AARP represents 150,000 members in rural Oklahoma- making them one of the leading groups that represent the non-metro areas of the state – so says State Director Sean Voskuhl. Oklahoma Farm Report’s Ron Hays and Voskuhl talked at the 2024 National Association of Farm Broadcasting about Medicare changes planned for 2025.
Voskuhl is excited about being able to limit out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs. In 2025, there will be an annual cap of $2,000 on those out-of-pocket expenses.
Updated benefits for social security have also been announced for 2025. “When you look at rural Oklahoma, a lot of folks may not have access to pensions or 401Ks,” Voskuhl said. “So social security is the main source of retirement income for some folks. The cola increase next year will be 2.5 percent; that’ll be about a $49 per month increase.”
He admitted that it isn’t much but hopes for more good news in 2026.
With broadband connectivity continuing to spread deeper into rural areas, Voskuhl and AARP hope to help older citizens learn to take full advantage of its opportunities.
“If we are going to have high-speed internet, we need to be sure that our folks know how to use devices,” he said. “There is an equal opportunity for us to provide digital literacy classes to individuals seeking that help. We work with rural libraries across the state through digital navigators. AARP also has an OATS [Older Adults Technology Services] program as well as Senior Planet to help people learn to use devices, and apps, and stay safe online.”
The AARP Community Challenge grant program is part of the nationwide AARP Livable Communities initiative that helps communities become great places to live for residents of all ages. The program is intended to help communities make immediate improvements and jump-start long-term progress.
“Forty percent of those dollars go to rural communities, so we push that a lot in Oklahoma,” Voskuhl said. “There are a lot of communities across the state that have taken advantage of them. The grants run around ten to twelve thousand dollars apiece.”
The grants are quick action grants meaning that once awarded, the funds must be spent within the year. AARP will track the funds to be sure that they are used appropriately.
Last year, the Sulphur Library System used the grant to implement a telehealth pod in their library. Shawnee used the funds for infrastructure improvements by building a roundabout. Vinita used the grant for a community center.
“It ranges. It can be for broadband or an intergenerational community garden,” Voskuh said. “Those are just some of the things that you can apply for. If you’ve got a good idea, apply!”
Some communities use the grant as a supplement to complete a project that is already partially funded. “It has been a great way for us to invest in rural communities,” he added. “Being able to make communities safe, with sidewalks or better lighting or better signage, that not only helps older adults, but it helps people of all ages and they will want to live there and stay there. We have to think about other ways that people can stay in rural communities.”
