Oregon has more than 270,000 veterans. Many of them may not know they're eligible for home modification grants through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. An AARP survey found 60% of veterans aged 45 and older weren't aware of grants available through the VA.

Juanita Jimenez-Soto, AARP national veterans and military families manager, said her organization analyzed five grants from the VA and developed a guide to help veterans navigate through them.

"They allow you to buy, build or modify a home to meet their long term needs. Now these grants provide eligible veterans with a disability rating of one all the way to 100% up to $117,000 to pay for renovations," she explained.

Jimenez-Soto noted financial aid for home modifications are free for people who qualify. The VA offers more than $150 million through these grant programs each year.

AARP's survey also found that nearly a quarter of veterans say they would need financial aid to stay in their current home. Jimenez-Soto added that it's important for people to think not just about their current needs but also what they might need in the future.

"We find that a lot of times veterans may not need that modification - that handrail in the bathroom or that ramp - but as you age your body will change sometimes," she continued.

Jimenez-Soto said veterans need to remember they earned these benefits.

"Sometimes a veteran may not think that they are deserving of those benefits. Maybe someone else who's also served, they think, 'Well they could need it more.' The thing is, there is enough money out there in these programs to apply for them and get them," she said.

Recent changes on the political scene may have brought many younger voters into the fold, but a new poll shows that in Ohio, older voters could still make up an outsized portion of the electorate in November.

A survey released this week by AARP Ohio finds that 89% of voters ages 50 and older say they are "extremely motivated" to cast a ballot this year.

AARP Ohio state director Jenny Carlson said the polling confirms that candidates need to pay attention to seniors and the issues they care about.

"Fifty-plus voters are the largest voting bloc and could tip the scale of any candidate this election," she said. "They're going to turn out this November. They're the most motivated to vote. They certainly dominate the electorate. Candidates who want to win really need to listen to the results of this poll."

In Ohio's Senate race, Democrat incumbent Sherrod Brown holds an overall four-point lead over Republican Bernie Moreno, but the GOP candidate leads by two points among voters 50 and older. In the presidential race, the poll found senior voters prefer Donald Trump over Kamala Harris by a 54% to 36% margin.

A large majority of Ohio seniors list candidates' positions on economic issues as very important, along with such concerns as protecting Medicare, helping people stay in their homes as they age, and lowering the cost of prescription drugs.

Carlson said money issues came up most often.

"Three in five of Ohio voters rank 'personal economic issues' as a top determinant for their vote this November," she said. "That's inflation, economy and Social Security. Older voters are highly concerned about pocketbook issues."

Carlson noted that Ohio seniors also have strong opinions on providing support for family caregivers. Across the state, she said, family caregivers provide about $21 billion of unpaid labor. While this saves taxpayers billions of dollars, it strains many family budgets to the breaking point.

"Family caregivers are those 50-plus who represent about 17% of all Ohio voters," she said. "What's significant about this? That is more than the swing voters, which is about 14%. So, they will vote for the candidate who advocates for them."

AARP Colorado is encouraging residents, including those age 50 and older, to sign up for its free 2024 Planning Academy.

Marissa Volpe, associate state director of livable and diverse communities for the group, said the academy will show participants how public policies are made and give them the tools they need to make communities even better for people of all ages to live, work and play.

"It's pretty expansive," Volpe acknowledged. "We're talking everything from 'Can I afford where I live, can I get to where I need to go, can I stay in my community, can I have access to quality health care?'" Volpe outlined.

Part of AARP's national Livable Communities initiative, the academy will focus on key policies that can be implemented at state, regional and local levels. There will be a total of eight sessions, all conducted virtually, starting Oct. 1. The deadline to apply is Aug. 8.

Participants will examine pilot programs at work in places like Denver that have been successful at reducing social isolation and improving pedestrian safety. A big emphasis will be on so-called smart growth policies linking affordable housing with transportation options, making it easier for people to get to key appointments and other services.

"The idea is to create that housing near transportation that feels accessible," Volpe explained. "That feels reliable and safe for older adults; that has good lighting."

While there are no requirements for academy participants to join local boards or committees, Volpe noted she hopes people will find a way to use what they learn and become more engaged in improving communities.

"A major part of healthy aging is maintaining a purpose, why to get up every morning," Volpe emphasized. "This work lends itself to that, it lends itself to really making a difference."

Civic organizations with ideas for improving their communities have a new opportunity to turn their
ideas into reality, thanks to recently awarded grant funding.

Through Community Challenge grants, AARP's Livable Communities initiative has awarded more than $65,000 across four Mississippi nonprofits and government entities.

Kimberly Campbell, state director for AARP Mississippi, said the grants aim to support quick-action projects to improve public spaces, transportation, housing and digital access. She pointed out a local library is using the funds to expand its extensive print book collection to 50+ patrons.

"The Harrison County Library System was awarded $7,628," Campbell explained. "This project will provide wheeled walkers at three librarian branches, enabling older visitors to pursue the shelves independently."

Campbell noted this year, AARP has awarded $3.8 million to 343 organizations nationwide. AARP Community Challenge grants will be implemented nationwide, with a quick turnaround for project completion by Dec. 15.

The Jackson Heart Foundation provides state-of-the-art cardiovascular care to its patients and received an $18,000 Community Challenge grant.

"That project will create hydration stations and rest areas along the walking and biking trail frequented by older adults," Campbell emphasized. "Planned amenities include new water bottle filling stations, benches, bike racks, trash cans and shade trees."

Campbell added a Mississippi educational institution received funding to improve recreational activities.

"Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, they've been awarded $20,000," Campbell stated. "Their project will install outdoor fitness stations along the Walking Track popular with older adults. Several stations feature ADA compliant designs."

A $20,000 grant was awarded to the Laurel-Jones County Library System, to convert a donated trolley into a mobile library serving older adults in rural areas. The mobile library will provide residents with laptops, printers, Wi-Fi access and technology classes.