Empower. Champion. Advocate.
AARP IN OKLAHOMA 2018
AARP Oklahoma | 2018 End of Year Report
1
Supporting Family Caregivers Oklahoma is the first state in the nation to pass the CARE Act (Care, Advise, Record and Enable), which gives family caregivers new rights and better supports. Caregiving education, outreach, and resources help people stay in their homes to receive care.
524,000 family caregivers in the state of Oklahoma
Caregivers provide 488 million hours of unpaid care
Legislative Accomplishments in Advocacy AARP Oklahoma advocates for the issues important to our members and Oklahomans age 50+. AARP Oklahoma’s work focuses on ensuring that the rights of family caregivers and nursing home patients are protected while remaining the leading consumer advocate for affordable and reliable energy. In 2018 we continued our advocacy work for family caregivers, Oklahoma’s unsung heroes.
AARP Oklahoma strengthened caregiving laws to better ensure that when loved ones are in the hospital, they are informed during the stay and caregivers are trained to aid in their recovery at home.
AARP Oklahoma created the Commission on the Prevention of Elder Abuse through Modernized Guardianship Laws. The Commission strengthens laws to prevent financial exploitation against vulnerable 2
AARP Oklahoma | 2018 End of Year Report
adults and identifies ways to better prepare those who are providing guardianship.
AARP Oklahoma fought through two special sessions and a regular session in 2018 to ensure that funding for respite, adult day care and home and community-based services were protected from funding cuts.
AARP Oklahoma prevented two decades of nursing home patient protections from being removed and worked to reprioritize patient care inside Oklahoma nursing homes. AARP Oklahoma also made substantial progress in fighting back unjustified utility rate increases:
Caregiving impact valued $6 billion annually PSO was ordered to return $428 million of tax savings back to its customers. The average customer received a decrease of $6 a month.
4 in 10 AARP OK members are family caregivers 82 AARP Oklahoma volunteers supported caregiving advocacy efforts lobbying on behalf of family caregivers at the 2018 AARP legislative breakfast held at the Oklahoma State Capitol
AARP Oklahoma by the Numbers 403,279 AARP members in Oklahoma 121 community events 19,048 grassroots and community engagements 70% of events volunteer-led 215 volunteers
AARP Oklahoma forced OG&E into a $64 million historic rate settlement which included a one-time $18 reduction to customers and, going forward, an additional $4 month reduction.
Tulsa Caregiving Pilot AARP selected Tulsa as one of six cities to participate in its Caregiving Pilot program. AARP Oklahoma built on 2017’s success and increased its local footprint by engaging community partners, media partners and volunteers in 2018. AARP Oklahoma further established itself as a valuable asset for family caregivers by integrating caregiver resources and education into Fraud Watch Network events, HomeFit presentations and veterans outreach.
2019 presents new advocacy challenges as AARP Oklahoma turns its focus to these important issues:
AARP Oklahoma will combat the high cost of prescription drugs.
AARP Oklahoma cut in half a
AARP Oklahoma will
rate request by PSO from $160 million to $80 million and saved consumers, on average, $7 a month.
advocate for expanded access to better health care through support of laws allowing nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists to practice to their full abilities.
357 individuals attended AARP OK’s #IHeartCaregivers Week events in Tulsa 4,280 individuals engaged in caregiving activities 48 caregiving-focused events and activities were held in Tulsa and across Oklahoma AARP Oklahoma | 2018 End of Year Report
3
AARP Oklahoma recognized Oklahoma FFA’s
Joe Ann Vermillion, AARP Oklahoma State President, presents state awards to the outstanding ag-ed advisors during the 2018 Oklahoma FFA State Convention.
Rural Outreach AARP Oklahoma expanded its rural outreach with impact work supporting all ages across the state in 2018. Through key partnerships with groups such as the Oklahoma Future Farmers of America (FFA), OSU Extension Service and Oklahoma State University, AARP utilized unique engagement opportunities to support intergenerational partnerships.
best and brightest chapters and students during the 2018 Oklahoma FFA state convention and presented awards to 10 Model of Excellence FFA chapters, outstanding ag-ed advisors and winners of the home and community development proficiency program. AARP Oklahoma also created a video and photo series that was shared on social media which recognized the Model of Excellence chapters’ impact work in their communities. Model of Excellence chapters create an environment for happier, healthier residents of every age, in all life stages, and embody the foundations of AARP’s Livable Communities programs.
AARP Oklahoma funded a $3,000 grant to Oklahoma State University to support an internet hotspot loan program. Twelve internet hotspots were placed in public libraries in three rural Oklahoma communities: Davis, Atoka and Marietta. The grant also funded data services for three devices that OSU previously placed in the Okemah Public Library. The hotspots are available for check-out to library patrons similar to traditional books. Libraries loan out the mobile hotspots which can connect up to 10 devices such as smartphones or tablets for one week at a time.
AARP Oklahoma values the freedom and rights secured by veterans, the military and their families (VMF), and their service and sacrifices will never be forgotten. AARP Oklahoma supported local veterans and their families through various community partnerships with organizations such as the Tulsa VFW, Skiatook VFW, Tulsa American Legion, Oklahoma DAV, Soldier’s Wish, Community Service Council/Warrior Partners of Eastern Oklahoma and the Tulsa Mayor’s Veterans Council.
AARP Oklahoma | 2018 End of Year Report
AARP Oklahoma’s 10th Annual AARP Oklahoma Indian Elder Honors was the most successful event to date with special guests AARP Board Chair Joan Ruff and Regional Vice President Sarah Jennings. AARP Oklahoma continues to receive many accolades for this valued multicultural community program.
900 people attended the 10th annual AARP Oklahoma Indian Elder Honors
51 elders honored from 39 Oklahoma Tribal Nations
505 Native American Elders honored since the event’s inception in 2008 AARP Oklahoma continues to expand its work on issues affecting Native Americans in the state, particularly working to address health disparities, transportation needs and cultural preservation. Key partnerships include:
2018 Indian Elder Honors medallion presentation with Joe Ann Vermillion, AARP Oklahoma State President; Mashell Sourjohn, AARP Oklahoma Associate State Director Outreach; Richard Luttrell, Sr., Osage Nation; Sarah Jennings, AARP Central Region Vice President; and Joan Ruff, AARP Board Chair.
Southern Plains Tribal Health Board Public Health Conference
Association of American Indian Physicians
National Indian Council on Aging Conference
11th Annual Preparing for the 7th Generation
Native American Journalists Association
Conference
Supporting Our Veterans
4
Native American Outreach
AARP grew its overall recognition and support
AARP cultivated a new relationship with Zeta
with the veteran community and the communityat-large with the first-ever AARP Oklahoma/ Tulsa Drillers Veterans and Military Appreciation baseball game on July 5, which was attended by approximately 5,100 individuals.
Phi Beta to honor female African American veterans with veteran challenge coins and engaged with the Oklahoma City Links, Inc. Chapter to recognize outstanding female veterans.
AARP supported Tulsa Veterans Day parade events in November through a partnership with the Tulsa American Legion Post 1 and served lunch to approximately 350 veterans and their families. AARP Oklahoma also donated $1,000 to the American Legion to provide the meal served.
AARP Oklahoma | 2018 End of Year Report
5
Livable Communities
Tax-Aide
An AARP Livable Community is safe and secure for people of all ages with walkable streets, age-friendly housing and transportation options, access to needed services and opportunities for residents of all ages to participate in community life. AARP Oklahoma supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and rural areas to be great places for people of all ages.
AARP's Fraud Watch Network arms Oklahomans with tools to spot and avoid cons and scams. In 2018, AARP Oklahoma's volunteer-led Fraud Fighter team provided infomative fraud prevention information through statewide community presentations and media spokesperson opportunities. AARP Oklahoma continued its community partnerships in 2018 with Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter and Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak to support their statewide fraud prevention initiatives. AARP Oklahoma also expanded its fraud outreach to include veteran fraud education through the AARP Watchdog Alert Handbook: Veterans Edition.
23 HomeFit presentations
23 Oklahoma Fraud Fighters volunteers
and Livable Communities activities
32 Senior Fraud Conferences
6 Small Business Administration Encore Entrepreneur workshops
Joy McGill, AARP Oklahoma Associate State Director Outreach, and Sean Voskuhl, AARP Oklahoma State Director, present Brian Prince, Vinita City Clerk, and Ronnie Starks, Vinita Mayor, with 2018 AARP Community Challenge Grant honorary check.
73,228 Oklahomans provided food and community resources by The Community Market of Pottawatomie County thanks to AARP’s partnership with Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, Avedis Foundation, Gordon Cooper Technology Center and Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service AARP Oklahoma partnered with the City of Vinita in its efforts to make the rural community more walkable through the AARP Community Grant Challenge. Vinita was awarded $25,000 to repurpose an alley downtown near Wilson Street, which eliminates vehicle traffic and facilitates a safe walk and bike
6
AARP Oklahoma | 2018 End of Year Report
pathway in a high traffic area. The installation of permanent ADA-compliant benches and tables offers a comfortable resting place and invites greater community engagement through outside dining from nearby eateries on Main Street and during community events. Lighting and public art was installed to create a safe and inviting ambiance for all ages. AARP Oklahoma was also invited to be on the City of Tulsa’s Dementia Friendly steering committee. The Dementia Friendly program was launched by City of Tulsa
Mayor GT Bynum and provides information and training that helps Tulsans implement simple, proven best practices that foster livability and vitality for people living with dementia and other cognitive impairments. Tulsa is the only city in Oklahoma with a DementiaFriendly designation. AARP Oklahoma will help shape the initiative’s direction, as well as interact with Mayor Bynum on policy needs that impact individuals with dementia and their caregivers.
1,542 individuals signed up for Fraud Watch Network
Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service.
318 Oklahoma AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers
32 Tax-Aide sites located across Oklahoma
27.596 Oklahomans assisted in filing their federal and state tax returns
Refunds totaled $15.6 million
29,750 pounds of sensitive documents shredded at Operation Stop Scams events in Clinton, Shawnee, Oklahoma City and Tulsa
Released AARP Watchdog Alert Handbook: Veterans’ Edition
The Driver Safety Course has helped millions of drivers age 50+ sharpen their skills and stay behind the wheel at any age.
175 Driver Safety classes 1,900 participants 40 Driver Safety volunteers Fraud Fighter Wayne Blackmon joins Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter for announcement of an indictment filed in veteran charity fraud case.
AARP Oklahoma | 2018 End of Year Report
7
OUR MISSION AARP empowers people to choose how to live as they age.
126 N. Bryant Ave. Edmond, OK 73034 (866) 295-7277 www.aarp.org/ok facebook.com/AARPOklahoma @AARPOklahoma