health

Every community has different challenges when it comes to health and well-being, and those who live and work locally often generate creative solutions. That understanding was the driving force behind our selection of the AARP Well-Being Champions. First announced in late 2017, these 10 community leaders – all of whom are age 50 plus – were chosen for their outstanding work in conceiving, developing, and implementing creative solutions that are fostering a Culture of Health in their communities. In addition to honoring their achievements, we want to inspire you to generate new solutions for your community.  Here is a brief description of each Champion’s work.

 

From creating a trailblazing initiative that trains bank employees to identify and report suspected financial exploitation, to shining the light on the detrimental health effects and high costs of social isolation, AARP’s Public Policy Institute kept a frenetic pace in 2018, underscoring its identity as a leading “think-and-do” tank. Throughout the year, PPI researched, crunched data and analyzed critical policy issues facing older adults and presented solutions and findings here.

The state of fitness among adults 50 plus doesn’t look good. According to a new AARP survey, just 1 in 5 adults gets the recommended amount of physical activity they should although they know exercise is the key to optimal health. The recommended amount of exercise is 150 minutes per week, but only 17% of Americans over age 50 say they get  the minimum and 26% don’t exercise at all.

If there’s one food that people associate with Valentine’s Day, it’s chocolate. More than half of those celebrating are expected to give candy this year, spending 1.8 billion dollars on sweet treats, according to the National Retail Federation. Although studies that find chocolate is good for your brain grab headlines, this Valentine’s Day consider skipping the candy and instead spending quality time with loved ones.

Now that we’re going full throttle on the goals and leading-edge projects of 2018, I’m excited to share with you a few details concerning some important work that accelerated in 2017 and, as a result, promises to continue to bear fruit this year. AARP Public Policy Institute’s Culture of Health initiative is enabling the dissemination of some of the most innovative and usable ideas to foster good health practices in communities across the country.

AARP Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond was recently named a 2017 Top Lobbyist by The Hill. 

Every person, regardless of age, can participate in creating a livable community. According to a newly published report from Generations United and the Eisner Foundation, opportunities that bring different generations together—even the tougher ones involving “tack[ling] critical problems” benefit the entire community.

In a statement today following the release of the White House proposed budget, AARP Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond opposed cuts that would harm American families:

A couple of weeks back, we unveiled our new caregiving ad — starring a unique caregiver. You may recognize him as the antihero from Machete or Breaking Bad, but you would never assume he’s just like you. That’s right, actor Danny Trejo is a caregiver and he is showing just how tough male caregivers are.