenge/info-2026/2026-challenge.htm

    Most people make resolutions. Most of us break them. However we endeavor to try. What are some you might list for the New Year?   One I try to live always by ......         

FROM THE ARTICLE. People ages 50 to 64 are struggling to afford health care coverage — and consider going without — as their monthly premiums skyrocket. By Miriam Cross, AARP. Published December 24, 2025. ReShonda Young’s Affordable Care Act health insurance helped pay for testing and diagnosis of her breast cancer last year. “The ACA has been a lifesaver,” she says.The 50-year-old small-business owner paid $94 per month for her gold-tier plan in 2025. But as she prepared to enroll for 2026, she saw that the monthly premiums would shoot up to $592. That’s a 500 percent increase. “I can’t go without, but I can’t afford to pay the premiums at basically $600 per month,” she says. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/advocacy/aca-subsidies-affect-real-people/

   We watched this 87 year old Capra classic last night and we’re still talking about how this movie certainly has withstood the test of time.  Its timeless message still rings true. …..if you haven’t seen it yet, please just give it a chance!

Who or what is going to save us?From what, you say?Income inequalityGlobalized economicsInternational conflictPandemicsGlobal warmingArtificial IntelligenceCrime, and whatever other more personal fears you may have, like loneliness, depression, aging, housing, healthcare.Who or what is going to save us?National government?Some billionaire?Technology?Reliable answers are hard to come by.When I ask this question, I come up with the following:Community—local community—the places where we all live.Why?Local community can offer the following:A place where you know who it is you are communicating with (it’s not AI simulation)You, the citizen, have the opportunity to actually affect the environment you live in (changing laws, organization participation, getting help to age in place, become socially engaged)Have direct impact on how resources are managed (from infrastructure development to expert demonstrations at the public library)Think about it—today—there really is no other way for the ind

the holiday is coming fast. Maybe too fast but our ages kinda distort the clock. Are you all prepared?

I was just thinking this.  We used to go out caroling in groups as kids to Nursing Homes.  Do people still make rounds?  What a wonderful thing that was.  The joy on the resident’s faces.  

What decorations past or present, have you created for the holidays? Wreaths, centerpieces, placemats, tree decorations, garland, or anything else?   For a couple of Thanksgiving dinners, I've hollowed out miniature pumpkins and filled them with flowers for centerpieces on the tables.    In the past I've loved stringing popcorn, or cranberries and making garland strands for the tree. Or taking oranges and inserting whole cloves into them, then hang them in the house for a wonderful scent.    I think making things for the house or for others. helps with feeling in the mood for the holidays. 

If you remember the Vietnam years, you know those veterans did not come home to a cheering crowds who were proud of those men and women. We still owe them a thank you for their service.    Watch this , and try to keep from crying:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2L3skZ7FEw&feature=youtu.be

FROM THE ARTICLE. Millions of Americans are facing higher premium prices in the new year, and many say the cost is out of reach. By Rachel Nania, AARP. Published December 16, 2025. Millions of Americans who buy their own health insurance are bracing for steep price hikes in the new year. Monthly costs for marketplace plans are expected to more than double on average due to rising premiums and expiring tax credits, and older adults are among those expected to be hit hardest, given the already higher costs of their health plans. Soaring prices are causing many to consider downgrading their coverage or skipping it altogether, a recent KFF poll found. In fact, 1 in 4 poll respondents said they would be very likely to go uninsured if the amount they pay for health insurance each month doubled. USE THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/health/healthcare/cant-afford-health-insurance/

FROM THE ARTICLE. VA Plans Health Care Reorganization Starting in 2026. Medical centers and clinics will not see staff cuts under new structure, veterans department says. By Aaron Kassraie, AARP. Published December 16, 2025. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced on Dec. 15 plans to launch a major restructuring of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) but said the changes are aimed at reducing red tape and will not affect staffing at VA clinics and medical centers.Details of the plan will be announced in early 2026 and implemented over an 18- to 24-month period, the VA said. The department cited independent reviews dating back nearly a decade, which it said found the VHA to be “rife with middle managers who have overlapping responsibilities,” thereby slowing decision-making and the delivery of care. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE https://www.aarp.org/veterans/va-health-care-reorganization-2026/

FROM THE ARTICLE. What to Know About the New Tax Deduction for Older Adults.Who qualifies? How much is it? Does it affect Social Security? By Rocky Mengle and Andy Markowitz, AARP. *** There are 144 comments on the AARP website. Stop by to add yours. *** Published July 08, 2025. Millions of taxpayers ages 65 and older got a big tax break in the “One Big Beautiful Bill”: a new $6,000 tax deduction, effective this year.The deduction, which AARP supported, will reduce tax bills for many older Americans, starting with their next tax filing and running through the 2028 tax year, after which it is set to expire. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/what-to-know-new-tax-law-2025.html

FROM THE ARTICLE. The New Rules of Tipping. Gratuity prompts are popping up everywhere. Here’s how to navigate today’s norms. By Cameron Huddleston, AARP. Published December 16, 2025. If you’re feeling pressured to tip at more and more places and in higher amounts, you have plenty of company. Two-thirds of consumers report a sense of obligation to tip when prompted at checkout to add a certain percentage to their tab, according to a September survey by Popmenu, a restaurant technology platform. And 3 in 4 Americans say tipping is expected at more places than in the past, a 2023 Pew Research Center survey found. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/money/personal-finance/navigate-tipping-culture-rules/