Useful resource, IDK?

LearningCurve · January 19

Hello fellow caregivers. Like many of you I am on a solo journey caring for my LO with varying degrees of this baffling disease. Wondering if any of you have found AARP to be a useful resource? We live in a rural touristy mountain area, limited resources. I have been reading the 36 Hour Day which has been helpful.

I ask because today I saw an ad for special $15 joining fee for AARP. I am wondering if any of you have found it to be helpful or did it just add to the confusion and overwhelming-ness of this journey with your LO?

Many thanks, D.

Chance Rider · January 19

@LearningCurve Following your post as I also live in a touristy mountain area with limited resources. It’s about a 2 hour drive for us to get to the nearest VA center where my husband receives care.

I’m also curious about the Elizabeth Dole Foundation as it appears they have caregiver resources.

Sunfish47 · January 19

The best information source for dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia questions is this real time forum of folks in the same boat as you, kind folks willing to share their experiences traveling this journey. I found this forum back in I think it was March 2025, and starting with the oldest posts and reading forward, I have learned so much, probably everything I need to know, and far far more then any doctor or neurologist ever told me, about how to relate to what my DH is going thru and how to come to acceptance of the situation so it doesn’t make me unbearably despondent. My advice: keep reading here. It’s a life saver.

harshedbuzz · January 20

@LearningCurve

Your county's Area Agency on Aging may also be able to point you in the direction of resources in your area.

HB

BethL · January 20

AARP provides two magazines and offers discounts on some restaurants, hotels, car rentals etc. to members. They also offer some insurance plans. As far as being a resource for dementia help, I don't think so. I'm a member and I've never seen anything of that nature offered; perhaps an occasional article in one of their magazines. You can go to their website and click on member benefits to see what is offered.

Call me Gram · January 20

AARP has online brain games for their members. I am an AARP member, because they offered a discount for our health plan. Honestly, I don't use it much, but for $15 a year, it could be worth trying.

"Staying Sharp" Games: https://www.aarp.org/games/category/staying-sharp/

Bukahdog · January 20

They have occasional articles about dementia that are insightful, but I wouldn't say AARP focuses on dementia. I always seem to find something helpful, being a senior, and well worth the $ for the publications. They are available online and in print. I am a reader so enjoy having the option to receive the printed publications.

annie51 · January 20

The AARP website does have a section called caregiving in their menu. I did a quick look and there may be some useful information in it. Some of it is specific to dementia, some is general. I never knew about this until I went on the site! Here’s a picture of the submenu once you click on caregiving on the upper menu:

Quilting brings calm · 1:24AM

I think belonging to AARP is useful for the discounts and the information they provide in their magazine. I never used them as a dementia resource.

Useful resource, IDK?

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