Harry Kiesler

Why I like Retirement … Angie Jaggers

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Question: How many days in a week?  Answer: 6 Saturdays, 1 Sunday.

Question: When is a retiree’s bedtime?  Answer: Two hours after falling asleep on the couch.

Question: How many retirees does it take to change a light bulb?  Answer: One, but it might take all day.

Question: What’s the biggest gripe of retirees?  Answer: There is not enough time to get everything done.

Question: Why don’t retirees mind being called Seniors?  Answer: The term comes with a 10% discount.

Question: Among retirees, what is considered formal attire?  Answer: Tied shoes.

President … Ken Schieck

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National AARP is sharing current COVID-19 information every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. PDT.  The phone # is 885-274-9507.

These past few weeks have been a difficult time for all of us. As various government and other agencies have given us timely information and suggestions as to how to handle the Coronavirus, we still need to know how to live in this ‘new normal’ time.

Many of you want to know how and if the events and meetings in which our chapter is normally involved will continue; all I can say right now is that we are basically in uncharted waters. The Board and I want to continue as many activities as possible, while planning them under these new circumstances.

I know that it is important for seniors not to feel undue isolation in this moment.  Loneliness is a human issue, especially for those of us over 55.  National AARP reckons that 20% of older Americans are at risk for social isolation, and even more if they are struggling financially. Therefore, I am asking Thelma Bridges, our phone committee chair, to make sure that members of her committee contact all members on a weekly basis to make sure you all have food, medicines, etc. that you need.  None of our members should feel unsure about having food and over-the-counter medications; surely, some of us can help the others who need assistance.

As new information comes in, I will continue to post it on our website and/or in the Dispatch. If you want to share information or, especially, to help a fellow member with shopping or other issues, please contact me or one of the Board members if you need contact information.

For some specific information about caregiving, a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, Eldercare Locator, connects people to services for older adults and their families. They can be reached at https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx or at 1-800-677-1116.

I participated in the national AARP conference call on March 26; the moderator gave us the following websites for monitoring the virus:

aarp.org/coronavirus; AARP’s updates

cdc.gov/coronavirus; the Center for Disease Control

April AARP Meeting CANCELLED

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We are very sorry to report that AARP’s Chapter 5151 face-to-face meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, will be CANCELLED.

However, as we all shelter in place, there is a possibility that we will be able to arrange a conference call for the May 19th meeting — and possibly for the April 21st meeting.  We think our first option is to leverage California AARP’s conference-call licensing, so we have contacted our state representative, Antoine Cook, who is researching options.  

If we are able to arrange a virtual meeting for April, Thelma Bridges’ telephone committee will contact all members with instructions and an email will be sent to those whose email addresses we have.  If arrangements cannot be made until our May meeting, instructions will be included in our May Dispatch.

Be safe.  Be healthy.  Be resilient.

Nominating Committee … Jan DeLucchi

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As I relocate from the Bay Area and must leave our AARP chapter, it is important to fill the following positions immediately:

  •   Nominating Committee Chair
  •   Treasure Chest Coordinator
  •   Lunch Coordinator
  •   Social Coordinator (for annual lunch)
  •   Public Relations Coordinator
  • President, for 2021 — Note:  If a replacement for Ken is not identified by September, we will not need to fill the other positions; there will not be a Chapter 5151.

If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact an Executive Board member (see page 3 for contact information).

Legislative News … Daniel Nnorth and Claudia Schott

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Congress passed an $8.3 billion spending bill that prioritizes delivering care for patients, and developing treatments and vaccines to combat the recent outbreak of the coronavirus, COVID-19. The coronavirus funding bill signed into law by the President on March 6th, puts much more money toward treating and preventing the spread of COVID-19 than his administration requested from Congress the week before.

As we learn more about COVID-19, data shows that it hits older adults particularly hard.  Coronaviruses are not something new. They have been around a long time, usually feeling like a common cold. This version is what’s new.  Discovered in 2019, Covid-19 causes upper-respiratory tract infections and can be deadly to people with compromised immune systems and older people.

So, what do taxpayers get for that $8.3B?  Here are some highlights:

  • $3.1B for the Health and Human Services, with monies to be put toward therapeutic development, vaccine development, and to purchase additional supplies like masks and personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • $300M to buy vaccines and treatments.
  • $1.25B for international activities, responding to the spread of coronavirus worldwide.

On March 27, a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus package was signed into law.  The legislation will put money in the pockets of many Americans during the pandemic.  Here are some situational highlights:

  • The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S has surpassed all other countries.
  • AARP advocated to Congress to support policies that benefit the health and financial well-being of older Americans during the coronavirus pandemic.
  • A bipartisan reauthorization of the Older Americans Act provides more money for programs helping older Americans age in their homes and communities through services, including Meals on Wheels, family caregiver support and transportation.

In California, AARP provided some specific recommendations to the Governor’s Office and his outreach strategy team, which included creating a mailer with resources and phone numbers important for older adults and their caregivers.  Governor Gavin Newsom subsequently announced the launch of a new initiative to help the 3.5 million Californians over the age of 65 stay connected while they stay at home during the novel coronavirus outbreak.  He said the statewide initiative will help seniors through various nonprofits, local governments, and CERT teams.

  • California has launched a hotline to deliver services and help for older Californians. The phone number for the hotline is 1-833-544-2374.
  • In addition, to help people deal with loneliness and isolation, he’s asking people to make five phone calls to reach their neighbors, not just family members.

Well Deserved Tribute to Jan DeLucchi … Marilyn Clough

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As with so many of us, Jan came to a chapter meeting many years ago, liked what she saw, and thus became entangled in our web.  She served on our Tours committee, ran our Treasure Chest for ages, and served on our Nominating committee, eventually becoming its chair.  She was a very productive member of our Board of Directors, making many long-time friends along the way.  Jan has those wonderful qualities of effectively using her strengths and possessing great follow-through.  If she took on a job, she got it done.  We wish her well in her new home; she will be much missed in Campbell.

Community Service … Leona Fails

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While we are sheltering in place, check this out:  Homeowners who are 65+ can opt out of voter-approved parcel taxes for public school districts.  Visit your school district’s website to learn about and apply for an exemption.  The contact person and phone number for each district in Santa Clara County is available at http://www.sccdtac.org/pte.

Troop Support … Angie Jaggars

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Below is the CARE-package thank-you note received from Stephanie in early March:

“I got your package today! Thank you for the books, soaps, lotions & snacks. The hair & toothbrushes are definitely very handy as well. My Battalion Executive Officer came by & looked through the National Geographic Magazine when she had a spare moment. It’s always nice & brightens our days when we receive a package. I feel very special & lucky to have received one from you & the lovely people of Campbell AARP.

❤️ Always,

Stephanie”