Aging News Alert
Kansas
Wichita Presbyterian Manor Begins Phase II of Expansion Construction
Construction on Wichita’s newest senior living community option for area seniors, The Westerly Residences, is now underway. Wichita Presbyterian Manor is beginning the final phase of a two-phase, $35 million campus transformation project, which is expected to be complete in November 2015.
Senior Community Tops Industry Benchmarks in National Assessment
Of the 142 colleagues at Claridge Court, 130 completed the survey in October 2013. That 91.5% is well above the Holleran average of 78.3%.
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.
Northwest Kansas AAA Program Offers Seniors Live-At-Home Support
The Northwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging has established a new program, "Live At Home Solutions," to help seniors in need of independent living assistance -- people who are not qualified for a government program.
(BITS & PIECES) Aging-Related News Briefs From Around The Nation
Presented here is aging-related news briefs from around the nation -- this week featuring Arizona, California, Kansas, Michigan, and New Jersey.
(FUNDING) 'JumpStart the Conversation' Grant Workshops Slated for Four Cities in June
As part of a national movement to promote "Aging in Place" initiatives, four communities in America will be hosting workshops throughout the month of June, bringing local experts together for discussions aimed at helping older Americans remain in their communities. Attendees also will learn how to apply for "JumpStart the Conversation" grants designed to help local organizations bring innovative ideas to life.
(ADMIN. ON AGING) Obama to Nominate Kathy Greenlee as Assistant Secretary for Aging
President Barack Obama says he will nominate Kathy Greenlee, Kansas' Secretary of Aging, for Assistant U.S. Secretary for Aging at the Department of Health & Human Services. Greenlee has served as Kansas' Secretary of Aging for Kansas since January 2006. In that capacity, she has led a cabinet-level agency with 192 full-time staff members and a total budget of $495 million.
Demand For Retirement Income Planning Growing Dramatically
According to the 2008 FPA Financial Planner Attitudes and Perceptions about Retirement Income Planning study, demand for retirement income planning, retirement income products and services, is increasing, driven by a greater understanding on the part of Americans of the important differences between the two broad phases of retirement -- the accumulation or preparation phase and the distribution or income phase.
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.
Foundation Accepting Applications For Alzheimer's Disease Research Program
Since its Alzheimer's Disease Research program began in 1985, the American Health Assistance Foundation has awarded more than $60 million to support promising research in fields ranging from molecular biology to epidemiology. Grants are awarded on the basis of the scientific merit of the proposed research and the relevance of the research to under standing aspects of the disease that lead to improved treatments, prevention strategies, and diagnoses.
'Doughnut Hole' Has Serious Consequences, Study Finds
Kaiser Foundation CEO Drew Altman says the so-called "doughnut hole" coverage gap in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program "has consequences from some patients with serious health conditions," something a new president and Congress should keep in mind if they consider changes to the program....
Part D Premiums to Rise 12% in 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announce a 12% increase to $28 a month in Part D premiums for 2009 but the agency press release leads with the fact it is 37% lower than the $44.12 that was forecasted when the Medicare Modernization Act was passed in 2003. &n...
Poll: Nearly Third Of Age 50+ Americans Find Streets Inhospitable, Public Transportation Inaccessible
A new poll by AARP finds that while many Americans ages 50+ are trying to move away from car transportation as a result of high gas prices, their attempt to go "green" is challenged by inadequate sidewalks and bike lanes, as well as insufficient public transportation options. "More Americans age 50+ are trying to leave their cars behind but face obstacles as soon as they walk out the door, climb on their bikes or head for the bus," says Elinor Ginzler, AARP senior VP for Livable Communities.
AoA Providing Disaster Assistance for SUAs
Agency: Admin. on Aging. Program: Disaster Assistance for State Units on Aging (SUAs) and Tribal Organizations (CFDA Number 93.048. Eligibility: SUAs and federally recognized tribal organizations within states or pa...
More Boomers Turning To Nutrition For Good Eye Health
Nutrition's role in eye health has become a topic of conversation, no doubt correlating at least somewhat with the aging of the baby boomers. It is believed the natural aging process with its attendance oxidative stresses plays the major role in the progressive degeneration of vision as we age. And with the increase in rates of obesity and the resulting increased incidence of type-2 diabetes comes another eye health issue: diabetic retinopathy.
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.
Foundation Seeks Research Proposals Targeting Fronto-Temporal Dementia
The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation is a public charity dedicated to rapidly accelerating the discovery and development of drugs to prevent, treat, and cure Alzheimer's disease and cognitive aging. Research investigating the pathologic mechanisms of neuro-degeneration in fronto-temporal dementia (FTD) and related disorders has advanced recently, creating new potential targets for drug discovery. ADDF seeks to accelerate and support drug discovery for FTD and related dementias through this Request for Proposals. There is no deadline for applications.
n4a To Launch Nationwide Senior Housing Resource
For more than 50 million family caregivers across the country, the Internet is becoming a first-line resource for needed support. This week during its annual meeting, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) will unveil an online navigational tool designed to simplify the search for senior housing for seniors and caregivers, no matter where they live. Powered by SNAPforSeniors, the n4a Senior Housing Locator makes objective, nationwide information available 24-hours a day, seven days a week through the convenience of the Internet.
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.
Safety, Mobility Crisis Seen Looming For Aging Baby Boomers
In a just-released report, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety notes seniors and their families face serious challenges in maintaining personal mobility, including determining whether they remain capable of safely operating a motor vehicle, whether their driving can be improved, or -- if unable to drive safely -- how they can continue to be mobile.
Bank Fees Rough on Seniors
Americans age 55 and older pay $4.5 billion in fees annually for overdraft loans they haven't asked for and typically don't want, according to a new study by the Center for Responsible Lending. Of that, nearly $1 billion comes from people heavily dependent on Social Security income.
Survey Finds Considerable Room For Workers Over 50
A new AARP national survey has found that workers age 50 and over are satisfied with employer-based training programs offered to them (79%), and they participate in those programs in large numbers. But while two-thirds (67% of workers questioned online said that they received all of the training th...
CMS Proposes Payment, Policy Changes For Docs' Services In 2009
CMS says it is trying to encourage greater efficiency in the delivery of care, while reducing treatment errors through the use of electronic health records. Additionally, the agency is exploring new payment models to see if there are ways to promote greater coordination of care among providers, producing better outcomes for the healthcare dollar.
Where To Turn When Caregivers Need 'Lotsa Helping Hands'
With 44.4 million caregivers in America, chances are you or someone you know is providing care to a loved one who has been affected by illness, injury or the effects of age. The stress of taking care of a loved one can be overwhelming. However, it can be difficult for caregivers to ask for help. Even when help is offered, it can be challenging to manage.
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.
Analysis Finds 16% Cost Increase For Enrollees In Top Medicare Drug Plans
Average monthly premiums for enrollees in the 10 most popular Medicare prescription drug plans increased by 16% in 2008, finds an Avalere Health enrollment-weighted analysis of Part D data.
Insurance Regulators Move To Protect Seniors From Abusive Sales, Marketing
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has adopted a model bulletin and "Consumer Alert" to help protect seniors from unscrupulous, abusive sales practices and fraud.
Survey Reveals How 45+ Are Coping With Down Economy
More than 80% of Americans aged 45+ say the economy is in fairly bad or very bad condition, and many of them are responding by postponing retirement, cutting back on their medications or taking money out of their 401(k) plans early.
Witnesses Call For End To Asset Tests For Part D Low-Income Subsidy
Witnesses at a May 22 Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing support an end to an asset test for the low income subsidy for Medicare Part D recipients, but bipartisan legislation to increase the allowable levels is stalled by disagreement between Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee about how to pay for those measures and an 18-month delay for a scheduled 10.6% cut in physician fees.
Long -Term Care Industry Group Urges Caution In Regulating Sector
A senior-leve representative of the American Health Care Association (AHCA) argues that the long-term care profession has pioneered transparency and disclosure efforts among U.S. healthcare providers, and outlined a variety of reforms designed to ensure seniors and every long-term care stakeholder benefits from smarter, more effective oversight of the nation's long term-care system.
Rural Health & Safety Education Grants Available
USDA is making available grant funds for the Rural Heath and Safety Education Programs focusing on issues related to aging. The deadline for applications is June 2.
CDC Recommends Merck's Shingles Vaccine For Adults 60+
CDC has adopted the unanimous recommendation of its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the use of ZOSTAVAX for the prevention of shingles in adults aged 60 and older. ZOSTAVAX is the only vaccine to prevent shingles, a frequently painful disease marked by a blistering rash that is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus.
Agencies' Reports Show Improvement; Pilot Format Threatens Transparency
The percentage of federal spending covered by government agencies with satisfactory performance reports rose to its highest level since the reports were mandated nine years ago. However, this is only 35% of $2.587 trillion in spending, finds an analysis by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University in Northern Virginia.
One In Four Disabled Seniors Use Risky Or Ineffective Medicines
Roughly a quarter of Americans with disabilities age 65 and older reported using at least one prescription drug deemed inappropriate for persons his or her age, according to the latest data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Senate Bill To Block Medicaid Cuts Gets 'Fast Track' Status
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has approved "fast-track" status for legislation that would block for one year seven new regulations the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is trying to implement.
Medicare Cost-Sharing For Dual Eligibles: Who Pays?
Guidance released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services sheds new light on an issue that has created hardships for beneficiaries and challenges for advocates trying to help them.
CMS Rule Would Lower Payments To Inpatient Rehab Facilities
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposes a new rule that would reduce funding for inpatient rehabilitation facilities by about $20 million in FY 2009.
Seniors, Minorities Seen Having Largest Impact On Tomorrow's America
The demographic patterns of older Americans and certain ethnic groups will have greater effects on the country's socioeconomic outlook than previously thought.
Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program
Supported by The Atlantic Philanthropies and administered by Columbia University, this national program seeks to provide professionals in health and aging with the experience and skills necessary to make a positive contribution to the development and implementation of health policies that affect older Americans.
10 Non-Financial Tips for Retiring Boomers
If your organization deals with any of the millions of baby boomers who are beginning to think about retirement, here are 10 tips from co-founder of Life Options Institute, an organization devoted to helping people plan for life after age 50.
Former Senate Leaders To Tackle Healthcare Reform
Former Senate Majority Leaders Bob Dole (R-KS) and George Mitchell (D-ME) are taking on what may well turn out to be their toughest challenge to date -- reforming the nation's healthcare system.
Kidney Disease Info Newest Offering on NIHSeniorHealth
Information about the diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease has just been added to NIHSeniorHealth, the National Institutes of Health website designed especially for seniors.
Second Year Of Community College Caregiver Training Grants Launched
The critical lack of family and paraprofessional caregivers for older adults in the United States has motivated renewal of the Community College Caregiver Training Initiative for a second year.
Bill Would Protect Seniors' Investments
Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI), chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) have introduced a bill that would give states the resources necessary to protect seniors from unscrupulous financial advisors who prey on the retirement savings of the elderly by touting misleading or fraudulent "senior designations."
Home Healthcare For Elderly Seen As Growing Franchising Niche
There's an expanding list of franchise players that offer in-home supportive care and assistance services for the elderly who want to continue to maintain some degree of independence.
Effort Launched to Encourage Hispanics to Become More Involved in Their Health
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality and The Advertising Council have launched a Spanish-language national public service campaign designed to encourage Hispanics to become more involved in their health care.
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.
Buying Group Formed For Nonprofit Long-Term Care Providers
MedAssets Inc. and the American Association of Homes & Services for the Aging have agreed to align AAHSA's Group Purchasing program with MedAssets Supply Chain Systems.
States Poised For Possible Pandemic Influenza Outbreak
States are rapidly improving their preparedness for a pandemic outbreak, say the authors of a new interim report by the Nat'l Governors Assn.'s Center for Best Practices.
CMS Proposes Two New Rules for Redesigning Medicaid
In line with President Bush's recently unveiled plan to sharply reduce federal spending on government-funded healthcare programs, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services propose two new rules that, if finalized, would do exactly that.
When Everyday Becomes Mother's Day
"It shook me to the core when a stroke left my mom so helpless and vulnerable," reveals Louise Lewis, author of No Experts Needed: The Meaning of Life According to You! "She was never sick a day in her life. But now she needed me, and the roles were reversed. The reality of the natural progression of life set in."
CNS Seeks Nat'l Nonprofit to Oversee Volunteer Efforts
Five million dolalrs is available for one three-year cooperative agreement to be made with a national nonprofit to provide financial and technical resources to local organizations to help them identify, place and support volunteers engaged in addressing critical community needs.
CMS Broadens List of Poor Quality Nursing Homes in U.S.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is once again making public more names of underperforming nursing homes across the country.
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.
New Federal Poverty Level Guidelines to Affect Medicare, Medicaid
New federal poverty level guidelines published this week will affect eligibility levels for many public benefits, including health benefits for older people and people with disabilities.
More Medicaid Funding Could Stimulate Economy, CBO Honcho Says
CBO Director Peter Orszag tells the Senate Finance Committee that increasing the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for Medicaid probably would help stimulate the economy, but the ultimate effect might vary for one state to another.
Bush Expected to Soon Reveal Physician Fee Proposal
President Bush likely will unveil his proposal for changing the Medicare physician fee formula during his State of the Union address on Monday, Jan. 28.
Groups Urge Inclusion of FMAP Boost in Pending Stimulus Package
The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living are asking Congress and the White House to include in any final economic stimulus package state fiscal relief through a temporary increase in states' federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP).
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.
New Issue Brief Examines Medicare Financing
The rapid growth in the nation's healthcare expenditures and overall demographic trends pose a challenge to Medicare's financing in the 21st century.
Most Medicare Drug Plans Continue to Hike Costs into 2008
Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, has found that 75% of Medicare drug plans continue to hike the cost of prescriptions for seniors.
Program to Provide Beneficiaries Lower Prices, Stronger Anti-Fraud Protection
CMS is tagging 70 new areas across the nation to become part of the second phase of a competitive bidding program aimed at helping reduce Medicare beneficiaries' out-of-pocket costs and improve their access to high-quality durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies.
Voluven Approved to Treat Blood Volume Loss After Surgery
The FDA has approved Voluven, an intravenous solution that prevents and treats a dangerous loss of blood volume, a condition that sometimes occurs during and after surgery.
Report Suggests State-Level Action To Support Caregivers
A new report from MIT in Cambridge, MA, provides a comprehensive set of recommendations for state-level public policy to improve the quality of life of family caregivers.
Medicare, Elderly Patient-Related Legislation Gaining Steam
Five more members of Congress agree to add their names to the list of those who have already chosen to support HR 621, the Home Oxygen Patient Protection Act.
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.
Institute Updates Guide to Hiring Caregivers
The MetLife Mature Market Institute has updated its guide, "Since You Care: Hiring an Independent Caregiver."
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.
Social Security, Medicare Blog and Website Win National Honors
The Assn. of Marketing & Communications Professionals honors the National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare for its website and blog, citing NCPSSM for outstanding achievement among public service and charitable organizations.
Governance Policy Changing Among Nonprofits
The governance landscape of the not-for-profit community has changed dramatically since the implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley. Today, 87% of not-for-profit organizations have created new governance policies compared with 20% in 2003.
Global Guide to Age-Friendly Cities
The World Health Organization has developed a new guide aimed at encouraging cities to become more age-friendly so that they can tap the potential of older people.
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