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Elder Rights: United States

Archives: 2002

Paul McCartney, Getting Back to Where He Wants to Go (November 26, 2002)
This article describes the extensive North American tour that Sir Paul McCartney is completing since beginning last Spring. He reviews his former Beatles career that ended in 1970.

Movin' On Up: Boomers Reshape Real Estate (November 19, 2002)
“When baby boomers think about retirement, they look around at their own homes, and they like what they see.” 85% of the AARP survey respondents say they don't want to ever move; they want to stay right where they are.

EEOC Settles Major Age Bias Suit; Foot Locker To Pay $3.5 Million To Former Woolworth Employees (November 15, 2002)
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that it has settled a class age discrimination lawsuit with retail giant Foot Locker Specialty Inc. for $3.5 million. The lawsuit, alleged that Woolworth targeted employees 40 years old or over for layoffs because of their ages, and that many were promptly replaced by younger persons hired from the outside. The settlement looks like Foot Locker was worried about stiffed penalties at a lawsuits’ conclusion

Poll: Choice important to seniors, disabled (November 14, 2002)
Unrestricted choice of doctors and hospitals is the top concern of 90 percent of older and disabled people, says the poll that was designed to study what older patients value the most in their health care coverage.

Age Counts in Hiring, the Older Jobless Find (November 13, 2002)
Age discrimination is still strong in the United States. Here are personal stories about many Americans 50 or older who have lost their jobs in long-term careers.
 

Boomers have work to do for cities (November 10, 2002)
Retired boomers have a wealth of knowledge and experience. They are the living memory of the big cities.

Best Companies for Older Workers (November 5, 2002)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that 13% of American workers today are over 55, and that figure will increase to 20% by 2015. How are employers going to respond to these trends ? What do companies think about the older workers?

Help for Elderly Parent Can Fray Family Ties (November 3, 2002)
Money signifies more control and power in older years than at any other time of life. After losing physical power, the money question toward ones formerly dependent children is a vulnerable moment to face.

Daschle Plans Position for Mondale (October 31, 2002)
Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle gives a leg up to Walter Mondale in his campaign : in case of victory, he will add him
to his leadership team.

Ham Night at the Senior Center (October 29, 2002)
A woman discovered her ‘new’ father : from the shy man she knew emerged one elder man infected by the theater virus. Her astonished and amazing story…

Fighting Frailty to Stay at Home (October 22, 2002)
A new English program has been established for helping elderly fight weaknesses of aging by giving them physical therapies.

The Doctor, the Patient, the Funeral (October 22, 2002)
This article presents a personal and emotional story about a
n author's patient who died at the age of 93 years old.

Social Security and the Ballot Box (October 6, 2002)
Older Americans could certainly drive a change in Congress if they just focused on seniors’ issues. This could be the most significant election in decades for Social Security reform.

Two Drug Companies Increase Prices in Discount Card Program in Response to CMS Interpretation of Federal Law (October 3, 2002)
Two drug companies announce they will reduce the discount they offered to Medicare people.

Energy and Commerce To Take Up Generic Drug Bill Next Week; Full House Unlikely To Act (October 3, 2002)
The House Energy and Commerce Comittee will discuss about a new drug bill for protecting the consumers from the companies generic competition.

Older Vote Carries Clout (October 2002)
Older Americans traditionally play a key role in mid-term elections. They could certainly "drive a change in Congress if they just focused on seniors' issues" on November 5.

The Real King of Pop (October 2002)
Future open for Quincy Jones: music, invitations, and bookings. What more could a person of sixty-nine years want ?  

Retirement age 'should be raised' (September 28, 2002)
Increasing life expectancy will push retirement age higher. That’s why the Pension Policy  Institute is entering the pension crisis in a new report.

Rock's Bad Boys Grow Up but Not Old (September 26, 2002)
Two Rolling Stones stay together far longer than many marriages.

Breaux, Hatch Introduce First-Ever "Elder Justice" Bill (September 13, 2002)
Two US senators introduced the first-ever comprehensive federal legislation to address elder abuse and crimes against seniors, which are increasing. Their aim is to guarantee protection for older Americans.

Copy Of Identity theft costing U.S. consumers billions (September 12, 2002)
Identity theft threatens elder rights and causes much trouble.

Susan Sarandon Breaks the Rule That Says Actresses Can't Age (September 8, 2002)
The rate of disability discrimination complaints rose 0.5 percent to 20.4 percent of all cases in 2001. American attitudes toward female youth and beauty have been growing more sophisticated even in Hollywood. Susan Sarandon symbolizes the perfect example to the contrary.

Ageism in the Media Is Seen as Harmful to Health of the Elderly (September 5, 2002)
The media still continues with negative images ignoring the power of millions of well-off baby boomers across the country.

Doris Roberts Tells it Like it Is to be a Senior Citizen (September 4, 2002)
Everybody Loves Raymond’s Doris Roberts speaks to the Senate Special Committee on Aging about the troubles facing seniors in America.  She discusses the difficulty to get jobs as one gets older in Hollywood and clearly makes the point that media and marketers are responsible for perpetrating ageism. 

7 Beauties (September 2002)
Joyce Tenneson's new book Wise Women delivers captivating portraits and interviews with women ages 65 to 100.

Betty White Helps Alert Senior Citizens in National Fraud Awareness Campaign (August 27, 2002)
Betty White joins the nation’s Chief Postal Inspector to warn senior citizens that old Americans are increasingly becoming targets of con artists. She will help launch a media tour to increase awareness of the campaign.

Homebuilders eye Vast Market of over 55's (August 26, 2002)
Homebuilders eye the aging population that desires more than retirement homes. Seniors are demanding for more facilities that cater to an active lifestyle like golf courses and fitness centers, as well as other accommodations.

Older Folk Think World is Worse But Feel Volunteer Urge (August 26, 2002)
Seniors, though pessimistic about the world today, are volunteering in great numbers in an effort to help in any way they can after 9-11.

Schwinn Takes a Swing at Chain Stores (August 26, 2002)
Bike sales plummet as baby boomers and seniors turn to other means of activity. Top brands like Schwinn look to the chain store market to ease drop in sales

How About a Civilized Cab, Please, Driver (August 23, 2002)
Commentary on why London offers better cabs than NYC, including how spacious and elder friendly UK’s cabbies can be.

Cost of Living Too High for Some Tenants (August 22, 2002)
Change of ownership lead to soaring prices at places like Wakefield Towers, pushing seniors and baby-boomers out.  Those who stay and dish up the expensive rent are paying up to 34% more than in prior years.

Middle Ear Implants Not Your Grandpa's Hearing Aid (August 22, 2002)
Times have changed and so have hearing aids. No longer must the aging have to deal with unattractive, burdening hearing aids. Middle ear implants are the start of a hearing revolution.

Old Chinese Man Beaten by NY Police, Triggers off Big Clash (August 21, 2002)
Chinese man beaten by police in the streets of Flushing, New York over parking violation dispute.  The 72-year-old man and his son had as many as eight cars show up to the scene.

Under One Roof (August 14, 2002)
More and more elderly are opting to live with roommates. Seniors like widows, 75-year-old Janet Carroo and 79-year-old Betty Koontz, share a house, rent, and the joys of companionship through church, sharing meals, and visiting friends.

Walkers Fight to Keep Scooters off Sidewalks (August 14, 2002)
Seniors are up in arms against new motor scooter that threatens to take over sidewalks across the country.  With a 12.5 mph speed limit, these scooters may be hazardous to strolling pedestrians – especially to the elderly and disabled.

RV Sales Booming Across the Country (August 12, 2002)
Surge in RV sales are linked to baby-boomers.  After September 11th, the 50 something population in America has taken traveling into their own hands – driving around the country sightseeing in RVs.

Corporations Turn to Older Executives (August 11, 2002)
Older executives are here to stay, offering years of experience, knowledge, and stability.  Businesses like Golden West Financial Corporation who has kept 71 year-old Marion O. Sandler on board as chief executive.

A Better Way to Grow Old: The PACE Model (August 8, 2002)
PACE is a new way of caring for elderly, introducing the innovative idea of care during the day within a senior center and nights spent back at home.  Elders get to experience topnotch care and stay connected with family.

Nervous Eyes on Greenspan's Big Shoes (August 7, 2002)
Greenspan may be 76, but no retirement plans seem to be in his near future.

Nursing Shortage Critical for Patients (August 7, 2002)
Nursing shortage puts young and old at risk.  There are 126,000 nursing positions unfilled in hospitals nationwide. Bush signed bill, promising government nursing scholarship, to ease shortage.

Gov. Bush, Reno Woo Florida's Senior Vote: Prescription Drug Issues Loom Large in State with 2.8 Million Retirees (August 6, 2002)
The prescription drug issue is going to be critical in the congressional and gubernatorial races this year.  Florida, with 2.8 million retirees is one of the states most affected by the laws that will be put into place.  With that on the brain, Jeb Bush and Janet Reno are beginning their debates. 

Single Seniors Find Love in Different Places (August 4, 2002)
Seniors in Albuquerque, NM enjoy life after 65.  An increasing amount of elderly are seeking companionship, which can be found in the seven senior centers that offer events from bingo to free salsa lessons.

Forever Young (August 1, 2002)
An increasing number of senior citizens are turning to plastic surgery to cut back the years, feel younger and more attractive, and to battle age discrimination. 

Pearl the Robot Makes Life Easier for Elderly (July 31, 2002)
Elderly residents at a retirement home in Oakmont, PA are getting help from a robot named Pearl.  The robot is used to remind residents of appointments, mealtimes, social events and to escort them to their destinations. 

Older Americans 'Shacking Up' More (July 30, 2002)
While a vast majority of unmarried couples that live together are under the age 44, an increasing number of older Americans are deciding to live together. 

Money Facts Women Should Know (July 29, 2002)
Far too many women allow their husbands to handle financial planning for retirement. In some cases, they don't even know where their family RRSPs are located or the pension entitlements they may have.

 

State Long-Term Care: Recent Developments and Policy Directions (July 29, 2002)
A new report prepared by the National Conference of State Legislatures analyzes states' long-term care policies and efforts to deal with the rising costs of caring for the elderly, people with disabilities and others requiring long-term care.The HHS-funded report shows many states are adopting innovative approaches to addressing their residents' long-term care needs even as they face tight budgets, according to HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson.

Senior Fitness Trade Association Launches Media Campaign Backing President Bush's HealthierUS (July 28, 2002)
The International Council on Active Aging is enacting a new media support program, entitled Changing the Way We Age™, in accordance with President Bush’s new HealthierUS initiative.  ICAA’s goal is to educate the media and society about aging.

Elderly Can Think Themselves Into the Grave (July 28, 2002)
Is getting old all in your head?  According to a study by psychologist, Becca Levy and the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, it is.  Levy claims that  “How one feels about getting old is more important even than having low blood pressure or cholesterol.” 

Older workers cry foul as employers slash jobs (July 28, 2002)
The number of age-discrimination complaints filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has risen 23.5 percent in the last two years.  The number of complaints increases as layoffs increase, but few have to do with unfair termination practices

Monitors Hold Promise for Easing Families' Worries Over the Elderly (July 25, 2002)
With the latest in high-tech eldercare, one can be an active caregiver, even when separated by long distances.  Dave and Sue Shellenbarger test the new technology and report on their findings. 

Senate Defeats Plan to Limit What Elderly Pay for Drugs (July 25, 2002)
The Senate, after rejecting plans proposed by both the Republican and Democratic parties, tried to put together a “more modest plan” that would regulate the amount of money spent by the elderly on drugs.  The plan barely failed with a 51 to 48 vote because Senate budget rules require a 60-vote majority.  Back to the drawing board…

Senior Suicide Rate Alarms Doctors (July 24, 2002)
Studies show that senior citizens commit suicide at a rate higher than that of any other group.  Poor health, poor sleep quality and fewer friends and relatives are factors that heavily contribute to depression in older citizens.

Paul Weiss, Philosopher and Challenger of Age Bias, 101, Dies (July 24, 2002)
Dr. Paul Weiss, a philosopher and professor at some of the best American universities, died July 5 at 101 years old.  Dr. Weiss was forced to retire from Yale University at age 68, then lost an Age Discrimination case against Fordham University after they withdrew a job offer because of Dr. Weiss’s age.  Dr. Weiss continued to fight age discrimination through the ‘90’s. 

Bad Economy Bypasses Missouri Town (July 24, 2002)
Bill Truitt, a 75-years-old coalminer from Macon, Missouri is old enough to remember economic downtimes and made sure not to depend on mutual fund investments for his own retirement.  Mr. Truitt’s story is far different, and far more fortunate than many others. 

For Investors Near Retirement, Stock Fall Poses Stark Choices (July 23, 2002)
Sun City Anthem, a retirement community in Las Vegas is feeling the effects of the declining stock market.  Anne Mariucci, president of the housing developer, Del Webb Group, says there is an increasing number of 60-somethings looking to buy cheaper, as opposed to a couple of years ago when “most expensive” was popular vernacular. 

A Prescription That Would Bust the Budget (July 23, 2002)
Republicans and Democrats alike will be focusing on Medicare and prescription drug plans, which mostly affect elderly Americans.  Ironically, poorer patients, who are eligible for Medicaid, have the best prescription coverage.  Many seniors on Medicare are forced to buy Medigap to fill the gaps in their primary health plan. 

Gangster Films, Coolly Revisited (July 23, 2002)
Mark Morris recreated George Balanchine’s “Resurrection” for the American Dance Festival.  Critics praise the dancers, the performance, and the perfect balance created by a mix of old-timers and youngsters.

Wealth and Democracy: A Political History of the American Rich (July 18, 2002)
This review of Kevin Phillips’ new book, Wealth and Democracy: A Political History of the American Rich, argues that the growing extremes of wealth in the US are subverting democracy and democratic process.

IRS Impersonators Target Unsuspecting Taxpayers (July 17, 2002)
The Treasury Department says that con artists posing as IRS agents have duped unsuspecting victims, especially the elderly.  Some con artists are stealing money, while others obtain information, such as Social Security numbers or the whereabouts of people.  This article provides information about how to spot a con artist.

Old Age in Brave New Settings (July 16, 2002)
Nursing homes around the country are beginning to change their attitudes about resident life and patient care.  Many homes are trying to put the “home” back into nursing homes by giving patients more freedom and independence, increasing the sense of community, and decreasing the staff turnover rate by making employment more tolerable. 

4 Airlines Drop Their Discounts for the Elderly (July 15, 2002)
With US Airways leading the way, American, Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines have all decided to drop the 10 percent ticket discount given to senior citizens.  The move is expected to be permanent. 

Committee Backs Expansion of Access to Low-Cost Drugs (July 12, 2002)
The Senate passed a bill increasing access to generic versions of prescription drugs.  There are plans to offer amendments to authorize coverage of prescription drugs under Medicare. 

The Fight to Keep 'Direct-to-Consumer Ads' (July 12, 2002)
Drug companies and their allies who have profited from prescription direct-to-consumer drug ads are working in opposition to legislative threats.  Drug advertising is now a multi-billion dollar business.  Many of the drugs being advertised are mostly prescribed to the elderly. 

Freed From Jail Despite His Pleas, 92-Year-Old Is Found Dead in a River (July 11, 2002)
Coval Russell, recently released from jail after stabbing his landlord, David William Boos, took his own life recently.  The 92 year old man, who had no family and few friends tried to remain in jail where he says he found refuge from utter loneliness. 

Dreams
This is an anecdote about an 87 year old woman, Rose, who completes her dream of getting a college degree.  She overcomes the obstacle of age and breaks the stereotypes of “an old woman.” 

A 'Dr. Spock' for the Senior Set: New Guide to Aging for Neurotics (July 9, 2002)
A new book, “Keep Your Brain Young,” by Guy McKhann and Marilyn Albert, is a ‘Dr. Spock’ for seniors-in-waiting and geriatrics.  It is a guide specifically addressing those issues that worry older people most, such as Alzheimer’s disease, and how to deal with those issues. 

Census Tracks Grandparent Caregivers (July 8, 2002)
The 2000 census found that more than 2.4 million grandparents are the primary caregivers to a grandchild.  Questions regarding grandparenting were added to the long-form questionnaire after the welfare changes of 1996.  Some states offer subsidies to people raising a grandchild because of the financial burden, especially the legal battles.   

Drug Co. Takes Care of Elderly Woman (July 7, 2002)
About 50 years ago, a woman named Nellie Parker became a guinea pig for a company called Eli Lilly and Co.  In exchange for being a guinea pig for the company’s testing program for pernicious anemia, Nellie has received free medical care for life, including two operations. 

Companies Adding Benefits for Care of the Elderly (July 7, 2002)
Ford, J.P. Morgan Chase, and Pearson Education are among companies offering new benefits such as geriatric care managing.  The care management includes benefits such as home assessment, which promotes independent living for elderly people.  The benefits are designed to help employees who care for an elderly person in their immediate family. 

Bringing Discipline (and Scorecards) to Nursing Homes (July 7, 2002)
William R. Floyd, the new chairman and chief executive of Beverly Enterprises, the nation’s largest nursing home chain, wants to emphasize accountability and introduce several new, more profitable health care services.  Floyd now faces the challenging task of turning the image of Beverly Enterprises around. 

The New Retirement Comes in Four Financial Flavors (July 7, 2002)
Dr. Ken Dychtwald, author and gerontologist, recently did a study on current retirees and found that there are four main types of retirees.  They include: the Ageless Explorers, the Comfortably Content, the Live for Todays, and the Sick and Tireds.  These four categories describe the attitudes of people toward retirement, and give insight into life styles before retirement.

Amid stock gloom, many see gleam in real estate (July 5, 2002)
Baby boomers, expected to reach retirement age around 2010, are beginning to buy second/vacation homes now.  Analysts credit the shaky stock market and alluring mortgage-interest rates for the surge in the second-home market. 

“Dad, Please Let Me Have the Car Keys” (July 2, 2002)
For Max Knechtel, an 84 year old retired geologist, driving was his last form of independence.  His son and doctor, however, decided that Knechtel was too old to drive.  

Pharmaceuticals Group Files Suit to Ban State Drug Lists (July 2, 2002)
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America filed a lawsuit against federal regulators for approving a price-control program in Michigan, which the industry fears will compromise its pricing power in the U.S. 

Retirement boom? Not likely (2 July, 2002)
Many aging baby boomers have not saved enough to support themselves in old age even with Social Security and perhaps a pension.  Increasingly they must stay in the workforce because they have no choice.  

Smart Boomers haven't sold off (July, 2002)
A shaky, unstable Stock Market has left many people, including the elderly, retirees, and Baby Boomers questioning their investments.  Adrian Mastracci, a Vancouver-based advisor, says not all Boomers are bailing on their stocks, and with good reason.

A Pervasive and Damaging Influence
Should older workers move aside in the workplace to make room for younger workers?  Should a 64-year-old worker be forced into retirement?  Age discrimination is still prevalent in the American workforce, damaging our society, reducing incomes, and destroying self-confidence.  In many cases, workers do not realize they are victims of age discrimination. 

Helping Those Workers Who Want to Cut Back (June 30, 2002)
Many retirees are hoping to have a “phased retirement,” one in which they can reduce hours and workloads, but keep a foot in the office door.  Employers and employees alike are benefiting from phased retirements.  Some employers are worried the IRS may challenge the plan because the IRS requires that workers be completely retired before they can receive pension benefits. 

Her Cart's Wheels Slow to a Halt (June 30, 2002)
A woman, identified only as Annie, works at the Fulton Fish Market.  Annie, who is probably in her 70’s, has no pension plan beyond Social Security, but also has no plans to retire.  Annie made an attempt at retirement, but went back to working at the fish market nine months later.  Annie claims that working makes her vibrant, and “If you’re vibrant, you become youthful.” 

From Michigan to N.Y.: A New Job, a New Life (June 30, 2002)
Mary Magdalene Roberts, a 60 year old woman from Michigan, recently moved to New York to start her new life as a retiree.  Mrs. Roberts was accepted in a program for New York City Teaching Fellows, which pays for people to get a master’s degree in education in exchange for them teaching where needed. 

Exercise Keeps Older People's Brains Sharper (June 28, 2002)
Two studies from the University of Maryland found that physical activity increased brain function and focusing abilities.  Physical activity allows for more blood flow and oxygen to the brain.  A person does not have to be “physically fit,” but must be active in some way, including leisurely walking, moving, standing, sitting, or some vigorous activity. 

Retiree Builds Town's Arts Complex (June 26, 2002)
Retiree Myra Janco Daniels, founder, chairman and CEO of the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts, brought the Philharmonic center and museum to the artless town of Naples, Florida.  She moved to Florida in 1980, and in 1989 opened the Philharmonic Hall.  In retirement, Daniels works 12-16 hour days, and claims she, wouldn’t have it any other way.

Aging Homeowners are Staying Put (June 26, 2002)
In Denver, home modifications referred to as “Aging-in-Place,” are becoming increasingly popular as baby boomers mature, and older citizens look to a more active lifestyle.  With such modifications as removing stairs, and widening doorways, it provides a safer at-home atmosphere so the elderly can remain independent. 

Workers over 40 aren't entitled to equal job benefits (June 25, 2002)
In California, the state Supreme Court ruled that employers may discriminate against workers over 40 years old, and are not required to award college tuition or other job benefits equal to those of their younger co-workers.  The ruling is likely to affect many, as 45 percent of workers are over 40.  A bill, however, that would give all employees, regardless of age, protection of privileges and benefits, is pending. 

Study says prices of 50 most prescribed drugs for seniors tripled inflation rate last year (June 24, 2002)
The liberal consumer advocacy group, Families USA, released a report stating that, of the 50 most prescribed drugs for seniors, only 12 did not increase in price last year, and nine of those are generics.  The other 38 drugs mostly prescribed to seniors rose, on average, at almost triple the rate of overall economic inflation. 

No Day at the Beach (June 21, 2002)
The Metropolitan District Commission ordered that the Pavilion on Nantasket Beach, MA, a Sunday afternoon attraction for many elderly citizens, be torn down.  The building was in shambles and needed to be replaced.  Many people are angry with the MDC because they tore down the Pavilion without plans for a new one, leaving many elderly without a place to go when they want to get out of the house. 

Farmers' Excess Feeds Many in Fla. (June 21, 2002)
For the past ten years, Farm Share, a food distribution charity in Florida, has been helping poor and elderly citizens.  In Florida, many elderly are at or below the poverty level and, as one elderly man states, “Every little bit helps.”  An average of 5,000 families from south Miami-Dade County make a trip to Farm Share each month.  70 percent of the 1.8 million families across Florida that partake in the program are elderly. 

A Wired Retirement? (June 20, 2002)
About a quarter of retiree households are online and an increasing number of seniors are surfing the Net.  This article gives websites specifically catered to seniors and retirees.  Sites include: Communication, Travel, Finance, Real Estate, Health and Volunteerism.   

Drug Bill for Elderly Advances, and Stalls (June 20, 2002)
The prescription drug bill proposed by Republicans, which gives free physical examinations for senior citizens on Medicare, was approved by one house committee, but stalled in another panel when Democrats claimed the legislation was a gift to the drug industry for campaign contributions.  It was predicted that at least 95 percent of Medicare beneficiaries would voluntarily sign up for the drug benefits offered under the House Republican bill.  The House will vote on the bill before the Fourth of July.

House GOP Drug Plan Covers Physicals (June 18, 2002)
A Republican-backed prescription drug bill, which is expected to go to the House for debate next week, would give senior citizens free physical examinations under Medicare.  The plan is bigger than what President Bush wants, but gives only half of what the Democrats would provide for Medicare. 

Senior Staff (June 17, 2002)
A report issued by the AARP says that one in every five men over the age of 65 is working, and one in ten women.  As baby boomers hit retirement age, the number of people working after 65 years is expected to grow.  While some people have not saved enough for their golden years, many more are living longer, healthier lives that allow them to work later in life.

More elderly are having problems with gambling (June 16, 2002)
In Arizona, an increasing number of retirees are taking their savings and turning to casinos and racetracks to stave off loneliness.  Of the estimated 67,000 retirees with a gambling addiction, 75 percent are women.  The problem is worse when the addiction takes hold later in life because it is more difficult to rebuild finances after retirement. 

Raising Farm Subsidies, U.S. Widens International Rift (June 15, 2002)
President Bush signed a new farm bill, raising subsidies for farmers.  U.S. farmers will begin flooding the European market with cheap produce and European economies will suffer, with small, individual farmers will suffering the most as they struggle to compete.  Rural area farmers are being forced off their land and into the cities in order to survive, leaving their elderly behind.

Don't Free the Prisoners (June 13, 2002)
As California faces its largest deficit ever, some are proposing the state should let elderly prisoners out of jail before their sentences are up.  Opponents to the proposals say that “Aging should not translate into a get-out-of-jail-free card.” 

Burglar Slays Man in One Apartment, Then Kills Elderly Couple Downstairs (June 13, 2002)
A burglar killed three people in their homes, including an elderly couple, in the Lower East Side of Manhattan.  All three victims had been shot in the head, and the elderly woman sexually abused.  The burglar was supposedly under the influence of marijuana that had possibly been laced with cocaine. 

Your Options and Rights If Your Employer Drops Your Retiree Health Insurance
What can I do if my employer drops my Retiree Health Insurance? Unfortunately, this becoming a frequent question. This article tells about the possible ways used in Wisconsin to solve that problem

California struggling with growing numbers of elderly prisoners (June 9, 2002)
California prisons increase the number of inmates everyday thanks to the state’s “three-strikes” law, which offers 25 years to life in prison for a third felony offense.  Elderly inmates are more likely to require special medical attention, costing the state millions of dollars.  Some are advocating for prisons devoted entirely to inmates over 55 years old, claiming it will dramatically reduce costs and overcrowding in prisons.  A separate prison will also give senior inmates more protection from the younger ones. 

AARP helps out Indian elderly (June 7, 2002)
The Arizona chapter of AARP called for senior volunteers to help with home repairs on the Navajo reservation.  While many AARP chapters help inner-city elderly, this is the first to help Native Americans—and this is only the beginning.  The AARP has plans to return to the Navajo reservation next spring, as well as the Fort Apache reservation later this year.  One man said the work not only helped the Native Americans, but the seniors helping, too.  We are of a certain age, and all of a sudden we realize things don't matter. People matter," he said. 

VA Hospitals May Close With New Focus (June 6, 2002)
Many Veterans hospitals are expected to close, and many others renovated within the next couple of years.  Some people are worried that veterans will lose access to care, but government auditors insist that, while some facilities will be closing, especially those in areas where the number of veterans is declining, the money will be better spent improving facilities where most veterans of the future will live.  VA officials are outraged and want the funds distributed more efficiently, in a way that would not require any veteran hospitals to close. 

At Elders' Home, Each Day Is Valentine's Day (June 4, 2002)
The Hebrew Home for the Aged in Riverdale, the Bronx, firmly believes in the rights of patients.  One of those is the right to be in a relationship, sexual or not, with few provisions.  The Hebrew Home is pioneering, as it is the first facility to address sex and sexual expression.  The home produced a film to promote elder rights called, “Freedom of Sexual Expression: Dementia and Resident Rights in Long-Term Care Facilities,” which has been distributed to 677 homes all over New York State. 

Feds Study Grandparents As Caregivers (June 1, 2002)
Many older people are becoming the primary caregivers for their grandchildren all across the country, and especially in Oklahoma where the number has climbed to 73 percent.  Many children were taken from drug and/or alcohol addicted parents, teenage parents, and abusive parents. 

For Many, No Age Is Right Age To Hang It Up (June 1, 2002)
While many citizens want to retire as soon as possible, there are many others who do not want to retire when they reach the golden age of 65.  Rather, they would prefer to keep working; some want to keep working for extra income, some because they want to add to their pensions; and some because they enjoy work and find it fun.  Bert Ely, president of Ely & Co of Alexandria says that in order to keep working, the key is to “stay in the loop,” so he is not forced out by someone younger. 

Keeping Elderly Abuse In Check (May 28, 2002)
Senator John Breaux, D-La, proposed a bill that would protect older people against financial exploitation.  The Senate Aging Committee found that elderly abuse has increased, yet four out of five cases go unreported.  Under Breaux’s plan, the federal government would be more directly involved, but State officials would remain the primary protectors of the elderly.

At 98, Still Fashion's Miss Ballyhoo (May 26, 2002)
At 98, Eleanor Lambert, the acclaimed fashion publicist, still goes to work in her Midtown office several days a week.  Even though she suffers from macular degeneration and arthritis, Eleanor is a strong advocate for elder persons in the work force, declaring, “As long as you can function, you might as well be useful.” 

Older Generation More Active
Study shows that retirees are increasingly participating in sports and other physically demanding activities, as well as television watching.  Non-retirees were more likely to have a decline in physical activity than retirees.  The most widely used activity is quick-paced walking. 

Elderly Abuse Legislation May Be Put Before Missouri Voters; Advocates for the Aged Weigh Initiative Petition After Bill Dies in Senate 
(May 24, 2002)

An elderly abuse bill for Missouri died in the Senate on Friday.  The bill would improve treatment of the elderly and would have required that all suspected cases of elderly abuse be referred to law enforcement.  It also would have allowed homes to hire a sufficient number of staff.

A Birthday Poem (May 23, 2002)
A Global Action on Aging supporter recently celebrated his 90th birthday. Here is the poem he read the assembled guests.

States Go to Court in Effort To Rein In Costs of Medicine (May 21, 2002)
The beleaguered pharmaceutical industry faces a new assault from a growing number of state prosecutors who are exploring action to bring down soaring drug costs. Now more than 35 states are working together in hopes of success. The drug companies also face class-action suits from a coalition of consumer groups alleging that the companies engaged in deceptive and illegal acts to drive up medicine prices.

The Graduate, Age 87, Looks Ahead (May 20, 2002)
Now, at age 87, Ms. Anne Martindell has finally completed her Smith education: she became the oldest person ever to graduate from the venerable women's college and the first to get a B.A. in American studies and an honorary doctor of laws degree on the same day. Many colleges have set up programs for older students. The American Council on Education says there are thousands of undergraduates over 65, although fewer than 500 get degrees each year.

Senate Aging Panel Head Wants Check On Nursing Home Aides
(May 20, 2002)

The Senate Aging Committee chairman wants nursing homes workers to have a   thorough criminal background before being able to work, as there are growing problems of elder abuse.  

Older actresses hit back at Hollywood (May 17, 2002)
Actors feel that Hollywood is over-obsessed by starring young, gorgeous women in its films. They also dislike the lack of parts for older women and say Hollywood ought to accept them for who they are.  

U.S. Companies to Give Workers More Responsibility for Health Care Benefits (May 15, 2002)
Watson Wyatt and the Washington Business Group on Health conducted a survey of “large employers” recently, and reported that only one-third of those companies surveyed said they would be willing or able to absorb rising costs of health care for employees.  Instead, employers are trying to encourage employees to take individual responsibility for their own health care.  “Consumerism” is expected to increase from 19 percent to 43 percent within the next year.  Unless employers raise wages, these policies mean a paycut for workers.

New Report Synthesizes the Impact of Health Insurance on Mortality and Economic Opportunity (May 10, 2002)
A new report released by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured (KCMU) concludes that health insurance does lead to improved health and better access to care. The uninsured receive less preventive care, are diagnosed at more advanced disease stages, and once diagnosed, tend to receive less therapeutic care (drugs and surgical) interventions.

White House Seeks to Ease Regulations For Emergency Care at Medicare Sites (May 9, 2002)
The Bush administration is seeking to relax rules dictating that hospitals accepting Medicare provide emergency care to patients even at non emergency facilities. Hospitals that accept Medicare would no longer have to equip off-campus facilities, such as radiology and mammography clinics, to screen and stabilize patients who come in with emergencies…

Pharmaceuticals to Support Drug Bill (May 2002)
In an early start to the campaign-season television wars, the advertising by United Seniors Association coincides with a GOP plan to bring legislation to House floor, part of a broader Republican effort to neutralize the Democrats' long-standing advantage on key issues of importance to senior citizens.

Clinton, Snowe, Mikulski, Breaux Unveil Legislation to Provide Relief to Family Caregivers (May 9, 2002)
At a Capitol Hill news conference with representatives of caregiver and disability organizations, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (NY), Olympia Snowe (ME), Barbara Mikulski (MD) and John Breaux (LA) introduced legislation to provide more relief to family caregivers through increased access to respite care services. Grants would be available to help increase availability to respite care services and the training of respite care workers and volunteers.

It Takes a Tough Law to Hold Her (May 8, 2002)
Ms. Martha Weatherspoon is a 73-year-old lady who is not due to leave prison before her 80th birthday. She is serving 20 years to life in prison for drug sale and possession, and there is little use in appealing and grants of clemency are rare. Age and condition means nothing under the toughest law in the nation signed by Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller 29 years ago.

Florida Redoubles Effort to Accommodate Aged (May 5, 2002)
Florida is trying to improve the quality of life for older people, beginning with the town of Dunedin, one of more than 40 Florida communities working to be certified as “elder ready.”  Currently, the population of citizens 65 and older is 17.6 percent, and is expected to reach 26.3 percent by the year 2025.  Some efforts include improved transportation, medical services and law enforcement.  The program is state-funded. 

Planning for a Retirement Move (May 5, 2002)
Studies show that about 80 percent of Americans say they want to stay right where they are when they retire. But for an adventurous minority that wants to move somewhere different and begin a new life, the choices can be daunting. Here are 2 websites offering good information for retirement planning: www.BestPlaces.net, www.kff.org.

Making a Residence for the Elderly More Like Home (May 5, 2002)
Twenty years ago, seniors had few choices when deciding where to live during their declining years. They could continue to reside in a house or apartment. They could move in with an adult child. Or they could opt for an old-age home — a place inhabited by some seniors needing only minimal assistance and others requiring more intensive nursing care. Now, they can move to one of an increasing number of adult care facilities — often called enriched housing communities or assisted living or independent living — designed for older people who are mostly healthy and independent.

GOP's Doughnut Plan (May 3, 2002)
The House Republican leadership announced its latest prescription drug proposal. “Their goal obviously is to deflect attention from the immediate need for a universal, voluntary Medicare prescription drug program and the need to make prescription medications more affordable but older Americans are not going to let them get away with it.”

GOP Works on Elderly Drug Plan (May 1, 2002)
Medicare recipients would receive protection against catastrophic drug costs and the low-income elderly would get federal subsidies for all their prescription expenses under election-year legislation that Republicans intend to bring to the House floor by Memorial Day.

Many Seniors Prefer Seminars (May 1, 2002)
With their ties to universities and community colleges, the institutes have grown in popularity since the 1990s, providing seniors the chance to learn with kindred spirits. Many participants called the weekly lectures and seminars the key to longevity. The focus on lifelong learning has also become a marketable feature for state government and on college campuses.

For Mentally Ill, Death and Misery (April 28, 2002)
Every day, New Yorkers come face to face with the mentally ill who have ended up on the streets since the state began closing its disgraced psychiatric wards more than a generation ago. The mentally ill typically have shorter life expectancies than the general population, because they have difficulty caring for themselves and are more prone to health problems.

More Gen Xers juggle jobs, parents' care (April 26, 2002)
Have you been struggled to maintain two roles in your life; a caregiver to your parents and a career woman? You are not only a person under that kind of stressful situation. The recent survey shows that a quarter of people younger than 34 years old have been caregivers and two-thirds of them hold jobs. Also many of them are at the peak of their careers. 

U.S. Begins Issuing Consumer Data on Nursing Homes (April 25, 2002)
The Bush administration released data on the quality of care at more than 2,500 nursing homes in six states. The new data would help people select nursing homes and would motivate homes to correct deficiencies. For most nursing homes, the government will report six types of information: the proportion of residents who have bedsores, who are in physical restraints, who have lost too much weight, who are suffering pain, who have certain types of infections and who need more help with daily activities.

Drug Industry Wants to Protect Patents, Avoid Price Controls 
(April 25, 2002)

Congress should not tinker with generic drug laws but instead focus on passing a prescription drug benefit for seniors, Alan Holmer, president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the nation's pharmaceutical lobby said.

Consumers Can Reduce Costs of Drugs (April 25, 2002)
Consumers spent 17 percent more on prescriptions in 2001 over the previous year, partly because doctors are prescribing more of the latest and more expensive brands. The cost of drugs also has risen. But it is possible for patients, particularly the chronically ill and those on maintenance medications, to find ways around paying the $71 average charge for a brand name prescription.

AARP Wants Bigger Role in Prescription Drug Cases (April 23, 2002)
AARP says it intends to join lawsuits around the country to help its 35 million members gain access to lower cost prescription drugs. One challenges tactics used by brand-name drug companies to delay the marketing of low-cost generic medicines. But states are also defending innovative programs to buy large quantities of prescription drugs for their citizens at low prices

Many Consider a Living Will Important, but Wait Too Long 
(April 21, 2002)

A recent survey conducted by the National Council on the Aging reports that 77% of older Americans think it important to have a living will, whereas, most people have not yet prepared it. To show your wishes for future medical treatments or health-care provides, having a living will beforehand is not a bad idea. This article gives you some practical advice.

Officials hope special day will reduce health gap (April 18, 2002)
The average life expectancy for blacks at birth is 71.8 years, compared to 77.4 years for whites. Blacks are twice as likely to die from diabetes, and blacks are twice as likely to die as infants as whites are. The gap exists throughout the system, with minorities less likely to get appropriate care for a host of diseases.

Older Americans Month May, 2002
The U. S. Administration on Aging will celebrate the Older Americans Month 2002 in May. The theme of this year will be “America : A Community for All ages. Here are some links to documents about the elderly in America today.

Chao Defends Workplace Injury Policy (April 18, 2002)
Nursing homes will be the first industry targeted by the Labor Department as it develops voluntary guidelines to help reduce workplace injuries involving strain and repetitive motion.

New Drug Cards for Seniors (April 18, 2002)
Only about 30% of the 40 million seniors on Medicare qualify for the discount cards. And people who meet the income requirements but happen to live in states that already have a drug plan for the poor aren't eligible for most of the cards either.

2001 Retiree Health and Prescription Drug Coverage Survey
This survey, released by the Kaiser Family Foundation, The Commonwealth Fund, and HRET, profiles retiree health coverage for Medicare retirees, including the amount retirees pay for coverage compared to active workers, cost-sharing for prescription drugs, and eligibility requirements for retiree benefits. 

Changes In Insurance Coverage: 1994–2000 And Beyond
For the second consecutive year the Current Population Survey (CPS) revealed that the number of uninsured non-elderly Americans fell in 2000. The number of uninsured declined by 570,000; uninsured children actually declined by 700,000, while the number of uninsured adults increased by 130,000.

 

'He Started Beating Me ...' (March 7, 2002)
The National Center on Elder Abuse says that any reports of abuse from an elderly victim should be taken very seriously. Elder abusers typically have serious personal problems and may have also been victims of abuse themselves. Here is a story about Helen Love, 75, seriously beaten by a nursing-home caregiver.

 

Congressional inquiry faults nursing homes in abuse cases (March 4, 2002)
In addition to the article about the General Accounting Office reports; unreported elderly abuse cases at nursing homes, this is the case of Ms. Helen Love who was abused to death at Sacramento nursing home. Who can protect elderly people? How does the government deal with saving these elderly people? What is the elder right? Lots of issues are coming up.

Senior drug discount plan not without critics (March 1, 2002)
The Bush administration is touting its revised plan to promote private drug discount cards as a much-needed step toward helping seniors save money on prescriptions. The plan still encourages older Americans to buy the cards from private companies, by giving some cards what amounts to a government seal of approval. After paying a one-time enrollment fee -- not more than $25 -- senior citizens could get discounts of up to 15 percent on some medicines.

Bush Offers New Drug Plan Similar to One Court Barred (March 1, 2002)
President Bush offered a proposal to require pharmacies to give discounts to Medicare beneficiaries, but drugstores contended that the president was still exceeding his legal authority.

Bush Prescription Drug Card Proposal is Much Ado About Very Little (March 1, 2002)
 “The President's discount card proposal offers little in terms of prescription drug price relief for America's seniors. Despite skyrocketing pharmaceutical costs that are making drugs more and more unaffordable for seniors, this proposal offers very meager price relief,” released Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA.

Unreported Abuse  Found at Nursing Homes (March 1, 2002)
Investigators say that both physical and sexual abuse of residents of nursing homes have not been reported to the authorities on time and is also rarely prosecuted. Residents suffered serious injuries and in some cases may even have died.

Two False Claims about African Americans and Social Security (March, 2002)
Two false hoods regarding Social Security:  (1) African Americans on average have substantially shorter life expectancies than other Americans. Therefore they are short-changed by Social Security. (2) Private accounts to replace Social Security would give every retiree wealth that he or she could pass on to anyone else, just like other private saving accounts. Read the correct story in this article.

Sheltered housing must allow pets
In 1983, a law was passed in the States requiring sheltered accommodation to permit pets. Problems of noise, hygiene and extra work, which had all been prophesied, failed to materialize, according to subsequent surveys.

Nurseries in nursing homes
The Emily Jackson House nursing home for the elderly in Sevenoaks has a nursery for preschool children on the top floor and runs a program of activities to integrate the children and the residents. Twice a week, the children visit the residents on their way to the garden; and once a fortnight the children and residents congregate in the residents' dining hall for music and motion sessions.

A community work centre makes the elderly feel less redundant
The work centre provided work for a few hours and good company for those taking part, and a small nominal wage per hour. The first job for the elderly 'workers' was to sort bicycle parts from the nearby Raleigh factory, but in later years work also included postal distribution, button-sewing, packing knitwear and even inspecting string vests for holes.

John Q “Shamelessly Manipulative “??? (February 27, 2002)
"A rare case of blatant political propaganda in a major Hollywood picture, John Q. is a shamelessly manipulative commercial on behalf of national health insurance." The film graphically demonstrates how bad the health insurance situation is in this country and how urgently we need a solution.

Trustee Ends His Oversight of District 37; Chief Chosen 
(February 27, 2002)

Ms. Roberts, 74, was elected as the District Council 37’s new executive director. As head of the 125,000-member union, which represents municipal workers, she will immediately become one of the city's most powerful and visible labor leaders.

Subject: New Study Examines Supplemental Medicare Coverage (February 27, 2002)
As many as 38% of seniors lacked prescription drug coverage in the Fall of 1999. “Trends in Medicare Supplemental Insurance and Prescription Drug Coverage, 1996-1999,” reports that the overall share of people on Medicare with supplemental coverage remained fairly constant during the four-year period ending in 1999.

Governors Say Medicaid Needs More Federal Help to Control Rising Costs (February 25, 2002)
Medicaid is financed jointly by the federal government and the states. But the program costs increased 11 percent, and many states reported that spending on prescription drugs, which are covered by Medicaid, rose more than 20 percent. The nation's governors demanded that Congress and President Bush take immediate action to slow the explosive growth of Medicaid.

Job Discrimination Complaints Rise (February 22, 2002)
Discrimination allegations based on age and disability had the highest rates of increase. The aging baby-boom generation means more older workers are in the work force who are protected by age discrimination laws. Baby boomers are more likely to stand up for their rights and you may see more who are likely to file charges of discrimination than earlier generations.

Second Opinion: Is Health Insurance a Civil Right? (February 19, 2002)
Because people without insurance have more untreated health problems and die younger than those with coverage, the American Medical Association said that ignoring this problem is "bad fiscal policy . . . bad public policy [and] bad medicine. "Roughly 39 million Americans lacked health coverage in 2000, according to the latest census data. Since then, another 2 million have lost insurance because they lost their jobs.

9 of 10 Nursing Homes Lack Adequate Staff, Study Finds 
(February 18, 2002) 

More than 90 percent of the nation's nursing homes have too few workers to take proper care of patients. But the Bush administration, citing the costs involved, says it has no plans to set minimum staffing levels for nursing homes, hoping instead that the problem will be resolved through market forces and more efficient use of existing nurses and nurse's aides.

Transition Issues for the Elderly and Their Families (February 15, 2002)
It is difficult for children to accept a fact that their parents are getting older even though they know it is an unavoidable issue. Aging is not a life stage of depression but it the stage where people have another a meaningful time. This article gives some ideas to adults and their families how to deal with having elder parents.

Medicare plus choice enrollees face rising out-of-pocket costs; those in poor health hardest hit (February 14, 2002)
Two new reports from The Commonwealth Fund reveal that Medicare+Choice enrollees paid nearly 50% more in out-of-pocket costs for their health care in 2001 than they did in 1999, and those in poor health had even greater cost increases. Enrollees faced increased premiums and cost-sharing burdens and reduced coverage of prescription drugs during the three-year period.

New Study on Direct-to-Consumer Rx Ads (February 14, 2002)
The New England Journal of Medicine features an article, "Promotion of Prescription Drugs to Consumers," that examines trends in spending by pharmaceutical companies on direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising. The article is based on a report made by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Eldercare Locator Now Online
Eldercare Locator, a program sponsored by the Administration on Aging that provides 24-hour access to community assistance, is now online.
More info: www.eldercare.gov

Falling in Love Again: Senior Couples Ignore Age as an Obstacle to Romance (February 13, 2002)     
Seniors learn how to fall in love again, marry a second time, and commit to relaxing lives with new partners proving that one is never to old to love                                                 

States Are Finding Generic Drugs Can Cost More Than Brand Name (February 13, 2002)
Generic drugs can cost more than Brand Name drugs. The discounts on brand-name drugs can be larger because their rebates must be partly based on the "best price" that manufacturers offer buyers in the private market. If that price is already deeply discounted because of competition, states get bigger rebates, which can make the net price of some brand-name drugs lower than generics.

NCOA Urges the President and Congress to Reject the Social Security Commission's Recommendations (February 11, 2002)
The NCOA joined the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO) in expressing disappointment that the President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security did not produce a plan to ensure the long-term solvency of Social Security. Read the letters to the President and Congress at www.lcao.org

HHS Waiver Reduces Benefits for Some (February 11, 2002)
About 25,000 uninsured Utah residents will get some health care under a plan approved Saturday by the Bush administration, but it will cost the state's poorest residents some dental, vision and mental health benefits. It is the first time the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has approved a state proposal to expand Medicaid coverage that would reduce coverage for those already on the program.

Advocates Cite Alzheimer Disparities (February 11, 2002)
Studies suggest blacks may be more likely to get Alzheimer's disease, a degenerative brain disease that causes memory loss, disorientation, depression and decay of bodily functions. The key to eliminating racial disparities across health care is more education and better access to care, said Delegate Donna Christian-Christensen, president of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Coverage Sought for Cancer Screening (February 11, 2002)
The American Cancer Society estimates that colon cancer will kill 48,000 people this year in the United States. Not enough elderly Americans are being screened for colon cancer even though Medicare often picks up most of the costs, according to critics asking Congress to expand coverage.

Elderly Population Expected to Rise (February 6, 2002)
With baby boomers approaching retirement, the 65-and-over population in the United States could increase nearly 80 percent by 2025. More senior citizens depend on Social Security and Medicare while fewer workers will be contributing to the publicly funded programs. Will we see more 65 year-old persons in the workforce in the future?

Costs Rise Sharply as Alzheimer's Worsens (February 5, 2002)
Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia, is one of the most costly disorders among the elderly. The number of people with the disease in the United States is expected to grow from 4 million to 14 million over the next 50 years. Treatments to slow progression of the degenerative brain disease would help lower medical costs, depending on severity of symptoms.

The needs of women providing care to be focus of joint hearing 
(February 4, 2002)

The U.S. Administration on Aging reports that despite the increased numbers of women in the workforce, and greater geographic distances between families, the overall degree of caregiver involvement has remained fairly constant for more than a decade.  The "average" caregiver is a 46-year-old female baby boomer who works outside the home and spends 18 hours a week caring for her 77-year-old mother.

Slaney May Try Marathon (February 3, 2002)
Mary Decker Slaney, America’s dominant female runner who has broken every American record from 800 through 10, 000 meters, is now 43 years old. She has stepped away from the front line as the fastest runner but has not yet quit running. She has just changed her way to move with her career as a runner. In this article she said that aging is not the point where people must give up their passion. 

HealthWeek: Medicare Prescription Drugs (February 1, 2002)
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, ten million seniors lack insurance coverage to help pay their prescription drug bills.  In addition, more than one in four seniors pay at least $1,000 a year out-of-pocket for medications. The newest segment of Health Week looks at the challenges facing seniors.

Grandma Helps to Fill the Void Left by Sept. 11 (February 1, 2002)
Lots of children lost their mother or/and their father in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Grandparents have been suddenly thrust into a second round of child- rearing. They help the single mother or father to raise their children and to be able to earn their living. Some had to quit their job or delay their retirement plans. Some of these women moved into their widowed children's homes.

Facing the journey at 80 (January 2002)
Last January, Judy Lerner, an NGO (non governmental organizations) representative at the United Nations for Peace Action (a national peace group), turned 80. She wrote this article to share her experience of “active ageing”, the new way of thinking about ageing.

U.S. Elder Care Is in a Fragile State (January 2002)
Elder care in the United States is in critical condition. Over the last few years, nursing homes have become plagued with bankruptcies and stressed by understaffing, and the direct-care workers that these institutions and home-care agencies depend on have been going on strike or quitting in droves. With baby boomers approaching retirement age, the implications of this breakdown are sobering.

Why Drug Coverage May Be in Jeopardy (January 2002)
Trends over the last decade suggest that Medicare beneficiaries' access to affordable prescription drugs has begun to decline. In Drug Coverage for Medicare Beneficiaries: Why Protection May Be in Jeopardy, the authors evaluate trends in prescription drug coverage for beneficiaries during the 1990s as a way to project their future coverage, costs, and needs. The issue brief was written by Becky Briesacher and Bruce Stuart of the University of Maryland and Dennis Shea of Pennsylvania State University. Read the report at www.cmwf.org.

State Offers Alternative for Seniors Needing Care But Waiver Program Hobbled by Red Tape (January 31, 2002)
A year-old state program aims to bring community-based services to thousands of low-income elderly who don't need or want to spend their last years in nursing homes. The so-called waiver program is run under a federal dispensation of the requirement that frail, low-income seniors be cared for in nursing homes. Although the waiver option has been available to states for 20 years, only now is Maryland trying to provide services to more residents.

Bush to Be Flexible on Lawsuit Cap In Effort to Pass Patients' Rights Law (January 30, 2002)
In his State of the Union message, January 29, 2002, President Bush asked Congress to join him this year to enact a patients’ bill of rights. New options has been raised by Senator Edward Kennedy to explore the possibility of a compromise.

U.S. Elder Care Is in a Fragile State (January 2002)
Elder care in the U.S. is in critical condition. Nursing homes have become plagued with bankruptcies and stressed by understaffing. With baby boomers approaching retirement age, the implications of this breakdown are sobering.

Bush Proposes Drug Benefit for the Low-Income Elderly 
(January 29, 2002)

President Bush proposed spending $190 billion over the next decade to overhaul Medicare and provide prescription-drug benefits to the elderly, starting with low-income people. He also proposed a big increase in Medicare payments to health maintenance organizations.

Many H.M.O.'s for the Elderly Make Deep Cuts in Drug Aid 
(January 25, 2002)

The nation's largest health insurers are eliminating drug coverage or demanding sharply higher payments for drugs and treatments from some of their sickest members. But the cutbacks effectively leave the companies providing insurance to their healthy members, while tens of thousands of elderly patients with serious diseases have no affordable insurance coverage for their basic medical needs.

States cite long-term care as top health issue for 2002 (January 22, 2002)
A recent survey shows that more than half of states rank long-term care as a priority for the 2002 legislative sessions. Priorities are nursing home reimbursement rates, nursing home reimbursement rates, health care worker shortages.

One-stop Job centers to improve service to older workers 
(January 22, 2002)

The one-job centers should provide works to older persons but only 5 percent of businesses use these centers to hire and train workers. Why? Does age discrimination reign at the human resource offices?

Congressional Budget Battle Centers on Older Americans 
(January 21, 2002)

Nowadays, elderly people vote at much higher rates than younger age groups in midterm elections. Older Americans have now a real political power because they have a direct stake in many of the decisions made by the Congress or the government this year on prescription drug benefits, the Social Security overhaul, Medicare spending.

With new Medicare coverage, doctors and dieticians encouraged to screen elderly for nutritional needs (January 16, 2002)
“Many older Americans are at higher risk of suffering from poor nutrition”. This month, a change in the Medicare law provides coverage for medical nutrition therapy for beneficiaries with diabetes or kidney disease. Seniors can now receive that type of counseling from certified dieticians.

Pfizer to Offer Drug Discount to Low-Income Elderly (January 16, 2002)
Pfizer, the world’s largest drug company, will offer its drugs to low-income elderly people for a flat fee of $15 a month for each prescription. According to the government, at least 27 percent of Medicare patients, about 11 million people have no prescription drug coverage. Drug companies seem to be competing with one another in efforts to woo the elderly.

Two Large Pension Funds May Adopt Tougher Corporate-Governance Policies ( January 16, 2002)
After Enron’s bankruptcy, two of the nation’s largest pension funds could adopt tougher corporate-governance policies to protect company employees and their retirement plans. Employees would not be required anymore to invest in their company's defined contribution retirement savings program or they could only invest 10% of their savings in the company’s stock.

Some Doctors Say They May Stop Seeing Medicare Patients After Cuts
(January 15, 2002)

As of Jan. 1, Medicare cut reimbursements of these doctors' fees across the board by 5.4%. Despite the cut in fees, the overall outlay by Medicare for physicians' fees is expected to rise 1% to $41.7 billion in 2002. The American Medical Association, the doctors' trade group, fought fiercely to block the cut in physicians' Medicare fees.

Health Bill Is Rejected in Assembly ( January 15, 2002)
The Democratic majority in the New York State Assembly rejected Governor George E. Pataki's request to pass a complex health care bill that would give raises to hospital workers, financing them in part with a $1 billion windfall from an insurance company. He proposed cuts in aid for parents of disabled children and reductions in the amount paid to pharmacies serving elderly people on Medicaid.

States Face Hard Choices on Medicaid Cuts ( January 14, 2002)
Medicaid, the insurance program for 44 million low-income people, is in financial crisis, forcing states to think about cutting benefits and reducing payments to hospitals, nursing homes and pharmacies. Governors are asking the federal government to increase its contribution to Medicaid because of the national recession. But the States still need to balance their budget and choose for cuts.

The Health Card ( January 13, 2002)
New York’s Governor George Pataki is proposing a health care plan with low-cost prescription drugs for the elderly and breast cancer screening for all women. But first, he has to cope with a financial crisis. He wants to take a $1 billion windfall the state expects from Empire Blue Cross-Blue Shield’s conversion to a for-profit company and use it to help balance the state’s budget over three years. But Metro New York Health Care for All campaign opposes it efforts.

Not a Generic Medicaid Director (January 13, 2002)
Ray Hanley, director of the Medicaid program in Arkansas, is a leader in a campaign by state Medicaid officials around the country to reduce the cost of prescription drugs covered by Medicaid, the government-financed program that provides health care to the poor. He has urged doctors to prescribe generics instead of more expensive name brands promoted by drug industry sale forces.

Medicare Chartbook (January 2002)
The Kaiser Family Foundation published a Chart Book including data and background information critical to understanding the Medicare program and the challenges it faces in keeping up with the rising costs of health care and ensuring its own financial security.

A Morgan Stanley Victory in Dispute on Bond Funds ( January 11, 2002)
The regulatory arm of the National Association of Securities Dealers accused Dean Witter, now a unit of Morgan Stanley, of misleading investors, many of them elderly, about the risks of buying the funds. This investments, described as “simple and safe”, resulted in losses of $65 million.

Party Battles Looming Over Costly Old Issue: Health Care Coverage (January 11, 2002)
Health care issue will loom large in this election year. The elderly are under particular pressure from the rising cost of prescription drugs, which are not covered by Medicare. The number of uninsured could begin to climb as people lose their jobs in the economic downturn and as the cost of coverage rises for employers and workers.

Joined at the Hip (January 10, 2002)
Thousands of working men and women who lost their jobs, their life savings and their pensions will remember the biggest bankruptcy in the U.S. history. The Justice Department launched a criminal investigation against Enron. Did the company’s top officials dump $1 billion when they knew the firm was in danger of collapse ?

Michigan Judge's Injunction Blocks Law Seeking to Curb Prescription-Drug Costs (January 8, 2002)
In the battle against the pharmaceutical industry, a Michigan judge blocked a state law that seeks price concessions from drug companies in exchange for inclusion on a list of preferred drugs. According to the Judge Lawrence Glazer, the Michigan law could restrict access to certain drugs.

Health-Care Spending Accelerated in 2000 As Hospital, Drug Costs Continued to Rise (January 8, 2002)
A new U.S. government report shows that health-care spending accelerated in 2000 and grew 6.9% to $1.3 trillion. Public and private health-care spending averaged $4,637 per person in 2000.This increase seems to be due to higher payments from insurers, loosening of strict policies by managed care plans, and a rise in labor costs.

Drug Discount Cards Give the Elderly Small Savings (January 4, 2002)
This summer, Bush administration promised that drug discount card users could “get discounts of about 10 percent to 25 percent of retail prices” but eventually the savings averaged less than 10 percent of retail prices. People can even get cheaper drugs in some retail pharmacies.