ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION BRIEF: Disparities in Health and Health Care among Medicare Beneficiaries, by Elliott S.  This report recognizes overall life expectancy has improved, but racial and socioeconomic disparities in mortality and health status have recently been widening. Many Americans fail to receive treatments of proven benefit—a burden that falls most heavily on racial minorities and low-income populations. Fisher, David C. Goodman, and Amitabh Chandra (June 2008, .pdf format, 19p.). 

Culture Change in Nursing Homes: How Far Have We Come? Although The Nursing Home Reform Act, passed in 1987, established residents' rights and quality standards for nursing homes nationwide, serious concerns remain about quality of care and quality of life for nursing home residents. The "culture change" movement is working to radically transform nursing home care, and help facilities transition from institutions to home. This report presents results from the Commonwealth Fund 2007 National Survey of Nursing Homes.  Click here >  if the link doesn’t work  http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/ and put “culture change” in the search field and it should come up

A radio report by NPR submitted by author Dudley Clendinen who tells about the 400 days he spent at his mother's senior citizen apartment building/nursing home in Tampa, Fla., where the average age of its residents is 86. Clendinen became intimately involved with the lives of its residents and staff and weaved what has been described as a delightful soap opera. Listen to it here.

Partnerships in change - article

WMHT RECEIVES GRANT TO ASSIST CAREGIVERS OF AGING PARENTS
March 25, 2008 Local public broadcasting station one of only 15 in the country to receive support for outreach activities. read press release >

This Special Health Report in USA Weekend Magazine offers an account of the challenges of long-distance care for aging parents.

Read this New York Times story on trends in aging care, including the use of geriatric care managers.

A local snapshot of the social worker shortage in Springfield, IL: Area social workers start mentoring program - Shortage in profession is looming.

This New York Times article, Geriatrics Lags in Age of High-Tech Medicine, reveals the hidden costs of caring for older adults

New report that may be of interest: "The State of Aging and Health in America"
The State of Aging and Health in America 2007 is the fifth volume of a series that presents a snapshot of the health and aging landscape in the United States and other regions of the world. This series presents the most current information and statistics, often specifi cally commissioned for the report, on the health of older adults. The State of Aging and Health reports are supported by The Merck Company Foundation and produced with various partner organizations that are recognized as leaders in the aging field.
Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The Merc (2007) available here .

Report on Aging and Health in America
Press Release
March 8, 2007 Eighty Percent of Older Americans Live With a Chronic Disease, New Report Finds read >

Recently NBC Nightly News had a series on Caring for your parents. You may find it at this link along with additionl useful resources. Trading Places: Caring for your parents

Dec 4, 2006 - Caregiver Support Key To Improved Health, Fewer Nursing Home Placements, Jefferson Researchers Find read story >

Resolution recognizing November 2006 as Caregiver Appreciation Month in Rensselaer County - read >

Thursday, November 23, 2006 - The Altamont Enterprise Honoring local caregivers read story >

Geriatrics Lags in Age of High-Tech Medicine
NY Times, Oct 18, 2006 - read article >

June 7, 2006 - Raising kids' kids a full-time job
BY JILL BRYCE Gazette Reporter, Daily Gazette - read article >

June 6, 2006 - Support for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
BY Jaime Kazlo Capital News 9 - view story >

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