“AARP is thriving in New Hampshire with more than 215,000 members. AARP serves as a one-stop resource for Granite Staters 50-plus. We provide information about local offerings, community engagement, educational presentations, volunteer opportunities, advocacy, and fun events. We are focused on advancing age-friendly communities, supporting fraud prevention, celebrating family caregivers, protecting financial security and making your voice heard.”
Diana was born in Ireland, coming to the US in 1983. She taught for 49 years both physical education and adaptive phys ed. She retired in 2019. She is involved in several professional organizations as well as the Peterborough Lions, the Park Theatre in Jaffrey, and the Peterborough Players.
AARP—The idea began when founder Dr. Ethel Percy Anderus in 1947 found a retired teacher living in a chicken coop. The organization was created in 1958. There are now about 215,000 members in NH, with five staff in Concord, and three “community presence sites” in Manchester, Concord, and the Seacoast region. The organization also has key members in Lebanon (Marilyn Bedell) and Whitefield.
AARP’s executive council of 8-12 people from all walks of life including Marilyn (health care) and Diana (education) and several other talented members.
AARP’s advocacy work: We are fiercely non-partisan. We are all about issues affecting the 50+ population. We fight for issues at the State House and in Washington DC: Social Security, Medicare, prescription drugs, and caregiving.
The issue of fraud as it affects seniors is especially important now. Retired John Brodsky, former police chief, on the AARP board has been testifying about this issue and partnering with police. Crypto machines—as in Hannaford—are new opportunities for being scammed. Too many older persons are afraid to admit they’ve been scammed. “If you are scammed, you are victim, not an idiot.” Advice: Go to police and tell them. There’s a bill in the house about regulating crypto machines.
Community Outreach: Diana enjoys this. Ashley Davis organizes various blueberry picking, paper shredding, movies for grownups. Virtual events: Paint & Sip, coffee and conversations, Red Cross emergency preparedness, social security, yoga classes.
Community Education: Pam Dube does outreach and PR. Speaker’s Bureau offers many different presentations and would love to go to your book clubs, etc.
OATS: Older Adults Technology Services.
Senior Planet from AARP.
Tech hotline: 888-713-3495.
Find a lot of presentations online: aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork; 877-908-3360.
Driver Safety: Presented “We Need to talk” recently at the Upper Valley Senior Center, a program on how to approach sensitively folks who should no longer be driving a car.
AARP offers free tax aid in filing, doesn’t require AARP membership, although it cannot help folks with complicated returns (such as owning multiple properties). 258 people came to AARP for tax help in April. It serves all ages.
AARP NH Social Media:
X@aarpnh; facebook.com/aarpnh, YouTube.
Web site: aarp.org will give you lots. Add “/newhampshire” to get NH news.
Capital City Tax Force: all about advocacy; crypto bill and electricity are the focus now.
Contacts: nh@aarp.org; 866-542-8168; aarp.org/nh.
Human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live.
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