WASHINGTON, D.C.—A majority (70 percent) of elderly dementia patients prescribed dementia drugs are on them long-term despite the lack of evidence that they provide any benefit beyond one year, according to a new report by AARP Public Policy Institute. The study found that some patients took dementia drugs for as long as a decade, costing as much as $20,000 per patient.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins released a statement in reaction to the news of music legend Aretha Franklin’s passing.

WASHINGTON, DC—On June 25, AARP announced an unprecedented investment of $60 million in the Dementia Discovery Fund (DDF) the first and largest venture fund focused on discovering and developing effective new drugs for treating dementia and ultimately a cure. Now, a special report in the July/August issue of AARP Bulletin details the scope of this healthcare issue, provides a profile of DDF, and explains why research to date has yielded so few solutions, despite tens of billions of dollars being spent.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — AARP announced today the launch of “An AARP Take on Today,” a weekly podcast hosted by Bob Edwards, the original and longtime host of NPR’s flagship program “Morning Edition.” Each new episode will feature in-depth news interviews on timely topics with guest experts on health, work, money, aging, entertainment and more.

WASHINGTON, DC—With nearly 10 million new cases of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease occurring each year1, and no cure, today AARP launched a new campaign, “Disrupt Dementia.” The campaign...

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, AARP and AARP Foundation have asked the U.S. District Court to accept an amicus brief supporting the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The brief explains many ways in which the ACA has greatly benefited older adults and emphasizes the importance of protections for people with preexisting conditions and the limits on charging higher rates based on age (age tax). AARP and AARP Foundation have requested that the court accept the brief in response to the state of Texas’ request for a preliminary injunction to stop implementation of the ACA.

WASHINGTON, DC—AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond released the following statement in response to President Trump’s address today on prescription drug prices:

WASHINGTON, DC – (May 7, 2018) Today, AARP launched its first ever Fit & Fun Health Challenge and Sweepstakes with AARP Wellness Ambassador Denise Austin and her daughter, fitness trainer and...

WASHINGTON, DC—With one of every seven health care dollars being spent treating diabetes and its complications, diabetes is now considered the most expensive chronic condition in the U.S. To help support the millions of Americans living with diabetes, AARP and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) have joined forces to provide a new offering for people with type 2 diabetes, the Let’s Be Well Diabetes Box. The box includes everyday wellness resources for people with diabetes, and contains expertly chosen products and information that can help people take important steps toward effectively managing the onset of type 2 diabetes.

While ongoing efforts by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have helped reduce the risky off-label use of antipsychotic drugs among dementia patients living in nursing homes, the use of these drugs has increased slightly among dementia patients living in the community, according to a new AARP Public Policy Institute report.

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond released the following statement in response to Senate passage of the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act (S. 1091):

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond released the following statement in response to passage of the continuing resolution budget bill:

WASHINGTON, DC—Adults age 40-plus who say they eat healthy foods most of the time are twice as likely to rate their brain health and mental sharpness as “excellent” or “very good” compared to adults who rarely eat a healthy diet (77% vs. 39%), according to a new AARP consumer survey on brain health and nutrition. But only about one-third (35%) of adults surveyed reported eating nutritious and well-balanced meals “most of the time (5-7 days).”

WASHINGTON, DC—With both wisdom and wit, Barbara Hannah Grufferman challenges readers to take control of their lives in her new book, Love Your Age: The Small-Step Solution to a Better, Longer, Happier Life (National Geographic/AARP, February 2018). Here Grufferman, a nationally recognized advocate for positive living, offers small, practical tips—backed by science—encouraging readers to become their best selves. With frank advice about everything from health to relationships to sex to plastic surgery, Grufferman motivates readers to stay driven and committed to achieving their personal goals. Free of hype, this book is for anyone who has ever thought:

WASHINGTON, DC—Retail prices for 768 prescription drugs commonly used by older adults increased by an average of 6.4% in 2015, outpacing the general inflation rate of 0.1%. This is at least the 12th

WASHINGTON, DC—Today AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond released the following statement in response to the U.S. House passage of the tax bill:

WASHINGTON, DC—AARP announced today that Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) and Tufts Medical Center are this year’s AARP’s Quality Measures Innovation Grant award winners. They will each receive a grant of $150,000 and will have access to OptumLabs’ unique data assets and feedback from National Quality Forum’s Measure Incubator™ as they develop innovative quality health measures that address important gaps in diabetes and cancer care.

WASHINGTON, DC—Today AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond released the following statement in response to the amendment to the tax bill that repeals the health coverage requirement:

WASHINGTON, DC—Today AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins released the following statement in response to the bipartisan agreement proposed by U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Patty Murray (D-WA) to help stabilize the individual health insurance market:

WASHINGTON, DC—AARP today gave enthusiastic support for bipartisan legislation titled the Seniors Tax Hike Prevention Act of 2017 (S. 1977) by US Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH). The bill would protect seniors with high health care costs from a “health tax” in 2017.

WASHINGTON, DC—Today AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s announcement that ACA cost-sharing reduction (CSR)...

WASHINGTON, DC—Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15th through December 7th and is the perfect opportunity each year to review your Medicare plan coverage for 2018. AARP is encouraging everyone with Medicare coverage to compare their health and prescription drug plan options during the seven weeks of Medicare Open Enrollment.

WASHINGTON, DC—AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond today issued the following statement in response to the decision not to vote on the Graham-Cassidy health care bill.

WASHINGTON, DC—AARP submitted written testimony today to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance and the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, urging Congress to focus on commonsense solutions to stabilize the Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance marketplace, increase enrollment and competition, and lower costs for consumers.

Retail prices for specialty prescription drugs widely used by older Americans ballooned by an average of 9.6% between 2014 and 2015, the highest increase since at least 2006, while retail prices...