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STATE LEGISLATION & POLICY
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1. Nevada expands home and community-based services
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently approved a Nevada plan to expand its Medicaid home and community-based waiver serving the disabled. Under the new plan, persons of any age who otherwise would require care in a nursing home can receive services, whereas previously the waiver was limited to people ages 64 and older. Nevada is also revising its waiver to include consumer direction in choosing, training and supervising personal care providers. For more information:
http://www.dhhs.gov/news/press/2002pres/20021127.html
2. Ohio starts call system for older persons
Ohio will soon have a new service to ensure the safety of many elderly citizens - a daily automated call to their home to check on their well-being. If they don't answer the phone, local police may visit the home to find out why. Funded through the Ohio Attorney General's office, the pilot program aims to assist frail elders living at home who may not have a relative or friend living close by who can check on them. The full article is available: http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/
cuyahoga/1040298952227450.xml
3. Michigan may end Medicaid in-home care coverage
The Michigan Department of Community Health recently determined that Medicaid recipients who need long-term care may no longer be able to access these services in their own homes. A recent administrative decision determined that although offering in-home services is within the department's discretion, it is not required to do so. The result is that decisions to offer in-home services will vary by locality. More information on Michigan's policy change can be found:
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=15171
FEDERAL LEGISLATION & POLICY
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4. HHS releases report on consumer direction
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disability, Aging and Long-Term Care Policy, has made available "Highlights: Inventory of Consumer-Directed Support Programs." The publication provides details, such as prevalence, funding and covered services of consumer-directed programs. Read the publication:
http://aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/reports/highlght.htm
5. Federal focus on transportation issues
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) and the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) recently signed a memorandum of understanding to address the coordination of transportation services for older adults and to facilitate access to these services. Objectives include developing better service delivery models and identifying barriers to and solutions for older adults accessing transportation. Read the memorandum and other publications on the AoA website: http://www.aoa.gov/siteutil/whatsnew.asp
6. AoA posts caregiver information
The U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) has posted several publications of interest on their website. A Caregiver Compendium, System Development Guide, Research Briefs and other materials are available for download: http://www.aoa.gov/carenetwork/default.htm
7. Veteran's committee posts testimony
The U.S. Senate Committee on Veteran's Affairs recently posted a transcript of testimony from the April 25, 2002 hearing, "Options to Nursing Home Care: Is VA Prepared?" The testimony focuses on the need to expand access to home and community-based services for veterans. To read the transcript go to the website and scroll down to hearing 107-778:
http://www.access.gpo.gov/congress/senate/senate18ch107.html
RESEARCH & REPORTS
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8. NCC posts on website new 10-state report on caregiving
The National Center on Caregiving at Family Caregiver Alliance has posted "Family Caregiver Support: Policies, Perceptions and Practices in 10 States Since Passage of the National Family Caregiver Support Program." The comprehensive report identifies commonalities and differences among the states, highlights crosscutting themes, offers issues for the future and presents individual state profiles that describe each state's approach to providing support services to family and friends of the elderly and adults with disabilities. The full report is available for download, as are the profiles of the individual states included in the report (AL, CA, FL, HI, IN, IA, ME, PA, TX and WA). View the report.
9. Last Acts report on palliative care
"Means to a Better End: A Report on Dying in America Today," has been released by Last Acts. In addition to detailed statistical information about the availability and use of palliative care, the report includes a state-by-state report card on end-of-life care. To download the report: http://www.lastacts.org/files/misc/meansfull.pdf
10. Alzheimer's Association information for caregivers
The California Council of the Alzheimer's Association has made available the publication "Working With Your Doctor When You Suspect Memory Problems." The booklet includes information on Alzheimer's disease and details on how to work with your doctor to get the best care. Read the publication: http://www.caalz.org/HKEnglishBooklet.pdf
11. Survey methods for frail elders
The University of Maryland recently released a study indicating that simple, brief, in-person surveys are the best method for collecting data on frail elder issues such as quality of care, program oversight and other issues. To read the press release:
http://www.hhp.umd.edu/AGING/MMIP/Consumer%20Feedback_final.pdf
12. Transportation and caregivers
Easter Seals has developed a toolkit of information to assist caregivers and volunteer drivers in managing transportation needs of adults with cognitive and/or physical impairments, older persons and others with disabilities. Among other items, the kit includes a video and informational booklet. Access the materials:
http://www.easter-seals.org/ntl_trans_care
13. Medicare Rights Center looks at caregiver burden
"Easing the Burden of Family Caregivers" is now available on the Medicare Rights Center website. The fact sheet includes facts and figures on caregivers, as well as policy recommendations to support the work of family caregivers. The fact sheet is available:
http://www.medicarerights.org/FactSheet-Caregivers.pdf
14. Chronic Care in America
The Partnership for Solutions of Johns Hopkins University has released "Chronic Conditions: Making the Case for Ongoing Care." The chartbook includes a section on the impact of chronic conditions on caregivers. "Chronic Conditions" is available:
http://www.partnershipforsolutions.com/dms/files/chronicbook2002.pdf
JOURNAL ARTICLES
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15. "Reducing Disability in Older Age"
The December 25, 2002 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association includes the editorial "Reducing Disability in Older Age." Included is information indicating disability in older adults is decreasing. The editorial can be accessed: http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v288n24/ffull/jed20071.html
CONFERENCES, MEDIA & MISCELLANEOUS
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16. Caregiver support program 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. California, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico are eligible for the funds. 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 $25,000 per site for one year.
17. International care management conference
The 6th International Conference on Care Management will be held October 26 - 29, 2003 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The conference will include sessions on innovative models of service delivery at the policy level, as well as on local informal and nontraditional providers and services. To submit an abstract or for more details: www.asaging.org/icm
18. Technology and caregiving conference
The "Computer-Based Technology and Caregiving for Older Adults," conference is being sponsored by the SPRY (Setting Priorities for Retirement Years) Foundation. The national conference will be held Thursday, October 2nd and Friday, October 3rd, 2003 at the NIH Campus/Natcher Conference Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Abstracts can be submitted online and more information is available: http://www.spry.org/special_events/special_events.html
19. Research conference on older families
The Health and Retirement Study (HRS) is sponsoring a research conference on Older Families in early 2004. Of particular interest are presenters who use HRS data on family, kin and intergenerational transfers. Research proposals are due July 15, 2003. Further information about the conference and call for papers:
http://hrsonline.isr.umich.edu/news/sho_news.php?hfyle=news147&xtyp=1
20. Corporate eldercare conference
On January 21, 2003 the Pittsburgh Area Airport Chamber Enterprise Foundation will sponsor a conference entitled "Economic Impact with Long-Term Care: Corporate Elder Care Planning." The conference will include panels on the impact of caregiving on businesses as well as long-term care financing issues. For more details: http://paacc.com/Foundation/03.LTCconf/LTCconf.htm
21. Alzheimer's Association Public Policy Forum
The Alzheimer's Association will hold its 15th annual Public Policy Forum at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. This year's theme will be "Alzheimer Advocacy: Many Voices, One Message." For more details or to register for the forum: http://www.alz.org/PublicPolicy/overview.htm
22. Caregiver workshops
The Boston University Gerontology Center will sponsor a series of workshops for family and professional caregivers in the New England region in early Spring 2003. Workshops will focus on eldercare, and in particular the physical and emotional challenges that caregivers face. More details available: http://www.bu.edu/gerontology/workshops.htm
23. New book on caregiving: "Love, Honor and Value"
Suzanne Mintz, President and Co-Founder of the National Family Caregiver Association (NFCA), has recently authored "Love, Honor and Value: A Family Caregiver Speaks Out about the Choices and Challenges of Caregiving." The book is available on NFCA's website: http://www.nfcacares.org
24. 4th International Respite Conference
The ARCH National Respite Network will host its 4th International Respite Conference September 16 - 19, 2003 in Orlando Florida. Titled "A Universal Break: Respite for Caregivers" the conference will have a "caregiver issues" track, in addition to presentations on program administration and model programs.
25. U.C. Berkeley offers videos on caregivers and aging issues
The University of California, Berkeley website has made available "videos on demand" addressing health and medicine issues. The videos, including those on Parkinson's disease and healthy aging, can be downloaded for view. To access the videos: http://www.uctv.tv/library-health-all.asp
26. Antioxidants and Alzheimer's disease
MSNBC has reported that the preliminary evidence linking antioxidants to a decrease in Alzheimer's is just that - preliminary. In a recent story they encourage prudence in waiting to ensure that consuming antioxidants, such as Vitamin E, is safe and effective. More details: http://www.msnbc.com/news/846322.asp?cp1=1
27. Maryland's high-speed internet for homebound seniors
High-speed internet access is becoming a reality for senior citizens in Maryland. Recently, a company launched wireless internet service at a Baltimore area retirement home. Some retirement communities are considering ensuring all residents have access to high-speed internet service, in part to ensure homebound residents maintain social interactions. To read the full article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43539-2002Nov26.html
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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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