Life Reimagined: Chance for a New You Letter from the State Director The new year is the perfect time to reflect on our successes and imagine what life could be like not only next year, but also 20 years from now.

AARP Oregon heard from and responded to mem-bers’ needs in 2013: thou-sands shared thoughts on the futures of Social Secu-rity and Medicare, learned how to protect themselves from scams and ways to save for the future, explored encore careers, found ways to make their homes and communi-ties more accessible and enjoyable and responded to our calls to service.

Personally, I used a temporary work assignment out-of-state

this summer to unpack and repack my life and lifestyle to get physically and spiritually fit. I realized that to be active and work with others, I needed to focus first on me, then for others by taking action. As an elder sage once said, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?”

Who would have thought I could walk one of my fast-est times in the Portland to Coast race at 61?

My family, co-workers and community are also benefiting from my enhanced physical and mental stamina.

AARP has been working with our members state-

wide, helping members ask these same questions and explore new ways of living, whether that’s starting a business, living in and engaging more in community, learning new technology or volunteer-ing. We have taken actions by listening to you.

This year, make resolutions to explore REAL POSSIBILITIES. And please share them with us at: oraarp@aarp.org. Your next act could be your best yet!

Jerry Cohen leads the AARP Oregon team as state director. Learn more about Life Reimagined at lifereimagined.aarp.org.Real Possibilities is a trademark of AARP.

Since June 2013, Jerry Cohen works out four to six times a week, achieving physical and mental stamina and eating healthy.

AARP In Your CommunityJoin AARP Oregon and our partners at these events around the state.

2014 OHSU Brain Awareness Series Lecture: Building Brain BridgesAARP members receive a 20% discount on tickets.Feb. 10, Feb. 18, Feb. 24, April 7, May 12, 2014Learn more at www.ohsubrain.com/aarp or call 800-273-1530.*

Join AARP at the Portland Trail Blazers GameMeet AARP staff, volunteers and other members at the game. Discount tickets are available for AARP members and their guests and a portion of your ticket price benefits The Meals-on-Wheels People.Feb. 23, 2014You can buy Tickets at tickets.trailblazers.com/deals, promotional code AARP.*

38th Annual Gerontology Conference at OSU

AARP Life Reimagined Institute thought leader Richard Leider presents keynote.April 2-3, 2014Learn more at osugero.org.*

*Please note any information you provide to the host organization shall be governed by its privacy policy.

In This IssuePage 2: Resilience Inspires Business, Life Success

Page 3: It Takes a Village

Page 4: Tools For Financial Planning

AARP OregonServing Serving the 50+ community, including more than 500,000 members statewideJerry Cohen, State DirectorChad Cheriel, Volunteer State PresidentSeven full-time staff serving all of Oregon

AARP Oregon9200 SE Sunnybrook Blvd. Suite 410Clackamas, OR 97015

Connect with usLike us on www.Facebook.com/AARPOregonFollow us at www.Twitter.com/aarpORSign up for AARP Oregon events and discounts at www.aarp.org/stateemailVisit us at www.AARP.org/OR

Contact us Call: 1-866-554-5360 toll freeEmail: oraarp@aarp.org

Resilience Inspires Business, Life SuccessSelf-employment Options Offer Chance to Bounce Back One reason AARP is committed to this idea of encore entrepreneurship is because the Labor Department has said that one in four Americans between ages 44 and 70 is interested in starting a business — in part because laid-off or disabled older workers have a hard time finding a job.

In 2008, AARP member Mr. Happy (Derek Pruitt) was the victim of a hit-and-run accident resulting in brain damage, multiple broken bones and injuries. Designated permanently disabled, Happy was told

he was never going to be able to work again.

With his entrepreneurial and ultra positive spirit, Happy, 57, turned a side business of selling coffee and tea on the Internet into Happy’s Java & Soul Food Shack and catering business in 2011. In the future, Happy hopes to open a sit-down restaurant in Springfield in addition to the drive thru location off Main Street, increasing his staff to nine employees.

More than 75 percent of the businesses in Oregon employ between one and

nine employees, according to Business Oregon.

Happy said taking classes at the local community college, attending the AARP Encore Entre-preneur program and working with the Small Business Association were important to his success getting started.

One in four older workers are interested in starting a business.

Happy started a drive-thru restaurant and catering business two years ago in Springfield after recovering from severe injuries.

AARP Career ResourcesLife Reimagined for WorkGet contacts and tools you need to succeed in today’s ever-changing workplace. Life Reimagined for Work is a project of AARP powered by LinkedIn.www.workreimagined.aarp.org

Employer Resource CenterGet tools, tips and information for employers.www.aarp.org/work/employers

SBA DirectReceive information about how to start a business, applicable laws, financing your business and more.www.sba.gov/sba-direct*

Entrepreneurship Resource CenterFind advice, programs and videos from other successful entrepreneurs. www.aarp.org/work/self-employment

Social SecurityFind tools, articles and tips to plan for Social Security benefits.www.aarp.org/work/ social-security

Life Changes, Requires More Savings“Like most young people, I was invincible and totally unconscious of retirement planning when I was younger,” said AARP member Dick Miller, 69, of Beaverton.

A 2013 Retirement Readiness survey of registered voters found that one in six

Oregonians, ages 45-64, have less than $5,000 in savings. This means people need to save more, reduce spending and work longer.

While he had invested in long term care insurance, Miller’s health care costs, including his leg amputations, still depleted

his savings. At 65, Miller retired, though still works as a freelance technical writer to supplement his income from Social Security.

AARP offers programs throughout the year to help you get ready for retirement and plan your financial future.

Dick Miller continues to work as a freelance technical writer to supplement his income since retirement in 2009.

Q & A: with Sharon and Howard JohnsonSharon and Howard Johnson, of Jacksonville, are both National Association of Home Builders Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (CAPS). The Johnsons are also co-founders of Age-Friendly Innovators, Inc.

Q: When should people start thinking about modifying their home to be more age-friendly?

A: There is no magic age, but ideally people in their mid- to late-50’s, or as they become “empty-nesters,” should be thinking about living options during retirement.

Q: How prevalent are “universal design” practices in homebuilding?

A: Builders are becoming increasingly more receptive to universal design and many of the new homes built today have some of the basics such as wider doors and provisions for later installation of grab bars. But, we have a long way to go for all home builders to include universal design features into all new construction.

Q: What areas do most people overlook when remodeling or buying a new home?

A: The list of considerations is too long to detail here. In Southern Oregon, the Rogue Valley Council of Governments’ Senior and Disability Services has created a Lifelong Housing Certification standard that can be used for remodel or new construction. The standard checklist is available online at: www.rvcog.org.

Read the full interview at www.aarp.org/states/or.

AARP members Sharon and Howard Johnson launched a not-for-profit organization, Age-Friendly Innovators Inc. in Nov. 2013.

Tune into Rogue Valley Community TV beginning Jan. 9, at 6 p.m. for our monthly “Age-Friendly Rogue Valley” program and learn what makes a community livable and age-friendly. AARP volunteer and Jacksonville resident Howard Johnson will host the series shown live on the second Thursday of every month from Jan. to June. Check local listings for station information.

It Takes a VillageBest Way to Age in Place is Together With the aging population growing rapidly nationwide, being prepared and equipped to support the needs of all ages and abilities is increasingly important. And nowhere is it more important than ones’ home.

According to AARP Oregon’s 2013 Road to Livability survey, 68 percent of Southern Oregon residents surveyed say it is extremely or very important to remain in their homes as they age.

Due to Oregon’s population growth there is an increase in alternative ways to age in place. By 2050, the 65+ population will have increased 105 percent overall from 2012.

One example is the growth of “villages,” or networks of members committed to providing volunteer services, such as free or low cost transportation and home maintenance, primarily for people ages 50+ in their local area. Oregon has three and several more in development.

“It feels like friends helping friends,” said Phyllis Stuewig, 75, High Desert Village co-founder and AARP member. “The village goal is to help people stay in their homes as long as they’re safe.”

The village concept is growing in popularity. The High Desert Village in Bend was founded in 2009 and now has 62 members in Deschutes County.

AARP is working with local community governments, such as Oregon’s 17 Area Agency on Aging (AAA), to assess neighborhoods and to promote age-friendly living.

From left, Phyllis Stuewig, High Desert Valley Village founder, looks on as village handyman Frank Zachary works on Beverly Hamby’s shower in her Bend, Ore. home.

Tools For Financial Planning Whatever your age, you can use these AARP tools to help you manage your money and build your financial resources.

• Use the AARP new Health Care Costs Calculator to estimate future health care costs: bit.ly/HCcalculator

• Use the Retirement Calculator to determine your lifestyle options: bit.ly/retirecalc

• Calculate how much your 401(k) contributions and employer match will contribute toward your retirement: bit.ly/401kcalculator

• Determine when and how much Social Security benefits are available: bit.ly/SScalculator

• Find out how to calculate long term care costs in your area: bit.ly/LTCcalculator

Worked hard to plan and save for retirement already? Passionate about protecting your assets? Join AARP Oregon on Feb. 5 in Salem to advocate for financial security and long term care services in the state.

Scam Jam Coming to Medford May 13, 2014Learn how to prevent being a victim of scams and frauds.

Details to come. Visit our Facebook page or ScamJamOregon.com for more information.

Thinkstock