AARP Online Community: AARPUT - My Journals & Blogs

July 17 Wise Use of Medications Presentation in Castle Dale

AARP Utah, in conjunction with Emery County Seniors and Boyd Nielson, owner and pharmacist of the Boyd’s Family Pharmacy will present a FREE Wise Use of Medications seminar on Friday, July 17, from 5:00-7:00 pm. at the Castle Dale Senior Citizens Center, 85 North 200 East, in Castle Dale. Light refreshments will be served.

This Wise Use of Medications seminar will include advice for speaking with your doctor about medications, how to best manage your medication use, how to research medication choices, including lower-cost generics, and how to choose the right medication for your needs. It will also provide information about completing your own personal medication record (PMR). Common side effects, drug interactions, and other topics will also be discussed, with ample time for answers to your individual questions.

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to gain some valuable knowledge about medications and their uses

WHAT: Wise Use of Medications presentation

WHO: AARP Utah, Emery County Seniors & Boyd Nielson, of the Boyd’s Family Pharmacy

WHEN: Friday, July 17, 2009

5:00 – 7:00 PM

Where: Castle Dale Senior Citizens Center, 85 North 200 East, Castle Dale

Added: July 2, 2009
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AARP Utah Supports Fair Boundaries Initiative

Fundamental to our country’s view of democracy is that each person’s vote counts the same, regardless of where they live. But when voting boundaries are manipulated to give one political party or group an unfair advantage over another, everyone’s voting rights are compromised. This process of drawing district lines to give political advantage to one party over another is referred to as “gerrymandering.” Unfortunately, Utah is considered one of the most gerrymandered states in the country, meaning that our state and federal legislative districts do not fairly represent natural geographic boundaries. Some towns are split in half, with the same community represented by two or more different legislators.

That’s why AARP is supporting the Fair Boundaries Initiative, which if passed will create an independent commission to draw district lines for state and federal elections. The Initiative will also set anti-gerrymandering standards, keeping local communities intact, and creating an open process for drawing legislative districts. The Initiative is timed to coincide with the 2010, when legislative districts will be reconsidered based on population changes.

The Fair Boundaries Initiative filed a petition with Lt. Governor Gary Herbert last month to put this issue on the ballot, provided they collect enough signatures from voters in the state. To find out more about the Initiative and how you can lend support, visit www.fairboundaries.org .

Added: June 24, 2009
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AARP members join Sen. Bennett in Tele-town hall on health care

Thousands of AARP Utah members were able to join Senator Bob Bennett for a “tele-town hall meeting” on May 15 to discuss federal health care reform. Tele-town hall meetings are a relatively new way to include thousands of people in a town hall meeting without leaving their homes; instead, they become part of a live call with elected officials, policymakers, or other community leaders who wish to reach a large audience. Senator Bennett has monthly tele-town hall meetings with constituents, but has never participated in a meeting comprised exclusively of AARP Utah members. AARP state offices around the country have used tele-town hall meetings for the last few years as a way to connect large numbers of people without requiring participants to travel a great distance as they might have in the past.

For the tele-town hall meeting on May 15, AARP called 38,000 members in Utah to ask if they wanted to join a live hour-long discussion with Senator Bennett, which was moderated by AARP Utah State Director Rob Ence from Senator Bennett’s office in Washington, DC. Approximately 8000 joined the call to listen to Ence outline AARP’s position on health care reform and Senator Bennett’s goals for legislation in Congress. Participants were able to ask questions by connecting to AARP Utah staff during the live tele-town hall meeting, who then put callers in a “queue” so that they could ask their questions directly to Senator Bennett.

Most of the questions focused on cost concerns, affordability, and the role of government in providing health care to all Americans. AARP’s concerns include providing coverage to those 50-64; closing the “donut hole” in Medicare Part D (the gap in prescription drug coverage); increasing the speed with which generic drugs can be approved, increasing funding for home and community-based care, improving health programs for low-income Americans, and reducing hospital readmissions.

Senator Bennett expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to speak directly to AARP Utah members and invited people to share their concerns with him on his website at www.bennett.senate.gov.

Added: June 4, 2009
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Refresh Your Driving Skills this Summer with AARP!

The AARP Driver Safety Program is now available in Utah in a new 4-hour version!

Learn how best to reduce traffic violations, crashes, and chances for injuries; update your knowledge of recent changes in laws and car design; develop safe driving strategies to compensate for age-related changes. The new 4-hour course also stresses the importance of periodically monitoring your own and your loved ones’ driving capabilities. An exhaustive workbook offers self tests and quick tips to challenge any complacency that has crept into your driving over the years.

An 8-hour interactive online version of the course is available at www.aarp.org/driver/online.

For more information on classes in your area, please call 1-888-227-7669 or visit us at www.aarp.org/drive.

Added: June 1, 2009
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AARP Announces Specific Goals for Health Reform

Members receive first look at Association’s plans to bring affordable health care choices to every American on AARP.org

For details on AARP’s health reform campaign, visit www.aarp.org/makeadifference/advocacy/GovernmentWatch/HealthCare/

WASHINGTON—AARP today announced six specific elements that must be part of health reform, including closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap and ensuring 50- to 64-year-olds have access to affordable health care choices. AARP members and activists were the first to learn about the announcement when the organization posted its goals on its Government Watch website this morning.

“The next few weeks will be an all-out blitz for health reform,” said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond. “As leaders on Capitol Hill hammer out the details of their legislation, we want to make sure they include the priorities that we’re hearing from our members. Any final package must include these critical issues.” AARP’s health reform campaign will focus on six critical priorities:

1) Guaranteeing access to affordable coverage for Americans age 50-64;

2) Closing the Medicare Part D coverage gap or “doughnut hole”;

3) Creating a Medicare transition benefit to help people safely return to their homes after a hospital stay and prevent costly hospital readmissions;

4) Increasing federal funding and eligibility for home and community based services through Medicaid so older Americans can remain in their homes and avoid more costly institutions as they age;

5) Creating a pathway for the approval of generic versions of biologic drugs to reduce the price of these costly treatments; and

6) Improving the Medicare Savings Programs and the Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS) so more Americans can afford the health care and prescription drugs they need.

Tomorrow, AARP President Jennie Chin Hansen will participate in the Senate Finance Committee’s roundtable on health coverage. Four AARP members from states represented by members of the Senate Finance Committee will visit Capitol Hill to discuss with their Senators the struggle of getting and affording health insurance, particularly for people 50 to 64. AARP will also be distributing to the entire Congress booklets of its members’ personal stories—real life experiences that put a human face on why their priorities should be included in any health care reform legislation.

AARP is launching a month-long television and print advertising campaign. The ads use personal stories to communicate the priorities of AARP members to lawmakers in Washington. The campaign will include full-page ads in the Capitol Hill publications CongressDaily, The Hill, Politico and Roll Call, as well as television ads on Face the Nation, Fox News Sunday, Meet the Press and This Week. AARP will also leverage the power of its state offices across the country over the coming weeks, with events to build support behind comprehensive health reform. Among the events, AARP New York will co-host a health fair to highlight the need for health reform, including coverage for people 50 to 64. Reps. Jason Altmire and Kathy Dahlkemper will join the AARP Pennsylvania office for a town hall meeting, and Rep. Frank Pallone will host a tele-town hall meeting to discuss health reform with New Jersey AARP members.

LeaMond added: “Whether it’s on Capitol Hill, in their district offices or in the media, our lawmakers will hear from AARP this month. We’ve been working for more than two years to set the stage and the time for health reform is now. We’re excited about the work happening in Washington to address the needs of older Americans as a part of comprehensive health reform.”

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 34.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Added: May 4, 2009
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AARP Applauds President for Signing Serve America Act Into Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Elly Spinweber

202.434.2624

espinweber@aarp.org

AARP Applauds President Obama for Signing Serve America Act Into Law

Washington, DC (April 21, 2009) – AARP today applauded President Barack Obama for enacting a volunteer service bill that he called for during his candidacy and throughout the beginning of his term. AARP CEO Barry Rand, present at today’s ceremony, released the following statement:

“At a time when many communities are in great need, AARP applauds President Obama for signing the bi-partisan Serve America Act into law. This is important legislation that will strengthen and expand civic engagement and volunteer opportunities for people of all ages.

“We know boomers and older Americans stand ready to, as AARP’s founder said, ‘create the good.’ In a survey conducted for AARP last year, millions of boomers and older Americans said that in the next five years, they want to increase their volunteer service to improve their communities and our world.

“The Serve America Act will expand opportunities for people to serve at every stage of life by using service opportunities to meet specific national challenges. We are particularly pleased that the legislation will create more opportunities for people 50+. AARP’s network of volunteers and activists stands millions strong, ready to lead this new era of service.

“Fifty years ago, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus founded AARP with the motto, ‘To serve, not be served.’ This important legislation is powered by the self-reliance and self-determination of the American people. The same spirit is at the root of AARP. We look forward to continuing to work with the Administration to build this spirit of service across the country – and across generations – and to help tackle America’s most pressing problems with its greatest resource: the American people.”

About AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 34.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Added: April 21, 2009
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AARP RX Watchdog Report: Looking to Save on Drugs? Go Generic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 16, 2009

Contact

Jordan McNerney

202-434-2560

Looking to Save on Drugs? Go Generic

AARP report: patients taking three brand name prescriptions saw average cost climb $550 last year

WASHINGTON—Consumers looking to save in today’s tough economy should start by talking to their doctors about their prescription drugs, according to a new report by AARP. The latest AARP “Rx Watchdog Report” finds that manufacturer prices for widely used brand name prescription drugs jumped by nearly nine percent in 2008, marking the largest average annual increase in six years and far exceeding the general inflation rate of just 3.8 percent.

“A person taking three brand name prescription drugs could see his or her annual costs climb by more than $550 in just one year,” said AARP Public Policy Director John Rother. “Switching to generic drugs whenever possible is one of the quickest and easiest ways to drastically reduce your health care bills.”

In contrast, the study by AARP’s Public Policy Institute found that the manufacturer prices of widely used generic drugs continued to decrease in 2008, falling by an average of 10.6 percent. The vast majority of generics (83 percent) did not change in price in 2008, despite an increase in general inflation. Many of the generics that did drop in price saw drastic decreases. While the manufacturer price for the brand name antidepressant Zoloft (50 and 100 mg tablets) increased by 12.3 percent in 2008, the manufacturer price for generic sertraline made by Teva Pharmaceuticals decreased by 45.1 percent.

Even for those with prescription drug coverage, switching to generics can mean substantial savings. Cost sharing for generics remains dramatically lower than for many brand name drugs. In 2007, generic drug copayments averaged less than $8, while average copayments for “preferred” and “non-preferred” brand name drugs were $19 and $28 according to a report by Express Scripts.

AARP’s report also examined the manufacturer prices of widely used specialty prescription drugs, which treat serious illnesses like cancer, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. These drugs had even larger price increases than traditional brand name drugs, rising an average of 9.3 percent in the last year. The average annual increase in the cost of therapy for a specialty drug grew from $2,297 to $2,860 between 2007 and 2008. Thirty-one of the widely used specialty drugs were biologic drugs, which are made from living organisms. There currently is no FDA pathway for the approval of less expensive generic versions of biologic drugs, leaving manufacturers free to continue charging the same or even higher prices.

Rother added, “Specialty drugs are already expensive because of their development costs, so it doesn’t help that many are biologic drugs that don’t face generic competition. That’s why we need health reform now. Bringing generic biologic drugs to the market can dramatically lower costs for the millions of Americans who can’t afford the life-saving drugs they need.”

As a part of its health reform campaign, AARP is urging Congress to address the rising cost of prescription drugs, particularly through policies that will bring more generic competition to the marketplace. Cost saving measures include allowing Medicare to negotiate directly with drug makers, closing loopholes that allow brand name drug makers to pay off generic drug producers, allowing for the legal importation of safe prescription drugs from abroad, and creating a pathway for the approval of generic versions of biologic drugs.

The list of prescription drugs analyzed in the AARP “Rx Watchdog Report” is based on the drugs most widely prescribed to Medicare Part D beneficiaries. Price changes are measured using changes in the wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) as published by the Medi-Span Price-Chek PC database.

The complete AARP “Rx Watchdog Report” is available at http://www.aarp.org/research/health/drugs/rx_watchdog.html.

For more information, visit AARP.org and HealthActionNow.org.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 34.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Added: April 16, 2009
Views: 62 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

AARP Launches New Initiative - Rx Snapshot

Contact:

Kate Fielder

801-567-2649

kfielder@aarp.org

AARP Launches New Initiative Encouraging Utahns to Help Others

Better Manage their Prescriptions

Rx Snapshot tracks drugs and helps older Americans talk with their health care professionals about managing their meds

(March 12, 2009) Midvale, UT – AARP today released Rx Snapshot, a free, online tool that Utahns can use to help older family members, friends or neighbors manage their medications safely and effectively.

The need is clear: 65 percent of Americans over 65 are using one or more inappropriate medications, and 57 percent are taking medications that are ineffective, duplicative or unneeded [1] .

An initiative of Create the Good, a network of independent volunteers active in neighborhoods across the country, Rx Snapshot is an easy way to help older Americans record the medications they are taking and talk with their health care professional about how they might better manage their meds. The free resource is available at www.AARP.org/CreateTheGood .

“Using prescriptions wisely and effectively is incredibly important to helping people of all ages who take medications stay well,” said Rob Ence, AARP Utah State Director. “Helping a loved one or a neighbor complete an Rx Snapshot is a small task that can have a big impact on their health and maybe even their pocketbook.”

AARP is encouraging people to visit www.AARP.org/CreateTheGood to download the Rx Snapshot and either call older relatives and loved ones or organize a community group to help neighbors fill out the one-page sheet. The Rx Snapshot toolkit gives older Americans:

A way to keep updated records of their medications
Tips to having a conversation with their health care provider about the risks and benefits of their prescriptions
The opportunity to consider generics as money-saving alternatives

Information on where to volunteer or to get local community groups involved can be found at www.AARP.org/CreateTheGood .

[1] Of older patients studied, 65% were using one or more inappropriate medication; 37% were taking medications on the Beers drugs-to-avoid-list; 57% were taking medication deemed ineffective, not indicated or duplicative; 64% had under-use of medication; and, 42% had inappropriate use and underuse. Further, the higher the number of drugs, the higher the risk of inappropriate medications. Source: Steinman, M., Landefeld, C., Rosenthal, G., Berththal, D., Sen, S., & Keboli, P. (2006) Polypharmacy and prescribing quality in older people. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 54, 1516-1523.

About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 34.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Added: March 12, 2009
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AARP Applauds Obama's Health Reform Commitment/Congress Turn Now

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2009

Contact
Kate Fielder, 801-567-2649
Laura Polacheck, 801-567-2643

AARP Applauds President’s Commitment to Health Reform in 2009, Tells Congress It’s Their Turn to Act

WASHINGTON—AARP today announced the next phase of its campaign to reform America’s health care system, capitalizing on an eventful week in Washington—including the release of President Obama’s budget plan—to build more momentum across the country.

“President Obama used his bully pulpit earlier this week at the Fiscal Responsibility Summit and in his speech to Congress to highlight the importance of health care reform,” said AARP Utah State Director, Rob Ence. “We also saw key leaders from both parties and both chambers of Congress discuss the urgency of action and begin to consider the hard choices on funding reform.

“We applaud their commitment to pass reform legislation this year,” he added. “It’s now time for all our elected officials to follow these leads.

Ence responded to today’s release of President Obama’s budget plan for the coming year, which AARP had asked to include a commitment to health care reform in 2009.

“The president’s budget plan includes an important down-payment on health care reform,” said Ence. “As he said, however, he will need bipartisan action from Congress this year to get the whole job done. It’s time for Congress to put its own solutions forward.”

AARP is launching the next phase of its health care reform campaign. AARP Utah volunteers are visiting Senator Hatch’s office to urge quick, bipartisan action on health reform. With more than 225,000 members in Utah, the AARP volunteers are presenting their lawmakers with a simple message: “It’s your turn—do it right.”

“We are making it clear to our leaders that they need to work with the president in a bipartisan fashion to complete the plan for reform and finance reform in a fiscally—and morally—responsible way,” said Ence. “They must make sure that any savings from Medicare and Medicaid are dedicated to reforms that strengthen the quality, efficiency and performance of our health care system, including these critical lifeline programs.”

AARP also announced key priorities to be included in health reform legislation in 2009, including:

o   Making affordable health care coverage options available to everyone, especially people ages 50-64 who are among the fastest growing group of uninsured;
o   Keeping Medicare affordable by rewarding doctors and hospitals for quality rather than the quantity of care;
o   Promoting prevention and healthy behaviors;
o   Eliminating fraud, waste and abuse; and
o   Improving care coordination for people with chronic conditions and helping them stay in their homes and out of institutions.

For more information, please visit www.aarp.org .

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 34.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org . AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Added: February 27, 2009
Views: 81 | Comments: 1 | Bookmarks: 0

AARP Social Security "Quick Facts" for Utah

AARP recently prepared a set of "Quick Facts" on Social Security for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Click on the following link, then scroll down to Utah to download the specific information about our state.

http://www.aarp.org/research/socialsecurity/general/ss_facts_08.html

Added: February 17, 2009
Views: 89 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

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