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Understanding What AARP Offers Beyond Membership

AARP is a nonprofit organization that serves people age 50 and older. Many people think AARP only sells insurance or focuses on a single topic, but the organization actually maintains a wide range of programs and resources. A free informational guide about AARP can help you understand the different areas where the organization provides information and support.

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AARP's work spans several major categories. The organization publishes information about health and wellness topics, financial planning, caregiving, work and jobs, and how to navigate government programs. AARP also operates community programs in many neighborhoods across the United States. According to AARP's own reporting, the organization reaches millions of people each year through its publications, website, and local chapters.

One important distinction: AARP membership is separate from using AARP's educational resources. You don't need to pay membership dues to read AARP's free articles, watch videos, or use many of their information tools. However, some discounts and member-only benefits do require membership, which currently costs $12 per year for the primary membership.

An informational guide walks through what different AARP departments actually do. For example, AARP's public policy team tracks changes in laws that affect older adults. AARP's research division publishes studies about aging trends. AARP's community services connect people to local programs. Understanding these different functions helps you know where to look when you have specific questions.

Practical Takeaway: Start by identifying which life area matters most to you right now—whether that's healthcare information, financial planning, caregiving resources, or employment questions. This focus will help you navigate AARP's various offerings more efficiently.

Health and Wellness Information Resources

AARP provides extensive information about health topics that commonly affect people over 50. This includes materials about chronic conditions, medication safety, nutrition, exercise, mental health, and preventive care. A guide to AARP's health resources explains where to find this information and what topics are covered in greatest detail.

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The organization publishes information about specific health conditions including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, hearing loss, and cognitive health. AARP also maintains resources about medication interactions, understanding medical bills, and preparing for doctor visits. According to data from the CDC, chronic diseases affect about 6 in 10 American adults, making accessible health information increasingly important.

AARP's health section includes practical guides about topics like fall prevention (falls are the leading cause of nonfatal trauma and unintentional injury deaths among older adults, according to the CDC), vision and eye care, dental health, and sexual health. The organization also covers emergency preparedness, managing pain, and understanding advance directives. Many of these resources are available as downloadable documents, articles on AARP's website, or videos on AARP's YouTube channel.

An informational guide will describe how AARP presents health information. AARP typically attributes information to credible sources like medical journals, government health agencies, and medical organizations. When AARP publishes information about treatments or conditions, the materials usually explain the research basis and encourage conversations with healthcare providers. This approach recognizes that individual health situations vary widely and that people should discuss specific medical decisions with doctors.

AARP also maintains an advice column focused on health and wellness questions submitted by readers. While these columns don't replace medical advice, they can help you understand common questions and where to find additional resources.

Practical Takeaway: If you're managing a specific health condition or interested in preventive health topics, search AARP's health section by condition name or topic. Take note of the sources cited so you can discuss findings with your healthcare provider.

Financial Planning and Money Management Guidance

AARP provides information about financial topics including Social Security, Medicare costs, retirement income, managing debt, and fraud prevention. A guide to AARP's financial resources explains what topics are covered and where to find different types of information. This section covers practical money management rather than investment advice.

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AARP's financial information includes materials about Social Security claiming strategies and how benefits are calculated. The organization publishes information about Medicare costs, including premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses. AARP also maintains resources about retirement income planning, including information about pensions, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and other savings vehicles. According to the Social Security Administration, about 92% of people age 65 and older receive Social Security benefits, making clear information about this program valuable.

The organization addresses practical money topics like creating a household budget, building an emergency fund, managing credit, and handling debt. AARP publishes significant amounts of content about fraud and scams targeting older adults. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reports that people over 60 lose more money to fraud than any other age group, which is why scam prevention information is particularly important.

AARP also maintains resources about long-term care costs and planning, including information about nursing homes, assisted living, in-home care, and insurance options. The organization provides information about estate planning basics and explains concepts like wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. While these materials provide information about topics, they don't constitute legal or financial advice for individual situations.

AARP's money section includes calculators and interactive tools. For example, there are Social Security claiming calculators that show how claiming age affects monthly benefits. There are also tools for understanding Medicare costs and creating budgets. Additionally, AARP hosts webinars and video presentations about financial topics, often with guest speakers including financial planners and government representatives.

Practical Takeaway: Use AARP's financial calculators and worksheets to understand how different decisions might affect your situation. Collect the specific numbers you'll need (like your estimated Social Security benefit or current healthcare costs) and work through the tools. Save or print the results to discuss with a financial advisor or family members.

Caregiving Support and Family Resources

AARP recognizes that many people in the 50-plus age group are caring for aging parents, adult children, or grandchildren. The organization maintains a substantial collection of caregiving resources including practical advice, emotional support information, and connections to local services. A guide to AARP's caregiving materials explains what topics are covered and how to locate specific resources.

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AARP's caregiving information covers topics including caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, managing multiple medical conditions in a care recipient, handling medication management, and understanding when to seek professional care. The organization publishes information about family conversations (like discussing finances or end-of-life wishes), managing caregiver stress, and balancing caregiving with work responsibilities. The Caregiver Alliance reports that about 42 million family caregivers provide unpaid care to adult family members in the United States, making caregiving resources relevant to many people.

AARP's caregiving section includes guides about specific tasks like bathing and dressing, managing incontinence, meal planning for people with swallowing difficulties, and modifying homes for safety. The organization also provides information about communicating with healthcare providers on behalf of a care recipient and understanding medical documents. Additionally, AARP maintains information about recognizing and reporting elder abuse and neglect.

The organization operates the AARP Caregiver Resource Center online, which includes articles, videos, and interactive tools. AARP also hosts support groups (some virtual and some in-person through local chapters) where caregivers can connect with others facing similar challenges. The organization publishes books about caregiving that go into greater depth on specific topics.

AARP's caregiving resources acknowledge the emotional dimensions of caregiving. The organization maintains information about caregiver depression, grief, and burnout. Materials also address complex family dynamics and communication challenges that sometimes arise when one family member is providing care to another.

Practical Takeaway: If you're caring for someone, start by taking the AARP caregiver assessment to identify your biggest challenges. Then search the caregiving section for resources addressing those specific issues. Consider joining a caregiver support group to connect with others managing similar responsibilities.

Work, Employment, and Encore Career Information

Many people over 50 continue working or seek new work opportunities. AARP provides information about employment for older workers, including job searching, skills development, and age discrimination. A guide to AARP's work resources explains what career-related information is available and where to find it.

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AARP's work section includes information about job searching strategies,