Family & Relationships

Then tell us what makes it AFFORDABLE to you.This is your chance to dream but with reason -  

FROM THE ARTICLE. 7 Questions to Ask Before Moving to a 55+ Community.Are you ready to downsize? And do you like to be social? Here's what to know before joining a community for older adults. By Matt Swenson, AARP. *** There is 1 comment on the AARP Website. Stop by to add yours. *** Published July 09, 2025. Connie Beck and her husband, Michael Beck, knew it was time to move on when her father-in-law passed away in 2018. Their caregiving duties were the last connection to Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County, which they felt was a nice place to live but not retire. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/home-living/is-over-55-community-right-for-you/

Hi, I have moved to IL earlier this year. I'm closer to my family, but I'm starting over looking for new friendships and local connections. I had no idea this forum exists. I'm in my late 50's, interested in dancing, wanting to take upon cross country skiing. I'd like to volunteer locally. Let's see where this goes! 

Hi from the lone star state.

FROM THE ARTICLE. Veterans and grandparents contend with balancing bills and staying fed as SNAP benefits remain suspended. By Molly Snow, AARP. Published November 12, 2025. A grandfather of six. A U.S. Army veteran.Retirees who’ve spent a lifetime working and now struggle to pay competing bills.​​These are just some of the millions of older adults affected by the disruptions to federal food aid because of the ongoing government shutdown. In November, it became the longest in history. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/advocacy/older-adults-missed-food-aid/

 Happy Veterans Day to my son Barry  and to all veterans.    Thank you for your service.

With the temps dipping, I got the urge to bake some apples in the oven.  The smell of brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and apples is wafting in the air right now! What are the favorite smells of Autumn for you?

Good Morning To Everyone On The Front  Porch On This Cold Thursday Morning  December 17th, 2020! As I'm sitting around our apartment on my cable I've seen some interesting things like beautiful creatures posted on the  internet! It could be a tropical bird, a majestic animal, a waterfall in a remote part of Africa,  a giant tree or the insect I've posted below. I think that the Front Porch followers should be able to come up with several hundred photos by New Years Day! All you need to do is save the photo to your gallery and repost it here to this topic.  ENJOY AND HAVE A HAPPY,  HEALTHY 2021! 

Hi, 👋 came to this forum hoping to meet other senior parents caring for adult children with autism. Also hoping to get recommendations from the community on home phones and daily check-in apps. I don’t want to have to drop everything to talk to a human so I prefer a daily check-in app that just lets me push a button. Also I need maximum flexibility because I’m busy caring for my son around the clock and don’t have a lot of time or energy for this. I’m basically doing this to pacify family, and the last thing I need is them getting alerts that freak them out. Also I need a home phone that is desk phone style (no cellphones) that have programmable buttons for speed dial so  can train my son to call his sister or nephew  if something were to happen to me. But I still need some of the features cellphones offer like recording voicemail messages, converting them to text, and storing them in the cloud or somewhere retrievable. I also need to be able to record entire audio

FROM THE ARTICLE. From Mt. Rushmore to NYC: Eight Military-Inspired Wishes Shared Through Wish of a Lifetime from AARP. Veterans and families find connection and joy through dreams fulfilled—or still to come. By Aaron Kassraie, AARP. Published November 07, 2025. Wish of a Lifetime from AARP helps older adults achieve long-held dreams that honor their service, reconnect them with loved ones or celebrate meaningful life experiences. Many of the wishes come from veterans or their families. Each one is based on their own history and a desire to reconnect with meaningful moments. This photo essay highlights six dreams that have already come true — and two that soon will — showing how powerful a single experience can be in honoring service, legacy and community. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/veterans/wish-of-a-lifetime-veterans-stories/

We havecars that run on electricity and can come when beckoned -We have driverless big rigs.  We have ubers and lyfts without drivers.  We have homes that turn on and off lights when one goes into or leaves the roomWe have AI that is suppose to answer almost any question 🥴We have rocket ships that leave earth and then return to their own parking spotsWe have wireless internet But to my dismay - we do not have a trash can that can drive itself to the street, wait for trash pickup and then drive back to the house.  Now when that trip is up a hill almost 250’ or for some, longer - When one gets up in age, this is a feat.  There is no tech anywhere to be found even though a robotic arm truck does pick up the trash, requiring only the truck driver. Consider this a call to action all you geeks out there - Be The 1st to invent it.   

FROM THE ARTICLE. The ‘Tonight Show’ host described her as ‘a therapist, big sister and comedian’. By Andre Ellington, AARP. Published October 21, 2025. Jimmy Fallon, 51, recently took to social media to share a heartfelt tribute for and a carousel of photos of his 13-year-old dog, Gary, who passed away. The Tonight Show host said on Instagram that Gary “was the last name we signed on every birthday card.... She was our first baby, a therapist, a pillow, a big sister, a schoolmarm, a comedian, a party girl and a rebel.”It wouldn’t be a proper Fallon send-off if he didn’t add some humor, mentioning that Gary wasn’t a watchdog because “she would have let burglars in and shown them where we kept the bacon and American cheese slices,” and that she was “always smiling even when she slept.” USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/celebrities/jimmy-fallon-mourns-dog/

   I’ve been seeing a lot of these through the years. Some sound really fun. Giving gifts of the month.  Beer-of-the-Month, Coffee-of-the-Month, Socks-of-the-Month, etc.   Anyone have a product or company they like, or like giving?  

FROM THE ARTICLE. People ages 55 to 64 now must prove they are working to receive food aid. By Molly Snow, AARP. Published November 03, 2025. Key takeaways! [*] Work requirements apply to more older adults, vulnerable groups. [*] Exemptions for certain circumstances, like disability. [*] Fewer areas to get waivers approved for high unemployment. [*] States rush to inform beneficiaries. Contact your benefits specialist or SNAP office for information on how you’re affectedStricter work requirements for low-income adults who depend on federal food aid took effect Nov. 1, leaving older beneficiaries to scramble for an exemption or seek employment to retain their benefits. ​​People ages 55 to 64 must meet these standards for the first time, unless they are able to get an exemption, such as for a mental or physical disability. Volunteerism or training also count toward the 80-hour-per-month requirement. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. htt

Anything wrong with those more fortunate (me) making up the missing SNAP benefits for an in-need family or individual?  I already lined up my family - (2) adults with (5) kids in an assortment of ages from 4 - 16.  Judging from my grandkids, I would imagine the older ones really eat a lot.  I have known the kids since the oldest was born, and each one thereafter -  So, yea - I am gonna pursue this course -   

I would like to learn more 1st hand information on the Vietnam Tet Offensive in 1968 if you don’t mind talking about it.   I have what the history books wrote about it - so what I really would like to read is how those on the ground experienced it - from the 1st strike to the end.  I am compiling things like this for my grandson who never knew his grandfather and whom was directly involved in this conflict even though he was USN (shore duty).   Thank You to anybody who wants to share anything.  

So Dave has done an excellent job in the “Do You Remember . . . “ pictorial thread and I really love it when we talk about some of these things.   Maybe it would also be fun to talk about things that did happen when we were just kids or how times have changed between then and now.  Like stories from our youth or things that happened - keeping it on the lighter side, of course.  Long or Short - it is the story that counts. I am not gonna start it unless there is interest but if there is interest and participation, I have a bunch - long and short.  

FROM THE ARTICLE. How to Find Food Aid as SNAP Runs Out.With federal funding for SNAP likely delayed for November, here’s where to look for free or low-cost groceries and meals. By Molly Snow, AARP. Published October 30, 2025. ➡️[*** In this story! [*] AARP Foundation fundraiser.[*] Help hotline.[*] Food pantries.[*] Resources in your neighborhood.[*] Senior centers.[*] DoorDash & retailers. Millions of older adults are bracing for federal food aid to lapse in November as a result of the government shutdown. ​​Federal officials informed states that beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition.Assistance Program (SNAP) will not receive any new money to help pay for food until funding is restored. As long as the federal shutdown continues, millions of older adults face uncertainty about when they will receive food benefits. USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE. https://www.aarp.org/advocacy/snap-benefits-find-food-aid/

FROM THE ARTICLE. Republican and Democratic female voters weighed in as part of AARP’s ‘She’s the Difference’ research. By Miriam Cross, AARP. Published October 30, 2025. Women in their 50s, 60s and 70s are strategizing on how to stretch their savings into retirement, are caring for family members of different generations and are dealing with medical costs that health insurance does not always cover.They’re also considering the possibility that Social Security won’t pay out as promised.A series of focus groups organized by AARP asked women 50 and older about their concerns, their priorities and the state of the country. The discussions took place in October as part of “She’s the Difference,” AARP’s research series gauging older women’s perspectives. Women 50-plus make up a large share of registered voters, turn out to the polls at a high rate and are often a key swing voting bloc in elections.About 30 participants were divided into four focus groups based on their age an

Does anyone have any suggestions about simple key finders which do not rely on a smartphone?  I am looking for one that has a simple fob and remote.  Any help will be greatly appreciated!

I am not posting this for any reason other than just information.  Information about the workings of our government and how to find specific info on legislation, its origin and who is involved in its promotion - the lobbyist - who they are and who they represent. Lobbying is pretty much a standard thing for non-profits and other groups to fight for their constituents / members /beneficiaries or likeminded individuals for their advocacies. But it also more than that - from lobbyist, members of Congress can gather information pertinent to the legislation - reports, data, stories of those who may need help and why.  If you are a member of such a group or have an interest in where the lobbying money goes and to what purpose, this is a good beginning point to get a lot of information.  I thought I would just use this group - AARP - as an example of the info that can be found on Open Secrets - in general.   Open Secrets.org - AARP Profile - Lobbying &n

   A friend sent this to me yesterday, and it is just so wonderfully creepy, I had to share it!  I know that it’s not even October yet, but it is the second full day of Autumn. 🥴🎃🍂 ….sending a smile!  

My insurance agent dropped a bombshell on me yesterday stating that they will no longer be carrying Towing Insurnace on insurnace policys that have multiple vehicles ( even though they are all insured through them). This makes me very uncomfortable as I am a widow and no longer have a husband to come rescue me if I was to ever have a breakdown. I called AARP's RA (Roadside Assistance) customer service line but could never get a straight answer on one very important question. Hopefully someone here can help me. I drive a classic car. I have had to have that car towed 3 times in the last 4 years. There is only one towing company, and suprisingly enough also the cheapest one in the area, that knows how to tow and treat a classic vehicle with respect. So that is the one I use. All the rest could care less about how they treat anything they tow. The lady on AARP's RA Customer Service line was just the sweetest thing. But she did not understand my question no matter how many d

My name is TUYISHIME Placide from Rwanda. I enjoy connecting with people, sharing ideas, and learning from diverse experiences.I joined this platform to engage in meaningful discussions, expand my network, and explore opportunities for collaboration and personal growth. I look forward to getting to know you all and contributing to our conversations.Thank you for having me!

     I am a 58 year old Woman who feels like I have spent my entire life trying to make everyone else happy and cared for.      I am a Singer, Songwriter, and Recording Artist. I sang all kinds of genre, with different groups. I performed mostly Country, and Jazz with bands; traveling from New York to Nashville during the late 1980's into the 1990's.      I started a family in 1992, and continued to write music, and record. I started my own Publishing Company. I also wrote a couple childrens books while raising my four children.      I must say, that I enjoy Recording songs that I write the most. I love the excitement of collaboration and creativity with musicians and producers.      After all these years, I feel that I am better than ever, and truly love myself for exactly who I am..., flaws and all! I am looking forward to what the future brings.