CAREGIVERS USA NEWS

Vol. I, No. 39
August 4, 2003

MEDICARE BATTLEFIELD SHIFTS
Those beads of sweat on Congressional brows the next few weeks won't be caused solely by fumes from barbecue grills and croweded meeting rooms. Aging advocates are lying in wait for their representatives and senators, who are in their districts for the summer recess. The topic: the pending House and Senate Medicare bills. The message: Medicare is still the third rail and the power is still on; adding a drug benefit doesn't mean giving up other key elements. Meanwhile, back in Washington, AARP issues a detailed manifesto and a new Senate working group forms to blunt conservatives' "51-vote strategy."

RIVAL CELEBRATIONS ON MEDICARE'S 38TH
It was 38 years ago that President Johnson signed Medicare into law and presented the first Medicare card to former President Truman at his home in Independence, Mo. As a result, older Americans are wealthier, healthier and living longer. Will it stay that way? President Bush and Senate Democrats say it won't unless their version of a prescription drug benefit prevails.

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MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT STARVATION STUDY
Patients in hospice care can die a good death by refusing food and fluids in many instances, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine finds. But the study's lead author admits she fears that publication of the data could lead to "thousands of elderly, depressed people going on hunger strikes" and to some physicians offering this option to their patients before enough is known about it.

CAREGIVERS SOUGHT FOR RESEARCH PROJECT
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is seeking family caregivers, past or present, who have cared for someone with advanced cancer. The results will aid in the development of a computer information and support system for family caregivers. "We are hoping to pinpoint what types of information and resources would be most helpful for caregivers," said Susan Dinauer, Project Director.

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AoA "SUMMIT" SET
The Administration on Aging has scheduled a National Summit on Creating Caring Communities this September 21-23 in Orlando, FL. Topics include "Rebalancing the Long-Term Care System from Institutional to Home/Community-Based Care."