News From Delaware

AARP in Your State

November 2009

Livable homes — AARP Delaware is supporting efforts by the First State Resource Conservation and Development Council to repair or modify homes at no cost to low-income homeowners.

A $5,000 donation from AARP has helped the council with outreach to identify state residents in need of home repairs or modifications such as wheelchair ramps. In addition, AARP is asking members to volunteer their services. Members of the Long Neck chapter, for example, are helping the council with carpentry, photography of home-improvement projects and feeding volunteers.

The council served 101 people age 65 and older in the first half of 2009. Visit www.rcdhomerepair.org to volunteer or make a donation.

October 2009

Monthly payments — A new state law allows owners of manufactured homes to pay their land rental fees on a monthly basis. Supported by AARP, the law removes the burden of having to pay a full year's rent in advance.

Although manufactured homes are often called "mobile homes," the factory-built dwellings are not movable after assembly on-site. Despite that limitation, many older people in southern Delaware choose this type of housing  because renting the land is often cheaper than paying property taxes.

AARP advocacy volunteer John Walsh, who owns a manufactured home, helped convince legislators that monthly payments would ease financial worries for many people on fixed incomes. To learn more, visit www.dmhoa.org.

September 2009

An open book — An online registry of people who have committed elder abuse is now available to the public.

A new state law allows Delaware Health and Social Services to provide online access to the state's Adult Abuse Registry. The registry identifies individuals who have abused, neglected or financially exploited infirm adults.

AARP Delaware supported the move to put the registry online because allowing families to check a caregiver's background may give them peace of mind. To access the registry, go to www.dhss.delaware .gov/dhss/dltcrp/aar.html. The information is also available by phone in Wilmington at 302-577-6661 and in the office for Kent and Sussex counties at 302-424-8600.

If you suspect elder abuse in your community or in a long-term care facility, report it to the Complaint and Incident Reporting Hotline at 1-877-453-0012 toll-free.

July-August 2009

Choices for care — With the number of state residents age 65 and older expected to grow 133 percent by 2030, AARP Delaware is pushing for more services to help those residents age at home.

At a June meeting of the state's long-term care task force, AARP released "The Road Ahead: Aging in Place in Delaware," a report on a survey of members' views on housing, transportation and health care. The survey found that nine in 10 members want to remain at home for as long as possible, although many are concerned about the cost of long-term care and a lack of public transportation options.

To read an executive summary of the survey, go to www.aarp.org/de.