Your AARP: Michigan

November 2009

Homes for life — AARP Michigan is distributing a free DVD that can help people think through how to modify their homes to age in place.

The DVD—called "What Is Universal Design"—explores how some state residents have renovated their homes with features such as no-step entryways, doorways wide enough for wheelchairs, and floors and tubs with non-slip surfaces. AARP encourages members to watch the DVD and begin planning for the future.

"A traditional home that serves you well when you're healthy might not be so easy to move around in if you break your leg," says AARP volunteer Deb Lindstrom-Hazel.

To get a copy of the DVD, call 1-866-227-7448 toll-free.

October 2009

Insurance scam — Two bills supported by AARP (HB 4890 and HB 4891) aim to stop scammers in Michigan from persuading people who are insurable but have short life expectancies to buy life insurance policies and sell them for a fee.

Under so-called stranger-oriented life insurance deals, scammers may offer people between the ages of 65 and 85 a lump sum of money if they agree to buy a policy and then name the scammer as beneficiary. Many people who need cash may think this is a good deal without realizing they could end up liable for hefty taxes and other charges.

The House passed the legislation in May, but the Senate has yet to act. To urge your state senator to support the bills, go to www.legislature.mi.gov.

September 2009

Affordable care — In a state with 1.2 million uninsured residents, lawmakers have unveiled a plan to make health insurance more affordable and protect people from losing coverage if they get sick. A suite of bills (SB 579-582) would create programs to extend coverage to all state residents—including many who have lost their jobs and health insurance in a faltering economy. Among the proposals is MI-Health, which would cover uninsured individuals with annual income up to $32,490 and couples up to $43,710. In addition, the legislation would protect consumers from being rejected or dropped by an insurance provider.

AARP participated in a series of bipartisan meetings to help hammer out the legislation. "Our top priority is making health care available to all Michigan citizens," says Eric Schneidewind, AARP state president. "These bills are a big step toward that goal."

July-August 2009

Handy website — AARP Michigan is helping the state attorney general publicize a new website, www.seniorbrigade.com, which provides useful information about issues especially important to older residents and helps them protect themselves from scams and identity theft.

The website covers four major topics—health care, finances, consumer protection and veterans affairs—and features a statewide calendar of events, sorted by categories so residents can easily locate nearby items of interest. The calendar allows users to post their own events that others can join. The site also offers a link for finding low-price prescription drugs, plus tips to help protect personal assets and identity.

"With an increasing number of Internet scams, families need to know what to watch out for," says Felicia Wasson of AARP Michigan.

June 2009

Lend a hand — Affordable health care, financial security and other important issues are on AARP Michigan's legislative agenda this year, and volunteers are needed to serve as advocates in each of the state's legislative districts. Volunteers are asked to make a two-year commitment and should expect to spend at least two hours a week on AARP activities, with some travel necessary. Daily access to an e-mail account is needed.

To volunteer, e-mail Careena Eggles-ton, AARP program coordinator, at ceggleston@aarp.org or call 1-866-227-7448 toll-free.

May 2009

Keep the house — In April the state House and Senate passed legislation (HB 4453-4455) that could forestall foreclosure for 90 days after a homeowner asks to meet with a lender to renegotiate mortgage payments. The Senate, however, removed a provision that would require a judge to intervene if a lender fails to renegotiate. AARP Michigan is urging the House to reinstate that provision.

More than 684,000 Americans age 50 and older were either delinquent in payments or in foreclosure at the end of 2007, an AARP study found.

To ask your state representative to keep the provision requiring judicial oversight, go to www.legislature.mi.gov. For a special report on Michigan, go to www.aarp.org/mi.