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STATE LEGISLATION & POLICY
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1. Arizona posts legislative summary
The state of Arizona has posted a summary of bills considered in 2003 affecting older adults in the state. Initiatives address maintaining funding for home and community-based services; information and assistance funding levels; and an Alzheimer's disease pilot program. Access:
http://www.de.state.az.us/gaca/pdf/2003aging%20SummaryFINAL0603.pdf
2. California report on Olmstead and long-term care
"The Olmstead Decision and Long-Term Care in California: Lessons on Services, Access and Costs from Colorado, Washington and Wisconsin" examines the practical effect of Olmstead in California. The authors conclude that gaps in California's health programs for persons with physical or mental disabilities force many Californians to live in institutional settings when they could live more independently in the home or community. The report includes recommended solutions and examples of successful policies and programs from the three other benchmark states which have been able to reduce institutionalization, shifting resources into home and community-based services. Read:
http://www.chcf.org/topics/view.cfm?itemID=21620&dir=policy
FEDERAL LEGISLATION & POLICY
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3. Senator Lieberman to support paid family leave
Senator and presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) recently announced his support for providing paid family leave benefits. The Lieberman proposal would provide four weeks of paid family and/or medical leave benefits to for workers whose leave is already protected (but unpaid) under the federal Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Benefits would be 50 percent of the employee's salary, and would be funded through a new employee payroll deduction. Employees who work for businesses that are covered by the FMLA would be eligible. More details: http://www.joe2004.com/site/PageServer
4. HHS highlights new study of Cash and Counseling
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has provided details on the newest study of the agency's Cash and Counseling demonstration program. "The Effects of Cash and Counseling on Personal Care Services and Medicaid Costs in Arkansas" is included in a Health Affairs web exclusive. The authors found the program increased the receipt of paid care but reduced unpaid care. The treatment group had higher Medicaid personal care expenditures than controls did, because many controls received no paid help, and recipients obtained only two-thirds of entitled services. Details:
http://www.dhhs.gov/news/press/2003pres/20031119.html
RESEARCH & REPORTS
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5. NCC's Handbook for Long-Distance Caregivers
The National Center on Caregiving (NCC) at Family Caregiver Alliance has developed a new handbook to assist long-distance caregivers. Whether you live an hour away or across the country, this booklet offers a roadmap for those new to the challenges of caring from afar for ill or elderly loved ones. Included: how to assess your care situation; develop a care team; hold a family meeting; access community organizations and private agencies; and balance work and caregiving. Download:
http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=1034
6. Report on informal care in Australia
"The Future Supply of Informal Care 2003 to 2013: Alternative Scenarios" has been made available by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The report looks at factors that may affect the future supply of informal care in Australia. The impact of Australia's aging population, an increase in female labor force participation and changed living arrangements are all addressed. View:
http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm?type=detail&id=9571
7. "Face the Facts: Topics to Discuss Now with Your Aging Parents"
As part of the Eldercare Locator "Home for the Holidays" media campaign, a guide has been developed to assist families in coping with many caregiving issues. "Face the Facts: Topics to Discuss Now with Your Aging Parents" provides a brief overview of key concerns, including Social Security and pensions; living wills and advance directives; Medicare and Medicaid; and long term care insurance. The guide also includes suggested questions to ask in conversations on the various topics. Download:
http://www.eldercare.gov/
8. Research project to focus on ways to afford home care
The National Council on the Aging, with the support of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is laying the groundwork to increase the use of reverse mortgages to help pay for long-term care. The "Use Your Home to Stay at Home" program will work to increase knowledge and utilization of reverse mortgages so that, where appropriate, homeowners can tap home equity to pay for long-term care services or insurance. Project details:
http://www.ncoa.org/content.cfm?sectionID=65&detail=460
JOURNAL ARTICLES
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9. Family caregivers and adult day services
"The impact of adult day programs on family caregivers of elderly relatives" is included in the Winter 2003 edition of the Journal of Community Health Nursing. The study addressed adult day services offered in Canada. According to the authors, "caregivers reported that client socializing and improved health were what they liked best about the programs, followed by respite for themselves. Time conflicts/limits and transportation were identified as problems. The results suggest that adult day programs may help caregivers to continue in their caregiving role and to keep clients in the community longer." Journal information:
http://www.catchword.com/erlbaum/07370016/contp1-1.htm
CONFERENCES, MEDIA & MISCELLANEOUS
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10. Health literacy grants available
The Pfizer Clear Health Communication Initiative has made available grants to fund visiting lecturers. The visiting lecturers are recognized health literacy experts who will visit grantees and present lectures and workshops on health literacy. Fifteen grants of up to $4,500 each will be made. The application deadline is January 30, 2004. Download application: http://www.kiassoc.com/pfizer.cfm
11. Intergenerational caregiving grants available
The Johnson & Johnson/Rosalynn Carter Institute Caregivers Program has announced the availability of grant funding for communities to initiate, expand and replicate caregiving programs with an intergenerational focus. The following states are eligible to submit abstracts for 2004 funding: Georgia, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, and New Jersey. Abstracts are being sought from groups that wish to work in partnership with organizations within communities and states to further the development of an infrastructure that supports intergenerational caregiving programs. The award amount is $30,000 per site for one year. Details:
http://www.rci.gsw.edu/jj2004pracact.html
12. "Pioneer Network" conference
The fifth national Pioneer Network Conference will be held August 4 - 7, 2004 in Overland Park, Kansas, with the theme "There's No Place Like Home." The Pioneer Network is a group of people dedicated to supporting elders and those who work with them. Deadline for conference submissions is Dec. 31, 2003. Details: http://www.pioneernetwork.net
13. NGA broadcast on long-term care issues
The National Governor's Association (NGA) chairman recently spearheaded the broadcast of a PBS program focusing on long-term care issues. The program covered a range of issues, including financial planning for retirement; building community-based care systems; providing support for caregivers; promoting wellness and disease management; and utilizing technology to enhance the quality of life of seniors and provide cost-effective care. The event is the first in a series designed to engage governors, other policymakers and the private sector in major long-term care issues. Details and transcript:
http://www.nga.org/nga/newsRoom/1,1169,C_PRESS_RELEASE%5ED_6204,00.html
14. ASA-NCOA annual conference
April 14 - 17, 2004 marks the date of the American Society on the Aging - National Council on the Aging joint conference to be held in San Francisco. Over 800 sessions are scheduled, in topics covering caregiving, home and community-based care, Medicaid and other aging issues. Pre-conference events begin on April 13, 2003. Conference details: http://www.agingconference.org
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For questions or further information about Family Caregiver Alliance's National Center on Caregiving, contact us at [email protected].
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Caregiving PolicyDigest is a publication of the National Center on Caregiving, a program of Family Caregiver Alliance. The Digest is funded by the Archstone Foundation.
©2003 Family Caregiver Alliance
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