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Elder Rights: United States

Archives: 2004

Reports                               Articles 


Reports

Hunger Report 2004: The Hunger in the United States
Here is the chapter about hunger in the United States from the Bread for the World Institute's 14th annual report on the State of World Hunger. For the third year in a row, we can see that food insecurity and hunger have increased in the United States. Poverty also is on the rise. This report focuses on persons who are more likely to be food insecure or hungry in the society: children, but also elderly. “When children and the elderly have to go without food, they are especially vulnerable to health problems.” 
Then, it talks about minorities, revealing that “as with other age groups, both food insecurity and hunger are more common among Black and Hispanic elderly than 
among white elderly.”

Study: Elderly Non-Drivers Prone to Isolation (April 14, 2004)
The nonprofit Surface Transportation Policy Project released a report saying that half of the 7 million elderly Americans who don't drive stay home because they lack adequate transportation alternatives. Isolation of elderly non-drivers can lead to more depression, alcoholism and physical ailments cases than for elderly drivers. States should be encouraging and financing better public transportation and other transit alternatives aimed at older people to prevent this isolation. See the report at: 
http://www.globalaging.org/elderrights/us/2004/nondriversreport.pdf

Women’s Health Insurance Coverage (November 2004)
Kaiser Family Foundation released a two-page fact sheet about women’s health insurance coverage. Between 2002 and 2003, nearly 900,000 women became newly uninsured compared to 600,000 men, leaving one in every five non-elderly women uninsured. (non-elderly between ages of 18 and 64) Uninsured women are more likely to postpone care, leading to chronic, or even fetal, disease. Because women are more likely to be covered as dependents, they are more vulnerable to losing their insurance should they become divorced or widowed. Without adequate, affordable coverage, the advances that have been made in women’s health will remain outside the reach of many women.

Hearing Their Voice (Fall 2004)
In October 2000, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000 (BCCPTA) was signed into law. This law promised a new coverage option under Medicaid that permits states to extend Medicaid to any uninsured woman under 65 who has been screened and diagnosed with breast and/or cervical cancer. Low income women do not take advantage of cancer screening compared with higher income women. Preventive care affects later life, especially after age 65. Knowledge about potential health coverage for cancer treatment would allay fears about paying for treatment if diagnosed. Uninsured women and health care providers alike would benefit from better outreach about cancer screening programs. 

Mainstreaming Ageing: Forging Links between the Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing and the Millennium Development Goals (October 2, 2003)
This report on the United Nations 2003 International Day of Older Persons links the Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing and the Millennium Development Goals. The report is presented by the UN/NGO Committee on Ageing in Collaboration with the UN Department of Public Information and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs

Issues for Medicare Beneficiaries in Long-Term Care Settings: An Analysis of the MMA and Proposed Regulations (September 2004)
The new law, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) was signed by President G. Bush last December. Starting in January 2006, MMA will assist paying the prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries. However, whether this law really supports all of the Medicare beneficiaries is a question. Vicki Gottlich, Center for Medicare Advocacy, reported in this paper that unlike other beneficiaries, senior Americans who are living in long-term care facilities will face some problems with MMA. If you or your loved one is in a nursing home, please read this paper and consider the situation!

Will Consumer-Directed Health Care Improve System Performance? (August 2004)
Neo-liberal doctrine advocates have rationalized that giving consumers a “market choice” in health care will result in lower health spending. In fact, prices for health care go up and the poor and middle class cannot afford treatment. According to the author, Karen Davis, President of The Commonwealth Fund, patients tend to consume less care even when that care is essential. Especially people with low income and serious illness are at risk. “Instead of focusing solely on financial incentives, the real goal should be to encourage quality and efficiency among health system, physicians, and hospitals,” Dr. Davis concluded. Sounds reasonable, doesn’t it?

The High Cost of Cheap Labor: Illegal Immigration and the Federal Budget (August 2004)
The study by the Center for Immigration Studies figured out that illegal immigration impacts the federal budget a lot: Households headed by undocumented aliens imposed more than $26.3 billion in costs on the federal government in 2002 and paid only $16 in taxes, a net fiscal deficit of $2700 per undocumented household. Undocumented immigrants receive less benefits than that the rest of the population, and in terms of Social |Security and Medicare, undocumented residents even create a net benefit in excess of $7 billion a year. But because of lack of educational backgrounds, undocumented immigrants work at low wages which causes higher costs for social services as a total.

Articles 

Elderly Abuse, Neglect Victims Know No Socioeconomic Bounds (December 26, 2004)
In Oklahoma, the Adult Protective Services division of Department of Human Services received 411 referrals in 2004. In this article, the author claims that socioeconomic status is not so important: many elderly live alone and they do not tell others about their needs. Even some wealthy elderly cannot take care of themselves. Don Henderson, Garfield County DHS director, said that the public pays little attention to elderly abuse. For example, Henderson mentioned that when people see a smelly old person standing in line in front of them at a fast food restaurant, they wonder why the person does not go home and take a bath. In reality, that older person may no longer be physically able to bathe. With more understanding from the public and more directed funding, self-neglect can be reduced.

The Florida Palms: First Gay Retirement Community (December 2004)
The dream of developer Bill Laing has became reality: “Build a community where lesbian and gay families care for each other as they age.” In Palmetto, there is the only gay and lesbian retirement community in the U.S., with homeowners aged 45 to nearly 80 years old.

Nursing Home Aid Accused of Abuse (December 21, 2004) 
A former certified nurse aide in Boston was accused of assaulting and sexually abusing Alzheimer’s patients over 14 months. According to witnesses of her fellow employees, Bernadette Stackpole, worked at Franklin nursing home, bent the legs of a 105 years old woman so far back though the patient screamed, “I’m going to die.” Also, co-workers observed Stackpole as she abused several Franklin residents. However, Stackpole’s lawyer emphasized that she did her best to take care of her patients for 13 years, often receiving awards. At the end, she pleaded innocent and was held with a $500 cash bail until an April 7 hearing. But is she really innocent? How did the working conditions contribute to the potential for abuse? 

Children, Elderly Work on Christmas Projects (December 20, 2004) 
In Iowa, residents with the Alzheimer’s disease and children work together to prepare Christmas projects. When the author visited the Good Samaritan Center, Davenport, residents and pupils from St. Alphonsus Catholic School enjoyed making gift bags for children in shelter homes. “You can’t sit and have a conversation (with the residents), but if you do a project, that works well,” Pat Reagan, a volunteer, started this project 23 years ago, said. However, because the School will merge with another school next year, no one is sure whether this tradition will be continued next year. 

Thousands with Psychiatric Disabilities Locked Away In Nursing Homes (December 19, 2004) 
In Connecticut, about 2,700 psychiatric disabilities are locked in private nursing homes. Because nursing homes are not psychiatric facilities, psychiatric patients can not receive proper treatment though the cost to taxpayers for keeping them in nursing home is approximately $ 250,000,000 per year. Sadly, some psychiatric patients seem to be able to live in community settings, but because houses for psychiatric patients are occupied, they are sent to nursing homes, where they are not given a recovery plan. But as a number of senior citizens with disabilities fill nursing homes’ beds, where will people with mental health disorders go? 

Aging, Disability Center Reaches Out to Rural Areas (December 18, 2004)
In Wisconsin, counties have tried to work together in order to expand their services to elderly and disabled citizens. Deb Menacher, director of Marathon County’s Aging and Disability Resource Center, said “as we look at the aging population and the fact that people with disabilities are living longer,” it is difficult to provide services for both elderly and disabled because of lack of transportation and funds. The state has pooled money for counties in order to start an aging and disability center, but the application process to get cash will be competitive. Not only in Wisconsin, but also in other states, rural area tend to be left our of social services. But everybody has a right to access to appropriate care and services. How can States solve this problem?

Being Gay or Lesbian and Past 50 (December 15, 2004) 
Once upon a time there wasn’t a gay rights movement. Police harassed gays and lesbians. Others ridiculed them.. Many kept their homosexuality a secret. Only thirty five years ago, in 1969, (the same year as Woodstock), gay activists took a stand at the Stonewall Inn in New York City and the gay rights movement began. Most of those who were there from the beginning, if they are still alive today, are certainly 50+, and many of them are seniors. Thank heaven attitudes have changed. Or have they? 

Team Approach can Help in Caring for Elderly Relatives (December 7, 2004) 
A recent panel discussion, "Helping Your Parents with Aging -- Are You the Designated Daughter?", urged caregivers to get early advice before the crisis hits.Taking care of an elderly family member can be a tough job, as changes take place. Whether legal, financial, or medical advice, caregivers should seek advice early. 

Old Soldiers Back on Duty (December 5, 2004) 
At the end of November, the Pentagon announced the levels of U.S. troops in Iraq had reached its highest point—150,000. But, a CBS 60 Minutes investigation showed that the Pentagon is now collecting semi-retired soldiers, known as Ready Reservists. Some110,000 men and women serve in the Ready Reserve. They generally don’t train or get paid or belong to units, but they can be called up in case of war or national emergency. One older soldier to be recalled, Chief Warrant Officer, Margaret Murray, 55 years old, 4 feet 8 inches tall, served in the Army in the ‘60s. “I am going to find that a difficult thing to do physically,” Murray said. Many older soldiers worry about their physical ability to engage in war. 

Too Many Elder Abuse Cases Go Unreported (December 3, 2004) 
In Oregon, a report about elder abuse released by the state’s Elder Abuse Task Force and Governor Ted Kulongoski, includes recommendations for improving law enforcement and reducing the number of crimes against seniors. The report finds that the 10,000+ cases of elder abuse and neglect that were reported in Oregon in 2003 provide an incomplete picture. Experts estimate that one in five elder abuse cases are not reported each year. Information was gathered from the community, law enforcement professionals, medical providers, social service providers, and judges. The governor and the task force support passage of legislation to be known as the Oregon Elder Justice Act of 2005. 

Nursing Home Costs a Concern 
County Hires Consultant to Help Hold Down Rising Expenses (November 30, 2004) 
Saratoga County has hired a consultant to help it deal with the mounting costs of running Maplewood Manor, the county nursing home. The county finds itself in the same situation as other counties around the state. The formula for reimbursing counties when it comes to taking care of some of their most elderly and poorest residents does not match mounting costs.

The Voice of the Elderly Hispanic Community (November 29, 2004)
The National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA) is a national organization that seeks to improve the quality of life for the Hispanic elderly focus on improving the quality of life for the Hispanic elderly and their families and communities through public policy, educational efforts, community-based interventions, capacity building and technical assistance. This article describes some of the problems that older Hispanic persons face, and what the NHCA tries to do about these issues.

Report on Elder Abuse Deaths
- Reviewers Find Few Unknown Suspicious Cases in the County – (November 23, 2004) 
California's first Elder Death Review Team uncovered few unknown suspicious deaths in Sacramento County but left members worried that it's not possible yet to detect all cases of deadly abuse, according to the report obtained by The Bee in advance of today's release. Among the recommendations: Require Adult Protective Services to monitor frail persons over 85 years of age who can be at risk for elder abuse.

Senior Citizens Ignore Need for Exercise and Health Diet (November 22, 2004)
Senior citizens continue to ignore professional advice on the need for exercise and a healthy diet, according to the third annual State of Aging and Health in America Report. The report, jointly released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Merck Institute of Aging & Health (MIAH), also features input from the Gerontological Society of America. According to the new report, promoting a healthier lifestyle among older Americans is the single most important factor in maintaining both physical and mental wellness. “The nation must do more to translate knowledge about healthy behaviors into action," said Dr. Patricia P. Barry, Executive Director of MIAH. 

Interpreters Lower Risks in Hospitals (November 21, 2004) 
Communication is a basic and important skill with life and death implications. But how will costs of language translation be borne in the multi-language US society? Hospitals have long relied on friends or relatives of patients to help translate. But patients sometimes don’t tell everything; friends and family members don’t necessarily interpret everything. In Philadelphia, Hispanic population in Philadelphia increased from roughly 89,000 to 129,000 from 1990 to 2000. “Because so many of them spoke little or no English, we weren’t able to serve their needs as well as we wanted to,” Carles Soltoff, Temple hospital executive said. Usually, the salary of medical interpreters is about $20-25, but who is going to cover this fee? Patients? hospitals? Or the public?

Evaluate Facilities Before Choosing Long-Term Care (November 21, 2004) 
As the elderly population increases, the people who need long-term care will increase, too. Many do not want to think about it, but experts recommend that making plans “before” the need arises. In terms of finance for long-term care, Medicare generally doesn’t cover it while Medicaid does. But Medicaid eligibility and services are various from state to state. Also, there are several things that you should think about. In this article, the author covers preventing elder abuse as well as how to choose a nursing home. This is very useful information in order to think about your future life!

Courses Offer Caregivers Some Support (November 20, 2004) 
In New York, Dorot, a nonprofit organization meaning “generations” in Hebrew, provides a unique program named “Caregivers’ Connection,” which helps caregivers keep in touch with each other and with experts, and to get support and information on how best to care for their sick or disabled elderly family members. Affordable weekly classes and discussions covering “Coping with Caregiver Stress,” “Caring for a Parent,” “Caregiver Resources on the Internet,” and “Lunch Hour Support Group,” exchange ideas and frustrations. As the population of the elderly increase, the number of the frail elderly also increases, along with the number of people who provide elder care. How to become connected with Dorot’s remarkable programs is included in this article.

CMS Proposes Measures to Rate—and Pay—Doctors, Assess Satisfaction of Patients with Hospital Care (November 16, 2004) 
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been conducting quality measurement of hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and dialysis facilities, and has posted information on its website (http://www.cms.hhs.gov). Now, CMS is going to assess the quality of doctor’s care provided outside the hospital. Also, CMS is going to set a “patient satisfaction” measure rated by patients regarding communication, responsiveness, cleanliness, and pain control at a hospital as well as rating of the facility. These evaluations are useful for choosing hospitals and doctors as well as helping to improve the quality of care.

How Can Someone Abuse the Elderly? (November 11, 2004) 
Bill worked for more than 80 years to feed his eight children. Now at 85, one of his daughters who lived with him has taken his savings, not given him enough food, and not helped to change clothing. Surprisingly, investigators confirmed almost 45,000 cases of elderly abuse in Texas last year and no one can predict the real number of senior citizens who are abused. Like child abuse, there are several patterns of elder abuse: physical neglect, medical abuse, emotional or verbal abuse, and exploitation. Unfortunately, 60% of the accused are children of the victims. But usually, elder abuse happens not because they do not like their parent; on the contrary, they don’t want to admit the frailness of their parent, they don’t know how to take care of the frail parent, or don’t know what is abuse. In order to prevent elder abuse, appropriate education for caregivers is needed. Several good website resource links are included in this article.

Adieu to “Patients’ Bill of Rights” (November 10, 2004) 
According to the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, only 30% of those surveyed said that they believed managed care can keep health care costs down without hurting patients’ health. More than two-third respondents were concerned about how much their families must pay for health care. Support for managed care practices depended on each consumer's health care experience and needs. Claudia Schur, a principal research scientist for NORC, forecasts more plan offerings where consumers who want choice can pay for it, while those willing to accept limits on their care can pay less. The uninsured, who often cannot afford medical care, were the most open to restrictive practices that contain cost. Unlike other developed countries, the U.S. does not have a national health care insurance, which promises affordable care for all.

Linking Young and Old (November 10, 2004) 
In Allen County, Indiana, three local organizations are collaborating to build a facility for a child-care center which also has residential apartments for the elderly. Lutheran Social Services and Lutheran Homes Inc. will open the facility in August 2006. The building design allows older residents to observe children through large windows looking on the classroom, from covered porch overlooking one of two fenced playgrounds, and through windows looking into the baby rooms. The idea of “intergenerational facility” with child and the elderly has been getting popular. In Japan, GAA Intern Yumi Shindo tells us, if a senior residential apartment builds a child day care center, a local or prefecture government will support its cost.

Doctor Accused of Using Old Flu Vaccine (November 7, 2004) 
In Washington State, one doctor used last year’s vaccine for 55 patients, according to the state’s Medical Quality Assurance Commission. The doctor told patients that he had purchased the vaccine last year in Canada, and it was good for the current flu season although is had already expired in July. “The people that received the vaccine aren’t at any increased risk of side effects,” Regina Delhaunt, director of the Whatcom County Health Department said. Isn’t this doctor destroying public faith in doctors as well as putting his patients at risk of getting the “real” flu this year. Will the State take disciplinary action?

Medicare Discount Drug Card Savings are an Illusion (November 6, 2004) 
News Target is the online news website that actively argues against Medicare drug cards. It mentions that if you use mail-order services, the drug cards were up to a third cheaper than retail prices. In this article, you may reach hyperlinked previous articles regarding Medicare drug cards. Check News Target (www.newstarget.com) to get more useful information!

AMA urges Government to Bargain on Drug Prices (October 18, 2004)
The American Medical Association says that the government should negotiate with drug manufacturers directly in order to get lower prices on prescription medicines. From 2006, 41 million elderly and disabled people will have access to drug benefits under the new Medicare law. But private health plans delivery of the benefits, and whether these private companies will try to make drug prices lower for the elderly is not certain. If no one makes an effort to negotiate with drug companies, American seniors and disabled people will be asked to pay higher prices. Isn’t it unavoidable? 

Insurers Reel From Spitzer's Strike (October 18, 2004) 
On a Friday afternoon last month, the nation's largest insurance companies were served with subpoenas from the New York attorney general asking an explosive question: Had they ever engaged in bid-rigging? By the following week, several of the biggest insurers told the attorney general's office they had paid kickbacks for having business steered to them and had submitted sham bids to mislead customers. Their panicked responses revealed evidence of a broad scheme of collusion and price-fixing within the $1.1 trillion insurance industry. This scandal points to ways insurers avoid the competition of the marketplace that’s supposed to be central to capitalism. How could individual investors, perhaps those saving for retirement, make a rational decision about investing in one of these companies? These good-looking companies apparently built their empire with price-fixing. 

Wages, Health, Benefits, and Workers’ Health (October, 2004)
In August, GAA introduced the report “Why the Life Expectancy So Low in the United States” (www.globalaging.org/health/us/2004/expectancy.pdf).” This article explores the status of the worker’s health in terms of the relationship between the life expectancy and the health condition of poor people. The report by Sara R. Collins and her Commonweath Fund colleagues, found out that the lowest and mid-compensated workers say that they can’t pay medical bills because of their financial situation. In addition, they are likely not to fill prescription drugs, to skip medical tests, treatment, or follow-up visits. If low-income people can’t maintain their poor health because of the lack of money, their life expectancy will never increase. Poverty kills people early. While the US has the second highest GNP, it has failed to assure good health to all of its citizens

Caregivers Are Lifeline for Elderly (October 17, 2004)
According to a 2004 survey by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the AARP, 16 % of the population or about 23 million adults provide informal care to their loved ones. But without help from these caregivers, elderly people cannot live. As the elderly population grows, more informal care will be needed. There is still not enough information for informal caregivers. In this article, Camden County Department of Health and Human Services offers several tips for caregivers. 

Elder Abuse: An Overlooked Phenomenon (October 12, 2004)
Elder abuse shortens the life of the elderly! According to Dr. Mark S. Lachs, the professor at Weill Cornell Medical College and co-author Dr. Karl Pillemer, the professor of human development in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University in Ithaca, between 2 and 10 percent of the elderly are physically or mentally abused. They also figured out that mistreated seniors are three times more likely to die within three years than those who are not abused. Elder abuse is often not recognized, particularly those abused in the home. If only family members care for the frail elderly, how can violence be detected? What measures can US citizens take to protect against elder abuse? 

In Pitch to Older Customers, Static for Cellphone Industry (October 11, 2004) 
Having equipped most adults and half of all teenagers with cellphones, the mobile phone industry is now looking for people over 65. But its dreams of collecting monthly subscription fees may be illusory. Many seniors say cells cost too much, have poor reception and aren’t easy to use.

More Nursing Homes in Chicago Grouping Residents by Ethnic Groups (October 10, 2004) 
Mid America Convalescent Center is one of a growing number of Chicago area nursing homes that group residents by ethnicity. Asians live on one floor, Hispanics are on another. Each group has its own traditional food, activities and a staff that speaks its language. Within a few miles are other facilities doing the same for Poles, Russians, Indians and Koreans. Chicago represents the third largest number of foreign born residents in the United States. Not everybody agrees that cultural separation is the answer, but “for the immigrants who left extended families behind to move to America, nursing homes may be the best option,” said Kevin Kavanaugh, spokesman for the Illinois Council on Long Term Care.

Off Their Rockers (October 8, 2004)
With the election 25 days away, there's still time for politicians to reach out to the granny vote. Politicians and pollsters often think that senior citizens want only to safeguard their own welfare and to assure that their Social Security checks keep coming. But a new group of motivated and tech-savvy seniors—the "granny voters"—are mobilizing at the grassroots level to make politicians talk about the equally important senior concerns for more jobs, better health care coverage and a good public education for their grandchildren. 

Now, Dangers of Population Implosion (October 7, 2004) 
Nowadays, 6.2 billion people are in the world and the number will increase up to 8.9 billion by 2050 according to the United Nations. However, 60 countries have fertility rates below 2.1 children per woman, the number which maintains a stable population. This means that the population of 60 countries will decline. But the population of the working age persons is related to funding future pension programs and health care. Therefore, these countries have started to encourage their citizens to have more children. But what are other approaches to growth rather than asking women to have more children? 

More Private Plans to Join Medicare (October 7, 2004) 
Beginning next January, 35 new private health plans will join Medicare Advantage program, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson announced. The total number will be 57 plans including 22 that have already applied. Assuming the applications are approved, an additional 1.6 million Medicare beneficiaries in 11 states would have access to a private HMO offering them benefits over and above what Medicare’s government-run-fee-for-service program offers. However, even these plans cannot cover one third of Medicare beneficiaries. Older persons who live on limited incomes need low-cost health care in order to maintain their health. Global Action on Aging believes Medicare should be the sole national public coverage that supports all seniors equally in the United States.

The White House Conference on Aging: A New Website (October 6, 2004) 
The White House Conference on Aging (WHCOA) today unveiled its Web site (http://www.whcoa.gov), which houses an array of information about the planning and progress of 2005 White House Conference on Aging. The site contains a calendar of events and links to other resources. The site is designed to reach a growing number of individuals who increasingly use the Internet to gain information, conduct daily business and lead healthier, better quality lives. 

Senior Games Begin (October 4, 2004)
The Huntsman World Senior Games, games for athletes 50 and older, started on Oct 4th. This two week sporting event will attract 7,700 athletes from 50 countries would participate. The three new countries are Uzbekistan, Armenia, and Barbados. One of the participants, 104 years old Dr. Russell B. Clark, will run 400 meter and 800 meter track and field events although he didn’t begin running until after he was 90. Among 22 sports, softball is the Games’ largest sport with 3,000 players. The second-largest sport is volleyball, that will involve 100 teams this year.

Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (October 2004) 
Long-term care ombudsmen advocate for residents of nursing homes, board and care homes, assisted living facilities and similar adult care facilities. Since the program began in the US 30 years ago, thousands of paid and volunteer ombudsmen in every state have made a difference in the lives of long-term care residents. They provide an on-going presence in long-term care facilities, give information to residents and their families about the long-term care system, and work to effect systems changes on a local, state and national level- giving a voice for those who are unable to speak for themselves. Have you found this description of this service accurate in your area? 

Low-Income Seniors Struggle For Jobs (September 28,2004)
In Detroit, the situation of older persons is really bad: more than 10 percent of those 65 or older live in poverty, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. So, like Marilyn Williams, a 64-year-old widow, they go back to work. But at least 40 who want to work are on waiting list for subsidized positions, and it’s not a coincidence: the Senior Community Service Employment Program, a federal initiative for low-income people over 55, is under budget fire. The Bush administration and Congress cut $6.5 million from the program’s budget this year and added restrictive rules that will put some seniors out of work. In 2000, 78 percent of the program’s participants were 60 or older. And this program’s budget cuts make it impossible to offer seniors the job training needed for the proposed jobs. The senior jobs program has essentially remained static even though the elderly are a rapidly growing demographic group and work has become more difficult to find for everyone.

Patient Reports of Disrespect in the Health Care Setting and Its Impact on Care (September 2004) 
Racial discrimination in health care! According to Patient Reports of Disrespect in the Health Care Setting and Its Impact on Care, issued by the Journal of Family Practice, found that minorities are much likely to be looked down and treated with disrespect than whites in patient–provider relationships. For example, the percentage of white patients who felt they were looked down upon/ treated with disrespect by their doctors among whites are only 3.4% while 20.2% of Asian Americans felt that they treated with disrespect. Janice Blanchard and Nicole Lurie, researchers at George Washington University and RAND Corporation, hypothesized that patients who receive such negative care are less likely to seek care initially or return for follow-up care.

Elderly Can Face Many Challenges in the Kitchen (September 30, 2004)
Sometimes preparing food is a tough job for older persons. Illness and depression can reduce appetites and they often miss companionship. But this is not good for their quality of life. Jason Medick, owner and operator of Home Instead Senior Care, says that caregivers can ensure that the elder clients eat nutritiously well and enjoy mealtime. “By the year 2010, 12 million US seniors will be living alone,” Medick emphasized. 

Worker Shortage a Concern in Caring for Elderly (September 25, 2004)
US citizens are living longer than ever—this is good news. However, who will take care of them if they become frail? “Already, there are labor shortages in most communities,” Robyn I. Stone, a former assistant U.S. Secretary of Aging warned. According to the report, “Pennsylvania’s Care Gap,” the average wage for personal care attendants is $7.97 an hour, while baggage handlers earn $10.03. Also, a third of U.S. nursing home workers earn less than $20,000 a year. Potential caregivers move to better paying jobs and those available to care for the elderly get fewer and fewer. Older persons, who often have little income, find it difficult to pay higher wages. How can this be solved?

Adult Day-Care Services Blossoming in Colorado (September 22, 2004)
Adult day care programs follow the child care pattern: a caregiver feels guilty at first to let a loved one go to a day care program. Later families and friends, including spouses and adult children caring for parents, realize that adult day services provide many benefits. First, day-care programs are relatively inexpensive compared to nursing home care. Second, seniors do not have to relocate to an unfamiliar place where the nursing home is located. However, adult day programs currently go unnoticed compared with nursing homes. Seniors and caregivers should get acquainted with the benefits of adult day-care. 

Seniors Disgusted with Prescription Drug Prices (September 21, 2004)
Do you remember the article “On the R” on August 24? Yes, the Rx Express is going to run from Miami to Canada this time. A California-based consumer advocacy group paid for and organized the Rx Express. Though importing drugs is banned, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows senior Americans to purchase up to three months of drugs for personal use with a U.S. prescription. The FDA says it opposes drug imports because it can not guarantee the drugs are safe. However, the cost of drugs is skyrocketing while elderly people have limited incomes. Is there any way to get safe and affordable prescription drugs to senior Americans? All aboard! 

Nursing Home Strike Possible (September 17, 2004) 
In Connecticut, about 1,000 health-care workers at 7 state nursing homes are planning to strike on September 29. Jennifer Smith, a spokeswoman for the New England Health Care Employees Union District 1199, announced that “The workers have authorized a strike.” According to Smith, the nursing homes’ owners have not consistently paid into the employees’ pension plans violating the union contract, do not satisfy staffing requirements and have failed to send the union dues to the union. The 7 nursing homes have a total 1,170 beds, and house some1,073 patients. If the nursing homes go into receivership during bankruptcy procedures, then the union says it will pull back from striking until that process is in place. 

Change Urged for Nursing-Home Voters (September 15, 2004) 
While the presidential campaigns are heating up, a huge debate regarding the right to vote for people with dementia is also percolating. About 4.5 million Americans have dementia and about 2.6 million of them are institutionalized. Pamela S. Karlan, a law professor at Stanford University, warned that there are two types of the violations of voting rights: by insisting that persons with dementia vote and by discriminating against persons who may have some dementia but still are mentally competent and could decide independently how to vote. By the year of 2050, the number of people who suffer from dementia will increase by 15 million. Protecting the right to vote is one fundamental issue that the next President should consider.

Dear Health Professionals: letter by a GAA subscriber (September, 2004)
If your loved one received inappropriate care, what would you do? Ms. Jeanne Jones, one of GAA’s subscribers, has a mother who had a stroke this year. After several weeks of acute rehabilitation, her mother moved to the Transitional Care Program at Geneva Hospital where she was left in a wheelchair and was attached to sensor alarm. Ms, Jones wrote a letter to the hospital commissioner in order to ask them to improve the quality of care. Later, the hospital investigated her mother’s situation. She advocates for improvement of her mother’s situation. If you have any questions or concerns, you also should ask health professionals and/or demand that regulators exercise their authority. You have the right to ask and elderly have the right to decent health care.

Dementia and the Voter (September 14, 2004)
In the 2000 election, one senior woman escorted her husband into the voting booth. She picked the president for him because he had advanced dementia. Dr. Swerdoloff, a Florida neurologist, felt bad when he heard this story because she essentially voted twice, which gave George W. Bush a 537-vote victory and the White House. The issue of a vote and dementia has been a growing concern among experts. Under close elections, family members and caregivers can easily abuse a patient’s right to vote. Currently, about 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and about 455,000 patients are in Florida.

Generation Gap Widened in Social Spending for Elders Compared to Children (September 14, 2004) 
A recent study by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia figured out that per capita social welfare spending for elders was four times greater than for children in 2000. The U.S. poverty rates among children have been increasing, and about three times as many children live in poverty than elderly people. The major component of social welfare spending for elderly is Social Security while for children it is in education. The study leader, Dr. Susmita Pati, said that children in poverty show poor health outcomes, which will affect their later life. However, Social Security is the major income among older residents. While this report on the Pati study gives helpful information, it ignores the tremendous cuts to children’s well-being over the last decade. Ending “welfare” payments to poor mothers and enacting tax cuts for the rich at local, state and federal levels lethally damage young children. Clearly, the US rich (both persons and corporations) must pay more taxes, rather than get tax cuts, to help educate the nation’s children and continue Social Security. Fairness demands it.

No Number, No Ride (September 12, 2004)
Recently, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles sent 500,000 letters to people whose Social Security number is not verified. Mr. Maldonado is one who received the letter. He, like the ten thousand of others, has been waiting to be processed his legal status for which he applied years ago. Through his employer identification card, he has been paying taxes. But this doesn’t help to get a “real” Social Security number. Though it is very difficult to find a job, especially in suburbs, without a drivers license, Mr. Maldonado must survive with his wife and two children until he receives legal status, thus compromising his income support in old age.

Shift in Medicare Use Expected ( September 9, 2004 )
The new charges for Medicare beneficiaries may encourage more seniors to join private Medicare health maintenance organizations. The 17.4% increase impacts especially patients in a hospital. They will be charged $228 a day after they spend 30 days in a hospital and $456 a day after 90 days. In addition to the new charges, a limited drug benefit for all Medicare beneficiaries starts in 2006. William McKeever at UBS, a health care analyst, expects that many big insurers will take a wait-and-see attitude with Medicare until the presidential election is over. How will American seniors afford the higher Medicare costs?

Raw Deal for Elderly Homeless (September 2, 2004)
Have you ever thought about the senior’s life in a homeless shelter? Unfortunately, the seniors in homeless shelters are experiencing difficult times. They are sometimes beaten and robbed of their Social Security money, belongings and medication. Despite the fact that San Francisco has tried to build appropriate shelters and housing for the homeless seniors, there is still no shelter for them. Lou, 93 years old, lives in Multi-Service Center South, one of the two homeless shelters that group some of their elderly clients together in San Francisco. “I’d feel safer in a building with only seniors,” Lou appealed. Being homeless is tough enough for the 93 year old man.

Top Employers See Value in Experienced Workers: AARP's Annual Survey Names 35 Best U.S. Companies for Staffers over the Age of 50 (September 2, 2004)
The AARP published its fourth annual survey of best employers for workers over 50. Thirty-five American employers are graded as the best for older workers. Health-care companies accounted for 12 of the 35. AARP judged applicants based on four major criteria: recruitment of older workers, continued opportunities and training, benefits and retiree relations, including opportunities for retirees to return to the work place. 
Often employers claim that older workers cost too much money due to high salaries and the cost of health insurance. Next year, AARP plans to investigate how much older workers cost in health insurance relative to younger workers.

U. Albany Research Center Predicts Health Care Jobs to Soar (September 2, 2004) 
As an elderly population grows, an aging workforce will grow, the University of Albany Research Center reported. While non health related employment is predicted to increase by only 13.5%, health care employment will move up 30%. The number of elderly care workers is directly related to the quality of senior’s life, especially at nursing homes and assisted living settings. In Japan, where the elderly population grew rapidly in the 1990s, the government set up the national license system for care-givers and successfully increased the number of health care employees.

Elderly Woman Dies After Nursing Home Beating (September 1, 2004)
In Ohio, an old man beat up his wife badly in their room at a nursing home, and the wife died later that day. According to their friends, the husband was a gentleman with no history of a bad temper. But they also heard that he was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. People in town believed that the nursing home is very safe, but there is still a question why the old man could beat up his wife so badly under the health-professionals’ noses. Also, since caregivers know that Alzheimer’s might change a patient’s personality, is it not harmful   if professionals do not give tender care and keep an eye on the patient? What happened in this “safe” nursing home?

Abuse Of Elderly Targeted: Law Requires Wider Reporting of Cases (August 26, 2004) 
Despite the fact that the Adult Protection Services in Virginia counties received more than 1240 reports in 2003, state officials estimated that only 16% of all adult abuse incidents are reported. The victims are often elderly women, and the types of abuse are sexual assault, confinement, mental and physical abuse and monetary exploitation by either professional caregivers or family members. In order to protect seniors, the Virginia General Assembly passed a bill that requires more professionals such as pharmacists, dentists, emergency medical personnel, and medical examiners  to report suspected incidents to county or state officials.

AHCA President Hal Daub Urges Immediate Support for New Bill to Equip Nation’s Nursing Homes With Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems (August 24, 2004)
Hal Daub, President and CEO of the American Health Care Association (AHCA) requested Congress to ensure that every nursing home has an automatic fire sprinkler system within 5 years. The Nursing Facility Fire Safety Act of 2004, John Larson (D-CT) sponsored, referred to a tragic 2003 fire at Hartford’s Greenwood Health Center. Currently, automatic fire sprinkler systems are not a federal requirement. Though installing sprinkling equipment will be complex, nursing home residents should be protected against fire.

Caring for Parents ( August 24, 2004 )
Researchers at Rice University in Houston found out shocking facts on female care-givers! In the United States , 80% of elder care is provided by family members, mostly women. However, care-givers need to spend most of their time to take care of their elder parents. Therefore, they often give up their full-time jobs resulting in reduced working hours and wages. “If women assumed caregiver roles, they were 2.5 times more likely than non-care-givers to live in poverty and five times more likely to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI),” the study noted. 

On the R (August 24, 2004)
Elderly activists took a train from Los Angeles to Canada to buy drugs in order to protest against high U.S. drug prices. The train, which is called “Rx Express,” was supported by a taxpayer’s group which wants the government to allow negotiations with drug companies to reduce the costs to Medicare patients and others. Currently, a three-month supply of the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor costs $214 in U.S., but it costs only $162 in Canada. While other countries regulate prices of prescription drugs, Americans are paying a larger share of research and development costs.

States Consider Allowing Cameras in Nursing Homes (August 23, 2004) 
Would video cameras prevent abuse in nursing homes or violate residents’ privacy? Several states are now considering using video surveillance in order to keep eye on nursing home residents and the care they receive. Selket Nicole Cottle, a student at the University of Illinois College of Law, studied the pros and cons of using video cameras, and concluded that video cameras would benefit residents endangered with abuse. “The cameras are a way to safeguard against abuse both because people are less likely to act abusively if they know they are being filmed,” Cottle pointed out. However, she also added residents should have a choice to put a camera in their room or not.

Forum will Explore Aspects of Alzheimer's (August 23, 2004) 
With longer life spans, more people will be suffering from Alzheimer’s. Leeper pointed out that people should prepare for the far-reaching effects Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain. Patients slowly lose their ability to remember, think, communicate, and take care of themselves. Therefore, knowing patients’ rights, power of attorney, guardianship, and advanced directives are important.

A Tale of Two Health Care Systems (August 21, 2004) 
Minority elderly receive unfair medical treatment. According to a study by the Harvard School of Public Health, African Americans enrolled in Medicare HMOs were less likely to get routine breast and prostate cancer screenings, follow-up care to prevent repeat heart attacks, professional help after a hospitalization than white Americans. Also, another study discovered that black doctors are treating mostly black patients in largely black neighborhoods. This environment causes difficulty of delivering high-quality care compared with white communities because black communities have fewer accesses to clinical and diagnostic resources. Dr. Epstein, who conducted the Harvard study, wrote that “the United States is still a society in which racial and ethnic characteristics are strongly associated with socioeconomic class and opportunity.”

Growing Elderly Population Raises New Policy Issues (August 20, 2004)
Wisconsin residents want to know how to take care of the elderly people in the future. The number of its seniors age 65 and older will increase at four to six times faster than the general population. Also, this growing number of elderly is expected to live longer. This means that fewer workers will pay state income taxes, says the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance study. Health care dominates the issues to be discussed as well as social services, pension, consumer protection and public transportation. Politically, the Taxpayers group believes that an aging society requires reordering government priorities. Some suggest more children per parent. Global Action suggests looking to immigration to provide more workers. Second, greater taxation of the rich (both individuals and corporations) could go a long way to provide a more progressive tax system. Fortunately, aging is gradual, so policymakers still have a few years to prepare for the aging society. But Wisconsin policy makers are asked to look beyond the immediate political moment.

FDLE Probe Under Scrutiny: Democrats Question Motives (August 18, 2004)
Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates possible absentee-ballot fraud. The issue of this investigation is former state Sen. Buddy Dyer’s March 9 re-election as Orland mayor. His opponents filed a lawsuit, alleging an aide filled out multiple absentee ballots on behalf of African-American voters to help him get elected. Officials say it's part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of voter fraud. But advocates contend elderly blacks are being intimidated. This is the second time in recent years that a state agency violates minority voters.

Don't Let Credit Card Debt Ruin Retirement (August 18, 2004)
A recent study by Money Management International and Quest Business Agency reported that people aged 55 or older use their credit cards more often, and are more careless in their credit card use, than those people aged 18 to 34. Also, financial problems of seniors are serious. Reduced retirement savings due to the stock market, rising medical costs and fixed income often leave seniors no choice but to rely on credit cards to survive with day-to-day expenses. MMI offers several suggestions to help you get out of debt and stay out of debt quickly.

Trading Abuse Curbs May Hurt Pension Plans (August 11, 2004)
A new Government Accountability Report suggested that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission should modify proposed regulations to stop mutual-fund trading abuses. Mutual funds investments are more than 20% of U.S. investors’ pension-plan assets. But late trading and market timing result in higher costs and lower return for long-term pension-plan investors. Some fund brokers lump client transactions together and not share individual transaction details with mutual fund companies. In order to stop trading abuse, the SEC has proposed that all transactions be received by 4 p.m. But this rule might also increase costs for pension-plan participants. 

State Doesn't Reveal Criminal History of Nursing Home Workers (August 9, 2004)
Iowa’s nursing homes employ hundreds of workers accused of abuse and criminal charges. Iowa Department of Inspections and appeals officials are unable to access records of workers since the Department of Human Services maintains it. Iowa’s legislators need to take measures to protect the rights of senior Iowans.

In the Autumn of Their Lives, Gay Seniors Speak Out (August 5, 2004)
In Ferndale, Michigan, the Affirmations Lesbian Gay Community is trying to make a difference. The community hosts regular events for gay older seniors. For example, they have a social and support group called Senior Connection for LGBT seniors. This group facilitates discussion about various aging issues that are specific to gay older persons.

Active-Adult Communities Find Growing Level of Baby Boomer Interest (August 4, 2004)
Active-adult communities are springing around the nation and seem to be a hit among the baby boomer generation. Many baby boomers in the age range of 40-58 years old are choosing to live in an active-adult community. A typical active-adult community provides opportunities for socializing, access to a clubhouse and activities, and house maintenance for a fee. Baby boomers like Rose Pollard and Joan and Peter Fergers are excited about living in such a facility that allows them to go on vacations care free without having to worry about their house and lawn. The real estate industry is enthusiastic to meet the demands of baby boomers that are able to spend on amenities.

America’s Seniors Hit By Explosion of Abuse (August 2, 2004)
Elder abuse is on the rise across America. In Massachusetts, the Attorney General’s office reported 8,394 elder abuse cases registered via their hotline in 2003 alone. State agencies are reporting an increase in elder abuse cases from previous years. Older persons are increasingly becoming victims of elder abuse specifically financial, physical and emotional abuse. Many of the perpetrators are their own flesh and blood that older persons find themselves harder to press charges. Officials need to increase measures, educate the public about recognizing abuse situations and pass legislations to protect our elders from abuse of any kind. See additional resources at the end of the article.

Too Few Funds For Protection (August 2, 2004)
In Massachusetts, state officials are battling with decreasing funds available to protect the increasing number of vulnerable older persons in the community. Statistics indicate an increase of 16% in elder abuse cases since 2000, however funds have depleted by 5-10% a year over the same time. Al Norman, executive director of Massachusetts Home Care, group for the 24 elder protection agencies in the state, have implemented the “triage” system to meet the demands of critical elders first. However, it is a sensitive situation when older persons lives may be in danger.

Black Farmers' Refrain: Where's All Our Money? (August 1, 2004) 
R.L. Stevenson, a 79-year-old black farmer, has been working for more than 70 years in Mississippi. He toiled for decades at near-subsistence levels with little of the government support. Mr. Stevenson expected to benefit from the landmark 1999 class-action settlement with the United States Department of Agriculture, which acknowledged “indifference and blatant discrimination” against blacks. The department paid $814 million to 13,445 farmers who applied for relief. But Mr. Stevenson could not receive the support because he had gotten government loans. Also, the department rejected more than 80,000 others because most of them missed the deadline. However, farmers complained that they did not know the deadline until it was too late. Mr. Malone who is 75 years old said he knew the department would shut the door on him.

With A Crop Of Cameras, A Patch Of Green Blossoms (August 1, 2004)
A unique filmmaking project, held at William Harris's community garden at 153rd Street (NYC), has attracted many active elderly in the neighborhood. Harris, an-82-year old "country boy," has kept his garden full of tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, basil and thyme for more than 20 years. With New York Foundation for the Arts funding, participants have so far learned how to hold video cameras. Over the next couple weeks, they are going to shoot on site and edit the film, and then their 15-minute film will be the headliner at a community barbecue as a climax of the project.

Definition Of Retirement Changes For Americans (July 26, 2004)
Retirement is no longer an "end," but a "turning point." According to Ken Dychtwald, president of Age Wave said with confidence. According to the Times Record, the definition of retirement is changing for many Americans. While relocation to a warmer area remains one of the popular options after the retirement age, some get into social activities such as volunteering and education. Some even choose to continue to work. With various options available, what is your vision of retirement?

Some Stores Widen Aisles, Add Benches For Seniors (July 23, 2004) 
Many stores in the city of Toledo, Ohio, are increasingly becoming 'elder friendly,' thanks to the volunteer program supported by the Area Office on Aging. The Area Office on Aging, one of 11 government agencies that evaluate businesses and public institutions, makes suggestions as to how they can improve their business to meet needs of older persons. Some stores have created a resting area for senior customers and others have replaced their heavy front doors. The program has now expanded to other states, including Oklahoma, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Oregon and Alabama.

Volunteers Sought to Help Elderly with Taxes (July 20, 2004)
The AARP Tax Aide program is currently seeking volunteers to help elderly persons to file their income tax returns. Though the deadline for filing is nine months away, the group is recruiting persons now to undergo the somewhat rigorous training process and to learn about the system. Last year, AARP worked with partner organizations to help over 7000 elderly persons. The group's territorial manager, Richard Soto, reports that most of the seniors who use the service work in low-income jobs or have little knowledge of the English language.

Granny Outwits Thief on the Couch (July 20, 2004) 
Juan Garcia Vasquez will think twice before trying to rob another retiree. A 73-year old grandmother outwitted him after he awoke her while trying to break into her home. The grandmother distracted Vasquez by showing him photos of her grandchildren and of Saint Theresa. Granny later telephoned her daughter from a locked bathroom when Vasquez fell asleep.

Opting Out of Retirement (July 19, 2004) 
The number of older workers ( those aged 55 and older) finally reached 22.7 million in May 2004, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For many older Americans, it seems like retirement is not a viable option. Reasons vary; while some have to keep working due to their financial situations, others enjoy working and staying active as a worker. Georges de Giorgio, a 75-year-old Montana resident, describes his three jobs and volunteer activities; "I enjoy each one of them. each one has a lot to offer." Working forces provided by senior citizens is becoming increasingly important in today's America.

Boomers Looking Forward to Their Empty Nests (July 18, 2004)
A majority of the Baby Boomer generation, those born between 1946 and 1964, emotionally feels ready for their children to leave the house, according to the survey conducted by Del Webb. Boomers usually go through this 'someday stage' before they reach the retirement age, and in fact "they are very much relieved when their children leave home." The survey also reveals the fact that 57 % of the Boomers feel an increased 
freedom to be themselves when the nest empties.

FDLE Accused Of Intimidating Black Voters (July 17, 2004)
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is accused of intimidating elderly black voters in the disputed Orlando mayor's race, the Associated Press reports. The Voter Protection Coalition, a civil rights group, has said FDLE agents revealed their side arms while contacting people whose absentee ballots are under question and thus disenfranchised minorities. In addition, some campaign workers were improperly paid with taxpayer's money, according to a city audit. The coalition is currently asking the US Commission on Civil Rights to conduct a formal investigation.

Elder-Care Coverage (July 15, 2004) 
The most common work-family conflicts in California involve the elderly. Recent figures show that approximately 1.8 million families are caring for someone aged 50 or older and that half of those primary caregivers also work outside the home. In fact, many employees are mentally distracted and cannot concentrate on their work, according to AARP research. Corresponding to this situation, many companies in California, including Cisco Systems, are now trying to expand their elder-care offerings, such as counseling on elder care and introduction of long-term family-care insurance, in order to benefit both employees and employers.

Choosing Death (July 14, 2004)
Oregon: Al Tauber, who suffered from the horrible symptoms of chronic lymphatic leukemia, decided to end his life when he understood how the terminal disease would change him. Oregon's Death With Dignity Law, implemented in 1997, allows those with terminal illnesses to obtain a lethal drug prescription so that they can 'choose death' if they want to. "He went the way he wanted to go," said Tauber's wife who watched him take his medicine and pass away in his bed last year. Studies show at least 171 people in Oregon have chosen this method to end their life since 1997. The author argues that the US Attorney General should abandon his efforts to overturn the law.

Services Connect Highland Park Senior to Social Lifeline (July 13, 2004)
Ursuline Services Inc., a Pennsylvania social service agency, helped Carrie Steele get out of the depressed stage that followed a heart attack and the deaths of her husband and son. Steele, an 80-year-old woman who used to work as a virtual social director for the elderly in Wendy's, has worked through her pain and regained her faith. Thanks to the services provided by Ursuline, she now feels positive about her 24-hour oxygen therapy and has a lot of friends. "I thought when you were old, they just put you in a corner and left you, but that's not true," Steele smiles.

Retiree's Advice: Stop the Constant Talk about Aging's Aches and Pains (July 13, 2004)
Topics such as Medicare, hearing aids, and drug prescription depress the author. She implores her readers: "Let's stop talking about aches and pains and talk about something else!" In this article, a retired woman sends a positive message to other older persons.

Elderly Drivers, State at Crossroads Over Safety (July 11, 2004)
Florida: As the number of the elderly increases rapidly in Florida, the State tries to sort out a "critical situation" in driving issues. State-wide crash statistics shows that 19-year-old drivers are involved in the most crashes. However, drivers in their 70's and older tend to be involved in fatal crashes. Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles officials believe they must assess physical skills and require better education for older drivers. They know that giving up a driver's license can be difficult since alternative transportation can't be found or afforded. So far, Florid has implemented a law that requires vision tests for drivers older than 79 when they renew their licenses. 

State Reaching Out to Elderly, Immigrants (July 10, 2004)
Arizona: The elderly and immigrants tend to be vulnerable to civil rights and consumer fraud violations, but only in rare cares do they trouble to report these problems, the state Attorney General's office has reported. In order to reach out to the increasing senior citizen population, the attorney general decided to open some satellite offices two years ago. Virginia Gonzales, chief counsel of the Arizona attorney general's Civil Rights Division, says a large number of discrimination cases are settled at the local level. One should know what legal rights are given to you; for example, anyone older than 40 may file an age discrimination complaint.

Tide of Dept Is Rising for the Elderly (July 8, 2004)
Seniors over the age of 65 carried an average of $4,041 in credit card debt in 2001, think-tank Demos reported. The number of American elderly who find themselves deep in debt has been increasing ever since. Experts suggest that rising medical expenses and insufficient income from Social Security and private pensions contribute to the 'tide of debt' among the elderly. While some older persons seek employment in older age to overcome their financial crisis, the reality of debts hits many people harshly.

Stealing From Elderly Is Just Way Too Easy (July 8, 2004)
Maine: Last year, a granddaughter robbed her grandmother in Boothbay, Maine, and took over $400,000. Family members and caregivers increasingly commit financial crimes against the elderly. Attorney General Steve Rowe indicates that this kind of crime, which he calls a "hidden problem," is on the dramatic rise in Maine. 

Valuable Senior Volunteers Getting Older, More Scarce (July 6, 2004)
Pennsylvania: Older volunteers, who have made the National Meals on Wheels program successful are leaving their posts, as they come much older and frailer. This important program that offers volunteers the chance to deliver hot meals to senior citizens, socialize and even give physical help to isolated seniors now needs help itself from younger volunteers. Older adults in volunteer programs are more valuable than any other age groups, because they tend to devote more hours and to be more concerned about the health and welfare of the clients, says Fraida Estrin, a local coordinator of Meals on Wheels program in Squirrel Hill, Pennsylvania. But it's tough to attract younger volunteers who may have other interests. So far, Meals on Wheels has advertised in church bulletins and on a cable channel but their efforts have not yet paid off. 

Seniors Told Bingo Sign Illegal (July 6, 2004) 
Indiana: Bonner Senior Center in the city of Portage has recently been notified by the city that their portable sign to advertise their monthly bingo games violates the city code. The Center has held bingo games for more than 20 years now, and they put up the advertisement sign 14 times a year, each time for a few days, and then removed it. Ed Daschbach, the chairman of bingo events, is in a fury; "We feel we're being discriminated against." Portage Building Code Enforcement Office has commented there's no discrimination involved.

Man Sentenced For Crime At Local Nursing Home (July 2, 2004) 
Colorado: Ricky Lee Dougherty, a man found guilty of walking into a nursing home and undressing a 90-year-old woman, is most likely to be sentenced to four years in prison. A psychological evaluation of Dougherty's sexual behavior includes some preoccupation with exhibitionist sexual acts and a strong tendency for pedophilia. A jury found him guilty of touching her and viewing her naked. The woman died a few weeks after the incident; "the vile act seemed to take the life out of her," her daughter mourned. The court also noted that Dougherty was arrested once, back in 1979, for murdering a Cheyenne convenience store clerk.

Seniors Slow To Take Up Self-defense Instruction (July 2, 2004)
Las Vegas: Do elder people need to know how to defend themselves? Through the National Rifle Association's "Refuse To Be A Victim" Program, Arlene Kauffman has attempted to teach Las Vegas seniors how to defend themselves; however, the number of those who actually showed interest in her self-defense sessions was small. Kauffman says, "If in those few hours I could have made a difference in just one person's life, then that's a big deal to me." In addition to some self-defense moves, she has given lessons in the areas of home security, identity theft protection and travel safety.

Woman Arrested in Fatal Stubbing of Grandmother (July 1, 2004)
California: On the afternoon of July 1, an 84-year-old woman, Lillian Patburg, was found dead at home. She had been stabbed in the neck. The suspect is her 23-year-old granddaughter who police believe was at home alone with her grandmother when she was killed. Police have arrested the granddaughter.

95-Year-Old Kan. Woman Helps Thwart Theft (June 30, 2004) 
Kansas: Sada Munkres, a 95-year-old woman, played an important role in capturing a jewelry thief. After running to call 911 without even using her cane, she came back to a jewelry store and helped the owner hold the thief.

For Seniors, Fewer Deals (June 27, 2004)
A decade ago, almost all major airlines offered booklets of flight coupons to travelers aged 62 and older. Barry Estabrook, a New York Times journalist, points out that cash-strapped airlines have discontinued the deep discounts for seniors since the late 1990's. Even though some airlines still keep good deals for aged travelers, business tends not to advertise these deals; David Smidt, president of Seniordiscounts.com, says that seniors should speak up and ask for a discount all the time. 

End of Life Care: Clergy and Physician Partnership (March 4, 2004)
The George Washington University of Spirituality and Health (GWish) sponsored a conference in Washington D.C. in early March 2004, in order to address the issues of medical and theological perspectives of end-of-life care. GAA Volunteer Betty J. Letzig, former President of the National Interfaith Coalition on Aging, represented GAA at this important event.

Retiree Benefits Defended (June 29, 2004)
The passage of a controversial bill that warrants a select number of legislators "all but unprecedented retirement perks" continues to come under attack from Louisiana State officials. House Bill 1271 gained approval on the last day of legislations and is intended as an incentive to older lawmakers to keep office through retirement. Supporters of the bill maintain that older administrators are a necessary part of the legislative framework and "help offset the loss of institutional knowledge". Most opposition to the measure stems from its selectivity at permitting select few workers additional retirement benefits.

Aging -- Older adults Should Be Exercising (June 28, 2004)
The late Dr George Sheehan, a cardiologist knew better. He stated "We must accept responsibility for out health. Living is an art, and life is an achievement. It is not a gift or a possession. It is our final battle." Numerous studies indicate exercise is good and beneficial for the health of older persons and yet not many of us exercise. 

Why Older People Are Feeling Invisible (June 28, 2004)
The images of older persons depicted in our society are pretty negative. Elders are usually portrayed as greedy, frail, sick, lethargic, and depressed and so on. Even though the number of older persons in our society is increasing, our media still tends to create products and services targeted towards younger persons or from the perception of a
younger person.

Love Without Limits (June 27, 2004)
This is an eye opening story of a gay couple unable to exercise their basic rights solely due to their sexual orientation. Since gay marriage is not legalized and recognized in all but one state, it is causing havoc in the lives of gay couples. A gay older man was moved against his will in Volusia County by his daughter. The partner of the gay person was unable to intervene since gay couples do not have the same rights as straight couples do.

Investigator Warns of Scams, Fraud (June 18, 2004)
Law Enforcement Together, an advocacy group hosted a Senior Financial Safety Symposium in Winstem Salem, North Carolina. Jane Feather, investigator with the consumer-protection division of the N.C. Department of Justice educated the audience on safety tips to protect older persons from scams and fraud. Seniors are the most vulnerable group who are scammed via phone, computer, mail and in person.

Arts Help Seniors Age Gracefully (June 17, 2004) 
A national study of aging and creativity funded by the National Endowment for the Arts is trying to examine the role of creativity in enhancing older person's lives. Groups of older adults in San Francisco, New York and Washington, D.C participate in various art classes such as singing, writing, creating visual art. The classes are conducted by professionals in the field. The Washington group has already shown an improvement in the health of the participants.

Special Homestead Exemption for Elderly Tossed Out (June 17, 2004) 
The unlimited Homestead Exemption under the South Dakotan law put into effect in 1980 was deemed unconstitutional. A Sioux Falls homeowner Dorothy Davis had won a case to protect older adults from losing their homes to creditors.

State Begins Effort to Stop Suicide of Elderly (June 17, 2004)
Oregon state officials recently launched a program to help prevent suicide among older adults. Annually, more than 100 Oregonian older adults commit suicide. The Oregon Department of Human Services will organize meetings to create awareness among the general public. Jacqueline Zimmer-Jones, director of the Oregon Association of Area Agencies on Aging attributes this trend due to the reduction of social service programs for older adults.

Portuguese Residents Learn About Their Rights (June 16, 2004)
In Massachusetts, a Portuguese-language conference was held for 160 elders at the Mount Carmel Church hall. The conference organized by the Portuguese-Speaking Elder Network addressed issues such as health care, housing and educated them on the basic rights as a United States resident. Many Portuguese older adults in the area are immigrants who are unaware of their rights and afraid to reach out and seek help from the community.