HHS Launches National Nursing Home Quality Initiative

Nov. 13, 2002 – The Nursing Home Quality Initiative, aimed at improving the "quality of care given to the millions of Americans who live in nursing homes," was launched yesterday by U.S. Health and Human Services. Click 11/13/02*

NOTE: To use the very helpful Nursing Home Compare Guide - Click Here

Senate Aging Chair Says Long-Term Care Inconsistent

Sept. 27, 02 - Sen. John Breaux (D-La.), chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, brought attention to the results of a General Accounting Office (GAO) report released Thursday highlighting the inconsistencies of long-term care delivery approaches in four states. Click 9/27/2*

NOTE: The committee also released a list of consumer tips for Long-Term care providers - Click to read.

Operating on a Beating Heart Shows Benefit in Elderly

Sept. 17, 02 -  – Bypass surgery on a beating heart may be the best option for patients over age 80, leading to fewer strokes and higher 30-day survival rates, according to a study in today’s special surgery issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. Click 9/18/2*

PACE Program Improving Life for Thousands of Elderly Americans

There is an innovative program sweeping across America that is improving the quality of life for thousands of elderly citizens. It is the PACE program, the "Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly."

The idea for PACE began in San Francisco's Chinatown in the early 1970s. Asian families preferred to have their elders live at home but were worried about their safety during the day. An area social worker proposed a British concept, transporting seniors to a community center during the day and returning them home at night. Click to story 8/8/2*

New Report Looks at Elder Care Policies in 50 States

July 29, 2002 - A new report analyzing states' long-term care policies and efforts to deal with the rising costs of caring for the elderly, people with disabilities and others requiring long-term care was released today.  Click 7/29/2*

Pets Do Make a Difference for Patients in Long-Term Care Facilities

Study finds statistical evidence that animal-assisted therapy reduces loneliness in LTC residents

June 28, 2002 - Animal-assisted therapy can effectively reduce the loneliness of residents in long-term care facilities, according to a study by Marian R. Banks of the VA Medical Center in St. Louis and William A. Banks of St. Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri. Click 6/28/2*

Senate Aging Committee Hearing

Aging Committee Concludes Long-Term Care Programs Must Change

WASHINGTON (June 21) - The Senate Special Committee on Aging, released findings from the committee's 13 hearings on long-term care on Thursday, which outlines several guiding principles for reform and says current long-term care financing policies are unsustainable and a threat to the level of care the nation's 77 million baby boomers will expect. Click 6/21/2*

Coalition Wants Long-Term Care Financing in Social Security and Medicare Reform Debates

40 states anticipate budget shortfalls due in part to exploding Medicaid-borne long-term costs says new report from Citizens For Long-Term Care

June 20, 2002 – At a hearing today of the United States Senate’s Special Committee on Aging, Citizens For Long-term Care, a coalition of long-term care providers, consumers, insurers and workers, released a report calling for the inclusion of long-term care financing reform in the Medicare and Social Security reform debates. Click 6/20/2*

Sen. Breaux Tells Finance Committee That New Study Shows Need For Elder Justice Proposal

Academy of Sciences study shows more action needed to combat elder abuse

June 18,2002 - At a Senate Finance Committee hearing on elder abuse, Sen. John Breaux (D-La.) decried the lack of activity to define, detect and combat elder abuse revealed in a study today, and urged fellow senators to support his elder justice proposal - the first-ever, federal effort to address elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. Click 6/18/2*

Breaux Unveils Comprehensive "Elder Justice" Effort To Combat Elder Abuse

 Sen. John Breaux (D-La.), chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, announced today the first-ever comprehensive federal effort to address elder abuse, crimes against seniors and to guarantee protections for every older American. Click 5/20/2*

Sens. Breaux, Clinton, Snowe, Mikulski Unveil Legislation to Provide Relief to Family Caregivers

WASHINGTON, May 10, 2002 -- At a Capitol Hill press conference yesterday, Sens. John Breaux (D-La., Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Olympia Snowe (R-Me.) and Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) today introduced legislation to provide relief to family caregivers through increased access to respite care services. Click 5/10/2*

Federal Government Kicks Off Initiative in Six States Focused on Quality of Care in Nursing Homes

The federal government's nursing home quality initiative—to launch this week in six states—signals a new emphasis by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on quality improvement in nursing home care, according to the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA). Click to story 4/22/2*

Leaders of Senate Aging Committee Pleased With Assisted Living Work Group

WASHINGTON (April 19, 2002) - Sen. John Breaux (D-La.), chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and the ranking Republican, U.S. Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), hailed the progress of a new assisted living work group this week, and urged the group to continue developing recommendations for state and federal policymakers. Click 4/19/2*

Treatment for Depression in Older Adults Made Available Online by ASA

March 14, 2002 - The American Society on Aging (ASA) has developed a site to assist people in diagnosing and treating depression in older adults. It is named, "The Blues: Not A Normal Part of Aging." Click 3/14/2*

$128 Million in Grants to Help Family Caregivers Announced by Health & Human Services

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today approved the release of $128 million in grants to states under the National Family Caregiver Support Program, which helps family members provide care for the elderly at home.  States will use the grants to run programs that provide critical support, including home and community-based services, to help families maintain their caregiver roles. This story shows all grants by state. Click 2/7/2*

Live Webcast Available for Senate Hearing on Needs of Women Caregivers

Feb. 4, 2002 - The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging will hold a hearing Wednesday about the needs of women who provide care for elderly loved ones, according to Sen. Larry Craig, (R-Idaho) the ranking member. It will be Webcast live and available for viewing later at http://aging.senate.gov/whatsnew.htm. Click for story 2/4/2

Prescription Drug Assistance Program
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) has created a directory of pharmaceutical company programs that provide drugs to physicians whose patients could not otherwise afford them.  Under each entry in the directory is information about how to make a request for assistance, what prescription medicines are covered, and basic eligibility criteria. Click 1/23/02***

Canine Companions Expanding Options for Elderly to Live Alone

Jan. 22, 2002 - Imagine not being able to reach a light switch, pick up your keys when you drop them, or open a cabinet door. Then imagine having a dog that could do all of that and more for you. These special canines are helping hundreds live more independent lives. Click 1/22/02*

"Are You OK?" Program Aimed at Protecting Elderly By Telephoning Them Daily

Many police, sheriff and fire departments around the nation are installing a new telephone program that automatically calls elderly people, who register for the free program, to see if they are safe. Click 12/20/1*

Elderly Poor or Immobile May Not Eat Well This Holiday, Says New Study

ITHACA, N.Y. -- This holiday season many elderly Americans will not get enough to eat simply because they lack the mobility to prepare their own meals. Others will lack the funds to purchase nutritionally adequate meals. Click 12/17/1*

Eldercare Locator Provides Critical Service for Caregivers, Families

The public is increasingly using the Administration on Aging’s (AoA’s) new nationwide Eldercare Locator service to find programs and supportive services to help them care for an older member of their family in their homes and communities. Click 11/15/01*

Sen. Craig Offers Tips on National and State Levels

The staff of U.S. Senator Larry Craig, the ranking member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, often sends Senior Journal information important to seniors. Today, the senator reminds us that November is National Family Caregiver Month and offers some tips on getting help from national and state organizations. Click 11/6/1*

Consumer Reports Updates Nursing Home Watch List Survey and Find Homes Stay On List

Consumer Reports updated its State-by-State Nursing Home “Watch List” and found that one-third of 1,708 homes remain on this List because of previous or new violations cited in state inspection surveys. Consumer Reports believes that these 536 “repeat” facilities nationwide may not be correcting violations, some quite serious, identified in state inspection surveys. Click 11/4/1*

Energy consumption, regardless of source, improves memory performance in elderly

Current evidence confirms that consumption of mixed meals containing carbohydrates can improve memory in certain situations; for instance, eating breakfast improves cognitive performance in comparison with omitting breakfast. However, little is known about the contributions of other macronutrients to memory enhancement. In a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Kaplan et al. examined the effects of pure protein, fat, and carbohydrate-containing drinks on cognitive performance in a group of elderly subjects. Cognitive test scores improved after consumption of all three of the macronutrients when compared with a placebo, with a more pronounced effect on delayed recall than immediate recall. Click 10/28/01*

Here's A Test to Access Risk of Dementia Impaired Living at Home

There are actually two tests developed in Canada, a short and long version, that can help caregivers better understand the risk for those who live at home and suffer from some form of dementia. Click to tests 10/28/01

Community Organizations Help Elderly Improve Health, Stay At Home: National Council on Aging

A new study by The National Council on the Aging shows that community-based organizations empower and assist thousands of older persons throughout the country by not only improving their health, but also supporting many in their own homes. Click 10/4/1

Watch Out for Killer Heat!

This is a U.S. government Web site with tips on managing heat problems. - Click

Nursing Home Abuse on Increase

As baby boomers age and more families turn to long-term care for seniors, an increasing number of older Americans living in nursing homes are being subjected to physical and verbal abuse, according to a government report released Monday. - Click 8/1/01

Web Site for Rep. Henry Waxman - Click

Web Site for House Government Reform - Click

Read Report in PDF - Click

Failure  to Take Medicine Should Not Be Overlooked as Preventive Health Measure

While the national health care debate is focused on providing senior citizens with access to prescription drugs, encouraging them to take their medications as directed should not be overlooked as a cost-savings and preventive health measure. This story also has a link to a website that offers a fee-based reminder service. click to story 7/16/01

New Technology Enables the Visually Impaired to 'See' Movies

June 29, 2001 -- Harris Corporation, an international communications equipment company, will receive a special award for an innovative new technology that allows the visually impaired to hear what sighted people see on television. click to story* 6/29/01

Elderly Should Be Wary of Unexpected Weight Loss - New Research Says

May 30, 2001 -- Elderly persons should be wary of unexpected weight loss, according to research highlighted by the Public Information Committee of the American Society for Nutritional Sciences and the American Society for Clinical Nutrition. click to story* 5/30/1

Study finds persistent and severe pain among nursing home residents 

A new nationwide study shows that severe pain among elderly nursing home residents is prevalent, persistent and poorly treated. Check your state!  click to story *4/26/01

Powerful Coalition Proposes Framework for Long-Term Care

April 10, 2001 - Citizens For  Long Term Care, a coalition of long term care providers,  consumers, insurers and workers, announced a policy template for reforming  the nation’s long term care financing system. click to story*

Foundation Commits $100 Million To Help Elderly, Chronically Ill Be Independent
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation’s largest philanthropy dedicated exclusively to health and health care, announced its biggest commitment of funds ever – a record $100 million. Click *3/30/01

Little-Understood Form of Heart Failure Common Among Elderly  Click for story 2/15/01*

> Early Assessment Helps Seniors Receive Better Care  Click for story 2/8/01*

> Free Dental Care for Oklahoma Elderly 12/13/00*

> High Stress in Elderly Decreases Effect of Pneumonia Vaccine 12/5/00*

> Family Caregivers of Dementia Patients May Be At Risk 11/30/00*

> New Website Aims to Make Caregiving Easier 11/22/00*

> Health Care Association Fights Back for Nursing Homes 11/1/00*

> Elder Care Services Offered Free Listing 10/30/00*

> Druggist See Need for Change in Healthcare Delivery 10/16/00*

> Healthcare Can Improve Dramatically for Older Americans 10/4/00*

> President Clinton Proposes Immediate Action to Help Nursing Homes 9/18/00*

> New Study: Greater Pressure on Family Care as Baby Boom Ages 9/18/00*

> Assisted Living Group Speaks on Assisted Living Legislation 9/13/00*

> Eldercare Planner May Be Book You Need 8/21/00*

> Under-treatment of High Cholesterol in the Elderly Identified as Serious Health Problem 5/19/00*

> Late-Life Depression Preventable 5/19/00*

> How to Choose Home Healthcare Help 5/09/00*

> Elderly With Arthritis Missing Key Drugs? 5/01/00*

> Cost of Drugs for Seniors Out Runs Inflation - Answer by Drug Company Spokesman 4/25/00*

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