Aging News Alert

North Carolina

 

NC Retirement Community Expansion Spurs City's Revitalization

A major expansion of Aldersgate, originally known as The Methodist Home, is set to revolutionize retirement community living and spur a revitalization of Charlotte, NC’s east side. A $70 million investment is going to transform what is already a naturally beautiful property. With 234 acres, Aldersgate is one of the largest private green spaces in Mecklenburg County.

read complete story

Report Examines Efforts to Serve Rural Elderly

The North Carolina Rural Research Program Issues a new report -- using Medicare outpatient claims -- reviewing the characteristics of rural elderly who are served at “safety net” clinics (i.e., Rural Health Centers) compared to those receiving services at federally qualified health centers.

read complete story

Senior Center Partners with Healthcare Provider on Nutrition Program

In recognition of National Cancer Survivors Day, which is celebrated in June, Davidson County Senior Services of Lexington, NC, has partnered with High Point Regional Health Systems, a North Carolina healthcare services provider, to offer cancer prevention through nutrition class for area seniors.

read complete story

Land-of-Sky AAA Marks Active Aging Week with Series of Events

The Land-of-Sky Regional Council's Area Agency on Aging, which serves the North Carolina counties of Buncombe, Madison, Henderson and Transylvania, this week is celebrating Active Aging Week with a series of free events aimed at encouraging healthy aging and promoting positive images of active aging through physical, social and mental activities.

read complete story

Successful Senior Pen Pal Program Marks 17th Year

The program, which matches older adult center volunteers with one or two 6th-grade students at a local school, also helps provide encouragement to young people while giving them some experience in writing. This year, approximately 90 students and more than 80 seniors participated in the program.

read complete story

North Carolina Seniors Center to Host Diabetes Self-Management Program

The Living With Diabetes workshop consists of six two-and-a-half hour sessions led by trained senior center staff. Participants work together to create an "action plan" and use a buddy system to encourage support within the group.

read complete story

(AWARD) Homecare Agency Owners Nab Marketing Honors for Innovation

  Even traditional brick and mortar businesses can benefit from some innovative marketing. Glen and Kathy Holden, owners of the Home Helpers and Direct Link in Huntersville, NC received the parent-corporation's 2011 Marketing Excellence Award for originality and creativity in marketing strateg...

read complete story

(PROGRAMS) Four NC Counties Join to Celebrate Active Aging Week

What began as a small walk with three or four people five years ago has grown into an event that this year expects 700 to 800 participants.

read complete story

(GRANTS) Southern Communities Offers 'Change' Funds in GA, NC, SC

If you're running a small seniors services organization that's involved in promoting issues like environmental justice, anti-racism, women's rights, alternative lifestyle rights, worker's rights, civil rights and/or disability rights -- and you're located in Georgia or the Carolinas -- you should check out the Fund for Southern Communities, a member foundation of the Funding Exchange.

read complete story

(ASSISTED LIVING) NC's Assisted Living Facility Rating System Enters 2nd Year, Expands

Now in its second year, North Carolina's star-rating system for assisted living facilities is receiving cautionary praise from advocates. While many still observe gaps in the structure of the rating system, most agree it serves as a tool for prospective families and, over the years, will become more practical and more widely recognized.

read complete story

(DUKE RESEARCH) Patents Disrupt Competition, Innovation in Gene Testing

Exclusive licenses to gene patents, most of which are held by academic institutions and based on taxpayer-funded research, do more to block competition in the gene testing market than to spur the development of new technologies for gauging disease risk, say researchers at the Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy.

read complete story

(QUALITY IMPROVEMENT) Demos in North Carolina, Indiana to Address Quality Improvement

Two demonstrations comprised of a community-wide health information exchange in Indiana and a consortium of several community care physician networks in North Carolina are being implemented to encourage the delivery of improved quality care to an estimated 130,000 beneficiaries in those states, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

read complete story

AMDA White Paper Spells Out Physician's Role in Assisted Living

The American Medical Directors Association's House of Delegates approved a white paper, "Physician's Role in Assisted Living," during its meeting early this month in Charlotte, NC. Drafted by an interdisciplinary assisted living workgroup, the paper responds to the growing number of assisted living facilities in this country and the need for physician involvement in resident care in this setting.

read complete story

Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation Accepting Applications for Awards

The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation's annual Nancy Susan Reynolds Awards recognize the uncommon leadership of North Carolinians whose vision, determination, resourcefulness, and strength of character have caused them to succeed when other individuals might have failed. Award recipients are "unsung heroes" -- individuals who have accomplished extraordinary good in their communities, usually with limited resources and in spite of the odds.

read complete story

Grants to Aid Jewish Seniors In Carolinas

The purpose of the BJH Foundation for Senior Services is to enhance the lives of Jewish seniors residing in North and South Carolina by distributing grants to organizations providing activities, services, and programs for the elderly in accordance with Jewish values and beliefs. The foundation also raises funds to increase the resources for their endeavors on behalf of Jewish seniors in the Carolinas. The deadline for applications is March 1.

read complete story

Ginkgo Study Fails To Show Benefit In Preventing Dementia In Elderly

The study was conducted primarily to determine if ginkgo would decrease the incidence of all types of dementia and, more specifically, reduce the incidence of Alzheimer's disease. Secondarily, the study evaluated ginkgo for its effects on overall cognitive decline, functional disability, incidence of cardiovascular disease and stroke, and total mortality.

read complete story

Study Links Sleep, Memory Problems In Older African-Americans

A landmark study led by North Carolina State University researchers shows that African-American seniors who have trouble falling asleep are at higher risk of having memory problems -- raising the possibility that identifying and treating sleep difficulties in the elderly may help preserve their cognitive functioning.

read complete story

Study Offers Lessons On How To Attract 'Experienced' Students

San Francisco-based think tank Civic Ventures -- which focuses on baby boomers and work -- has released a new report profiling 10 community colleges (in AZ, CA, FL, KY, MD, MI, NC, OR, TX, VA) that have tapped into promising new student populations, engaged local employers, and helped prepare boomers for meaningful work in the second half of life.

read complete story

AFAR Funds Aging Research

(Deadline: Dec. 16) The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) is accepting applications for its Research Grants to assist in the development of the careers of junior investigators committed to pursuing careers in the field of aging research. In total, 15 grants of up to $75,000 each will be awarded.

read complete story

Legal Services Corp., LexisNexis To Provide Free Software To Needy Groups

Legal Services Corporation (LSC), a quasi-governmental nonprofit funded by Congress, and LexisNexis have launched the HotDocs Software Donation Program for legal aid programs that help the nation's poor. Under the program, LexisNexis, a private provider of business information solutions, will provide free HotDocs software to eligible organizations, including those serving the elderly.

read complete story

Group Takes CMS To Task Over DME Accreditation Cancellation

The American Association for Homecare is staunchly opposing a decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to cancel the accreditation deadline for durable medical equipment (DME) providers in the 70 metropolitan areas throughout the United States designated for Round Two of the Medicare competitive bidding program. CMS said last week that it was canceling its Jan. 14, 2009 accreditation deadline for DME or home medical equipment providers in the 70 metropolitan areas that were to be included in Round Two of the recently postponed bidding program.

read complete story

Medicare Quality Reporting Initiative Pays $36 Million-Plus To Docs In 2007

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) says it paid more than $36 million in bonus payments to many of the more than 56,700 health professionals who satisfactorily reported quality information to Medicare under the 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI).

read complete story

Durbin: Do More To Protect Identities Of Medicare Card Holders

Sen. Dick Durbin wants the Department of Health & Human Services to detail its response to a report criticizing the policy of listing Social Security numbers on Medicare identification cards. In a letter to HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt, Durbin highlighted the risk that listing Social Security numbers poses to Medicare beneficiaries and asked for an explanation of steps that are being taken to eliminate the numbers from Medicare cards.

read complete story

Centers On Demography & Economics Of Aging Grants Available

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is soliciting Research and Development Center (P30) grant applications in the areas of demography and economics of aging, including relevant interdisciplinary areas rooted in population-based social science research.

read complete story

Last-Minute Intervention Puts Medicare Physician Fee Cut On Hold

At the last minute, the Bush administration has interceded for physicians with the Department of Health & Human Services and postponed the 10.6% Medicare payment cut that was supposed to take effect today (July 1).

read complete story

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.

read complete story

Grassley Seeks FDA Scrutiny of Paxil Suicide Risk

Finance Committee Ranking Member Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) wants the Food & Drug Administration to scrutinize information it received from drug maker GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) about the anxiety disorder drug Paxil -- an anxiety disorder drug used by hundreds of thousands of Medicare beneficiaries.

read complete story

Republicans Introduce Their Version Of Medicare Funding Bill

The measure was introduced today (June 11), and -- as Aging News Alert predicted -- includes language that virtually parallels that of the Democrats, delaying a Bush administration proposal to cut physician Medicare reimbursements by 10% beginning June 30.

read complete story

HHS, National Service Team To Increase Volunteering Among Boomers, Older Americans

Recognizing the extraordinary potential for social good among baby boomers and older Americans, the Corporation for National & Community Service and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Administration on Aging (AoA) have unveiled a multi-year partnership to engage baby boomers and older adults in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations through volunteer service.

read complete story

Looking For An Intergenerational Project? Try This

A New York teenager discovers how to save trees and help nursing home residents at the same time. And for doing so, he recieves a Presidential Environmental Youth Award.

read complete story

Pilot Project Tests Personal Health Records For SC Beneficiaries

CMS embarks on a new project aimed at encouraging beneficiaries covered by traditional Medicare to take advantage of Internet-based resources to track their healthcare services and better communicate with their providers.

read complete story

Legislation To Postpone Docs' Pay Cut May Stall In Senate

The Senate's preoccupation with a supplemental spending bill to continue funding U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan could delay action on legislation that would delay a 10.6% Medicare physician fee cut.

read complete story

Assisted Living Conversion Program for Eligible Multifamily Housing Projects

HUD is making grant funding available for its Assisted Living Conversion Program for Eligible Multifamily Housing Projects. The deadline for applications is July 3, 2008. The award ceiling is $24.75 million.

read complete story

Treatment Of Incontinence, Dementia Associated With Functional Decline

Older nursing home residents who took medications for dementia and incontinence at the same time had a 50% faster decline in function than those who were being treated only for dementia, find researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

read complete story

Proposals Sought for Alzheimer's Disease Respite Program

The Brookdale Foundation Group Respite Program supports community-based efforts to develop and sustain social model respite programs for elders with Alzheimer's disease and their families.

read complete story

Elder Care Initiative Long-Term Care Grant Program

The Indian Health Service makes available grants to support planning and implementation of sustainable long-term care services for American Indians and Alaska Native elders.

read complete story

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.

read complete story

Court of Appeals Upholds PCMA Challenge to D.C. Law

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, in a unanimous three-judge decision, has issued an opinion supporting the position of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) and holding that it is entitled to renew its constitutional challenge to the fiduciary-disclosure provisions of the District of Columbia's AccessRx Act of 2004.

read complete story

House Labor Committee Approves Bill to Expose Hidden 401(k) Fees

American workers would receive clear and complete information about fees that could be cutting deeply into their 401(k)-style retirement savings under legislation approved Wednesday (April 16) by the House Education & Labor Committee.

read complete story

White House Threatens To Veto Bill That Would Delay Medicaid Rule Changes

In a letter Tuesday (April 15) to members of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, Health & Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt says President Bush will likely veto legislation that would delay for one year implementation of seven new Medicaid regulations.

read complete story

Americans Living Longer, Greater Health & Prosperity But Disparities Remain

Average life expectancy continues to increase, and today's older Americans enjoy better health and financial security than any previous generation. However, rates of gain are inconsistent between the genders and across age brackets, income levels and racial and ethnic groups, find the authors of a new report.

read complete story

AAA Helps Aging Drivers Match Vehicle Selections to Physical Changes

The Automobile Association of America (AAA), in partnership with the University of Florida's National Older Driver Research & Training Center (NODRTC), has unveiled its "Smart Features for Mature Drivers," which identifies vehicle features that can assist drivers with visual, physical and mental...

read complete story

Boxer Introduces Health & Long-Term Care Workforce Bill

The proposed "Caring for an Aging America Act" would address the emerging gap between the increasing number of older Americans and the serious lack of providers trained in caring for their medical, health and social support needs.

read complete story

Grantees Help Seniors Report Healthcare Fraud

The Admin. on Aging has $4.6 million for 28 awards to fund Senior Medicare Patrol projects.

read complete story

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.

read complete story

Measure Today's Success -- Win More Grants Tomorrow

In an excluive report for CD Publications, grant-writing expert Katie Krueger provides solid advice on how to achieve better results in winning funding for seniors' programs.

read complete story

NEW: Private Grants for Community Health Programs -- 1st Edition

Discover over 200 newly-researched private foundation grants for a wide range of community health programs with a brand-new online and print directory from the publishers of Aging News Alert.

read complete story

GAO Finds VA Unable To Soundly Decide New Pension Claims

Unlike other federal agencies with similar income-based programs, VA largely does not independently verify the accuracy of financial information provided by claimants to support initial pension program eligibility, the GAO says in a new report to Congress.

read complete story

Pomeroy: Asset Smoothing Regs Will Freeze Pension Plans

A senior member the House Ways & Means Committee ins pressing Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to provide proper clarification on proposed Pension Protection Act (PPA) regulations related to asset smoothing.

read complete story

Survey: Stimulus Package Must Include Older Americans

A new poll by AARP finds an overwhelming majority of Americans think the government must ensure that people dependent on Social Security are included in any stimulus rebate package.

read complete story

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."

read complete story

Capitol Hill Briefing Highlights Tech Advancements Aiding Seniors

Experts on technology for the aging and current technology consumers discuss technology's potential to facilitate independence and allow older Americans to remain in their own homes.

read complete story

Ahead of Bush Speech, Advocate Calls for Medicare Support

Anticipating President Bush's final State of the Union speech, the executive director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy calls for an economic stimulus package that will help the nation's seniors, disabled people and taxpayers.

read complete story

Experts Press NIST to Study Online Identity-Proofing Practices

Validating a Web-savvy senior's identity online can be addressed through a mix of established and emerging techniques to help stimulate the growth of new electronic health services and personal health records

read complete story

USDA Wants to Ensure Proper CACFP Payments

The Agriculture Dept. is seeking comments on the best way to test potential data collection processes to ensure proper reimbursement payments for family day care homes involved in the Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).

read complete story

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.

read complete story

Lupus Foundation Urges SSA to Nix Proposed 5-Day Rule

The Lupus Foundation of America has fired off a strongly worded letter to the Social Security Administration regarding a proposed change to the rules which could make it more difficult for people appealing a Social Security determination.

read complete story

Livable Communities Awards

AARP and the National Association of Home Builders announced that two builders, two developers and one remodeler will receive the groups' co-sponsored 2007 Livable Communities Award for forward thinking in the field of home and community design.

read complete story

Publisher's Year-End Survey

We want to know what you think!

read complete story

Publisher's Year-End Survey

We want to know what you think!

read complete story