Hello to all of you. I am here sharing great information on behalf of AARP Wisconsin. You are asking yourself why is AARP writing to me? What is AARP and why does it matter to me and my family? The answer is you can learn so much from AARP.
If you have heard of AARP it has to do withbeing retired or “old.” This is only the start of what AARP cares about. AARP’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for all as we age. You can join from age 18. At AARP, as a non-profit organization, we focus on issues related to Medicare, health care, economic security, work, and independent living. These areas are of huge importance to you and our fellow Latino family members and friends.
Let me introduce myself to you. My name is Leslie Spencer-Herrera and I am currently serving as Volunteer President of AARP Wisconsin. I became active with AARP because I saw the many obstacles my mother and we as family had helping her as she aged. What I have seen many of us throughout Wisconsin care about their families, their community and living the best life they can provide for themselves and those around them. AARP provides a voice and many experiences to help with these goals.
A note about myself. I was born in Guadalajara Mexico and came to the U.S. as a child. My family lived in several communities in the south eventually settling in Indiana. I have lived in Wisconsin for forty years. I had to opportunity to go to both University of Wisconsin- Madison and the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. I am so thankful for the gift I was given to be able to speak and function in two different languages and cultures.
My activism with AARP happened because I had an elderly mother who required care and I saw how little I knew about the resources to help her. Juggling her needs really made me realize how taking care of our loved ones was so meaningful, yet difficult and stressful. AARP in so many ways gives us tools and opportunities. The opportunity to serve as Wisconsin President came to me the month after my mother died. It seemed like her call to me to pay back what I had been given.
I will be writing you this short column every month to share with you information and events you can participate in. I will give you great information you can use to help you as you take care of yourself and your fellow loved ones. Also, AARP isn’t just serious things, but we have fun too and I will share these with you.
Your thought for the month: be social! There is currently an epidemic of loneliness in the country. Even before COVID-19, half of American adults reported experiencing loneliness — a condition that health experts say is worse for health than obesity, physical inactivity or smoking up to 15 cigarettes per day.
