Aging News Alert

Maine

 

Can ACA Help Provide Care Management for Rural Seniors?

The report examines four types of organizational models for delivering integrated care management, all of which have both strengths and weaknesses in terms of implementation in rural communities.

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Eastern AAA Nationally Honored for Seniors Book Club

The Novel Seniors Book Club, a program of the Eastern Area Agency on Aging of Bangor, ME, is being honored by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) with an Aging Innovations Award.

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Bangor Retirement Community Develops 'Speed Networking' Fundraiser

Participants will be given 2 minutes to exchange cards and describe their business and its benefits to other business owners. A bell will sound at 2 minute intervals signaling attendees to switch seats in order to describe their business to another participant.

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'Cooking Matters for Maine' Partners with Agency to Educate Seniors about Nutrition

"Cooking Matters for Maine" is partnering with the Eastern Maine Agency on Aging to help assist seniors in stretching their food dollars and receive proper nutrition. The Cooking Matters program is a national initiative sponsored by the ConAgra Foods Foundation and Walmart.

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(BEST OF THE BEST) Maine’s Eastern AAA Launches Low-Cost Catering Program to Keep Meals On Wheels Afloat

Last year, the program served up 72,619 community meals and 86,384 home-delivered meals to a total of 3,440 clients in the Eastern Maine counties of Penobscot, Piscatiquis, Washington and Hancock.

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Projects in Nine States Funded Via Family & Informal Caregiver Support Program

The Harry & Jeannette Weinberg Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the United States, has made public the results of its Family & Informal Caregiver Support Program Request for Proposals. Some 14 different projects will receive a total of $8,184,145 over the course of the next three years.

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There Are Hidden Dangers Lurking in American Homes

Family is cherished and when it comes to protecting them -- let's face it, we'll pull out all the stops. Unless, of course, they're at risk of unknown danger right in their own homes, like 47% of U.S. adults may be by not being able to name even one ingredient in the cleaners they're using throughout their homes or the nearly one in five parents (18%) who do not take steps to safeguard their families from toxic ingredients in some household cleaners.

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Liberty Mutual, ITNAmerica Urge Families To Give The Gift Of Safety As Aging Relatives Hit The Road During Holiday Season

The holidays may be the best time for older drivers to consider transitioning to the passenger seat. In addition to Thanksgiving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists Dec. 22, 23 and 24 among the deadliest days of the year for all drivers. Yet the wintry weather and crowded roads are of particular concern for senior drivers, many of whom are also dealing with health conditions, medication, and the normal changes associated with aging that put their driving at-risk.

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Boomers Ready To Serve, AARP Research Shows

In an effort to better understand the civic behaviors and attitudes of Americans and to help ground the research in the stories and perspectives of the boomer and silent generations, AARP commissioned a series of focus groups and a nationally representative survey of Americans ages 44-79 ("Experienced Americans").

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Professionals, Advocates Pledge To Help Educate Family Caregivers

In a first of its kind collaboration, national organizations representing nurses, social workers, family caregivers and people age 50+ today released a report calling for a re-definition of good patient care to include those family members and friends who provide ongoing, often daily, care. Family members are very often not prepared to take on the task of caregiving -- especially as many family caregivers are providing services typically reserved for registered nurses and doctors.

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Brookdale Foundation Has Grants to Encourage Leaders in Aging

The Brookdale Foundation is offering two-year research grants of up to $125,000 to encourage emerging leaders in the field of aging. It will accept applications for people in a broad range of disciplines, including medical, biological and basic sciences, nursing, social sciences, the arts, and humanities.

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Senate Aging Panel Scrutinizes Medicare Call Centers

Officials at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have made substantial progress in serving Medicare recipients, but there is much to be improved, says Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR), ranking minority member of the Special Committee Aging. Smith made the observation Thursday (Sept. 10) at a hearing of the panel. He based his view on the results of a three-and-a-half-year (still ongoing) investigation by his staff.

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Genetic Variants Associated With Vitamin B12

Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and their collaborators at Tufts University and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have identified a common genetic influence on B12 vitamin levels in the blood, suggesting a new way to approach the biological connections between an important biochemical variable and deficiency-related diseases.

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Cost Slowing For Hospital Patient Care, Government Data Shows

The cost of patient care in U.S. hospital rose just under 1% between 2005 and 2006, much slower than the average 5.3% per year between 1997 and 2005, according to the latest numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality. However, over the nine-year period from 1997 to 2006, the overall cost for stays in the hospital nearly doubled from $177 billion to $329 billion.

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Nursing Home Industry to Receive $1.5 Billion Overpayment in 2009

Yielding to intense lobbying by the nursing home industry, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is giving skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), nursing homes that provide nursing and rehabilitative services to Medicare beneficiaries recovering from a hospital stay, a two-part rate increase worth more than $1.5 billion next year.

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Stroke-Prevention Surgical Procedure Does Not Equate With High Surgical Risk

New research published in the August issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons shows that "high-risk" patients with multiple medical conditions, including high blood pressure and coronary artery disease, can safely undergo carotid endarterectomy -- a stroke-preventing surgical procedure that clears blockages from the neck's carotid arteries.

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GAO Suggest Improvements in Medicare Withholding

            The Government Accountability Office reports that some Medicare beneficiaries still are having the wrong amount withheld from their Social Security payments for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D prescription benefit premiums but GAO...

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Senators Call For Release Of $120 Million In LIHEAP Funding

Forty-five senators, including Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jack Reed (D-RI), co-chairs of the Senate Northeast-Midwest Coalition, have fired off a letter to the White House urging President Bush to release $120 million in remaining contingency funds from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The money is being sought to help alleviate the burden high energy prices have placed on working families and seniors throughout the country.

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HUD Amends Matching Fund Requirements in Capacity Building NOFA

HUD) is making it slightly easier for the four eligible nonprofits in its Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Grants to participate in the coming fiscal year by eliminating requirements to have matching funds in hand when applying for funding.

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Panel Presentation In Creating Aging-Friendly Communities

Panelists in a June 19 online forum will talk about identifying and engaging stakeholders in efforts to create aging-friendly communities and discuss the possible needs and interests of community members, government, non-profit organizations, funders, and the faith-based community. Participants will learn about strategies and best practices to help actively engage these stakeholders in supporting local efforts to create more aging-friendly communities.

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The Battle To Improve Medicare -- Round Two

The House of Representatives passed legislation in 2007 that would have reduced overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans and would have made significant improvements for beneficiaries. Similar efforts by the Senate, however, were unsuccessful, mostly for political reasons. The debate began again wit...

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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Set For June 15

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, set for Sunday, June 15, is an opportunity to focus much needed international attention on the problem. Every community and organization that participates will intensify the message that "our elders deserve better."

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New Guide Offers Seniors Good Advice On 'Legal Matters'

The MetLife Mature Market Institute has updated its Since You Care guide titled, "Legal Matters." The guide contains useful information about aging-related legal matters, healthcare planning, and financial decisions for older Americans and those who care for them. It is available free to the public....

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CBO: Healthcare Will Account For Nearly 20% Of All Federal Spending Within 75 Years

The Congressional Budget Office, in a just-released report to Congress, projects that total federal spending on Medicare and Medicaid will grow from 4% of gross domestic product in calendar year 2007 to 9% in 2032 and 19% in 2082.

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Online Resource Launched For Seniors' Driving Safety, Transportation

Liberty Mutual, the nation's eighth largest car and home insurer, and ITNAmerica, the first and only national nonprofit transportation network for America's aging population, have joined forces to help keep senior drivers safe on U.S. roads.

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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.

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Bush Signs Seniors Fall Prevention Bill Into Law

President Bush has signed into law legislation aimed at helping prevent falls among senior citizens. The Safety of Seniors Act of 2007 (S 845) authorizes new programs to help prevent falls among older adults through public education, research and demonstration projects.

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Eight States To Get NCOA Grants

The National Council on Aging is making grants available to eight states to improve access among older adults to the Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Program.

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Healthy Communities Grant Program

EPA Region 1 (the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.) is accepting proposals for the Healthy Communities Grant Program.

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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.

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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.

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MedPAC Adopts Recommendations for Nursing Homes, Primary Care

MedPAC will soon send recommendations to Congress regarding Medicare reimbursements for skilled nursing facilities and primary care.

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Seniors Fall Prevention Bill Passes House, Heads to President

House passage Tuesday of the Safety of Seniors (SOS) Act, clears the measure for the signing by President Bush. Advocates say the bill comes at a critical point.

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Prevent Shingles -- A Vaccine

If you're 60 or older, you may be at risk of getting shingles. For some people who get shingles, the malady is short-lived and only mildly uncomfortable. For many others, shingles can be a long-lasting ailment causing considerable pain.

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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.

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FDA Makes Recommendations On Devices That Treat Blocked Heart Arteries

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has issued draft guidelines to aid the development, testing and manufacture of coronary drug-eluting stents, devices used to treat blocked heart arteries.

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Archstone Foundation Honors Innovative Programs in Health & Aging

The Gerontological Health Section of the American Public Health Association is accepting nominations for the 2008 Archstone Foundation Award for Excellence in Program Innovation.

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Survey: Aging Americans Lack Critical Facts about Maintaining Eye Health

Most Americans -- especially seniors -- do not know the risks and warning signs of diseases that could blind them if they don't seek timely detection and treatment, according to recent findings of the Survey of Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Eye Health and Disease.

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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.

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Attention Former President Bush: Broccoli Sprout Extract May Protect Against Bladder Cancer

A concentrated extract of freeze dried broccoli sprouts cut development of bladder tumors in an animal model by more than 50%.

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$40 Million in Energy Assistance to Low-Income Households

The Dept. of Health & Human Services is making available $40 million to help eligible low-income households meet home energy costs. The funds, from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program emergency contingency fund, will provide 11 states with heating assistance for the winter months.

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Family Structure Shapes Mid-Life Retirement Planning

A new MetLife study finds that 40-65-year-olds with non-traditional families face more challenges with regard to saving and investing and are less likely than others to have a distinct retirement vision.

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NAR Seeks Homeownership Protection For Older Americans

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) on Feb. 13 told members of the Senate Special Committee on Aging that foreclosure rescue scams have caused major problems for many Americans and that older Americans and other vulnerable borrowers are frequently targets.

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Assisted Living Group Celebrates 'Filling Life with Love'

"Filling Life with Love" will be the National Center for Assisted Living's theme for the group's 2008 National Assisted Living Week.

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Elderly Housing Money Available

A revised FY 2007 Dept. of Housing & Urban Development appropriation allocates $19.8 million for pre-development grants to private nonprofits and consumer groups for development of Sec. 202 housing for the elderly.

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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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Governance Reform May Be in Tax-Exempt Organizations' Future

In response to irregularities at a handful of charities, one of Congress's chief concerns over the past few years has been the accountability of the board as a governing body and of each member in his or her individual capacity.

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GAO Finds Flaws in LSC's Grants Management

The Government Accountability Office has found weaknesses in the federally-backed Legal Service Corp.'s internal controls over grants management and oversight of grantees.

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CDC Issues Funding Opportunity for Arthritis Programs

CDC has issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement marking the beginning of a new phase for state arthritis programs.

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Proposals Sought for Programs to Strengthen Geriatrics Training

The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation has issued a Call for Proposals from U.S. medical schools for Comprehensive Programs to Strengthen the Training in Geriatrics of Medical Students, Residents, and/or Practicing Physicians.

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Exclusive Deals, Events for Senior Skiers During Facility's

Talk about reaching out to boomers! Here's a new twist. Sunday River, a ski resort western Maine's Mahoosuc Mountains, is offering exclusive deals, activities, and legendary snow for skiers and snowboarders over the age of 50.

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Looking Older? How Square is Your Jaw Line?

Your face may be giving away your age, and it has nothing to do with wrinkles, sagging skin or droopy eyelids.

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Experts Explore Projected LTC Needs

The projections of monetary and human resources needed to meet the long-term care needs of seniors are daunting, but experts at an Urban Institute (UI) forum offer myriad suggestions in an optimistic tone for meeting the challenges.

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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.

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GAO to CMS: Where's the Money?

CMS may have made nearly $90 million in questionable payments to contractors hired to help launch the Medicare prescription drug benefit, according to the Government Accountability Office.

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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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