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STATE LEGISLATION, POLICY & REPORTS
1. Oregon: Assisted-Suicide Law Upheld by Supreme Court
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/05slipopinion.html
2. Arizona: Tax Credit for Caregivers of Elderly Parents and Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease (H.B. 2318)
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=HB2318
3. Indiana: Legislation Requiring State to Seek Medicaid Cash and Counseling Demonstration Waiver (H.B. 1100)
http://tinyurl.com/drqnq
4. Washington: Legislation Requiring State to Initiate a Research and Demonstration Project for Medicaid Consumer Direction (H.B. 2556)
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2556&year=2006
5. Washington: Changes to Family and Medical Leave (H.B. 2392 and S.B. 6185)
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2392&year=2006
6. Rhode Island: Changes to Family and Medical Leave (S.B. 2037)
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext/billtext06/senatetext06/s2037.htm
7. West Virginia: Creation of an Alzheimer’s Caregiver Assistance Program for Families (S.B. 109)
http://www.legis.state.wv.us/
FEDERAL LEGISLATION, POLICY & REPORTS
8. Update on FY 2006 Budget Reconciliation Bill Affecting Medicaid and Medicare (S.B. 1932)
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=34663
RESEARCH REPORTS & JOURNAL ARTICLES
9. Long-Term Care: Understanding Medicaid’s Role for the Elderly and Disabled
http://www.kff.org/medicaid/7428.cfm
10. Trends in Family Caregiving to Older Persons Suggest that Reliance on Family Caregivers is on the Rise
http://www.aarp.org/research/housing-mobility/caregiving/2005_17_caregiving.html
11. Evaluation of Multimedia Support Programs for Family Caregivers
http://gerontologist.gerontologyjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/45/6/793
12. Research on Cross-Cultural Similarities and Differences Among Minority Caregivers of Elderly with Alzheimer’s Disease
http://gerontologist.gerontologyjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/45/6/783
13. New Study on the Effect of Adult Day Care Services on Long-Term Care Placement
http://gerontologist.gerontologyjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/45/6/754
CONFERENCES & TRAININGS
14. Caregiving Practices with the Geriatric Population Conference, March 1, 2006
http://www.jewishhome.org/pec/
15. 5th National Conference on Volunteerism and Family Caregiving July 28-30, 2006
http://www.nhpco.org/i4a/pages/Index.cfm?pageid=4653
FUNDING, MEDIA & MISCELLANEOUS
16. Our Parents, Ourselves: How American Health Care Imperils Middle Age and Beyond
http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/9469.html
17. The Care Transitions Project Offers Tools for Older Adults and Caregivers Making Transition from Hospital to Home
http://www.caretransitions.org/caregiver_tools.htm
STATE LEGISLATION, POLICY & REPORTS
1. Oregon: Assisted-Suicide Law Upheld by Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court rule to uphold Oregon’s assisted-suicide law that allows doctors to help terminally ill patients end their lives. Oregon is the only state with a physician-assisted suicide law, and voters have twice approved the law in elections. In Gonzales v. Oregon, No. 04-623, the Court decided by a 6-3 vote that the 1970 Controlled Substances Act does not give the Attorney General the power to decide that assisting suicide has no “legitimate medical purpose.” Therefore, Oregon doctors cannot be prohibited from prescribing regulated drugs for use in physician-assisted suicide. To read the decision, visit:
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/05slipopinion.html
2. Arizona: Tax Credit for Caregivers of Elderly Parents and Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease (H.B. 2318)
The Arizona House of Representatives introduced a bill (H.B. 2318) to modify tax laws for family caregivers, among other individuals. One proposed change is to allow an exemption of $10,000 for an individual caring for a parent age 65 or older who requires assistance with activities of daily living. The parent must live in the taxpayer's principal residence for the entire year, and the taxpayer must pay more than one half of the parent's total support and maintenance costs. In addition, a tax credit would be allowed for caregivers providing home-based services to a dependent of the taxpayer who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The amount of this tax credit cannot exceed $2,000. For more information, visit:
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=HB2318
3. Indiana: Legislation Requiring State to Seek Medicaid Cash and Counseling Demonstration Waiver (H.B. 1100)
The Indiana House of Representatives has introduced legislation requiring the state’s Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning to apply for a Medicaid Cash and Counseling demonstration waiver within one year. The waiver would allow eligible elderly and disabled person to receive a cash allowance or have control of a specific budget to purchase certain support services. For more information, visit:
http://tinyurl.com/drqnq
4. Washington: Legislation Requiring State to Initiate a Research and Demonstration Project for Medicaid Consumer Direction (H.B. 2556)
The Washington House of Representatives has introduced legislation requiring the state’s Department of Social and Health Services to initiate a research and demonstration project for consumer-directed Medicaid services. The project would require eligible Medicaid recipients to enroll in a state-approved health care plan; provide recipients with a personal health account to manage their health care spending; and allow recipients who leave the Medicaid program to retain any money in their personal health accounts to pay for future health-related expenses. For more information, visit:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2556&year=2006
5. Washington: Changes to Family and Medical Leave (S.B. 6185 and H.B. 2392)
Washington State’s Senate and House of Representatives introduced companion bills (S.B. 6185 and H.B. 2392) to modify the state’s existing family and medical leave law to conform, in part, to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. In the proposed legislation, an employee would be entitled to 12 weeks of unpaid leave during any 12 month period to care for a family member with a serious health condition, a newly born or adopted child, or oneself. The employee’s job or an equivalent job is guaranteed upon return to work. For more information, visit:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2392&year=2006
6. Rhode Island: Changes to Family Medical Leave (S.B. 2037)
The Rhode Island Senate introduced a bill (S.B. 2037) to modify the state’s Parental and Family Medical Leave Act to provide employees with 14 additional hours of unpaid leave during a 12 month period to accompany an elderly relative to medical appointments or appointments related to long-term care, among other reasons. For more information, visit:
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext/billtext06/senatetext06/s2037.htm
7. West Virginia: Creation of an Alzheimer’s Caregiver Assistance Program for Families (S.B. 109)
A bill (S.B. 109) introduced in the West Virginia Senate would create an Alzheimer’s Caregiver Assistance Program to provide respite services for informal caregivers. In addition, individuals could elect to contribute to a fund for the respite program through their personal income tax returns. For more information, visit:
http://www.legis.state.wv.us/
FEDERAL LEGISLATION, POLICY & REPORTS
8. Update on FY 2006 Budget Reconciliation Bill Affecting Medicaid and Medicare (S.B. 1932)
The FY 2006 budget reconciliation bill (S.B. 1932), approved by the Senate in December, now awaits re-approval from the House of Representatives. The legislation includes spending cuts in Medicaid and Medicare, including giving states greater flexibility in requiring co-payments and premiums of beneficiaries. It would also tighten rules for transfers of assets by individuals to obtain Medicaid coverage for long-term care. The House must re-approve the bill because of Senate procedural requirements before it can be sent to the President for approval. A House vote is expected shortly after Congress reconvenes at the end of January. For a recap, visit:
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=34663
RESEARCH REPORTS & JOURNAL ARTICLES
9. Long-Term Care: Understanding Medicaid’s Role for the Elderly and Disabled
The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured has issued a primer on the services Medicaid offers to individuals with long-term care needs. The publication provides an overview of the diverse populations that receive long-term care and how the care is administered. It also discusses spending levels of long-term care and Medicaid’s funding role. For more information, visit:
http://www.kff.org/medicaid/7428.cfm
10. Trends in Family Caregiving to Older Persons Suggest that Reliance on Family Caregivers is on the Rise
An issue brief released by the AARP Public Policy Institute examines long-term care and caregiving trends for older persons with disabilities. Using data from the 1999 National Long-Term Care Survey, Brenda Spillman and Kirsten Black from the Urban Institute found that the number of spouses and children providing care to an older person with disabilities increased from 1994 to 1999, while the use of any formal care by older persons with disabilities receiving care in the community declined during this time. Over the same 1994-1999 period, the proportion relying solely on family care increased dramatically. For more information, visit:
http://www.aarp.org/research/housing-mobility/caregiving/2005_17_caregiving.html
11. Evaluation of Multimedia Support Programs for Family Caregivers
The December 2005 edition of The Gerontologist includes a study on the effectiveness of a web-based multimedia caregiver support program, Caregiver’s Friend: Dealing with Dementia, in reducing depression and anxiety in employed family caregivers. The program consists of text material and videos. Researchers found that when compared to the control group, the treatment group caregivers had significantly reduced depression, anxiety and strain levels. The authors concluded that the support program may be a low-cost, convenient and effective way to offer support services to working family caregivers. For more information, visit:
http://gerontologist.gerontologyjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/45/6/793
12. Research on Cross-Cultural Similarities and Difference Among Minority Caregivers of Elderly with Alzheimer’s Disease
An article in the December 2005 edition of The Gerontologist explores the cross-cultural similarities and differences of 22 minority family caregivers’ perceptions of the onset and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in their relatives. A lack of knowledge about the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, rather than culturally influenced beliefs, was found to be the major deterrent to having a loved one’s memory assessed. The authors call for more community education about cognitive impairments as well as confidential access to disease information. For more information, visit:
http://gerontologist.gerontologyjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/45/6/783
13. New Study Concerning the Effect of Adult Day Care Services on Long-Term Care Placement
The December 2005 edition of The Gerontologist examines whether the use of adult day care services delays placement of older adults with Alzheimer’s disease in long-term care facilities. Over five hundred adults with Alzheimer’s disease were compared, and researchers found the risk of long-term care placement for these adults increased significantly with the number of days of adult day care attendance. They conclude that unmeasured factors, such as a natural inclination to institutionalize, could account for their findings. For more information, visit:
http://gerontologist.gerontologyjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/45/6/754
CONFERENCES & TRAININGS
14. Caregiving Practices with the Geriatric Population Conference, March 1, 2006
On March 1, 2006, the Jewish Home and Hospital Lifecare System will hold an educational program about caregiving practices at Columbia University in New York City. The conference will include discussion of caregiving challenges, communication between professionals and family caregivers, accessing support, and elder caregiving and public policy, as well as a panel on changes in the face of caregiving. Family and professional caregivers, healthcare and academic professionals and others are encouraged to attend. For details on the conference, visit:
http://www.jewishhome.org/pec/
15. 5th National Conference on Volunteerism and Family Caregiving, July 28-30, 2006
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization is hosting the 5th National Conference on Volunteerism and Family Caregiving in Denver, CO, July 28-30, 2006. The conference will focus on volunteers’ and caregivers’ needs for education, knowledge of best practices, empowerment, support and encouragement. For details on the conference, visit:
http://www.nhpco.org/i4a/pages/Index.cfm?pageid=4653
FUNDING, MEDIA & MISCELLANEOUS
16. Our Parents, Ourselves: How American Health Care Imperils Middle Age and Beyond
This new book by Judith Steinberg Turiel examines how the social and health care policies in America affect the daily lives of older people and their families. The book uses both personal stories and current medical information to address such topics as: healthy aging and independent living; mental impairment brought on by Alzheimer’s, other dementias, and depression; women as caregivers; health care rationing; the power of prescription drug makers; end-of-life care; physician-aided suicide; and prospects for Medicare. The book is both comprehensive and straightforward in its examination of how baby boomers caring for their parents, as well as older adults themselves, navigate the aging and health care networks. For more information, visit:
http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/9469.html
17. The Care Transitions Project Offers Tools for Older Adults and Caregivers Making Transition from Hospital to Home
The Care Transitions Program, a part of the University of Colorado at Denver Health Science Center, has created two tools to support patients and their families as they make the transition from hospital to home. The first is a patient-centered record system that contains essential information for organizing a patient’s health care and medications and facilitating effective communication between the patient, caregiver and health care professional during the care transition. The second tool is a structured discharge preparation checklist of critical activities and information that is designed to empower patients and their caregivers. For more information, visit:
http://www.caretransitions.org/caregiver_tools.htm
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