| Advocacy |
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. Login to see complete story
03/26/2009 12:34 PM
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Groups Support Legislation to End Two-Year Medicare Waiting Period
A coalition comprised on more than 120 organizations that work to ensure access to healthcare for people with disabilities is strongly backing the introduction of the proposed "Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009" (S.700 and H.R.1708). The legislation, if passed, would eliminate what many believe to be an unjustifiable two-year delay in coverage for people with severe disabilities who are waiting to become eligible for Medicare coverage. Login to see complete story
03/26/2009 1:14 PM
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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. Login to see complete story
03/26/2009 3:34 PM
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Report Details Hardships of Chronically Ill, Caregivers; Urges Reform
A new AARP Public Policy Institute survey of chronically ill patients and their caregivers finds healthcare poses significant challenges for the 70 million Americans 50 and older who have at least one chronic condition. The survey is part of a larger report, "Chronic Care: A Call to Action for Health Reform," which details the state of chronic care and offers recommendations for improving care for the chronically ill as part of comprehensive health reform. Login to see complete story
03/23/2009 1:03 PM
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| Capitol Hill |
Committee Receptive to Alzheimer's Study Group Recommendations
Members of the Senate Special Committee on Aging gave a positive reception March 25 to the wide-ranging recommendations of the Alzheimer's Study Group (ASG), which proposes a blueprint for finding a cure for the disease and dramatically improving the care victims receive. Login to see complete story
03/25/2009 3:39 PM
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NCOA Presses Senate to Pass Proposed 'Serve America' Act
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is strongly urging the U.S. Senate to take swift action and pass the proposed Serve America Act (S. 277), which would expand opportunities for people at every stage of life to serve in ways that meet national challenges. Login to see complete story
03/24/2009 1:53 PM
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White House Pleased With Resolutions; Discretionary Cuts Minimal
While there may be some differences, Office of Management & Budget Director Peter Orszag says the White House is pleased with the budget resolutions making their way through the House and Senate Budget Committees. Login to see complete story
03/27/2009 1:11 PM
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Witnesses Disagree at Hearing on Proposed DOL Pension Rule
A controversial proposed Labor Department regulation that would provide exemptions under pension laws so investment advisors with potential conflicts of interest could provide investment advice to plan holders received divergent comments at a March 24 hearing before the House Education & Labor subcommittee on health, employment, labor and pensions. Login to see complete story
03/24/2009 4:12 PM
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| Courts |
Catch 22: Government's Arguments are 'A Sham' Say Plaintiffs in Medicare Lawsuit
The plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging a government policy denying Social Security benefits to senior citizens who don't enroll in the financially troubled Medicare Part A hospital insurance program, urged the court late last week to reject government efforts to have the case dismissed. Instead, the plaintiffs asked the court to grant their request for summary judgment and to issue a permanent injunction barring enforcement of the illegal regulations. Login to see complete story
03/23/2009 12:39 PM
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| Federal Agencies |
IRS Seeks Volunteers for Taxpayer Advocacy Panel
The Internal Revenue Service seeks civic-minded volunteers to serve on the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP), which listens to taxpayers, identifies key issues and makes recommendations for improving IRS service. Login to see complete story
03/24/2009 1:28 PM
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| Fitness & Health |
Older Adults' Concern for Personal Health Linked to Walking Difficulty
Older adults who worry about their health engage in less physical activity, and those who participate in less activity are more likely to report having difficulty walking, according to a new study. Login to see complete story
03/24/2009 10:18 AM
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| Funding Opportunities |
Apply Now for Boomer Business Plan Competition
The Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University, and Mary Furlong & Associates are soliciting business plans for the sixth annual Silicon Valley Boomer Venture Summit and Business Plan Competition, taking place at Santa Clara University, June 16-17. Entrepreneurs interested in participating are asked to submit a five-page business plan by May 1. Login to see complete story
03/27/2009 1:25 PM
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MetLife, Civic Ventures Partner on 'Boomer' Effort
The MetLife Foundation/Civic Ventures Community College Encore Career Project (CCECP) assists older adults (age 50 and older) who want "encore careers" combining continued income, personal fulfillment, and social impact. Deadline for applicatiosn is April 24.
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03/27/2009 12:44 PM
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New Program Provides $2.7B for Energy Efficiency
The Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grants program aimse to promote efficient use of energy funds. The program is receiving its initial funding via the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. This may be an ideal funding opportunity for state and local governments that operate day centers and/or nursing facilities for the elderly. Login to see complete story
03/27/2009 12:52 PM
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Quaker Oats Announces New Grant Program to Help Combat Hunger
As part of its Quaker Go Project, Quaker Oats has announced a new grant program to support people working to combat hunger at the community level. This is a great opportunity for Meals on Wheels programs and other nutrition-related projects that serve seniors. But you need to get moving right away. Deadline for submissions is March 31. Login to see complete story
03/23/2009 10:04 AM
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Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Invites 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. This is an ideal opportunity for aging-related service providers. But time is running out. Brief proposals are due by April 15. Login to see complete story
03/23/2009 10:05 AM
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| Medicare/Medicaid |
Open Door Forum Set for Nursing Home Value Purchasing Demo
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS) has scheduled a Special Open Door Forum on Nursing Home Value Based Purchasing Demonstration for Monday, April 6, from 2-4 p.m. ET. The primary audience for this call is Medicare certified nursing homes from the states that have been selected to host the demonstration: Arizona, Mississippi, New York and Wisconsin.
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03/25/2009 2:45 PM
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| Message From The Editor |
The Obama Stimulus Package: What's In It For You
President Barack Obama's $787 billion economic stimulus package is just now beginning to work its way to Main Street. This year alone, the plan calls for spending $185 billion on increasing GDP growth by up to 3.8 percent and increasing jobs by 1-2 million. Join our experts from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EST, Thursday, April 16, for an audioconference focusing on "The Obama Stimulus Package: What's In It For You?" Login to see complete story
03/21/2009 1:06 PM
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| Readers Help Line |
Soon You Can Twitter with Aging News Alert!
In an effort to better serve and more rapidly deliver to our readers news they can use, Aging News Alert - Online is partnering with Twitter, one of the fastest growing social networking sites on the Internet. In a few days, we'll be sending all of our subscribers an invitation to follow us on Twitter and get instant access to fast-breaking headlines and news summaries. Login to see complete story
03/27/2009 3:09 PM
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| Research and Reports |
Medicare Advantage Seen Replicating Successes of Commercial Payers
A new paper from the Center for Health Value Innovation seeks to paper seeks to pro-actively position co-pay incentives as a proven approach to drive behavior change, reduce the cost trend, and accelerate positive outcomes for Medicare Advantage (Part D) beneficiaries. It examines the types of incentives reflected in a recent analysis of the current structure of the Medicare Part D program and makes recommendations for the utilization of co-pay incentives. Login to see complete story
03/27/2009 12:19 PM
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Report: Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia Triple Healthcare Costs
Total healthcare costs are more than three times higher for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias than for other people age 65 and older, according to the Alzheimer's Association's 2009 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures, to be released Tuesday (March 24). Login to see complete story
03/23/2009 10:03 AM
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Study: Lower Risk of Death, Heart Attack in Patients With Drug-Coated Stents
Heart disease patients 65 and older who receive stents coated with medicine to prevent blockages are more likely to survive and less likely to suffer a heart attack than people fitted with stents not coated with medication, according to a new study. Login to see complete story
03/27/2009 12:39 PM
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| Services |
10 Tips for Taking an Elderly Parent to the Emergency Room
With America's rapidly growing elderly population, some more likely to have multiple, chronic health problems, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) wants to arm caregivers with the necessary information for when they need to seek emergency care. Caring for an elderly parent is one of the most important things an adult can do. It can also be one of the most difficult and stressful responsibilities, especially in times of medical crisis. Login to see complete story
03/24/2009 12:08 PM
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Someone in America Develops Alzheimer's Disease Every 72 Seconds
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of memory and cognitive function, such as movement control and decision-making ability. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly and affects about 18 million people worldwide -- 5 million in the United States alone. Login to see complete story
03/26/2009 12:07 PM
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