The
AARP seeks Long,
Happy
and Healthy Lives |
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 When
people think of the AARP, discounts on travel and services
may come to mind, but that's only a speck of what the
organization actually offers. The AARP advocates positive
social change, financial security and healthcare reform to
bring about a better world for the millions of older
Americans who belong to the organization and national policy
changes that affect an even larger group of citizens.
People are living longer, and dealing with even more chronic
conditions, making healthcare reform a top priority. The
issue of financial security is also prevalent as Americans
will need a way to fund their longer lives. AARP's smaller
chapters bring a grassroots effort to the everyday
conversations current US policies.
Below is our new format so you, as readers,
can scan the information easily. We welcome your feedback
here.
As Jennie Chin Hansen prepares to move up
as the President of the largest member organization in America, she takes
time to talk with Pat Lynch, Editor in Chief of WomensRadio and host of
"Speak Up!"
Listen to the interview here
Name of Organization:
AARP
Field/ Industry: Member
organization for everyone 50+
Date founded: 1958
Founder: Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus
Location(s) & Level: Every
state in the US has an active office, plus DC, the Virgin Islands, Puerto
Rico and over 2500 local chapters.
Leadership:
Bill Novelli, CEO; Jennie Chin Hansen, President-Elect, 2 year term begins
in 2008; Erik Olsen, current President
How many Members?
38 million, largest member org in the country and has over 40,000
international members; Median age is 65, and a little more than half of
their members are women.
Mission Statement:
To lead positive social change through advocacy, information, and service
thereby increasing the quality of life for its members as they age. Age is
just a number and life is what you make of it.
Why was your organization launched?
In 1947, Dr. Andrus founded the NRTA (National Retired Teachers Association)
to promote productive aging and to get health care coverage for retired
teachers. Within 10 years, she realized that other retired adults had the
same needs as the teachers and founded the American Association for Retired
Persons with the NRTA as a smaller division within the organization. In
1999, the organization changed the name to simply AARP as 44% of the members
still work part or full time. The ARPI (Association of Retired Persons
International) had a short six year run, the AARP has teamed with other
international organizations to promote the well-being of all people as they
age.
What are the organization’s goals for this year?
1. To open a national dialogue with congress, the white house, and
presidential candidates about healthcare and financial security
2. To get a solution to the healthcare situation with regards to
Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurances.
3. To help their members achieve financial security by making sure
the laws effecting social security and other financial institutions are
beneficial to those they effect
Programs/Initiatives to achieve those goals & status:
1. “Women’s Leadership Circle” is a network comprised of women from
all backgrounds, politically, socially, and financially to support each
other and the AARP to improve the quality of life as all women age. They
strive to bring issues that directly effect women as they age to the
forefront and support initiatives that produce empowerment, protection and
security for women.
2. “Divided We Fail” is an
initiative to help bring quality and affordable healthcare and financial
security to all people as they age through reform. The AARP has teamed up
with the Business Roundtable and Service Workers Union to tackle these
issues and bring forth a workable solution. They now have pledge cards to
help people sign up for the fight. Social Security strengthening is a number
one issue that Divided We Fail addresses. The program also states that
Americans of all ages should have the proper access to be able to manage
their current finances and plan for the future though retirement plans other
than Social Security.
Favorite National Holiday(s)/ Special
Date(s):
Older American’s Month (May)
Annual Major Event:
Life at 50+: This September the event will be held in Boston and next
year it will be in DC. Next year’s event will mark the 50th anniversary of
the AARP and they will have special events for months leading up to it. The
Life at 50+ event is full of fun and entertainment including dancing,
concerts, and speakers filling up three days exclusively for AARP members.
The theme is “It’s revolutionary” and Tony Bennett has just been confirmed
to perform. Other entertainers presenting include Bobbi Brown, Kirk &
Michael Douglas, Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Newhart, Rod Stewart, Bill Russell,
and Lily Tomlin.
Each state office coordinates events within
that state, including annual expos, conferences, forums and events promoting
healthy aging. Check the website for events in specific states.
Additional Important Information:
The AARP continually works to give their members the best opportunities
to improve their quality of life as they age. They work to improve programs
like Social Security. Within their advocacy programs, they engage the
current Presidential Candidates on issues like Social Security, healthcare
and financial security. They have done research which shows that Americans
want to live independently for as long as possible and want to provide
better lives, not burdened lives, for their children and grandchildren. As
people age, they want to continue to be able to make their own choices,
especially regarding healthcare and security and want to lead purposeful,
active lives. They also want to make sure that the changes they advocate can
be affordable to all Americans.
Website: www.aarp.org
Contact Person, Phone & Email:
Brian T. Marriott: Director of Publicity, 202-434-2550, BMarriott@aarp.org
Credit: Liana Ramos
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