Aging News Alert
Massachusetts
Researcher: ‘There’s No Limit on Human Lifespan’
Yahoo Global News Anchor Katie Couric profiles HarvardMedical School researcher David Sinclair.
Patients’ End-of-Life Wishes Now Part of EMR
This unique, ground-breaking development partnership will enable all UMass Memorial providers to access, understand and implement patients’ wishes, reducing the cost of care at end of life while improving care quality and satisfaction of patients and their families.
MassHousing Closes On Senior Facility
Massachusetts housing finance agency MassHousing closes on a $7.1 million loan to preserve affordability for senior citizens living at Tecumseh Mill in Fall River.
MA Initiative Provides Link Between Health, Functional Needs of Patients
Mass Home Care of Burlington, MA, is receiving national accolades for its Community Care Linkages (CCL) program, a strategic initiative that connects the Massachusetts Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) network to community-based medical services for the purpose of enabling individuals to live in their homes, at their highest level of functioning possible, for as long as possible.
Seniors Nutrition Programs Receive Funding Attention
Senior nutrition efforts in Massachusetts and Rhode Island recognized.
Travel Agency Launches New Adventures to Meet Boomer Demand
The most traveled generation in history continues to fuel demand for “adventure travel” to off-the-beaten-path destinations filled with up-close, interactive experiences.
Most Needy to Receive Health Care Help in Six States
Grantees use these funds to provide health services to low-income individuals, including those without insurance and the underinsured.
Boston Area 55+ Community Publishes Free Senior Living Guide
The decision to move -- whether to a 55+ community or other option -- can be challenging. There are a lot of decisions to make. Sometimes, the choices available can seem confusing.
Early Alzheimer's Support Groups Assist Recently Diagnosed Patients
The North Andover Senior Center, located in North Andover, MA, is garnering national recognition for its early Alzheimer's support groups, which were recently honored with the 2011 Education Award from the National Council on Aging.
Cultivating Community: Steps To Implementing A Successful Garden Project
During a special presentation at the American Society on Aging's recent "Aging in America" conference in Washington, DC, representatives from the Beverly Council on Aging (BCOA) of Beverly, MA, discussed a successful community garden project it initiated.
Holyoke Senior Tax Work-Off Program Marks 10 Years
The program, a partnership between the Council on Aging and local government, allows homeowners, aged 60 and over, an opportunity to perform tasks for the municipality in return for a one-time reduction of $750 on their property tax bill.
(FUNDING) MA Organization Awarded Funds To Test Ways To Improve Medicare
Massachusetts's Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley (ESMV) has been selected to participate in a major national initiative intended to improve care for Medicare beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions who have frequent hospital visits.
(LGBT) Massachusetts AAA Reaching Out To LGBT Elder Community
To encourage social connections, the Coalition organized a number of social events to provide a safe but hospitable environment for LGBT seniors to interact.
(GRANTS) Tufts Offers Lifestyle Grants in Massachusetts, Rhode Island
The Tufts Health Plan Foundation, funds Massachusetts and Rhode Island programs: (1) elevating the physical, mental and emotional well-being of older adults (age 60 and older); (2) enabling them to contribute their experiences and knowledge to their communities; and (3) ultimately helping older adults live longer, healthier lives.
(ASSET MANAGEMENT) 'Building Docs' Help Assisted Living Facilities Survive
The "building doctors" at VFA assess the "vital signs" of a facility's buildings and then provide their clients with a diagnoses describing, among other things, how to make the structures more safe, energy- and cost-efficient.
(INTERNET) Former Educator Finds Life 'AfterFifty' On The Web
Joanne Lema's efforts to resolve issues faced by many older Americans led her to create AfterFiftyLiving.com, a new website where Baby Boomers and older Americans can engage one another in gathering information and finding solutions to common problems
(FUNDRAISING) Boston Effort Promotes, Assists Collaborations
In these tough economic times, nonprofits should learn more about an innovative new Boston-area effort to promote collaborations. The Catalyst Fund for Nonprofits will help nonprofits develop promising voluntary collaborations as a way to deliver greater impact from the important work they do in communities throughout the Boston area.
(BRAIN HEALTH) Pilot Program Inspires, Educates Assisted Living Facility Residents
A new pilot program at Farm Pond Retirement and Assisted Living Center in Massachusetts -- part of Emeritus Senior Living -- is introducing the concept of brain health to residents through a new Brain Health Lifestyle program. What began as an informal study involving 12 independent-living residents has emerged into a center-wide initiative to educate residents, staff and family members on the importance of brain health and aging.
(GRANTS) Tufts Health Plan Foundation Helps Aging Programs in MA, RI
The Tufts Health Plan Foundation promotes healthy lifestyles, delivery of quality healthcare, and programs that provide opportunities for an aging society in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The Foundation offers grants in four areas: (1) Vibrant Lifestyles; (2) Intergenerational Collaboration; (3) Fall Prevention; and (4) Caregiver Support.
(GRANTS) Tufts Funds Senior Health & Wellness in Mass., R.I.
The Tufts Health Plan Foundation takes seriously its mission to promote healthy lifestyles and the delivery of quality healthcare in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with a focus on improving the lives of people age 60 and older.
(INNOVATION) 'Skyping' Keeps Seniors Safe, Connected During Flu Season
H1N1 pandemic worries won't be getting the residents of Salmon Health & Retirement down this flu season. While it's true the family-owned retirement community in Northbride, MA, the Beaumont campus, will temporarily stop face-to-face interaction with children, the innovative staff at Beaumont has harnessed some unique technology to keep intergenerational relationships connected.
(HOUSE) Markey, Wyden Bill Would Provide Home Care To Medicare Beneficiaries
Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA), co-chairman of the Bi-Partisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease and senior member of the Energy & Commerce Committee which has jurisdiction over health care policy, and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee which has jurisdiction over healthcare policy, today reintroduced the proposed Independence at Home Act, HR 2560.
(RESEARCH) Understanding Age of First Menstrual Period, Menopause May Add to Prevention of Cancer, Osteoporosis, Heart Disease
In a new study, researchers from Harvard School of Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, National Cancer Institute, and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT report they have identified 10 genetic variants in two chromosomal regions associated with age at the first menstrual period, and 13 genetic variants in four chromosomal regions associated with age at natural menopause.
(DIABETES) Majority of New Diabetes Cases in Older Adults Could Be Prevented by Modestly Healthier Lifestyles
Even as science searches for more clues about the causes of diabetes and medications to prevent it, the vast majority of new cases of the disease in older adults could be prevented by following a modestly healthier lifestyle, according to research led by scientists at the Harvard School of Public Health.
(RESEARCH) Study Finds Today's Seniors Face Uncertain Economic Future
A new report from researchers at Brandeis University's Institute on Assets & Social Policy -- "Living Longer on Less; The New Economic (In)Security of Seniors" -- focuses on how the social contract is holding up into the 21st century. The report features the Senior Economic Security Index (SESI), a tool created by the report's authors to measure the long-term economic security of senior households throughout their retirement years.
New Center Helps States Implement, Improve Participant-Directed LTC Programs
The Boston College Graduate School of Social Work has launched a new technical assistance center that offers states the tools they need to implement a wide variety of participant-directed long-term care programs. The National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services is the only national center of its kind and is available to assist states and other entities that want to offer, or already offer, participant-directed services to people with disabilities
Medicare Improvement Standard Seen as Barrier to Necessary Care
The "Improvement Standard" is used as shorthand for coverage denials issued on the grounds that the individual's condition is stable, chronic, or not improving, or that the necessary services are for "maintenance only." This restrictive standard conflicts with the Medicare Act, says Judith Stein of the Center for Medicare Advocacy.
Boston Physician To Lead Obama's Health IT Project
Officials at the Department of Health & Human Services today announced the selection of Dr. David Blumenthal as the Obama Administration's choice for national coordinator for health information technology. As the national coordinator, Blumenthal will lead the implementation of a nationwide interoperable, privacy-protected health information technology infrastructure as called for in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
RWJF Seeks Applications for Local Funding Partnerships 2009-2010
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Local Funding Partnerships program works to forge relationships between RWJF and local grantmakers willing to fund promising original projects with the potential to significantly improve the health of vulnerable people in their communities.
RWJF Funds Vulnerable Population Health Grants
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Local Funding Partnerships (LFP) program forges relationships between RWJF and local grantmakers to fund promising, original projects that can significantly improve the health of vulnerable people -- especially frail elders -- in their communities.
MIT Study Explores Brain Changes in Macular Degeneration
In macular degeneration, the most common form of adult blindness, patients progressively lose vision in the center of their visual field, thereby depriving the corresponding part of the visual cortex of input. Previously, researchers discovered that the deprived neurons begin responding to visual input from another spot on the retina -- evidence of plasticity in the adult cortex.
Kohl Rolls Out Older Worker Agenda, Results of GAO Study on Federal Older Workers
Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI), chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, was joined by several of his colleagues in the introduction of three bills to make it easier for older Americans to either reenter or remain in the workforce. In conjunction with their introduction, Kohl released the results of a study conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the federal government’s efforts to hire and retain older workers, and what policy changes would help them do it better.
Tufts Health Plan Foundation Announces Grantmaking Focus on Healthy Aging
(Deadline: Feb. 26, 2009 for Letter of Inquiry) The mission of the Tufts Health Plan Foundation is to promote healthy lifestyles and the delivery of quality health care in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Beginning in 2009, the foundation will start funding programs that focus on improving the lives of people age 60 and older.
Stimulus Bill Overhaul Seen Likely In Senate
Fearing passage of economic stimulus legislation without some measure of Republican support might bog down future legislation the Obama administration wants, President Barack Obama dispatches Vice President Joe Biden to wrestle with his former Senate GOP colleagues over a workable compromise. But Republican senators are treading gingerly following approval of HR 1 in the House Jan. 29.
IRA Rollovers: Stashing Your Retirement Nest Egg
Whether you are a boomer saying goodbye to the daily grind or a Gen-Xer moving on to the next level of your career, retirement or a job change can create an ideal time to ask yourself what you want to do with your accumulated retirement funds. Unfortunately, there is no cookie-cutter answer to this question.
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.
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).
CMS Unveils Incentive Program for E-Prescribing Technology
Under this new program, which was included in the new Medicare law in July, physicians who use e-prescribing technology to deliver medication prescriptions to pharmacies will be eligible for a 2% increase in their Medicare payments.
Senior Housing/Healthcare Lender Offers Tips For Surviving Tight Credit Market
Owners and operators of senior housing/healthcare facilities need to recognize and avoid failed funding strategies that effectively place the cart before the horse in a tight credit market, one expert advises. Jeffrey Davis, chairman of Cambridge Realty Capital Companies, predicts financing for senior housing/healthcare properties will continue to be limited over the next 12 months, with local and regional banks and government agencies the primary sources for funding.
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.
New Stem Cell Injections May Help Prevent Diabetes-Related Amputations
Poor blood flow to the lower limbs is a health condition that many Americans with diabetes experience. But without early detection and proper treatment, amputation is often the final outcome. In fact, more than 60% of non-traumatic, lower limb amputations every year occur as a result of diabetes.
SAMHSA Awards $12M-Plus In Grants To Meet Older Americans’ Mental Health Needs
The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today has awarded 10 grants totaling more than $12 million over three years through the Older Adults Targeted Capacity Expansion Grant Program to help communities meet the special mental health needs of older Americans.
Recessions & Bear Markets: The Connection Isn't As Close As You May Think
Recent economic and capital markets developments have contributed to a surge in stock-market volatility, leading some investors to worry that the odds of a recession have risen -- along with the risk of a significant market downturn. Many investors are nervous because they assume an economic recession would lead to a decline in corporate profits, which would likely push stock prices down.
CMS Hosts National E-Prescribing Conference In Boston
More than 1,400 healthcare professionals and industry leaders convened in Boston today (Tuesday, Oct. 7) at the National E-Prescribing Conference hosted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and 34 co-sponsoring organizations. Download conference presentations here.
AAHomecare To Press For Alternative To CMS' Competitive Bidding Program
The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) has created a task force to develop an alternative to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' competitive bidding program to which home medical equipment (HME) and durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers are subject.
Experience Corps Welcomes Five New Cities
The 2008 school year opens with five new Experience Corps programs in four states. The new sites will serve thousands of students in Annapolis, MD; Baltimore County, MD; Beaumont, TX; Evansville, IN; and Revere, MA.
Coalition Aims To Improve Financial Dignity For Boomers
As both the housing market and stock market have declined this year, they've taken a big chunk of retirement assets for the baby boomer generation with them. That only adds to the woes of a generation that many experts say has done a poor job planning for their future. To help Boomers better understand and address the unique financial challenges they'll face in retirement, 11 non-profit financial associations, representing more than 200,000 financial services professionals around the world, have formed an unprecedented collaboration called The Partnership for Retirement Education and Planning (PREP).
Seniors Call Today's Economic State Worst Ever Experienced
When asked to compare the current economy to similar situations in the past, 53% of Americans over the age of 60 said today's economic conditions are worse than those they have experienced in the past, even though unemployment and inflation rates have been higher within the last 30 years. A new poll from the MetLife Mature Market Institute, conducted by Harris Interactive, reports that an overwhelming majority of this group is feeling the pinch in today's current economy and that it has affected the way they spend their money, but not their plans for retirement.
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.
Long-Term Care Providers Form Coalition for Capital Access
Long-term care facilities from across the country are forming the Coalition for Senior Healthcare Reform, an organization that seeks to improve the quality of healthcare for seniors by ensuring access to capital for long-term care, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities.
AMA Offers Tips To Help Grandparents Make The Most Of Their Healthcare
In recognition of Grandparents Day this Sunday (Sept. 7), the American Medical Association (AMA) is reaching out to grandparents with tips to make the most of their healthcare and stay healthy so they can continue to play a vital role in their grandchildren's lives.
What Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries Should Expect And Do
Each fall, the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) notify certain individuals, who are receiving "Extra Help" (also called the Low-Income Subsidy or LIS) paying for their Part D drugs, of their status with respect to that benefit for the following year as well as their status with respect to their Part D plan.
A Message from the Publisher
Here's something special our readers should consider as we near the end of summer.
New Websites for 50+ Surfers
The Worldwide Web grows increasingly "seniors-friendly" with new websites for the 50-plus crowd popping up virtually every day. Here's a few from the latest crop.
Pharmacies Found Having Problems With Medicare Drug Program Providers
Nearly all of the 100 community pharmacies examined by the Department of Health & Human Services' (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) experienced problems when contracting with Medicare prescription drug program (PDP) sponsors.
Medicare Changes Can Compliment Healthcare Reform
System-wide reform of healthcare financing and delivery is key both to controlling Medicare expenditures and to slowing the growth of health care costs in the private sector, say analysts at Center on Budget & Policy Priorities, a liberal-oriented think tank in Washington, DC.
Millions of Chronically Ill Lack Insurance, Can't Get Needed Care
More than 11 million Americans with chronic physical illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and asthma are not getting the medical care they need because they don't have health insurance, a new study shows. The study provides the first national estimate of the number of uninsured adults with these potentially serious but treatable conditions.
PBS Presents Encore Broadcast of 'THE FORGETTING'
PBS will present a special evening of programming focused on Alzheimer's disease on Sunday, Aug. 3, starting at 9 p.m. ET (check local listings). The programming starts with a national encore broadcast of the Emmy-Award-winning "THE FORGETTING: A Portrait of Alzheimer's," followed by a new half-hour discussion, "The Future of Alzheimer's," moderated by actor and Alzheimer's champion David Hyde Pierce, which features a panel of medical experts and scientists discussing the latest developments in Alzheimer's.
Balancing Act: States' Long-Term Care Reform Seen As Mixed Bag
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. Unfortunately, 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 (HCBS). The remainder of the states continues to spend the majority of their Medicaid LTC dollars for older people on institutional care, such as nursing homes.
Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Legacy Awards
The Family Caregiver Alliance is now accepting applications for the inaugural Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Legacy Awards. The deadline for applications is Aug. 15.
Special Open Door Forum: Developing Outpatient Therapy Payment Alternatives
Officials at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have scheduled a Special Open Door Forum intended primarily for providers of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology -- collectively termed Medicare outpatient therapy and reimbursed under Part B. The Forum may also be of interest to physicians who refer beneficiaries for outpatient therapy.
Older Adults at High Risk For Gambling Problems
Research from the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University shows that one in five older adults who enter a casino eventually displays problem gambling behaviors. Problem gambling behaviors include the compulsive need to bet more and more money, and lying to others about the amount of time and money spent on gambling.
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.
Incentives Might Persuade Older Workers To Delay Retirement
Employers have a narrow window of up to two years in which they may be able to change retiring workers' decisions by offering them incentives to remain with the company, according to results of a just-released survey by the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute.
DMEPOS Audio Conference/Q&A Session Slated
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on July 15, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. will host an audio conference and question & answer session regarding Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) supplier accreditation. This audio conference is the third in a series of four designed to provide guidance to DMEPOS suppliers regarding accreditation.
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.
Alliance Launches Online State-by-State Help For Family Caregivers
The National Center on Caregiving at Family Caregiver Alliance has launched the Family Care Navigator online guide intended to help families in all 50 states locate government, nonprofit, and private caregiver support programs. The easy-to-use Navigator lists programs for family caregivers as well as resources for older or disabled adults living at home or in a residential facility. It also includes information on government health and disability programs, legal resources, living arrangements, disease-specific organizations, FAQs, a glossary and more.
Resveratrol Found to Improve Health, But Not Longevity in Aging Mice
Scientists have found that the compound resveratrol slows age-related deterioration and functional decline of mice on a standard diet, but does not increase longevity when started at middle age. This study, conducted and supported in part by the National Institute on Aging, is a follow-up to 2006 findings that resveratrol improves health and longevity of overweight, aged mice.
Boomers Face Massive Loss Of Retirement Wealth Due To Housing Meltdown
Former GAO Comptroller General David Walker testified Tuesday before the House Budget Committee about a proposed commission to cut Social Security and Medicare for future retirees. However, as Congress debates this issue, members should take into account the financial situation of near retirees.
Drug Industry Spent Record Amount Lobbying In 2007
Pharmaceutical manufacturers and their trade groups racked up another banner year on Capitol Hill, spending a record $168 million on lobbying in 2007, a 32% increase over 2006, finds a Center for Public Integrity analysis. Based on data obtained from the Senate Office of Public Records, the pharmaceutical industry has spent more than $1 billion lobbying the federal government over the past decade.
Alzheimer’s Research: What If Drug Firms Are Wrong?
In recent decades, researchers seeking a drug to treat the underlying cause of Alzheimer’s disease have focused their efforts mainly on amyloid-beta plaques -- telltale clumps of protein that appear on the brains of individuals suffering from the disease, which were first noted by Alois Alzheimer in 1906. But after years of research and extensive trials of numerous drug candidates, scientists have started to express frustration with the amyloid-beta approach.
White Paper: 'Why Data Matters: Generating Value From Retirement Plan Data'
A new white paper from MassMutual's Center for Behavioral Research is intended to help plan sponsors and retirement plan advisors gain the most value from recordkeeping data collected for retirement plans. Titled "Why Data Matters: Generating Value from Retirement Plan Data," the white paper outlines the process through which retirement plan data can be used to enhance plan value, performance and participant engagement; streamline or reduce administration; and help plan fiduciaries meet their obligations.
Survey Asks American Workers, Ages 44-70, About Longer Working Lives
A survey released Wednesday at a press conference in Washington, DC provides clues to a question with major implications for the American economy and the lives of millions: What will 78 million baby boomers do as they continue to work into traditional retirement age?
Legislation Would Bar Voluntary Arbitration Agreements In LTC Facilities
Legislation is now before the House and Senate to prohibit long-term care providers from asking residents to sign an arbitration agreement when they enter a long-term care facility, even if the arbitration agreement is not required for admission.
Baucus: 'Senate Vote Shuts Out Seniors'
Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) on Thursday condemned a Senate vote blocking debate on the proposed the Medicare Improvements for Patients & Providers Act of 2008.
Stamford Senior Services Marks 100th Year
Connecticut: To help celebrate its 100th anniversary, Senior Services of Stamford, CT, will be hosting someone renowned for celebrating 100-year birthdays. Willard Scott, the inimitable NBC "Today" show personality who each week honors Americans turning 100 and beyond, is slated to be keynote speaker at Senior Services' first fundraising gala.
Patients ‘Overdose’ On Debt As Lenders, Docs, Hospitals Push Risky Credit
Some of the biggest names in the consumer credit business, including GE Money, Citigroup and Chase, are pushing risky credit for financing medical procedures, according to the latest issue of Consumer Reports, published by the nonprofit advocacy group Consumers Union.
Active Social Life May Delay Memory Loss Among Elderly
One of the features of aging is memory loss, which can have devastating effects on the quality of life among older people. In a new study, Harvard School of Public Health researchers found evidence that elderly people in the United States who have an active social life may have a slower rate of memory decline.
Consumers Union To Launch Online Hospital Rating Service
Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports magazine, is set to launch an online project that rates services at more than 3,000 hospitals around the nation.
CMS Tries Easing Concerns About Quality Improvement Contractors
In response to criticisms from Congress and from independent oversight agencies, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is using its 9th Statement of Work, effective August 2008 through July 2011, to impose more specific requirements on its Quality Improvement Organization contractors.
Rule Would Increase Availability Of Home, Community-Based Services In States
Because the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 gives states the option of providing home- and community-based healthcare services, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is proposing a rule that would offer guidance to states on how to implement this provision.
Family Leave/Sick Leave Bills Gaining Momentum In States
With the anticipated enactment of state legislation guaranteeing paid family in New Jersey, the Garden State will become the third state in the country to guarantee its residents paid family leave. Elsewhere, Massachusetts is one of about a dozen states where either guaranteed paid sick leave or paid family leave legislation is under consideration.
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.
Undoing The Early Social Security Benefits Option
If you or someone you know opted to take Social Security benefits before reaching full retirement age and now regret having done so, there may be an answer.
Boston Fatherless & Widows Society Funding Available
Focused on the aging, the economically disadvantaged, and women, this organization makes funds available for general and operating support.
Many Older Americans Ill Prepared To Retire With Dignity
In an audio news conference April 30, experts in the area of economic adequacy for older Americans extolled the need for the Elder Economic Security Initiative, a project designed to raise awareness and shape policy to ensure that older Americans are able to live with dignity.
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.
Hartford Fellows Program Supports Scholars in Geriatric Social Work
The Hartford Doctoral Fellows Program in Geriatric Social Work is aimed at bringing outstanding, talented, skilled people to the field of gerontological social work to train practitioners, research best practices, and set future directions.
Conference to Focus On 'Medicare: Past, Present & Future'
The conference will examine the past, present and future of Medicare, with keynote addresses from Dr. Peter Orszag, Director of the Congressional Budget Office, and Dr. Mark B. McClellan, former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
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.
Going Green
In its online format, Aging News Alert gives you the ability to quickly and easily navigate through an array of Internet-based resources for additional, more comprehensive information.
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.
Debunking Myths About Switching To Digital TV Next Year
Quite a few people -- many of them elderly and on fixed incomes -- are under the impression that unless they go out and buy an expensive new HDTV, they won't be able to watch their favorite TV shows after Feb. 17, 2009, which is the day the national transition to digital television takes place. That simply isn't so.
NCOA, Human Arc Partner To Help Low-Income Health Plan Members
NCOA and Human Arc have established a nationwide partnership to help seniors with limited means. The new partnership enables members of participating Medicare health plans to determine -- right at home -- their potential qualification for benefits programs and then, if qualified, get expert assistance to apply and get enrolled.
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.
Grants Improve Access To Primary Care, Avoid Unnecessary ER Visits
CMS) unveils grants of $50 million to 20 states to help improve access to primary medical care so that Medicaid beneficiaries could avoid improper use of costly hospital emergency rooms.
MA Boomers Turning To Age-In-Place Alternatives
While Florida, Arizona and other Sunbelt states continue to attract the 55+ crowd, a growing trend of "aging in place" or staying close to home in familiar locales is emerging for many boomers considering their next housing move.
Report: Chronically Ill Patients Get More Care, Less Quality
Medicare pays many hospitals and their doctors more than the most efficient and effective healthcare institutions to treat chronically ill people, yet gets worse results, according to a new report from the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice.
Archive of TeleCargiving Workshops Now Available
Family Caregiver Alliance has added a new feature to its website -- an online audio archive of TeleCaregiving workshops.
Studies: Older People Want Technology to Help Them Remain at Home
Older adults want to use technology so they can age safely in their home. Family caregivers agree believing technology can ease some of the challenges of caregiving. Concerns such as cost to install and maintain equipment remain barriers for people 65-plus and for caregivers.
AARP's Reinhard Named Ladd Award Recipient for 2008
Susan Reinhard, AARP senior VP and director of AARP's Public Policy Institute, has been selected as the recipient of the 2008 Dick Ladd Award. The award recognizes an individual whose work in research, policy or programs improves long‑term and community‑based care.
24th National Home & Community Based Services Conference -- Call For Sessions
The National Association of State Units on Aging and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs have announced a Call for Sessions for the 24th National Home and Community Based Services Conference.
Educational Effort Underway on Genetic Testing for Dosing Wafarin
A new educational effort focused on improving the safety and reducing the complications of a life-saving heart drug is being launched by the American Medical Association and the Critical Path Institute as part of an ongoing program to support personalized medicine.
Senate Panel Looks to Reverse Bush LIHEAP Cuts
Senate Democrats are looking to reverse years of inadequate funding in the $2 billion Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the government's main effort to help pay the energy costs of poor families with children and elderly people on fixed incomes.
Set Clocks Forward on March 9
Remember to set your clocks forward one hour on Sunday, March 9.
Novel Approach Strips Staph of Virulence
An international team of researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health has blocked staph infections in mice using a drug previously tested in clinical trials as a cholesterol-lowering agent.
Attorneys General Press Congress On Background Checks For Nursing Home Workers
Thirty-nine state-level attorneys general and three state authorities that house Medicaid Fraud Control Units have fired off a letter to members of Congress in support of the proposed Patient Safety & Abuse Prevention Act of 2007.
Groups Comment on Proposed DOL Rules on Pension Funds
ASPPA and CIKR submit comments and recommendations to the Labor Dept. about proposed ERISA regulations, which provide clarification on what constitutes a reasonable arrangement between employee benefit plans and service providers to plans to assist plan fiduciaries in assessing the reasonableness of the compensation or fees paid for services rendered.
Finance Committee Examines Medicare Advantage Hard Sells
The Senate Finance Committee holds a hearing detailing yet more horror stories of seniors duped into signing up for private Medicare plans that they don't want or need.
MA Governor Pushes Testing for Older Drivers
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) wants older drivers tested to prove they can still safely operate a motor vehicle.
2008 Older Volunteers Enrich America Awards
The MetLife Foundation is inviting nominations for the 2008 Older Volunteers Enrich America Awards program.
AHCA: FY 2009 Budget Blueprint 'Unreasonable, Unrealistic'
The American Health Care Association describes the Bush FY 2009 budget proposal as unreasonable from the standpoint of seniors' Medicare-financed nursing facility care, and unrealistic in the face of worsening economic conditions in states across the nation, which will surely squeeze state Medicaid budgets
Part D Helping to Lower Rx Drug Costs? Maybe...Maybe Not
An assertion this week by HHS Secy. Mike Leavitt that the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit is saving money for beneficiaries as well as the federal government is being characterized as "propaganda" by a key congressional leader.
Program Focuses on Older Adult Mental Health
These grants help communities provide direct services and build the necessary infrastructure to support expanded services for meeting the diverse mental health needs of older persons.
NIH Provides $13M for Alzheimer's Research Centers
NIA invites applications from qualified institutions for support of Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers. These are designed to support and conduct research on Alzheimer's disease, and to serve as shared research resources that will facilitate research in Alzheimer's and related disorders.
CMS To Toughen Enrollment Rules for DMEPOS
CMS wants to toughen enrollment standards for suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS).
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
CMS Proposes Rate Year 2009 Payment, Policy Changes for LTC Hospitals
CMS proposes a payment rule designed to assure that long-term care hospitals continue to receive appropriate payment for services provided while giving them incentives to provide more efficient care to Medicare beneficiaries.
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.
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.
Blacks 65+ Less Likely Than Whites to Obtain Cancer Treatment
Black cancer patients age 65 and up are "consistently less likely" than their white counterparts to receive the recommended treatment, find Yale researchers.
Renowned Organ Manufacturer Focuses on Boomers' Health
Healthcare issues such as paying for medical expenses, universal healthcare and rising drug costs topped the list for seniors in a recent Lowrey Organ survey of 2000 LIFE Members, a nationwide music group sponsored by Lowrey.
New Directory of Social Service Grants Now Available
If you're responsible for tracking down private grant funding, a new report from CD Publications is bound to make your job a whole lot easier.
Hebrew SeniorLife Secures $457 Million in Bonds for New Facilities
Hebrew SeniorLife has closed on the sale of $457 million in tax-exempt bonds -- the largest tax exempt bond financing in U.S. history for the purpose of funding development of a nonprofit continuing care retirement community.
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.
AARP Iowa Members Want More on Healthcare, Financial Security
With only three weeks until Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses, Iowa AARP members of both political parties say they are following the campaign closely, they are not yet settled on their candidate preferences, and the issues of health and financial security will weigh on their caucus decisions.
Forum Eyes Significance of Age Discrimination in Employment Act
Employment law experts told an AARP forum about the historical importance and future role of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
Commission Urges Reforms On Long-Term Care
A national commission headed by former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-NE) and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA), during a press conference Monday in Washington, DC, unveiled its final report warning of a coming crisis in long-term care and calling on the presidential candidates to address this crisis in their policy platforms and on the campaign trail.
Cities Earn AARP's Seal of Approval
AARP The Magazine has unveiled its top five places to live and retire--as well as the top four places to watch--based on their atmosphere and services for residents aged 50+.
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