CA Focus

February 2007

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AARP is Recruiting
AARP California is now recruiting for the position of volunteer State President. In partnership with the State Director and in collaboration with other appropriate volunteers and staff, the State President positions AARP in the state to achieve the AARP vision, mission, and strategic priorities. The State President will be governed by the policies and procedures of the Association. If you or someone you know is interested, please click here for more information.

Welcome to the Latest Edition of CA Focus, AARP California’s electronic newsletter for volunteers, members, and friends.

Here you’ll find the latest news and information on AARP activities and priorities, including many ‘hyperlinks’ that will take you to websites containing additional information and resources. When you click on text that looks like this, your web browser will take you to a site or document containing more information on that topic.

We also encourage you to visit the AARP California website at www.aarp.org/ca, where you’ll find lots of great information and resources, and where we will soon be launching an electronic calendar that will provide up-to-date information on AARP events and activities in your area.

As always, if you have a story idea or would like to give feedback, please e-mail us at cafocus@aarp.org. If you have received this edition of CA Focus from a friend, you can sign up to receive it automatically by clicking here. If you currently receive CA Focus and would prefer not to receive it, you may click the “unsubscribe” button at the bottom of this e-mail.

A Message from the State President
On January 15, I had the good fortune to be appointed to the position of Regional Volunteer Director of the West Region. Although I am very excited about this new opportunity, I leave with some feelings of sadness. I have greatly enjoyed my time as president of AARP California, and meeting and working with the volunteers from around the state have been the highlights for me. We have accomplished many wonderful things in these past 4 years, and I know you will continue to work hard and make great progress towards achieving AARP’s goals.
Full Story

AARP Launches ‘Divided We Fail’ Initiative

The ‘Divided We Fail’ Platform
We believe that the opportunity to have access to health care and long-term financial security is a basic need that all Americans share. We believe it is the foundation for future generations.

We believe all Americans should have access to affordable, quality health care.

Complete Platform

California Focuses on Access to Affordable, Quality Health Care
For most Americans, health care affordability and financial security go hand in hand, but long-term guarantees of health insurance and comfortable retirement plans have become a thing of the past, even though the nation’s aging population needs these safeguards more than ever.

In California and across the country, people recognize the urgent need to discover and deliver solutions to health care and personal finance challenges. It’s time to address the problems — and harness the strengths — that come with an aging society.
Full Story

Free Tax Help Available with AARP Tax-Aide
AARP Tax-Aide is the nation's largest, free, volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service. With the help of more than 32,000 volunteers, the program provides free tax preparation and assistance services to millions of low- and middle-income taxpayers, with special attention to those ages 60 and older. Electronic filing and online counseling are also offered by the program. The program's funding sources include the US Internal Revenue Service, AARP, and private contributions.

To find a Tax-Aide site near you, please visit www.aarp.org/ca and click on the Tax Aide link.

Two Californians Join AARP Foundation Board of Directors
The AARP Foundation has appointed Fernando Torres-Gil, Ph.D. and Art Ulene, M.D. to its Board of Directors. Together they bring a wealth of expertise and experience to support the Foundation’s vision—a society in which everyone ages with dignity and purpose and in which the AARP Foundation helps people fulfill their goals and dreams.

“The AARP Foundation is very pleased that Dr. Fernando Torres-Gil and Dr. Art Ulene have joined its Board of Directors,” said Robin Talbert, AARP Foundation Executive Director. “Their knowledge of and dedication to the aging, health care and social issues of our time, coupled with their strong leadership capabilities, will position them to address related national challenges as America’s 50+ population surges.”
Full Story

Esquivel Elected to Chair
California Commission on Aging
AARP California Associate State Director for Community Outreach Celia J. Esquivel has been elected to serve as chair of the California Commission on Aging. Esquivel was originally appointed to the commission by former Senate President Pro-Tem John Burton in 2003 and was reappointed by current Senate President Pro-Tem Don Perata. She served as Vice Chair for the 2005-2006 fiscal year.

Esquivel also serves as Chair of the Commission's Long-Range Strategic Plan for An Aging California Committee, and is a recognized authority on aging issues and policies in California, having received numerous awards, including recognition from the California Senate, the Alzheimer’s Association, and AARP’s National “Sustained Excellence Award”.
Full Story

AARP Joins Delegation to Mexico
On October 12, 2006, AARP Associate State Director Adriana Mendoza and Executive Council Member and Director of USC’s Roybal Institute Jorge J. Lambrinos joined Dr. Fernando Torres-Gil, Associate Dean and Professor of Social Welfare and Public Policy at UCLA, and Dr. Maria Elena Aguilar Aldrete, Professor at the University of Guadalajara to meet with Senior Administrators of the University of Guadalajara (UDG). The purpose of the visit was to explore potential collaboration opportunities between the two U.S. universities and the University of Guadalajara, with the objective of establishing a gerontology center at UDG similar to those at USC and UCLA. Pictured from left to right are Dr. Maria Elena Aguilar Aldrete and Dr. Raul Vargas Lopez, both of the University of Guadalajara; Jorge J. Lambrinos and Adriana M. Mendoza of AARP, Sharon Avila, and Dr. Fernando Torres-Gil of UCLA and The California Endowment.

AARP Crosses Borders to Promote Healthy Lifestyles
“Desperate Housewives” actress Lupe Ontiveros represented AARP at a kick-off event for Border Binational Health Week on October 6 in El Centro. Agencies on both sides of the U.S./Mexico border organized Binational Health Week six years ago out of concern for the health of migrant farm workers, immigrants, and others struggling in poverty, and to extend health services to a population whose ailments might otherwise go untreated. 2006 marked the first year that event organizers also focused on the health of older adults.
Full Story

Fast Facts on Health Care and Financial Security

Twenty-three percent of Americans have problems paying medical bills and millions go bankrupt every year because of these bills.
Twenty-nine percent say they have skipped treatment, tests or prescriptions because of costs.
46 million Americans are uninsured.
Just one-fifth of workers today have a traditional pension plan.
Half of private-sector workers are not signed up for a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan.
Only half of families have saved money in any kind of retirement account, and among those who have, the typical family has saved less than $35,000.

Mayor’s Office Bestows Honor to Los Angeles Area Volunteers
Norma Vega, Area Director from the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office presented a certificate of recognition to AARP California volunteers in the Los Angeles region during a recognition luncheon held at the end of November. More than 45 volunteers were recognized for their outstanding dedication and service to the community. The mayor’s office commended the volunteers for their spirit of volunteerism and leadership. Guests were serenaded by the Pasadena Jazz Institute Quartet over the course of the afternoon. A moving and thought provoking speech from Dolores Huerta highlighted the event. Ms. Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers, labor leader, organizer, and social activist, shared her experiences on the struggles and successes of volunteering. Sherrie-Ann Gordon, on loan to us from the Connecticut office as Acting Associate State Director for Community Outreach for Los Angeles, provided an inspiring poem on the spirit of volunteers.

GET INVOLVED – BECOME AN AARP ADVOCATE
From Sacramento to Washington AARP is committed to advocating on the issues that matter to older Americans. But we can't do it without you.

What It Means to Be an AARP Citizen Advocate
When you sign up to get involved, you'll begin receiving free e-mail updates and action alerts from AARP. These alerts will keep you informed of what's going on in the White House, Congress and in Sacramento. We'll also provide you with the tools to make your voice heard on the issues you care about.

To sign up, visit www.aarp.org/ca and click on the ‘Advocacy’ link, then click ‘Become an Advocate.’

2007 Conference on Aging in Pasadena
Please join AARP, the Pasadena Senior Commission and the Pasadena Senior Center for the 2007 Conference on Aging in Pasadena on April 16. The annual conference delivers practical information and resources that will help you plan ahead and get the most out of life.
Full Story

Los Angeles Chapter Honors Volunteer for Community Service

Last April Gloria Lanns received a Community Service Award from AARP Chapter 5180 in South Central Los Angeles. Ms. Lanns is shown here receiving congratulations from Dolores Cain (left) and Chapter President Milbry Jane Ford.

“Shall we, ostrich-like, to bury our heads in the sand, be part of the great unthinking mass? Or shall we stretch our faith, our hope, and our love to try as onlookers to understand and marvel at a new world emerging?”

Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus