Every Wish Starts With You
You can nominate yourself or someone in your community for a wish. Before completing the application, please review the wish qualifications below.
Wish qualifications
Please familiarize yourself with the following information before submitting a wish.
If you cannot use the online wish application, you can download and print the application and submit it via email or mail. Please note that mailed applications will take longer to process.
Qualifications
Minimum qualifications
- Minimum age of 65
- Reside in the United States and its territories
- Unable to fulfill the wish experience on their own
- Capable of experiencing the wish
- Able to obtain approval from a doctor, if necessary
Review and selection process
- After a wish application is submitted, our team evaluates if the wish meets fulfillment criteria.
- We notify the nominator if the wish will or will not move forward in the selection process.
- Next, a team member conducts interviews with the nominator and recipient.
- After an interview, our Wish Committee makes a final determination as to whether the wish fulfills our mission and will be granted.
- The team follows up with the applicant and nominator about the decision.
- If the wish is approved, the planning and fulfillment process begins!
- Nominators’ responsibilities may include acting as a primary point of contact for Wish of a Lifetime, helping to coordinate wish logistics and get release forms signed, and participating in the wish experience.
Types of wishes we grant
A wish of a lifetime holds value beyond a passing desire or casual thought—it is a dream, a lifelong goal, or a meaningful component missing from one’s life. The wishes granted empower recipients to overcome barriers, enrich their lives with new experiences, foster a renewed sense of purpose, and create moments that recipients and their loved ones will cherish for years to come.
Wishes we do not grant include:
- Potentially harmful or dangerous wishes
- Financial Assistance: Cash payment of bills, rent, taxes, etc.
- Housing Assistance or furnishings: Home repair/modification, assistance with moving, locating housing, etc.
- Technology: New computer, phone, cell phone, television
- Medical care or services
- Legal services
- Vehicles: Purchase, repair, modification
- Wishes on behalf of others under 65
- Assistance finding employment
- Wishes that extend beyond the life of the wish recipient (funeral arrangements, headstones, etc.)
- Publishing wishes: Editing, distribution, or creation of printed materials
- Continuous wishes: Wishes for a pet, season tickets, etc.
- Vacations: While we grant travel-related wishes, they must be purpose-driven, resulting in a fulfilled dream or personal connection
- Surprise wishes: With very few exceptions, we do not grant wishes where the recipient is unaware that the wish will be happening
Logistics
Wish and travel expenses
Wish of a Lifetime from AARP covers all reasonable costs associated with the fulfillment of a wish experience.
We do not provide first-class accommodations unless such arrangements are necessary for health purposes. When a wish is approved, a Letter of Intent outlines the expenses that will be covered to fulfill the wish.
Every wish experience is different, but travel expenses are generally paid for directly by Wish of a Lifetime or are handled through pre-paid gift cards.
We cover breakfast, lunch, and dinner while traveling according to our per diem allotment. We may also cover pre-approved travel needs like taxi rides, bus fares, car rental, gas, etc. We do not cover alcohol, souvenirs, or other incidentals.
Working with caregivers
We understand that some wish recipients may need a caregiver on a wish outing or overnight trip. In these circumstances, we work with the recipient and their family to determine the proper party to provide care and find the best possible solution.
This may be a family member, an in-home caregiver or nurse that the recipient is acquainted with, or an outside caregiver for hire.
Bringing companions on wishes
We understand that wish experiences are more meaningful when shared, and that every wish experience is different.
If a wish involves overnight travel, we will cover expenses for the wish recipient and one companion. Other family members may travel with the wish recipient, but they are responsible for covering their own expenses.
If a wish experience is a single-day outing, we look into making reasonable arrangements for multiple family members or friends to accompany a wish recipient. Requests for multiple companions are dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
“Mission accomplished.”
Col. James Harvey was a member of the 332nd Fighter Group, better known as the Tuskegee Airmen. These African American aviators braved not only the face of battle but also racially motivated obstacles and misconceptions about their skills and abilities. Despite these challenges, they soared to incredible heights, proving their valor and excellence.
Wish of a Lifetime was honored to help Harvey accomplish one last mission: to receive the recognition he and his fellow servicemen deserved after winning the original “Top Gun” competition over 70 years ago. The joy and pride on Harvey’s face as he finally received this long-overdue honor were indescribable.
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