ER index 2012

Older American Act (1965)
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Older Americans Act into law on July 14, 1965. This Act aims at providing help for older persons by claiming indisputable elder rights such as adequate incomes in retirement and the best possible physical and mental health. The Act established the Administration of Aging, a federal advocacy agency to represent and protect older US citizens. This agency is empowered to oversee services and providing opportunities for older people across the Nation. The Act also authorizes grants to States for community planning and services programs aimed at older persons. Title XVIII covering Medicare and Title XIX covering Medicaid were also signed into law in 1965.

Amendment to Older American Act (2000)
The Amendment to Older American Act in 2000 added grants to Area Agencies on Aging. It also established an important new program, the National Family Caregiver Support Program. This Support Program aimed at addressing the nation’s needs of caregivers. It was intended to help hundreds of thousands of family members who care for their older loved ones. Also, the 2000 Amendment maintains the original ten objectives of the Older American Act about the protection of the older US citizens’ rights and dignity.

Reauthorization to Older American Act Choice for Independence (2006)
The 2006 Reauthorization of the Older American Act includes a project called “Choices for Independence” which promotes consumer-directed and community-based long term care options.

Violence Against Women Act of 1994
President Bill Clinton signed into law The Violence against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA). It is enacted as Title IV of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. It enhances the investigation and prosecution of violent crimes perpetrated against women. Also the Act changes federal criminal laws by including a civil rights remedy for victims of “gender motivated violence,” a provision declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court

Violence Against Women Act of 2000
On October 28, 2000, President Bill Clinton signed into law the Violence against Women Act of 2000 as division B of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000. The VAWA 2000 continues the essential work begun in 1994 and creates new grant programs, in order to create transitional housing for victims of domestic abuse or enhance protection for elderly and disabled victims of domestic abuse among others.

CRS Report: Violence against Women Act: History, Federal Funding and Reauthorizing Legislation (October 2001)
Read this report to have complete knowledge about the Violence against Women Act.

Elder Abuse: Study Finds Agencies Recruit Dangerous Caregivers (July 13, 2012)
Research published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society reveals that a large number of nursing and care-taking agencies recruit and hire people from websites such as Craigslist. They often fail to run criminal background checks or administer drug tests to their employees. In fact, of the 180 agencies surveyed, only fifty-five percent run federal criminal background checks and one third test workers for drugs. Having so many unqualified, untrained caregivers puts many vulnerable seniors at risk. By making unannounced visits, checking in on caregivers and asking for referrals, loved ones may feel more protected.

Who’s Watching Mom (July 19, 2012)
Researchers at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine looked at the agencies that supply caregivers, companions, homemakers, personal care attendant and non-nursing home health aides to people who need help living independently at home. The disturbing news: It is an unregulated business with little consumer protection. How should competency be measured? Please read more on this interesting –but disturbing - discussion.

New Numbers on Elder Care (July 5, 2012)
Only recently has the Bureau of Labor Statistics inquired into elder care. During the past three months, 39.8 million people over the age of 15 years have provided unpaid care to someone over 65 years due to the natural conditions of aging. Women make up the majority of these caregivers. What is surprising is that male caregivers are catching up. These surveys can encourage more discussion and knowledge about how elder care responsibilities impact our work and lives.

US: Consumer Bureau Launches Inquiry into Financial Abuse of Elderly (June 14, 2012)
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is investigating the financial exploitation of older adults, marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The inquiry is soliciting public commentary on unfair, deceptive and abusive practices toward older persons. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will also seek out public opinion on the evaluation of financial advisors who may aid elders and of possible resources that may help older adults with financial planning.

When Alzheimer's Meets Race, Black Caregivers Face Toughest Challenges (May 30, 2012)
Family caregivers often experience high levels of stress that can impact their careers and well-being. According to a recent Alzheimer's Association report, African American caregivers spend a weekly average of 30 hours providing care and are more likely to experience a higher level of burden. The National Institutes of Health are urging the healthcare system and providers to be more aware of cultural differences and needs in order to better serve the healthcare community on all levels. Will this happen?

NYUCN's Dr. Laura Wagner: Study Finds Accreditation Improves Safety Culture at Nursing Homes (April 25, 2012)
According to a study published in the May 2012 issue of The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, accredited nursing homes show a stronger resident safety culture than non accredited facilities. The positive influences shows itself in staffing, teamwork, training, responses to mistakes and open communication. The study results confirm that the process of sustaining the level of standards for accreditation can create a safety-oriented environment.

Northeast Florida Nonprofit Examining Needs of Older People in LGBT Community (April 23, 2012)
Elder Source, a nonprofit resource center for the older people in Northeast Florida, has started to look at aging issues faced by the LGBT community. Common issues are legal in nature—legal protection for themselves and their partners—and being able to fit in socially with those living in retirement communities and nursing homes. The Elder Source initiative hopes to learn the needs of the aging LGBT community, train caregivers and organizations, and increase awareness.

“Gen Silent” Documentary (April 2012)
Filmmaker Stu Maddux tells the stories of six LGBT seniors and their lives in care facilities. They often have to hide their sexual orientations to survive in the care system. Many of these victorious civil rights activists now have little social support. “Gen Silent” shows the disparities in the quality of care in institutions committed to serving LGBT seniors and those that discriminate against them. For more information and screening schedule, check out the documentary's official website.

The Caregiver’s Bookshelf: A Law Guide for Seniors (April 2, 2012)
Learning about the law as an older adult or on behalf of one can be daunting. There are many regulations, requirements and exceptions which can be confusing. Everyday Law for Seniors, written by law professors Lawrence Frolik and Linda Whitton, helps readers navigate the elder law area. Seniors can also receive individualized advice by way of an elder attorney.

Nursing Homes Won’t Have to Hire Independent Pharmacists (April 3, 2012)
The US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services backtracked on a plan that would have required nursing homes to hire independent pharmacists to evaluate residents’ prescriptions. The issue is that the relationships between the nursing homes and pharmacists can create conflicts of in interest if the pharmacists are pressured to fill prescriptions residents don’t actually need or if these medications are substituted with higher-priced drugs.

Caring for Elderly Parents Catches Many Unprepared (March 25, 2012)
According to a 2009 survey, more than 42 million Americans cared for older family members needing help with daily activities. Many children are unprepared when they are forced into caring for their older parents, especially since Medicare does not pay for long-term care and many lack advance care directives. Without an advance care directive, family members have to petition the court to be appointed guardians. Caregivers also have to watch out for their own health. Bottom line: plan ahead.

Few US Cities Prepared for Aging Baby Boomers (March 25, 2012)
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, a D.C.-based group, reports that in five years little has changed in how prepared cities are to deal with aging populations. Less than half of the cities surveyed are prepared or preparing to deal with the needs of older people. Economic woes are preventing cities from doing more. The most unmet need is that of transportation.

Eldercare Stress: What’s Different for Males--Especially Black Men (March 4, 2012)
The number of men caring for an older adult has doubled in the past 15 years, from 19 percent of caregivers in 1996 to 40 percent by 2009. Why? Smaller family sizes, which makes the role fall more often to men; the economy, which makes men less able to outsource the role; the increasing diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, which affects women more than men, making many men spousal caregivers. Men are often less socially prepared for caregiving and underuse resources that can ease the caregiver burden. Additionally, men may neglect themselves emotionally and physically. Together, these are sources of stress, especially for African-American men who may lack support and resources.

A Shift from Nursing Homes to Managed Care at Home (February 23, 2012)
In a newer model of long-term care, a team of doctors, social workers, physical and occupational therapists and other specialists provide managed care for individual patients at home and at adult day-care centers. Studies suggest that it can be less expensive than traditional nursing homes while providing better medical results. The number of these programs is growing and has expanded to 29 states.

Fair Pay for 2.5 Million Home Care Aides Facing Industry Opposition (February 16, 2012)
President Obama and the U.S. Department of Labor have joined efforts to change the federal labor law that currently excludes home care workers from minimum-wage and overtime protections. The home care workforce is largely composed of females and immigrants. However, the home health industry opposes the possible change and cites financial burden as their reason. The industry believes that this change will decrease availability of care to the elderly and that provider payment levels should be increased from Medicaid or other third-party organizations. But the Department of Labor projects the cost of compliance with the new rule would be an insignificant fraction of the industry’s $84 billion revenue.

Tracking Down Government Aid (February 16, 2012)
The National Council on Aging and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging are trying to raise awareness among older people to take advantage of programs they could qualify for but don’t necessarily apply for.

NAHB: Growing Market for Aging-in-Place Remodeling (February 9, 2012)
At the annual National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) conference, certified aging-in-place specialists and AARP representatives discussed the evolution of the aging-in-place market. Some 90% of people aged 50 and above want to remain in their homes for as long as possible, driving demand for aging-in-place remodeling.

Fair Pay for Home Health Aides (February 8, 2012)
Home care workers are one indispensable component of elders aging in place. For close to 40 years, however, home health aides and other domestic workers have been left out of the Federal Fair Labor Standard Act that dictates minimum wages and overtime pay for most other American workers. The campaign to win federal protection for these workers has both gained and lost momentum. But will higher wages mean lower accessibility for those that cannot afford home care?

Talking to Aging Parents About Changes (February 6, 2012)
Parents do not react well when their children suggest changes that they perceive as limiting their independence and autonomy. Author David Solie tells adult children to avoid role reversal situations; they are not parenting their parents but rather partnering with them.

Nursing Home Investigation Finds Errors by Druggists (January 27, 2012)
According to state investigations, pharmacists responsible for revising the medication of patients in California nursing homes regularly allowed inappropriate and potentially fatal prescriptions of antipsychotic medications. They also failed to correct other possibly dangerous drug indiscretions. The investigations suggest a probable correlation between the inadequate review of nursing home patients’ medications by pharmacists and possibly inadequate pay for the pharmacists’ services.

Millions Now Manage Aging Parents’ Care from Afar (January 27, 2012)
The National Institute on Aging estimates around 7 million US people are long-distance caregivers. They experience greater stress and incur more costs. In 2007, the National Alliance for Caregiving and Evercare reported that long-distance caretakers spent an average of $8,728 annually. The numbers of caregivers are likely to increase sharply as the population ages and lifespans lengthen.

Seniors Grow Old Under Debt (May 29, 2012)
According to credit counselors, elder law attorneys and economists, older Americans are drowning in debt across the United States. Many seniors are filing for bankruptcy alongside looking for financial assistance and work. Sadly, healthcare bills, mortgage payments, credit card balances and student loans are the main reasons behind this debt for the elderly. Moreover, the financial crisis and few employment opportunities have proved to be just as punishing.

Gray Nation: The Very Real Economic Dangers of an Aging America (March 26, 2012)
Economists James Stock and Mark Watson have identified slow expansion of the labor force as the main reason for slowing economic growth. As the population ages, a lower proportion of the population is working, even though more resources are needed to support retirees. The economists also argue that aging baby boomers would worsen stock market performance. If demographic change is indeed to blame for slow growth, the author suggests that the US could be proactive in increasing the labor supply, such as through migration.

Winner of $336 Million Powerball Jackpot is an 81-year-old Newport Woman (March 6, 2012)
An 81-year-old woman from Newport won last month's $336.4 million Powerball jackpot, sleeping with the ticket in her Bible.

Can Boomer Women Afford to Retire? (February 8, 2012)
The majority of boomer women will earn their own Social Security and will receive higher benefits than previous generations of women. Additionally, more women will have their own retirement accounts. Researchers also found that women are delaying retirement. However, the fact that women earn less than men has serious effects because this means Social Security and pension payouts will be reduced. Another factor not considered is that women take time off to raise a family or care for an aging relative. Compared to men, women are behind in saving for retirement. The question still remains: Can boomer women afford to retire?

Hispanics Are Least Prepared for Retirement, Report Finds (February 3, 2012)
According to an ING study that compares how different ethnic groups are planning for the future, Hispanic Americans, the nation’s fastest-growing minority group, are least prepared for retirement. The subjects of the study were all employed full-time and earned a household income of $40K or more. The major obstacle for Hispanic respondents was understanding their retirement options. Minority groups who do not have retirement funds will more than likely rely on Social Security as their safety net.

99% to NYT’s David Brooks: Get Real, Not Simple (January 15, 2012)
Conservative commentator David Brooks recently put forth an assertion that along with Wall Street, old people are also responsible for the redistribution of money to the 1%. But there are holes in his argument. For example, ethnically diverse aging boomers will be affected negatively by proposed Medicare cuts. Brooks also does not consider the fact that half of seniors are struggling to get by: nearly half of Americans over the age of 55 have less than $25,000 saved for retirement. Simplifying is not the answer.

Behind the Spike in Seniors' Unemployment (May 16, 2012)
The Government Accountability Office has found that many American seniors face financial instability as a result of not having jobs. The combination of health problems, inadequate skill sets and a tough labor market all contribute to the growing unemployment rates among seniors. Since the recession, older workers have faced long term unemployment, thereby forcing them to use retirement savings and deplete their finances. What is their main obstacle? Age discrimination.

How Older Workers Weather Layoffs (May 15, 2012)
According to a Government Accountability Office Report, once older workers lose their jobs, they tend to spend a longer time trying to find new work. Using focus groups, it was found that older workers believed that they faced age discrimination and had trouble adjusting to new technological advances, including online job searches. Employers believed that older workers would incur higher health-care costs and would not stay long enough for the employer to reap some benefits.

Seniors Take Jobs Typically Filled by Teenagers (May 13, 2012) Decreasing retirement investment returns have led older workers to re-enter the workforce. This development has changed the average age of workers, with the percentage of young people dropping to the lowest level since 1948. At the same time, the percentage of persons over 65 years in the workforce is at its highest since 1965. With healthier and longer life spans, many spend their retirement working part-time. However, young workers often want these part-time jobs. From a business perspective, older workers come with more experience and employers appreciate their reliability. How can the economy serve everyone?

Baby Boomers and the Shrinking Work Force (May 7, 2012)
The labor force participation rate for adults in the US has fallen considerably, as indicated in April job reports. Part of the reason may be attributed to the fact that older people are less likely to work. However, the real reason is likely due to the rapid decline of men, ages 25 to 54, in the labor force.

80 is the New 50: City Seniors Are Not the Retiring Type: Census Data (April 29, 2012)
Over 9,000 New York seniors are working into their 80s and 90s. Geneticist Nir Barzilai says that such exceptional longevity could be attributed to exercise, healthy diets, no smoking, medical advances that take care of cancers and heart disease and protective genes. Featured in the article is Helen Hamlin, an 89-year-old who works as a representative to the UN for the International Federation on Ageing. She insists that staying busy and going to the doctor are her recipes for a long, healthy life.

Later Life ‘Encore Work’ Replaces Income, Reinvents Retirement (April 16, 2012)
With downsizing, rightsizing, outsourcing and plant closings, many older boomers don’t have the wealth of high paying opportunities they once did. Seniors are now creating work and life decisions in tune with what is do-able and important to them. An initiative known as Lifelong Learning Accounts offers job training that people can use in their current job or apply for education for a new career. It is not about money but rather defining an experience that is meaningful, productive and stimulating such as volunteerism.

People Don’t Want to Retire: Many Seniors Prefer Reinventing Themselves (April 8, 2012)
The Urban Institute reports that “90% of workers age 60 to 64, or 5.4 million men and women, say they enjoy going to work. The share increases to 97% of workers 70 and older, or 3 million people.” While much has been said about the inability of baby boomers to retire due to insufficient savings and pensions, this article reminds us that many seniors, blessed with good health, prefer to work, perhaps even forging new careers such as working in Disneyland.

Seniors Rise in Work Force After Slump (March 25, 2012)
Compared to 2007, the proportion of the labor force aged 55 and above has increased while those aged 25 to 54 has decreased. One in five working New Yorkers is now 55 or older. While it shows that older workers are now more educated and healthier, the increased employment also points to the trend of baby boomers holding on to their jobs, as savings and social security diminish.

Older Workers Seeing Biggest Job Gains (March 11, 2012)
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that older workers have been the biggest beneficiaries of the improving job market. The number of people over age 55 who have a job has increased by 1.69 million over the past year to approximately 30.2 million workers. This is a larger increase than for any other age group. One reason why older workers are holding on to their jobs is due their need for health care benefits that come with employment.

In US, We're Not Just Aging, We're Also More Educated (February 24, 2012)
In an unprecedented twist, employment among young adults 16-29 fell 8 percent from 2000 to 2010 while labor force participation rates for those aged 55-74 rose by 8 percent. Today, older Americans are more educated and are holding skilled jobs. They are harder to replace, are least hit by the recession, and are more able to continue working later in life, thanks to education. The rate of increase in older people (60-69) holding college degrees is now faster than the rate of increase in younger age groups as baby boomers age.

'Work Until You Drop': In Aging America, It's a New Era for Baby Boomers (February 21, 2012)
Aging baby boomers find themselves pushing back retirement or never contemplating retirement at all. As 401(k) nest eggs shrink, defined benefits pensions no longer offered, and jobs disappear, many cannot afford to retire.

Jobs Program for Older Americans Struggles (Jan 2, 2012)
With passage of the 2012 budget, Congress failed to reestablish cuts made last year to the Senior Community Service Employment Program, a federally funded program that employs older adults. Additionally, the participation rate in the program has decreased drastically. The present unemployment rate for workers over the age of 55 is the highest since World War II.

More Americans Put Retirement on Hold (December 31, 2011)
Americans are increasingly staying on the job past the traditional retirement age of 65. Employment Security Department economist Scott Bailey states that older workers are swayed by pull factors, the reasons they'd want to remain employed, and push factors, the reasons they can't retire.

New Research: 40% of Elderly Latinos Abused (July 30, 2012)
Researchers at the University Of Southern California Davis School Of Gerontology revealed that 40 percent of elderly Latinos are abuse -- either physically or mentally. While cultural norms, such as loyalty, often lead outsiders to believe that Hispanic elders are less likely to be abused, "sometimes solidarity just leads to silence." In fact, 39 percent of elders admitted to having suffered some type of abuse but only 1.5 percent reported the abuse to the proper authorities.

'Silent Crime' -- Defrauding Elders Grows in Ethnic Communities (May 18, 2012)
According to the 2011 MetLife Study of Financial Elder Abuse, fraud against seniors has grown by 12 percent within the past three years. A 2011 report by the California Elder Justice Coalition found that African American seniors are potentially five times more likely than non-blacks to be subject to financial fraud. In an effort to combat financial abuses, seniors are urged to talk to community social workers or other trustworthy individuals before giving out money.

Tips for Fighting Fraud (April 23, 2012)
Recent research finds that older people are more vulnerable to scams than others. While the reasons are not completely clear, elders often expose themselves to potential scams by opening and reading junk mail or by accepting fraudulent sale attempts. Unfortunately they do not take advantage of protection, such as do-not-call lists. Blaming the elder person is not effective. They can be trained to recognize phony sales pitches and begin to understand how manipulation works. Additionally, warnings can help. At the same time, older fraud victims rarely report these crimes and the perpetrators move quickly to the next victim. Family members, caregivers and older people must work together to fend off those who would victimize them.

Study: LGBT Ethnic Elders See More Poverty, Isolation, Bias (April 5, 2012)
Mark Segal, co-founder and publisher of Philadelphia Gay News, has successfully applied for $11 million in state tax credit to build an affordable housing complex for LGBT seniors. Seniors have to be at least 62 years old, but not necessarily LGBT, to live there. The housing project will include retail space, community services and public spaces, and will allow LGBT seniors to live in a nonjudgmental community.

Abuse of Mind-Altering Drugs Rising in Eldercare Facilities (March 5, 2012)
Across the nation, the use of drugs as chemical straightjackets in nursing homes and hospitals is a growing problem. The abuse of antipsychotic medications is the leading form of elder abuse in nursing homes. Treatment of elders often falls to professionals who may have insufficient training in the special needs of older adults because there is a shortage of geriatric psychiatrists. The Department of Public Health is responsible for monitoring and reporting potential violations of the use of drugs. At the same time, medical privacy concerns leave things a bit complicated to resolve.

Up to 10 Percent of Nation’s Elderly Suffer Abuse from In-Home Caregivers (March 5, 2012)
According to independent studies compiled by the National Center on Elder Abuse, approximately one to two million Americans age 65 and older have been injured, exploited, or mistreated by a caregiver. Elder abuse continues to be prevalent because safety nets designed to protect have not been established for the elderly. Bills constituting the “Elder Protection Package” are being recommended for passage in Michigan.

Finding Them Easier Prey, Scammers Target the Elderly (March 5, 2012)
In the US, financial frauds targeting older persons are a growing multibillion-dollar industry. Five percent of Americans ages 60 and older reported being financially exploited by members of their family, while 6.5 percent were victims of non-family members. Older persons, who often have tangible assets such as homes, are tempting preys as they may be more dependent on others, unsophisticated about financial matters, or more socially isolated. The article describes three common scams.

Therapy of a Different Sort (May 4, 2012)
Vibrant Seniors is a workshop styled group therapy where discussion and sharing is at the forefront. Elders talk about topics they otherwise never would have discussed. It is a 90-minute gathering around a questionnaire that explores subjects such as longevity, friendship, finances, sexuality, inheritances, family disputes and wisdom. This model may be replicated in assisted living facilities, senior centers and therapists’ offices. Many old people find a dearth of professionals trained to work with people their age. Such therapy raises the issue of how Medicare would cover such service since it would require a specific diagnosis.

Chinatown Death Triggers Worries About Isolated Elders (May 7, 2012)
After a 91-year-old woman accidentally fell from her San Francisco apartment window, low-income seniors are becoming increasingly concerned about the unsafe living conditions to which they are exposed. Although many of California's elders get help from the In Home Supportive Service Program (IHSS), recent budget cuts have led to a reduction in service. Several concerns of elders who live alone include: depression, falls and chronic illness. Will low-income seniors be able to cope with a further reduction in funds when they depend on such programs for help and even survival?

Threat of Hunger Skyrockets Among Seniors over Last Decade: Report (May 3, 2012)
According to a study conducted by Meals on Wheels, a nonprofit that delivers meals to the homebound, about 8.3 million US seniors faced the threat of hunger in 2010. The risk of hunger was particularly strong for the 60 years and older demographic earning less than $30,000 yearly. These statistics dramatically reveal how the US government is failing its older citizens. Food insecurity is greatest for seniors living in the South and Southwest, minorities, women, people who were divorced or separated, the disabled and seniors age 60 to 69.

In the Backyard, Grandma’s New Apartment (May 1, 2012)
When Dr. Socorrito Baez-Page faced the issue of taking care of her older mother, she found a very interesting and personal option-a MEDCottage. This prefabricated small open-plan home was set up as a free-standing structure in their backyard with special amenities to meet the needs of older people. However, zoning rules create barriers to these structures; only about half of the states allow accessory housing for a family member. These homes allow the elderly to age in place. Additionally, a provision of the Affordable Care Act will pay for health care delivered in the home instead of at the doctor’s office, which broadens the capacities of a MEDCottage. Another alternative is Practical Assisted Living Structures.

The Caregiver's Bookshelf: Essays on the End (April 26, 2012)
A new anthology called "At the End of Life: True Stories About How We Die," contains poignant narratives reveal a truth about death in our culture: it is complex. The thoughts and experiences of social workers, doctors, nurses, family members, hospice staff and a 911 dispatcher are recorded. Raw emotions, conflict and decision-making are common in these final weeks and months.

Looking for a Few Good Boomers to Help Others (April 25, 2012)
The current generation of retirees is the healthiest and best educated the US has ever experienced. Such retirees are especially attractive as volunteers. They are better able to take on community roles that require good health and specialized skills. A third of boomers who volunteer, aged 48 to 66, are attracted to opportunities with religious underpinnings. There are 77 million boomers today. In 2010, 28.8% of boomers volunteered in their communities, a slight decrease from before.

Most Don’t Make End-of-Life Decisions (April 16, 2012)
US medical professionals believe that physicians should discuss end-of-life issues such as living wills and artificial nutrition with terminally ill patients. The US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found in 2003 that fewer than 50 percent of the terminally ill had any kind of directive in their medical record. Individuals can provide instruction on what actions should be taken for their health in the event they no longer can make those decisions because of illness. Additionally, families should be fully informed of the risks and benefits of certain procedures such as artificial nutrition.

Baby Boomers Will Transform Aging in America, Panel Says (April 2, 2012)
Ken Dychtwald, president and CEO of the consulting firm AgeWave, comments that Americans no longer lead ‘linear’ lives. The longevity bonus means that we must begin to think of people as having beginnings over and over again. There will be a shortfall in entitlement programs and we may see a new generation of grey activists. Professor Torres-Gil thinks that this older voting bloc could trump political divisiveness over immigration policy as they realize that immigrants are necessary to the US economy if social programs are to be funded.

The Future: No Lattes, No Movies (March 14, 2012)
Wider Opportunities for Women has created a national database that calculates an Elder Index projecting a monetary amount sufficient to meet the basic needs of a healthy old person. It takes into account the costs of housing, transportation, healthcare and food. But it does not factor in entertainment, travel and gifts. The cost of a basic and secure life varies by region. The states with the greatest gaps between elders’ median income and the cost of living are Massachusetts, New York, Mississippi, Maine, Vermont, Louisiana and the District of Columbia.

“Unassisted Living” by Wid Chapman and Jeffrey Rosenfeld Highlights Beautifully Ageless Homes (March 6, 2012)
If you are considering moving, downsizing or building a home in retirement, you will find inspiration in Unassisted Living: Ageless Homes for Later Life by architects Wid Chapman and Jeffrey Rosenfeld. The book features homes for baby boomers ranging from single family to apartments to cottages. These houses all share open spaces, modern aesthetics, natural lighting and materials. However, they do not focus on accommodations typically required by aging. Instead, the emphasis is on being challenged by one’s home in a healthy manner with future modifications in mind. Post 50s want homes that balance privacy and connection and sustainability.

More Americans Rejecting Marriage in 50s and Beyond (March 1, 2012)
A growing number of men and women in their 50s and 60s are opting out of marriage and venturing into old age on their own. The divorce rate among baby boomers has increased by more than 50 percent over the past two decades. Concurrently, more adults are remaining single. This shift is changing the traditional representation of older Americans. As a consequence, these elder Americans will also struggle to fend for themselves in terms of financial security and retirement.

Farewell to Youth, But Not Beauty (March 1, 2012)
The beauty industry has been broadening the range of looks. Middle age and even old age are losing their beauty stigma. Iris Apfel, a former textile entrepreneur and style icon, is the oldest woman at 90 to personally represent a line of beauty products. Perhaps we are naturally inclining towards our grandparents’ generation.

Are American Roads Ready for Aging Baby Boomers? (February 24, 2012)
With the growing numbers of baby boomers reaching old age, there is an increased risk of highway fatalities. Some changes such as tightening license requirements, driver education, better street lighting and clear signage would help create safer driving conditions for motorists.

Seniors Use Online Dating in Bigger Numbers (February 20, 2012)
The fastest growing demographic in online dating are those above 60 who market themselves differently and have different desires from younger users. Women also realize that ‘life is too short for dating games.’ Dr. McNicoll, a gerontologist, reminds us that older people with dementia are vulnerable to fraud and that older people have to protect themselves from STDs. The rate of HIV in older persons has been increasing due to a lack of awareness.

Study Finds Aging Baby Boomer Generation Without Living Wills (January 25, 2012)
According to a new report from the California Budget Project and Women’s Foundation of California, women are recovering from the recession at a slower rate than men. The recession reduced older women’s retirement savings, causing them to remain on the job. The slower recovery is partly due to shrinking workweeks and scarcity of jobs. Budget cuts to public programs, including healthcare and education, will negatively impact this vulnerable group.

Age Discrimination Takes Its Toll (January 12, 2012)
In a study published by Research on Aging, it was found that a surprising proportion of older people report that they have experienced discrimination: 63 percent! However, the most commonly cited cause was their age. What is more unfortunate is that daily discrimination is correlated with higher rates of depression and poorer self-rated health. What is also interesting is that blacks, those who were separated or divorced or widowed, and those with fewer household assets had higher levels of perceived discrimination. Everyday discrimination may be even more difficult to adapt to than previously realized.

Tutors Teach Seniors New High-Tech Tricks (January 2, 2012)
A number of inventive programs across the nation are helping to guide old adults into the digital age. Teenagers and young adults not only support senior citizens with new technology but also undergo special sensitivity training to understand the physical challenges experienced by the aging population. The benefits to the teachers and participants have been surprisingly mutual.

The Unspoken Diagnosis: Old Age (December 29, 2011)
Dr. Alexander K. Smith, a palliative care specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, believes doctors should offer to discuss life expectancy with older patients, even if the prognosis is limited. Understanding how much time remains could help older patients make the most of those years and help them make informative decisions regarding treatments. The emphasis would be on quality of life. Nonetheless, patients, their caregivers and professionals have strong reactions, pro and con.

A Profile of Older Americans: 2011 (February 10, 2012)
According to the US Census, 3.5 million elderly lived below the poverty level in 2010, while 2.3 million experienced a “near-poor” living status. The US Census classified 6.8% of elderly Whites, 14.6% of older Asians, 18.0% of older African Americans, and 18.0% of elderly Hispanics as poor. Some 10.7% of elderly women and 6.7% of elderly men were classified as poor at the time of the census.

Queens Seniors On Food Stamps Up 31% Since 2008 (May 21, 2012)
With food and home costs rising, more seniors are turning to food stamps to supplement their income. In fact, the number New York City residents over 65 who receive such benefits has increased by 30 percent since 2008. Maria Cuadrado, president of the Queens Interagency Council on Aging, encourages seniors to find out if they're eligible and apply, as the requirements are more flexible that other programs.

Where the Oldest Die Now (April 18, 2012)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that the death rate of those over 85 years in hospitals has decreased. However, the rate of death in homes has increased. This trend is similar for the population over age 65 years old. At the same time, Dr. Joan Teno, a professor of community health and medicine at the Brown Medical School, points out that the rates of very old people dying in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities has also increased, reaching 40% of those over age 85. The place of death does not tell the story of the transitions leading to that point.

Both Parties Wooing Seniors (April 8, 2012)
President Barack Obama and Democrats are trying to regain support from older voters who switched to the GOP in 2008 and 2010. However, the Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, has drawn large crowds of older voters during the primaries. The battle to get the senior vote is mainly being fought over the House Republican Budget written by Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. Starting in 2023, seniors will choose among private health insurance plans or the traditional government-run option and receive financial aid from the government for premiums. It appears that older voters are now more conservative regarding social issues and are focused on the state of the economy.

More US Children Raised by Grandparents (March 2012)
Increasingly, children in the United States are living with a grandparent. In 2010, approximately one in 14 U.S. children lived in households with a grandparent, for a total of 5.4 million children. Three-generation and skipped generation families reflect different family situations, needs, and concerns. However, according to a study supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, children supported by their grandparents have higher levels of emotional and behavioral problems than children in the overall U.S. population. On the flipside, these grandparents face a wide range of stressors including strained relationships with birth parents, social stigma, financial pressure and their own aging related health concerns.

Growing Old, Sick and Latino in the South Without Papers (March 16, 2012)
Elders not only face the threat of unexpected illness but also the threat to finances that comes along with medical treatment. This scenario becomes bleaker for those without proper immigration status. These elders do not have access to public health services such as Medicaid or Medicare. Many undocumented elders fight to survive. It is harder for them to get to the resources they need to stay well. Surprisingly, the problem that this group of people confronts is worse in the Southeastern United States.

Study: California Women “Falling Behind” and Held Back by Budget Cuts (February 3, 2012)
According to a new report by the California Budget Project and Women’s Foundation of California, women are recovering from the recession at a slower rate than men. The recession damaged older women’s retirement savings, causing them to remain employed. The slower recovery is partly due to shrinking workweeks and scarcity of jobs. Budget cuts to public programs, including healthcare and education, will negatively impact this vulnerable group.

The Insight of Elders (June 2, 2012)
Granger Cobb, president and CEO of Emeritus Senior Living, was inspired to start a senior residential community that combines assisted living and responds to staff suggestions to institute helpful changes.

Housing Project for Aging LGBT Community Finally a Go (April 16, 2012)
Mark Segal, co-founder and publisher of Philadelphia Gay News, has successfully applied for $11 million in state tax credit to build an affordable housing complex for LGBT seniors. Seniors have to be at least 62, but not necessarily LGBT, to live there. The housing project will include retail space, community services and public spaces, and will allow LGBT seniors to live in a nonjudgmental community.

New York Opens First Gay Senior Citizens Center (March 3, 2012)
SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders) opened the first gay senior citizens center in the US as one of eight initiatives launched by New York City to improve the lives of the elderly. Services include meals and fitness classes. New York has the largest urban population of gays, lesbians or bisexuals in the country and there are 1.3 million elderly persons living in New York out of 8.17 million residents (15.9 percent).

$1.3 Billion to Improve the Health And Independence of America’s Older Adults (March 2, 2012)
Grants of more than $1.3 billion to every state, the District of Columbia and five territories to sustain programs that help older adults live healthily, safely and independently in their communities were awarded by Kathy Greenlee, assistant secretary for aging in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These grants will help seniors avoid institutional care through home and community-based programs with a strong focus on prevention, nutrition and family caregiver services.

Life, With Dementia (February 25, 2012)
As the Human Rights Watch report “Old Behind Bars” points out, the US prison population is rapidly aging and many elder inmates are succumbing to dementia. Prisons probably underreport such numbers because prison guards are not trained to look out for symptoms that may appear simply as ‘bad behavior’ (for example, resisting orders). Some prison systems such as in New York choose the expensive route of financing a separate ward for dementia patients. In California and other states, prisons train inmates to take care of other patients. The Gold Coats in California (trained prison inmates) are paid more than for other prison jobs and are considered favorably for parole. Many of them committed violent crimes, yet their roles as caregivers and protectors have touched them and drawn out their compassionate sides.

Ethos Launches First Fund for LGBT Seniors (February 20, 2012)
The Ethos Equality Fund is the Boston area’s first fund solely dedicated to programs targeted at enhancing the quality of life for LGBT elders. While Ethos has always been a pioneer in providing LGBT care, Dale Mitchell, executive director of Ethos, says more needs to be done, such as better care and support for LGBTs aging with HIV/AIDS.

A Community Time Bank (January 5, 2012)
A Vermont City program called the Reach Service Exchange Network began operation in the fall of 2010, driven by a grant of $1 million from the Federal Administration on Aging. The network functions as a time bank. Montpelier residents of all ages join for $25 and get access to a site listing requests and offers such as driving, help with grocery shopping and computer tutoring sessions. People desire community, but they also want privacy. An organization like Reach can make this happen. The question is whether Montpelier can keep Reach going once the grant is ended.

Elder Rights

United States

Background Documents | Care-Giving and Nursing Homes
Economic Focus | Old Age Employment | Neglect/Abuse
Political Rights and Legal Actions | Aging Lives | Demographics
Promising Initiatives | Trade Unions




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Elder Rights United States

Background Documents | Care-Giving and Nursing Homes Economic Focus | Old Age Employment | Neglect/Abuse Political Rights and Legal Actions | Aging Lives | Demographics Promising Initiatives | Trade Unions

Elder Rights

United States

Background Documents | Care-Giving and Nursing Homes
Economic Focus | Old Age Employment | Neglect/Abuse
Political Rights and Legal Actions | Aging Lives | Demographics
Promising Initiatives | Trade Unions