Aging News Alert

Missouri

 

Mizzou Researchers Developing Unique Patient Monitoring System

This research is important because the system’s ability to provide comprehensive health information could lead to better care for patients as well as reduced costs for individuals and health systems.

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New Senior Community Brings Unique Care Options to KC

The Memory Support neighborhoods are decorated with nostalgic Kansas City-focused artwork, part of a specific approach to memory support that helps residents feel comfortable and live with purposeful moments.

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Video Game Device Helps Prevent Patient Falls

Technology used in video games is making its way to hospital rooms, where researchers at the University of Missouri hope to learn new ways to prevent falls among hospital patients.

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Are Internet Sales Taxes Coming?

How likely is it states -- and maybe even the federal government -- will begin imposing sales taxes on purchases made online? Well, New York and 23 other states are already doing that, and a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court may be a signal for other states to follow suit.

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Compound in Grapes, Red Wine Could Help Treat Multiple Types of Cancer

A new study by a University of Missouri researcher shows that resveratrol, a compound found in grape skins and red wine, can make certain tumor cells more susceptible to radiation treatment.

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Attorney Receives National Award for Advocacy in Elder Law

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) names Reginald Turnbull, of Jefferson City, MO, winner of the 2013 Powley Elder Law Award.

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Center Partners with Local High School on 'Meal Runner' Program

The Mid-East Area on Aging South County Senior Center in Manchester, MO is partnering with local high school students in an award-winning -- easily replicated -- Meals on Wheels delivery program.

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Senior Living Community's Grand Opening Features 4 Days of Fesitivites

Kirkwood, MO, Mayor Arthur McDonnell will join Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America president and CEO Bruce Shogren and other community leaders and invited guests for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

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Agency Partners with Pension Rights Group to Recover $1.8M for Seniors

Nearly $1.8 million in lost pensions has been recovered in Missouri, thanks to a partnership between the Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging and the South Central Pension Rights Project.

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Kansas City Area CCRC Completes $5-Million Renovation Project

Among other things, the renovations enhanced the community's on-site health center by adding a new wing with an additional 10 private skilled nursing suites.

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(MEDICARE EDUCATION) Missouri Medicare Boot Camps Educating Would-be Beneficiaries

During the two-hour sessions, which are hosted at convenient locations during both day and evening hours, Medicare outreach consultants help attendees better understand Medicare eligibility and enrollment, Medicare A,B,C and D, Medigap choices, benefits and related issues.

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(MONITORS) Innovative Systems Used to Assess Fall Risk Factors

Ongoing research at the University of Missouri could soon result in vastly improved monitoring systems capable of detecting when elderly people face increased risks of falling or becoming seriously ill.

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(GRANTS) Retirement Research Foundation Accepting Proposals for Grants

The Chicago-based Retirement Research Foundation is now accepting proposals for its general grants program, which supports direct service, advocacy, research, and education and training programs for professionals working directly with elders. Proposals are due Aug. 1.

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(MYTH-BUSTING) Concern Continues to Grow about Seniors Being Duped in the Healthcare Debate

There is growing concern among policymakers and care providers alike about the amount of misinformation being heaped upon the nation's seniors regarding the ongoing effort to reform the healthcare system. "We're hearing a lot of horror stories," says Gordon Walker, CEO of the Charlottesville, VA-based Jefferson Area Board of Aging (JABA). "Many of the seniors we see are asking us about Medicare and whether the reform efforts will somehow limit their access to health care. Of course, we're telling them that we don't see anything in the legislation that leads us to believe that's the case."

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(SENATE) Legislation Aims to Strengthen Oversight of Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.

A group of Democratic senators is pushing legislation aimed at improving governance and oversight of the government's Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). In introducing the bill, Sens. Herb Kohl (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), and Russ Feingold (D-WI) contend the measure addresses recent questions concerning the PBGC's capability to fulfill its mission to insure the pensions of nearly 44 million Americans.

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MO Delegation Seeks Explanation From Social Security, IRS About Teacher Retirement

Based on a new federal ruling, some public school employees will no longer be able to pay into Missouri’s popular Public School Retirement System in lieu of Social Security -- instead they will have to pay into both but receive reduced benefits. Nine members of the Missouri congressional delegation are trying to find out why.

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Time For Annual Rx Drug Checkup For Seniors On Medicare

Seniors hurt by the recent economic downturn can find a way to save precious dollars on prescription drugs. The open enrollment season for Medicare Part D began on Nov. 15, which means now is the perfect time for people with Medicare to re-evaluate their prescription drug coverage. MyMedicareMatters.org, a program of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), can help people learn how to review and evaluate their plan options to make sure that they have selected the right plan for 2009.

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Increased Bystander CPR, Faster Patient-to-Doctor Time Seen As Key Improvement Areas in Resuscitation

A new "State of Resuscitation" survey from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) finds an overwhelming majority (90%) of the emergency physicians surveyed believe that resuscitation practices in the United States are not very effective. Emergency physicians cite increased bystander CPR, faster patient-to-doctor time, improved data collection and sharing, and greater use of technology as critical to improving resuscitation for victims of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

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Healthiness I Old Age Requires Advance Planning

If you plan to "thrive" when you are 65, you need to invest in your health decades earlier. A new study in the October issue of The Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences (Volume 63A, Number 10) finds that fewer than 10% of people aged 65-85 maintain exceptional emotional and physical health throughout their golden years. These so-called "thrivers" share specific behavioral and lifestyle characteristics that may hold the key to healthy aging, according to the study's authors.

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Study Finds Missouri Law On Medically Unfit Drivers Is Model For Other States

A Missouri state law designed to help families, doctors and law enforcement officials prevent unsafe motorists from continuing to drive is working effectively and should serve as a model for the nation, according to a comprehensive study just released by both AAA Missouri and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

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Web Site Promises Seniors Easier Plan Advice than Medicare

Experion Systems says its online PlanPrescriber tool offers Medicare beneficiaries an easier way to evaluate their health insurance options than the government's Medicare.gov site.

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Cornell Tops AARP's List Of Best Employers For Workers 50+

Cornell University's students, faculty and alumni have long been known for being proud of the high academic standards of the Ivy League school located in Ithaca, NY. They now have another reason to be proud of the "Big Red." Cornell has landed on top of the list of the 2008 AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50.

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Research Shows Physical Therapy Effective As Arthroscopic Knee Surgery

A new study questioning the usefulness of arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee should encourage patients to consider physical therapy as an effective non-surgical option, according to the American Physical Therapy Association. The study was published in the Sept. 11 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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CMS Funds State Efforts On Home-Based Alternatives To Institutional Care

Seven states will receive a share of more than $8 million in federal grants to increase awareness of home- and community-based long-term care options for people leaving hospitals who otherwise may enter a traditional nursing home, officials at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services say.

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Report Finds Medical Tourism Option Not Just for Wealthy Patients

Heart surgery, hip replacements and rhinoplasty are offered in countries such as India, Costa Rica, Turkey and Thailand for only a half to one-fifth of the cost in the United States. In fact, cross-border travel for major medical procedures has evolved into a global phenomenon, according to Herrick.

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Treasury, IRS Issue Ruling Preventing Certain Pension Transfers

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service have issued Revenue Ruling 2008-45, which states that a transfer of a tax-qualified pension plan from an employer to an unrelated taxpayer when the transfer is not connected with a transfer of significant business assets, operations, or employees, is not permissible under current law.

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IRS Expands VITA Grants Program For Underserved Populations

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has unveiled a new matching grant opportunity to enable the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to extend services to underserved populations in hardest-to-reach areas, both urban and non-urban; increase the capacity to prepare and file federal tax returns electronically; heighten quality control; enhance training of volunteers; and significantly improve the accuracy of returns prepared at VITA sites. The deadline for applications is Sept. 2.

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EPA Calls Out Nation's Largest Manufacturer Of Hospital Disinfectants

Consumers should never have to second-guess information on product labels, and through a recent settlement between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Lonza Inc., the nation's largest manufacturer of hospital disinfectants -- many of which are used in nursing homes and other elder care facilities -- consumers will now assuredly be getting what they pay for.

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Key Senate, House Members Back Bill To Give Docs Unbiased Info About Rx Drugs

Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Herb Kohl (D-WI), Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Ted Kennedy (D-MA), and Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) are joined by House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) in introducing a bill in both chambers to provide doctors with unbiased information on prescription drugs.

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CMS Moves To Improve Payment Accuracy For Inpatient Rehab Services

CMS has issued a final rule aimed at improving the accuracy of payment for services furnished to people with Medicare who need the intensive rehabilitation services provided by Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs). These include patients who are recovering from serious illnesses or injuries, such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, severe burns, amputations and a number of other conditions.

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Study Finds Surgical Errors Cost Nearly $1.5 Billion Annually

Potentially preventable medical errors that occur during or after surgery may cost employers nearly $1.5 billion a year, according to new estimates by the Department of Health & Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ). In a just released study, AHRQ researchers Drs. William Encinosa and Fred Hellinger found that insurers paid an additional $28,218 (52% more) and an additional $19,480 (48% more) for surgery patients who experienced acute respiratory failure or post-operative infections, respectively, compared with patients who did not experience either error.

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Groups Pleased with Reverse Mortgage Changes in Housing Bill

As a far-reaching housing bill passes the House and is poised to do the same in the Senate, representatives from AARP and the Nat'l Reverse Mortgage Lenders Assn. are all smiles with the measure's proposed changes specific to mortgage options for 62+ homeowners.

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Groups Pleased with Reverse Mortgage Changes in Housing Bill

As a far-reaching housing bill passes the House and is poised to do the same in the Senate, representatives from AARP and the Nat'l Reverse Mortgage Lenders Assn. are all smiles with the measure's proposed changes specific to mortgage options for 62+ home

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Retirement vs. 'Secondment' -- Baby Boomers Get Second Life

Some 76 million baby boomers -- that's more than one-quarter of the U.S. population -- are now entering their 50's and 60's. And in doing so, they are confronting the "r" word (i.e.,retirement). But theirs is a generation of over-achievers; a generation that will not stop working -- at least not completely. On the other hand, they don't necessarily want to continue working full-time, say Joan Strewler-Carter and Stephen Carter, co-founders of the Life Options Institute, an organization dedicated to helping people plan for life after age 50.

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Court Preliminarily OKs Settlement Of Medicare Rx Drug Case

As previously reported, a settlement has been reached in the Medicare prescription drug case Situ v. Leavitt, brought by the Center for Medicare Advocacy and the National Senior Citizens Law Center. A federal court in San Francisco on July 9 issued an "Order Preliminarily Approving Class Settlement, Approving Class Notice, and Setting Final Fairness Hearing" for the settlement agreement filed on June 19 between a nationwide class of Medicare beneficiaries who are also eligible for Medicaid and the Secretary of Health & Human Services.

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CMS Urged To Tighten Reins On Unscrupulous Insurance Practices Aimed At Seniors

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) continues to press the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the issue of Medicare Advantage (MA). Yesterday (July 16) she fired off a letter to CMS, weighing in on proposed government regulations related to the program. MA plans allow seniors to receive Medicare benefits through private insurance companies, but those plans frequently end up costing seniors more out-of-pocket and often require people to drive long distances to receive care, hitting low-come and rural seniors hardest.

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Medicaid Provides Older Americans Limited Access To Home, Community-Based Services

A new report by AARP's Public Policy Institute finds promising signs and mixed results among state government efforts to balance long-term care (LTC) options under Medicaid. According to the report, only four states spent more than 50% of their Medicaid LTC dollars for older people providing home and community based services.

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Panel Chair Scrutinizes PhRMA's New 'Code of Conduct' For Drug Industry

Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI), chairman of the Special Committee on Aging, is reviewing a newly developed voluntary "code of conduct" authored by the Pharmaceuticals Research & Manufacturers Association (PhRMA), the drug industry's principal trade association. Kohl is behind several initiatives to force greater transparency in the way drug companies interact with doctors, in an effort to curb spiraling prescription drug costs.

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Falling House Prices Seen Leaving Millions Dependent On Social Security In Retirement

As presumptive presidential contenders Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Barrack Obama (D-IL) fine-tune their plans for Social Security in preparation for the 2008 election, a new report from the Center for Economic & Policy Research (CEPR) shows that, due to the collapse of the housing bubble, the vast majority of Americans have accumulated little or no wealth. This means that they will be almost completely reliant on Social Security and Medicare to support them in their retirement years.

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Hartford Doctoral Fellows Program Supports Scholars In Geriatric Social Work

The Hartford Doctoral Fellows Program in Geriatric Social Work, funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation and administered by the Gerontological Society of America, is aimed at bringing outstanding, talented, skilled people into the field of gerontological social work to train practitioners, research best practices and set future directions.

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NH Gov. Lynch Signs Senior Investor Protection Legislation Into Law

New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch (D) has signed into law HB 1274, making his the first state to legislatively adopt provisions based on the North American Securities Administrators Association's Model Rule on the Use of Senior Certifications and Professional Designations.

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Report On Illegal Garnishment Of Senior Benefits Draws Senatorial Fire

Sens. Herb Kohl (D-WI), Max Baucus (D-MT), and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) are reacting harshly to a report released by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA-OIG) on the degree to which large and small banks are engaging in the federally prohibited practice of garnishing government benefits on behalf of creditors, and assessing fees on bank accounts into which Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and veterans benefits are electronically deposited.

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Study Seeks Long-Lived Families for Answers

More and more people are living longer. But living to extreme old age is unusual and tends to run in some families. A new study, supported by the National Institute on Aging aims to learn more about the secrets to long healthy life, and investigators are seeking long-lived families to help study this important question.

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Senators Author Bill To Protect Seniors From Investment Fraud

Sens. Bob Casey, a member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Herb Kohl, chairman of the committee, are pushing a legislative proposal aimed at protecting seniors from investment fraud. Dubbed the "Senior Investor Protections Enhancement Act," the measure would increase penalties for those who commit securities violations against people who are at least 62 years old.

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Proposed Rule Jeopardizes Nursing Home Quality, AHCA Says

The American Health Care Association (AHCA), in formal comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), says the agency's proposed rule on the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) for FY 2009 jeopardizes quality in the nation's nursing homes. AHCA's comme...

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LTC Facilities Required To Have Sprinkler Systems

Long-term care facilities such as nursing homes across America will, for the first time, have to protect their residents by installing sprinkler systems throughout their buildings if they wish to continue to serve Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, under a new regulation to be issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Facilities will have a five-year phase-in period to be fully compliant with the new rule.

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House Panel Kills Bush HOME Hike to Fund HUD Programs

A House subcommittee eliminates proposed White House increases in the HOME Investment Partnership Program and uses the excess to propose some moderate increases above current levels to most housing and community development programs -- inclduing housing programs for the elderly -- in the first mark of the FY 2009 budget. The bill now heads to full committee in a markup that will take place following the July 4 recess.

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Dual Eligibles, Government Seek Court OK On Part D Case Settlement

A nationwide class of Medicare beneficiaries who are also eligible for Medicaid and the Secretary of Health & Human Services today (June 19) filed a formal settlement agreement in federal court in San Francisco. The parties have asked the court to approve the settlement, a process that is expected to take several months.

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Boomers, Parents Riding Out Tough Economic Times At Home

A survey conducted for AARP finds three in 10 (29%) middle age and older Americans pinched by tight economic times report making changes to their homes to live there longer. Only 10% postponed selling their current homes, and few (8%) moved to a smaller home or apartment.

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HUD Seeks Removal Of Most 50% FMR Program MSAs

The Department of Housing & Urban Development is proposing that most of the so-called "50th percentile" areas currently in HUD's Fair Market Rent (FMR) portion of Sec. 8 be removed during fiscal year 2009. Most would occur because of either failure to reduce density of those receiving vouchers or poor program reporting.

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Baucus Measure Would Stall Cuts In Medicare Docs' Pay

Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has introduced a bill (S 3101) that would, among other things, postpone for 18 months a 10.6% reduction in Medicare physician reimbursements scheduled to take effect on July 1 and increase payments by 1.1% -- and cost an estimated $20 billion.

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CMS Part D Regulation Changes Spur Confusion

Two final CMS regulations regarding the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit address issues raised by beneficiaries, providers and health plans in the administration of the drug program. Unfortunately, some of the changes made by these new rules are not beneficiary-friendly.

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Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Older Workers

The U.S. Supreme Court rules that an age anti-discrimination law protects federal employees who faced retaliation after complaining about discrimination.

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Nat'l Senior Health & Fitness Day Set For May 28

Organized as a public/private good health partnership by the Mature Market Resource Center, Senior Health & Fitness Day will offer fitness activities for older adults at more than 1,000 locations including hospitals, park and recreation departments, senior centers, health clubs, retirement communities, houses of worship, health departments and other community locations.

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CMS Proposes Revisions In MA Program, Special Needs Plans

CMS proposes revisions to the Medicare Advantage program and prescription drug benefit) that could impact the way so-called "dual eligible" beneficiaries obtain services.

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Report On Nursing Home Decisions Underscores Need For Serious Penalties

A report this week from the Center for Medicare Advocacy describes serious deficiencies in the quality of care received by nurisng homw residents. It reveals a need for stronger oversight and better enforcement of the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Law.

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Farm Bill To Make Wide Rage of Improvements to Nutrition Programs

A new analysis shows that the 2008 Farm Bill would make numerous improvements in domestic food assistance programs to help low-income Americans put food on the table in the face of rising food and fuel prices.

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Weak Enforcement Of Serious Errors Highlights Need For Stricter Oversight

Nursing home decisions issued by the Department of Health & Human Services' Departmental Appeals Board in 2007 highlight serious failures in care that cause residents to suffer unnecessary pain, injury, trauma, and death, finds the author of an important new report.

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Study Focuses On Glaucoma Patients With Poor 'Health Literacy'

Glaucoma patients in urban areas who have poor "health literacy" appear to miss more appointments and to have worse disease understanding and greater disease progression than patients with adequate health literacy, find the authors of a new report.

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Medicare Expands Coverage For Artificial Heart Devices

CMS has issued a final National Coverage Determination expanding Medicare coverage of artificial hearts when they are implanted as part of a study that is approved by the Food & Drug Administration and that meets CMS' Coverage with Evidence Development clinical research criteria.

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Special Meals Target the Older Set

For a lot of older adults, cooking becomes an increasing burden as they age. DineWise, a direct marketer of chef-prepared meals, recognized the need and developed its own line of meals for older adults.

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2nd Annual Rachel Carson Intergenerational Poetry, Essay, Photo Contest

The EPA Aging Initiative, in partnership with Generations United and the Rachel Carson Council Inc., is inviting submissions for its Second Annual Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder Intergenerational Poetry, Essay and Photography Contest.

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Examining The Issue Of 'Socialized Medicine' In The U.S.

A newly-published analysis by the Urban Institute surveys significant new and existing health reform proposals -- including so-called "Medicare for all" -- to determine if any can fairly be dubbed socialized medicine.

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VA Rewriting Regs for VA Benefits Claims

The Department of Veterans Affairs proposes to reorganize and rewrite in plain language its regulations involving VA benefits claims.

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Calendar of Events - Spring, Summer 2008

Interested in attending aging-related events? Here's the 2008 Calendar of Events for Spring & Summer at a glance

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$2.2 Million In Penalties Sought Against CA Hearing Aid Maker

FDA is seeking a $2.2 million penalty against a California hearing aid manufacturer for violations of federal law, including manufacturing standards violations and the failure to notify the FDA of a change in an outside supplier or vendor, which may have exposed recipients of the devices to unnecessary health risks.

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More Medicaid Beneficiaries Could Get Home & Community-Based Care

Thousands of Medicaid beneficiaries who were previously limited to receiving care in an institutional setting may now be given the option to receive that care in their homes and communities, under a proposed rule published today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

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AHRQ'S 2007 State Snapshots Provide Broader Portraits of Healthcare Performance

An annual analysis to help health leaders identify areas of healthcare delivery that need quality improvement now includes important information such as each state's rate of obesity, health insurance coverage, mental illness and the number of specialist doctors.

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Colorectal Cancer Testing on the Rise

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that colorectal cancer testing in the United States has been rising steadily since 2002, a sign of slow but encouraging progress in the fight against a cancer that's largely curable when caught early, and can even be prevented in some cases.

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EPA Releases Physiological Parameters Database for Older Adults

Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic models have increasingly been employed in chemical health risk assessments carried out by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and it is anticipated that their use will continue to increase.

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Growing Prevalence of Diabetes Found in Nursing Homes

One in four nursing home residents over 65 had diabetes and was at an increased risk for conditions affecting their quality of life, according to new research report from the Institute for the Future of Aging Services.

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Consumer Fraud, Identity Theft Continue Upward Trend

In its latest report on consumer fraud and identity theft, the FTC says it received more than 800,000 fraud complaints during calendar year 2007 -- at least 23% of them were reported by people 50-years old and older.

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AFA Has $30,000 for Innovative Programs

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) seeks applications for the Brodsky Grant, a $30,000 award for an innovative program or service improving the lives of those affected by Alzheimer's.

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Lindbergh Seeks Life Improvements

The Lindbergh Foundation honors Charles A. & Anne Morrow Lindbergh's legacy by funding projects to improve the quality of all life by seeking a balance between technological advancements and environmental preservation.

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CMS Identifies $371.5M In Improper Medicare Payments In Three States

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) says $371.5 million in improper Medicare payments has been collected from or repaid to healthcare providers and suppliers as part of a demonstration program using recovery audit contractors (RACs) in California, Florida and New York in 2007.

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Communities Urged To Seek Electronic Health Record Demo Projects

HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt is urging community leaders across the country to apply for a new demonstration project that provides Medicare incentive payments to physicians for the use of certified electronic health records to improve patient care.

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AHCA: Grassley-Kohl Nursing Home Bill Off-Target

The American Health Care Association (AHCA) isn't particularly happy with proposed legislation recently introduced by Sens. Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Herb Kohl (D-WI).

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Labor Dept. Proposes Update for FMLA

The U.S. Department of Labor is proposing to update its regulations under the 15-year-old Family & Medical Leave Act to help workers and their employers better understand their rights and responsibilities.

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Report: Most Innovative Policy Work on Aging Happening at State Level

With a new understanding of the upside of the aging baby boom generation, leaders of several state governments are taking the initiative to develop policies and programs that make the best use of boomer experience.

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Senate Dems Grill Leavitt on Bush's Plan for Medicare

Senate Finance Committee Democrats on Wednesday sharply criticized President Bush's health proposals in the FY 2009 budget request released by the Whit House on Monday (Feb. 4).

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Purpose Prize for Social Innovators Over 60 Nomination Deadline

The Purpose Prize provides five awards of $100,000 and 10 awards of $10,000 to people over 60 who are creating new ways to tackle society's biggest challenges.

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Report Offers Recommendations for Medicare Special Needs Plans

The Center for Medicare Advocacy has released a report and recommendations aimed at protecting members of Medicare private plans known as "Special Need Plans."

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Advocate: Proposed Cuts Will Harm Hospitals, Help Insurance Industry

The president's proposed cuts in Medicare will ultimately harm seniors, disabled people and anyone who needs hospital care, says the executive director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy.

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Program Focuses on Older Adults' Mental Health

The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Admin.'s Center for Mental Health Services seeks applicants for its Older Adults Targeted Capacity Expansion Grant Program.

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Experts Warn of Needed Policy Changes in Medicare, Social Security

Unless policy changes are made to strengthen Medicare and Social Security, millions of seniors will experience serious declines in their financial and health security, finds the author of a new, groundbreaking study.

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First Rigorous Analysis Defines Impact of Medicare Part D

The most thorough study to date of the impact of the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit found that this benefit led to a 13.1% decrease in out-of-pocket expenses for patients and a 5.9% increase in prescription use.

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PBM Tools Helped Restrain Drug Spending Growth

While expanded access and use of prescription drugs among Medicare seniors drove drug trend higher in 2006, greater use of generic medicines "helped restrain drug spending growth in 2006," find the authors of a new report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

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Home Medical Equipment Providers Fight Proposed Bid Program

Ohio's Medicaid agency has scheduled a Jan. 9 hearing in Columbus, OH regarding the proposed rule for Durable Medical Equipment (DME) restrictive contracting.

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Additional Proposed Funding Rules Issued on Pension Protection Act

The Treasury Dept. and the Internal Revenue Service have issued proposed regulations that provide employers sponsoring single-employer defined benefit plans with guidance regarding the measurement of pension assets and liabilities under the new funding rules enacted as part of the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

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Profile of First Wave of Boomers Holds Lots of Surprises

"Contrary to what most of us have believed about the baby boomers who came of age in the turbulent 1960s, the group is very much like the 'Silent Generation' that preceded them," says Sandra Timmermann, director of the MetLife Mature Market Institute, which conducted Boomers Ready to Launch, a comprehensive profile of the first baby boomers as they turn 62.

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HHS Approves Medicaid Waiver for Indiana Health Plan

HHS has approved a Medicaid waiver allowing Indiana to implement an innovative healthcare proposal giving approximately 120,000 low-income, uninsured residents access to critical healthcare services.

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Relatives as Parents Program

The Brookdale Foundation has announced a new funding opportunity for Relatives as Parents program, which is designed to encourage and promote the creation or expansion of services for grandparents and other relatives who have taken on the responsibility of surrogate parenting due to the absence of the parents.

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CCP Becomes Newest Supporter of National Awards Program

The newest supporter of the National Awards program Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging is the Center for Civic Partnerships (CCP).  The Center for Civic Partnerships, part of the Public Health Institute, is a nonprofit support organization that strengthens individuals, organizations,...

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During Deadly Ice Storm, Providers Mobilized to Safeguard Patients

In several Midwestern states impacted by severe ice storms, seniors on home oxygen therapy were taken to warming centers or shelters because of power outages that cut electricity needed for oxygen systems.

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Reviews of Prilosec, Nexium Find No Increased Heart-Related Risks

Does long-term use of Prilosec and Nexium increase the risk of heart attacks, heart failure, and heart-related sudden death in patients? FDA says no.

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Applications Sought for Geriatrics Education Specialty Residents Program

The Geriatrics Education for Specialty Residents Program, a key component of the project, is designed to improve the amount and quality of geriatric education received by medical and surgical residents. The program provides small grant support to bring geriatrics expertise into residency programs.

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Guide Helps Elders Find Health Information Online

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has developed a free training curriculum for those who teach and work with older adults.

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