Resources for choosing
assisted living
(Baltimore Beacon)
Rally to draw attention to
aging issues
(Baltimore Beacon)
Head of dairy company in
China pleads guilty
(Baltimore Sun)
Underground fire
evacuates senior housing units
(Baltimore Sun)
Kick
the Habit
(Washington Post)
Veterans ease
transition for returning troops
(Washington Times)
Giant Food offering free
antibiotics
(Daily Record)
Resources for choosing assisted
living
By Kim Nazworth
Baltimore Beacon
Thursday, January 1, 2008
Q:
A family member needs to move to an assisted living facility, and I would like
to help find the place that best meets her needs. What resources are available
to assist me to locate and then compare various assisted living facilities
throughout the area?
A:
There are many resources available for learning about long - term care
facilities. This information is available by phone or mail, as well as online
for those with Internet access.
By phone you can begin your search with the
Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. The
service, provided by the U.S. Administration on Aging, is also available online
at www.eldercarelocator.gov.
Once you have identified the area of services
you are seeking, the Eldercare Locator will provide you with contact information
for your local Area Agency on Aging, Department of Aging and other entities that
can assist you in your search.
If you prefer to have personal assistance in
the search, you may also consider hiring a private case manager (sometimes
called geriatric care manager) or work with a placement agency.
Local resources
In Maryland, a good place to start is the
Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ). This agency, which is part of the State
Department of Health andMental Hygiene, is responsible for licensing and
monitoring all health care providers, including those offering assisted living
and long-term care. You can access OHCQ on-line at
www.dhmh.state.md.us/ohcq or by
phone at (410) 402-8000.
One of the tools that you can use to evaluate
facilities is the facility’s statement of deficiencies. Deficiencies, which are
violations of State regulations governing assisted living facilities - result
from annual surveys or complaint investigations.
A statement of deficiencies, and the facility’s
plan of correction, should be available in each facility or can be requested
from the Office of Health Care Quality directly on their Web site or via e-mail
request.
Ombudsman programs can help
Another valuable source of information is the
local Long Term Care Ombudsman program. Under the Older American’s Act, every
state is required to have an Ombudsman Program that addresses complaints and
advocates for improvements in the long-term care system.
Ombudsman representatives make oversight visits
to facilities, participate in facility surveys, and ensure that quality of care
and life issues are addressed. One of the results of regular interventions in
facilities is the knowledge base that ombudsman develop about the facilities and
services in their respective areas.
Once you have narrowed your search, you may
contact your local ombudsman program to learn more about complaints filed
against the facility. Locate the local ombudsman online at www.ltcombudsman. org
or request the contact information from the Eldercare Locator.
If you have questions or concerns about
long-term care facilities that you have been working with, call the ombudsman in
your jurisdiction: Baltimore City: (410) 396-3144 Baltimore County: (410)
887-4200 Howard County: (410) 313-6423 Anne Arundel County: (410) 222-4464 Kim
Nazworth is the Long Term Care Ombudsman for Assisted Living at Montgomery
County’s Aging and Disability Services.
Copyright
(c)2009 The Beacon ~Baltimore~ Jan.
Rally to draw attention to
aging issues
By Emma Zayer
Baltimore Beacon
Thursday, January 1, 2008
When it convenes in January, the Maryland General
Assembly will take up a number of issues that affect older residents - including
a bill that could require new homes to incorporate accessible features, and
possible budget cuts at the state Department of Aging. Hundreds of senior
activists will learn more about this and other legislation on Tuesday, Jan. 27,
at the 32nd annual rally convened by United Seniors of Maryland (USM).
USM is a consortium of private and public
organizations that advocates on behalf of Maryland’s seniors. Its annual rally
features exhibitors, guest speakers and the opportunity to exchange views with
state senators and delegates on aging issues.
Speakers at the upcoming event include political
figures, such as Maryland Senate President Mike Miller, Speaker of the House
Michael Busch and Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer, as well as representatives of
senior groups, including the Chairman of the Maryland Commission on Aging,
Stuart Rosenthal, who is also publisher of the Beacon.
Particular goals to be addressed
According to current USM president Ted Meyerson,
instead of discussing broad initiatives, as the organization did in the past,
this year USM will focus on four specific goals. “What we’re trying to do is go
for things that are real,” he said.
The goals include:
Health Care for All.
USM has partnered with the Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative to advocate for
the Health Care for All plan, which aims to provide all adults in the state with
affordable health insurance and ensure that all children are covered. The
program seeks to build on private insurance coverage, lower premiums for people
already covered, and make public coverage available to people who cannot afford
private coverage or are currently uninsured. For more information about the
program, visit www.healthcareforall. com.
Adult waiver program.
Increased funding for the waiver program would allow thousands of Marylanders
who qualify for long-term care under Medicaid to receive care in their homes
instead of moving into nursing homes. About 3,150 people are currently receiving
this service, according to Meyerson, but there are 13,000 on the registry
waiting to be evaluated for eligibility and for a slot to open up.
Meyerson said that while expanding the waiver would
cost the state money, it could save money in the long run because people living
at home typically spend thousands less overall than those in nursing homes.
Visitability.
USM would like to see new residential construction state-wide required to be
accessible for people with disabilities.
“Visitability” specifically refers to making the
first floor of a home easier for people with mobility impairments to live in and
visit. It can be achieved by measures like offering an entrance without steps,
making wider hallways that can accommodate walkers or wheelchairs, and building
bathrooms large enough for a person with limited mobility to turn around in.
Delegate Doyle Niemann (D) of Prince George’s County
sponsored a bill last year to make visitability a requirement of state building
codes. It didn’t pass, but led to an August study whose findings he hopes will
contribute to passing a similar measure this year.
Niemann said that the percentage of people who will
deal with short or longterm disability makes this an important issue to tackle.
Making it part of the building code would force builders to find ways to do it
cost-effectively, he said.
“It makes the market work on behalf of visitability,”
said Niemann.
Additionally, constructing visitable homes could
avoid costs in the long term - both the financial ones created when a home needs
to be retrofitted for accessibility, as well as the combined financial and
social costs incurred when residents are forced to move because their homes no
longer suit their needs.
Minimizing budget cuts.
Meyerson acknowledged that the economic downturn will make this a challenging
year to request new funding. But he was adamant that USM will push strongly to
minimize the amount of money cut from programs that are crucial to many Maryland
seniors.
Maryland faces more than a $1 billion deficit in its
operating budget next year, and Gov. Martin O’Malley has made a total of $300
million in cuts to the state’s budget in the 2009 budget year, which ends in
June.
The Maryland Dept. of Aging’s 2009 budget was reduced
by more than $400,000, primarily through cuts to housing programs.
“We’re going to be fighting tooth and nail…People’s
very lives depend on it,” said Meyerson. “If you cut Meals on Wheels, somebody’s
going to go hungry.”
He said USM is asking the governor instead to hold
off on construction projects, such as new parks or buildings.
Meyerson also stressed that with Maryland’s booming
senior population, even keeping the budget at its present level results in a per
capita spending decrease. Thus, budget cuts would be a double hit, he argued.
USM is focusing on minimizing budget cuts at two
offices. One is the Office of Health Care Quality. Services it oversees include
inspections of nursing homes, assisted living facilities and hospitals, and
regulatory compliance for adult medical day care centers.
The other is the Dept. of Aging, which oversees meal
services for older adults, coordinates services for seniors who need help to
function independently, and oversees public senior centers, in addition to other
services.
To join the rally
The USM rally will be held Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 8:15
a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Francis Scott Key Auditorium at St. John’s College,
60 College Ave., Annapolis. Tickets are $15. A continental breakfast and box
lunch are included.
All day parking is available at the Navy Marine Corps
Stadium, and there will be a free shuttle bus to the rally from the stadium
parking lot.
For further information, contact Charlie Culbertson
at (410) 823-6432 or David Roseman at (240) 401-6628 or via e-mail at
dave.roseman@comcast.net.Information
is also available online at
http://unitedsrsofmd.org. To register, complete and mail the form on page
21.
Copyright (c)2009 The Beacon ~Baltimore~ Jan.
Head of dairy company in
China pleads guilty
Baltimore Sun
Thursday, January 1, 2009
BEIJING A former dairy boss in China's scandal over
tainted milk, which was blamed for the deaths of at least six babies and
illnesses of nearly 300,000, has pleaded guilty to charges that could lead to
the death penalty, state news media reported. Tian Wenhua, former board
chairwoman and general manager of Sanlu Group Co., admitted in court testimony
yesterday that she knew of problems with her company's products for months
before informing authorities. Her trial was the most high-profile yet in the
food safety crisis.
Copyright 2008 Baltimore Sun.
Underground fire
evacuates senior housing units
By Gus G. Sentementes and Brent Jones
Baltimore Sun
Thursday, January 1, 2009
An underground electrical conduit caught fire
yesterday morning at an Elkridge senior-housing complex, leading fire officials
to evacuate the building and temporarily shelter 100 residents at a nearby
library, authorities said.
Howard County firefighters were called to the
four-story building in the 6300 block of Rowanberry Drive about 5:30 a.m. to
check on reports of a natural gas leak. Instead, firefighters found high levels
of carbon monoxide in the building and immediately began relocating residents to
a library across the street from the building, according to Bill Mould, a
spokesman for the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue.
Mould said fire crews discovered the underground
fire, which remained confined to an electrical conduit.
Aside from a burning odor, the fire did not spread
inside the building, Mould said. He said one resident was transported to an area
hospital because of breathing trouble.
Robert Goss, 80, lives in the Colonial Landing Park
View apartment building and said the lights in his residence began to flicker
shortly after 5 a.m. before going off completely. Goss said fire officials soon
began evacuating residents, a scene he described as controlled despite the
relative darkness.
"The emergency lights were on, so we were able to
see. We went down a stairwell and were able to evacuate," Goss said. "I've been
there about six years. First time something like this has happened."
Goss said he and his neighbors were taken to the
Elkridge branch library and told they would remain there indefinitely.
"Everybody is doing fine," he added. "But we do have
a few complainers. Nothing is perfect."
Copyright 2008
Baltimore Sun.
Kick
the Habit
Washington Post
Thursday, January
THURSDAY, Jan. 1 (HealthDay News) -- If you plan to
kick the smoking habit this New Year, the American Lung Association recommends
you start with a solid smoking-cessation plan and be prepared for anything.
"Be aware that smokers have different experiences
when they quit," Dr. Norman Edelman, the American Lung Association's chief
medical officer, said in a news release. "Some people may feel tired or even
easily excitable. Others may feel lightheaded, nervous or irritable, and
experience headaches in addition to craving tobacco or sweets. It's important to
know that these feelings are normal, and may last for several weeks, but
eventually they will pass."
His group offered these tips to those wanting to
quit:
Discuss over-the-counter and prescription medications
to help you quit smoking with your doctor or pharmacist.Pick a date to quit,
preferably at a time when stress will not be at a peak, mark it on the calendar
and stick to it.Exercise daily. Exercise not only combats the weight gain that
often comes with quitting smoking but it also helps to improve your mood and
energy levels. Even just walking helps ease the stress of quitting. Maintain a
balanced diet, drink lots of water and get plenty of sleep. Seek help and
support from family, friends and co-workers. Consider joining a stop-smoking
program or support group.
"Quitting smoking is one of the most important things
that you can do for your health," Edelman said. "While half of adult smokers
will die of lung disease, it's important to remember that it's never too late to
quit."
More information
The American Lung Association has more about how to
quit smoking.
SOURCE:
American Lung Association, news release, December 2008
© 2009 Scout News LLC. All rights reserved.
Veterans ease transition
for returning troops
By Audrey Hudson
Washington Times
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Raymond Martinez couldn't find a job to support his
family after completing a year of duty as a National Guardsman specialist on the
battlefields of Afghanistan.
The 22-year-old Texan continued his National Guard
duties on weekends in Laredo as part of Operation Jump Start protecting the
border against a flood of illegal immigration and spent his weekdays looking for
work.
"It was difficult to find a job in my community; they
never called me back," Mr. Martinez said.
Charles Cass had trouble finding a job after
completing his military service, while Troy Hererra was twisting in red tape
trying to obtain his GI Bill benefits to continue his education.
They are just a few of the 1,000 veterans returning
from Iraq or Afghanistan who got a big welcome home this year from the Texas
Veterans Leadership Program, created by Tom Pauken, a Vietnam Army veteran and
chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission.
"They helped me look for a job and booked
interviews," said Mr. Martinez, who is now a correctional officer and will start
school in the spring to pursue a degree in law enforcement.
"I can't just go to school and not have a job at the
same time. I'm a man, and I need to support my wife and pay for insurance and
buy groceries," Mr. Martinez said.
The leadership program, which is operated by fellow
Iraq or Afghanistan veterans, coached Mr. Cass to prepare for interviews and
helped him fill out applications. He now makes $4,000 a month working for an oil
company.
After the Department of Veterans Affairs denied Mr.
Hererra's GI Bill claim, the leadership program guided him through the appeals
process. He is now enrolled in the Navarro Police Academy, paying for the
training with the $120,000 he earned.
The leadership program is modeled on the Vietnam
Veterans Leadership Program that Mr. Pauken created after he was appointed by
President Reagan in 1981 to serve as director of the volunteer program ACTION,
now known as AmeriCorps.
"It was run by Vietnam veterans to help fellow
Vietnam veterans who were unemployed or had lingering problems with their
experiences over there," Mr. Pauken said.
"We asked ourselves: What does America do with the
experience these men had? And the answer was, put it to work. That's the message
we are trying to put into play in Texas with the Texas Veterans Leadership
Program. It is run by returning veterans for returning veterans to help them
make the transition to civilian life," Mr. Pauken said.
Many veterans don't realize that military service
allowed them to develop valuable work skills that can be transitioned easily to
civilian jobs, Mr. Pauken said.
"We're putting their leadership skills to work to
make them a positive member of society," Mr. Pauken said.
About 1,000 veterans were helped last year through
word of mouth, and the program has obtained access to discharge papers that will
allow returning veterans to directly reach out and contact as many as 25,000
veterans in 2009.
The leadership program also guides veterans through
any crisis they might encounter when they return to Texas, whether it's their VA
benefits, health care or financial jams.
"One veteran returned home to find out that his wife
was involved with another man, and she maxed out his credit cards. He was in a
desperate situation and we helped him get emergency financial assistance," Mr.
Pauken said.
"Another veteran had a very bitter divorce and
custody fight and was going broke paying his lawyers fees, so we found a lawyer
to handle his case pro bono," Mr. Pauken said.
The Texas program has not being duplicated, but Mr.
Pauken said other states are showing interest and are following its progress.
"The key issue is that these people answered our
countries call during a very difficult time, and they were all volunteers who
served in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have gone through a lot and they have
leadership skills and a work ethic, and they made a commitment to our country.
We take that experience and put it to work," Mr. Pauken said.
Copyright 2008
Washington Times.
Giant Food offering free
antibiotics
Associated Press
Daily Record
Thursday, January 1, 2009
LANDOVER, Md. — Giant Food stores will offer free
generic antibiotics to customers with a prescription for the next three months.
The program covers 36 generic antibiotics including
amoxicillin, penicillin and ciprofloxacin. The initiative begins Friday and runs
through March 21.
Giant's decision to offer free antibiotics comes as
more Americans postpone needed care because of the ailing economy, according to
a Kaiser Family Foundation poll released in October.
Several experts tell The Washington Post that this is
the first time they've heard of a retailer giving away prescription drugs.
Giant is the largest supermarket chain in the
Washington region with 182 stores and more than 160 in-store pharmacies.
Copyright 2008
Daily Record.
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