CAREGIVERS USA NEWS
Vol. I, No. 15
February 18, 2003
BREAUX, HATCH REINTRODUCE ELDER ABUSE BILL
Long-term care providers would face federal background checks, including FBI investigations in some cases, under a bill re-introduced by Senators John Breaux (D-La.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). The Elder Abuse Act would appropriate about $650 million in its first year to prosecute acts of abuse against seniors and to provide training and improve staff retention in elder care facilities. The two co-sponsored the measure during the previous session of Congress but it failed to win passage before the session ended.
http://atsh.org/news/elder_abuse.html
CONGRESS SHUNS HOME HEALTH CARE, REWARDS DOCTORS, HOSPITALS
Home health care providers and skilled nursing facilities were left out in the cold as Congress finally approved a reimbursement package for Medicare providers. Heavily lobbied by doctors and hospitals groups, Congress agreed to spend $54 billion over 10 years to eliminate the 4.4 percent reduction in doctor payments that was scheduled for March 1. Instead, physician payments will go up 1.6 percent. Hospitals outside urban areas will get $600 million more in Medicare payments through September.
RESIST "FOOL'S GOLD," FAMILIES USA URGES GOVERNORS
The Bush Administration's plan to offer states block grant funds for Medicaid would be a disaster for health care in rural areas and amounts to a "cruel hoax," Families USA charges. The group is mounting a campaign to turn governors against the plan before they arrive in Washington later this month for meetings with the White House and Congressional leadership.
http://atsh.org/news/fam_usa.html
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UNLEASH THE POWER!
The unanticipated costs of long-term care can cause tremendous financial hardship for a family. In a new three-part video series from Wiland-Bell Productions, healthcare experts explain the need for every individual to plan ahead for long-term care.
http://www.atsh/books/ltc.html
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LONG-TERM CARE COALITION SETS GOALS
Cuts in Medicaid reimbursement for long-term care must be averted, the board of Citizens for Long-Term Care vowed as it set its legislative priorities for 2003-2004. The group adopted a platform of six planks, all intended to ensure that there is adequate Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for chronic care needs.
http://atsh.org/news/lt_goals.html
SENIOR GROUPS STAGE GLAXO BOYCOTT
A coalition of 10 leading American and Canadian healthcare and business organizations has begun a national advertising campaign lambasting the drugmaker for its ban keeping American seniors from accessing its affordable prescription drugs from Canada. The groups are also launching a boycott of Glaxo's over-the-counter medications, including Tums, Contac and Aquafresh toothpaste.
"We're delivering our message loud and clear to Glaxo, that you cannot steal access to affordable drugs from those who are dying and expect to get away with it," said Jimm Axline, president, National Association of the Terminally Ill, a nonprofit organization serving families facing terminal illnesses.
http://atsh.org/news/glaxo_boycott.html
ANTIOXIDANT MAY HELP REDUCE MACULAR DEGENERATION
Tests on quail indicate that the antioxidant zeaxanthin may help in the battle against age-related macular degeneration (AMD). There's growing evidence in support of zeaxanthin's ability to protect against this devastating disease. Zeaxanthin occurs in many vegetables and can also be taken as a dietary supplement. AMD affects an estimated 17 million people, many of them older, with an additional 500,000 diagnosed each year.
http://atsh.org/news/zeaxanthin.html
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DON'T GET LOST IN THE WOODS
Can family caregivers looking for help in your community
find you easily? Caregivers-USA's new Family Tree of Elder
Caregiving provides an easy, economical way to raise your
visibility. Charter rates remain in effect - 18 months for the
price of 12. Enroll before March 1 and get a free DVD of the
"And Thou Shalt Honor" broadcast. Retail value: $40.
http://caregivers-usa.org
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IN THE FORUMS ...
More discussion of resources for use with patients displaying mild to moderate dementia.
http://www.thoushalthonor.org/phorum/read.php?f=5&i=46&t=46
An invitation from Patrick ...
"If ever you are interested by caregiving issues in France, (and if you can read french...) please have a look at different studies we have conducted from 2000 to 2002 with families dealing with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson, Epilepsy, Renal Transplantation, Breast Cancer, etc. We are also offering an interactive service called "La maison virtuelle" (Virtual House) which gives housing tips for caregivers."
http://www.proximologie.com
CALENDAR ITEMS
The National Family Caregivers Association is hosting a Train-the-Trainer
conference in Orlando March 21 - 22 to prepare individuals to teach its
Communicating Effectively with Healthcare Professionals curriculum to family
caregivers in their communities. This program is funded by a grant from
AOA's Programs of National Significance initiative.
http://atsh.org/pros/calendar.html
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