 |
| State Budget Crisis Continues |
| The state legislature and Governor Schwarzenegger continue to be in a stalemate over the current state budget situation and the mid-year cuts proposed by the governor in November. It has recently been announced that the state will be forced to suspend payments for certain services and programs effective February 1st. The suspended payments could have a severe impact on several organizations that serve the disabled and senior communities, such as Regional Centers and the Department of Mental Health.
It is important to note that the announced payment suspensions will not have an impact on In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) provider wages or the services that IHSS consumers currently receive. Providers, who are protected by the Fair Labor Standards Act, will continue to receive their paychecks, and consumers will continue to receive the services for which they are authorized.
The state controller's office has also stated that IHSS consumers who receive SSI/SSP will continue to receive those payments, as they are administered by the federal Social Security Administration and not the State of California. There is a chance that SSI/SSP payments could be suspended in months to come; however, strict federal notification guidelines must be met before that occurs.
In addition, on January 10th, Governor Schwarzenegger released his proposed state budget for fiscal year 2009-2010. This proposal includes many of the same cuts to state-funded services and programs, including IHSS, which the governor proposed in November. (For more information, click here to view the December 2008 edition of PASC E-News.)
At this time it is unclear when the legislature and governor will come to an agreement on how to solve the current budget crisis. PASC continues to monitor the process and will post any major updates in the next edition of E-News, and on our website at www.pascla.org. Additional information can also be found on the California Legislative Analyst's Office website at www.lao.ca.gov.
|
| PASC Information and Referral Program |
The PASC Information and Referral (I&R) program provides referrals to IHSS consumers and providers who need assistance in areas outside of PASC's scope of services. If an individual does not know where to turn for help, he/she may call the I&R program for assistance in connecting with other organizations that can meet their needs. Although some situations are difficult and require a great deal of time and effort to resolve, the I&R program has been able to assist hundreds of individuals over the years. Some examples of areas where the I&R program can help with referrals include
 Housing, Utilities and Related Services - referrals to low-income housing programs, home modification programs, home appliance programs, dispute resolution services, utility payment assistance (non-emergency) programs, accessible telephone equipment services, and more.
- IHSS & Medi-Cal Issues - referrals to benefits advocate services, programs related to IHSS and Medi-Cal, and more.
- Emergency Basic Needs - referrals to food pantries, shelters, and services that provide for other basic needs.
- Transportation - referrals to fixed route and paratransit services, medical transportation services, and other accessible transportation options.
- Senior Services - referrals to senior nutrition programs, multipurpose senior centers, linkages programs, case management assistance, legal assistance, and other senior-specific resources.
For more information on PASC's I&R program or to obtain information on any of the above services, contact PASC at 877-565-4477 and ask for the Information and Referral Office.
|
Do you have questions about PASC and the IHSS Program? Do you have suggestions for topics to be covered in the PASC E-News? Send your questions and suggestions to e-news@pascla.org. PASC E-News is designed for you to get the information you need! Note: If you do not wish to receive future editions or would like to update your profile with us, please scroll down to the bottom of this message and click on either " SafeUnsubscribe" or " Update Profile/Email Address". |
| Understanding Glaucoma |
What is glaucoma? The term "glaucoma" is used to define a group of eye diseases that will gradually diminish a person's vision. It can affect anyone at any age, but mostly affects seniors and middle aged adults.
There are several types of glaucoma, including primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), which is hereditary, and angle closure glaucoma. Both of these are caused by an increase in pressure inside the eye due to fluid backing up in the anterior chamber. If the pressure is not controlled, it can cause damage to the optic nerve and other parts of the eye and will cause blindness. Other types of glaucoma, called secondary glaucoma, usually occur as a result of another health issue, such as diabetes or cataracts, and can cause optic nerve damage with similar results.
Several factors can increase an individual's risk of having glaucoma. People who are of African-American, Asian, or Latino descent are at greater risk, as well as seniors and persons diagnosed with diabetes or hypertension. There are virtually no symptoms of glaucoma. Loss of vision usually begins with peripheral (side) vision, but sometimes people with glaucoma do not notice a change until a great deal of vision is lost.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for glaucoma. There are several tests to detect it, but any damage that may have occurred cannot be reversed. Early detection and treatment are needed to prevent loss of vision. If you are in a high-risk category, you should get your eyes checked every one to two years. If you are over the age of 65, it is recommended that you get your eyes checked every 6-12 months.
Further information on glaucoma can be found at www.glaucoma.org or www.nihseniorhealth.gov.
|
| What Does a Healthy Diet Look Like? |
 When a person is diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes, hypertension, or other conditions, it is often recommended that he/she change their eating habits and follow a healthy diet. So what does a healthy diet look like?
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), "healthy eating includes eating a wide variety of foods including vegetables, whole grains, fruits, non-fat dairy products, beans, and lean meats (i.e., poultry, fish). There is no one perfect food so including a variety of different foods and watching portion sizes is key to a healthy diet."
The ADA also recommends the "Plate Method" as a way to plan a healthy meal. This is a simple, easy method that doesn't require counting or equipment. To create a healthy meal using the "Plate Method," start with your regular dinner plate, and imagine a line down the middle. On one side imagine another line so you have three sections on your plate. For the largest section, select any non-starchy vegetables such as spinach, carrots, lettuce, greens, cabbage, bok choy, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, vegetable juice, salsa, onions, cucumbers, beets, okra, mushrooms, peppers, or turnips.
In one of the small sections of the plate, select starchy foods such as whole-grain breads, high-fiber cereal, cooked cereal (i.e., oatmeal, grits), rice, pasta, tortillas, cooked beans, black-eyed peas, potatoes, green peas, corn, lima beans, sweet potatoes, winter squash, low-fat crackers or snack chips, pretzels, or fat-free popcorn.
In the other small section, select a meat or meat substitute of your choice. Add an 8-oz. glass of milk or low-fat yogurt and fruit.
Breakfast and lunch work the same way, but smaller portions are recommended. Use half the plate for starchy foods; add fruit, and a meat or meat substitute.
PASC works with other organizations to provide seminars for IHSS consumers and providers on topics such as basic nutrition and managing diabetes. If you are interested in attending one of these seminars, please contact us at 877-565-4477, and ask to speak to a representative in the training department.
For more information about diabetes and healthy eating, visit the ADA's website at www.diabetes.org.
|
| Upcoming Trainings and Events
Click on training for more information |
Adult CPR Training - February 26th: Learn how to perform CPR and care for individuals who cannot breathe due to choking, heart attack, or other medical conditions. Also learn the signs and symptoms of heart attacks, strokes, and choking emergencies.
For information on additional events, please visit the Calendar section of our website at www.pascla.org.
|
| Legislation Watch
Click on bill for more information |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
