CAREGIVERS USA NEWS
Vol. I, No. 30
June 2, 2003
A MILESTONE: FIRST ELDERS MOVE INTO GREEN HOUSE
Ten frail elders made history in Tupelo, Miss., in May, as they moved from a nursing home into the first "Green Houses" in the nation. Modeled on the Eden Alternative plan for nursing homes, the Green Houses are designed to feel more like home than the typical long-term care institution and to blend easily into their community or surroundings. First reports say elderly residents who had been withdrawn and taking little nourishment in the nursing home are blossoming in their new surroundings. "My, it is good to be home again after all this time away," said one.
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SPECIAL OFFER FOR OUR READERS -- TWO CAREGIVING TAPES FOR LESS THAN THE PRICE OF ONE!
For readers of this newsletter only, we are offering two of the most useful and inspiring tapes from teh Caregivers Video Library -- "Spiritual Caregiving," normally $49.95 plus $5 shipping, and "The Aging Game," normally $125 plus $5 shipping. From now until June 15, get both tapes for $112.45 plus $5 shipping. This is less than the cost of "The Aging Game" -- two tapes for less than the price of one! You must follow this link -- atsh.org/books/news_special.html. The offer is not publicly displayed on our Website.
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TOWN HALL MEETINGS "FALLING TOGETHER"
Planning is underway for the series of Town Hall Meetings on Caregiving beginning this fall in Cleveland, Kansas City, Denver, Milwaukee and San Diego, among others. The first event is tentatively scheduled for Kansas City in late August. Dale Bell of Wiland-Bell Productions reports on the status of the leading 20 sites in this week's Town Hall Newsletter.
PRESCRIPTION ERRORS ON THE RISE FOR SENIORS
A new study warns that prescription errors for America's elderly are increasing. A study of data for 6.3 million seniors last year found more than 7.9 million errors in their prescriptions -- more than double the number found in a similar study conducted in 1999. Lack of communication is a leading cause. The study found that one in six seniors saw five different physicians and filled their prescriptions at five different pharmacies.
STUDY: DAMAGE CAPS DON'T STOP PREMIUM INCREASES
A study by Weiss Ratings finds that restricting patients' rights to recover damages for pain and suffering does not prevent increases in medical malpractice premiums. In fact, in 19 states that capped patients' rights, physicans experienced premium increases while in 32 states without caps, premiums actually went down slightly. "The (malpractice insurance) crisis will not be resolved until the industry and regulators address the other, apparently more powerful, factors driving premiums higher," said Martin D. Weiss, chairman of Weiss Ratings.
CMS SETTLES MACULAR DEGENERATION SUIT
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has settled a lawsuit over a decision by Medicare not to cover a medication for a form of macular degeneration that causes occult eye lesions and can lead to blindness. The settlemetn provides that CMS will convene an outside advisory committee to consider whether Medicare should cover Visudyne to treat occult eye lesions.
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IN FULL BLOOM
The Caregivers-USA.org "Family Tree of Elder Caregiving" elevates community awareness of caregiving and caregiving service providers. Our expanded Web directory makes it easier for caregivers and families to find you! Advertised on our affiliated sites and through the Google AdWords program, more than 150,000 hits per day lead to Caregivers-USA.org. Proceeds help cover the cost of building, maintaining and advertising the database.
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HHS OK'S FLORIDA CONSUMER-DIRECTED CARE PLAN
HHS has approved a Florida plan to allow more consumers to direct their own Medicaid home- and community-based care services instead of an agency directing services for them. Florida's request was made under the new Independence Plus Medicaid initiative to help states develop programs for family- and individually-directed community services using either a demonstration waiver or a home- and community-based services waiver.
HHS GRANTS TO BOOST HEALTHY AGING
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson has announced a new grant program to help states develop one-stop shopping centers for seniors and people with disabilities who need long-term care information. He also called on older Americans to increase their physical activity -- an essential part of healthy aging -- and joined senior citizens and leaders of national aging organizations on his second annual Older Americans Month Walk on the National Mall.
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