Washington Update:
Congressional Committee Examines Long-Term Care Financing Options
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 This week, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled "Examining the Financing and Delivery of Long-Term Care in the U.S.," to examine private and public payer options in the face of an ever-increasing need as baby boomers age and life expectancy increases.
Alice Rivlin Ph.D., co-chair of the Long-Term Care Initiative at the Bipartisan Policy Center, testified on the group's initial recommendations to improve the financing of long-term care. These recommendations include:
- making private long-term care insurance more affordable and available.
- designing a federal long-term care insurance option for individuals with catastrophic costs.
- streamlining Medicaid home- and community-based care options to encourage more effective care in lower-cost settings.
- ensuring that working people with disabilities in need of long-term services and supports do not lose access to their long-term services and supports as earnings increase.
The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) has continually advocated for long term care supports and services reform. Several of AFA's recommendations include making dementia a qualifying event for home care services; increasing access to palliative care; and adopting innovative person centered care models that emphasize caregiver training and support as ways to increase care coordination and lower long-term care services costs.
AFA Attends 'Social Work Day on the Hill'
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| | Panelists at the CRISP symposium during "Social Work Day on the Hill" |
March is Social Work Month and AFA kicked it off by attending "Social Work Day on the Hill," an event that was introduced last year by the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy (CRISP). The day began with a symposium at the National Press Club that focused on social work and voter empowerment. Panelists included Dr. Nancy A. Humphreys, one of the leaders in promoting political social work; Ari Berman, award-winning author of "Give Us the Ballot;" Jason Green, national voter registration director for the 2008 Obama Campaign; and Khaliyl Lane, legislative aide to Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal. The panel was moderated by Mildred "Mit" Joyner, vice president of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and immediate past president of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Additional activities included receptions honoring social work Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), who is retiring after serving as the longest woman in the history of the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Senate, and social work Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), chair of the Congressional Social Work Caucus.
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News to Use:
March 16: AFA's Celebrating Social Workers as Partners In Care Webinar
On March 16, AFA will host a free, one-hour webinar for social workers. The webinar will focus on helping social workers recognize behaviors as forms of communication. Doing so can help reframe challenging situations into opportunities to build relationships with individuals with dementia and their families. Social workers who attend and complete a short evaluation afterward will receive one continuing education contact hour. Two sessions will be offered: 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., both EST. Click here to register.
Grab Your Dancing Shoes for 'A Night On the Edge'
The Michelle Canning Band will host "A Night on the Edge," a benefit to support AFA, on March 19. This marks the fifth year Canning has hosted the benefit, a tribute to her grandfather, Ken Canning, Sr., who had Alzheimer's disease and passed away at the age of 82. The highlight of the event is Canning's performance of "It'll Take Him Away," a song she co-wrote for her grandfather. During the song, the photos of attendees' loved ones who have or had Alzheimer's disease are projected behind the stage. The event takes place at the Chelmsford Elks Hall, in Chelmsford, Mass. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children under 6. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.
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News Update:
Is Hostility in Young Adulthood a Precursor to Middle Age Memory and Thinking Problems?
A new study suggests a possible link between hostility and difficulty coping with stress in young adulthood to memory and thinking problems in middle aged adults. Read more.
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We're Here to Help!
Call AFA's National Toll-Free Helpline:
866-232-8484
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Member Spotlight
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Central Oregon Council on Aging
Bend, Ore.
The Central Oregon Council on Aging (COCOA), a private nonprofit organization and the designated Area Agency on Aging for the tri-county region of central Oregon recently was awarded a $5,000 grant from AFA as part of the Phyllis and Milton Berg Family Respite Care grant program.
"We greatly appreciate being awarded this grant from AFA," said Laurie Hoyle, fund development/grants manager at COCOA. "This money will go a long way, enabling us to provide five to 10 respite care scholarships."
The scholarships will be awarded to family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia based on financial need.
Among COCOA's services are Meals on Wheels, in-home care and Oregon Project Independence (OPI), which provides housekeeping and personal care services for people age 60 and over who may otherwise not be able to remain in their homes. The organization also offers caregiver support groups that share strategies for self-care and stress management and give family caregivers an opportunity to exchange ideas with their peers.
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Thank you for your support of AFA! |
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