New Report Proves Ending Age Discrimination Saves Money, Covers More Americans

WASHINGTON—AARP Executive Vice President John Rother issued this statement following the release of today’s Urban Institute report on health insurance age-rating :

“Age-rating is just a wonky way to describe how insurance companies use age as an excuse to charge older Americans excessive premiums.  Today’s report by the Urban Institute shows that denying older Americans affordable coverage is not only unfair, it could also increase the cost of health reform if it is not strictly limited.

“We should be working toward a fair system where all Americans can afford coverage to get and stay healthy.  AARP has been fighting for years to abolish age-rating entirely.  This year we have an opportunity to make great progress towards that goal with health care reform that tightly limits age-rating, which today can force older Americans to pay much higher rates just because of their age.

“Today’s report shows that tighter age-rating limits actually reduce the cost of reform by billions of dollars while providing affordable coverage options to millions who would remain uninsured under wider limits.

“AARP will continue our fight to make quality health care affordable to every American, regardless of age.”

For more information about AARP’s fight to limit health insurance age-rating, please visit www.aarp.org/getthefacts

 AARP Supports $250 Emergency Relief in 2010 For Older Americans

 Contact Senator Mitch McConnell

Washington Office
361-A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202.224-2541
Fax: 202.224-2499

Contact Senator Jim Bunning

Washington Office

316 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Main: 202.224.4343
Fax: 202.228.1373

Universal Design: Home for the Next 50 Years

3'rd Annual Metro Louisville Aging in Place Council Roundtable

October 13, 2009 (Seating is limited, register early)

Special Presentation & Workshop by:
John Salmen, AIA
Universal Designers & Consultants, Takoma Park, MD

Renowned expert and practitioner of Universal Design who has specialized in barrier free and universal design for more than 30 years. See more on John Salmen at http://www.mlaipc.org/news.html.

• Recognize how Universal Design can be applied at all scales,from where a project is located in its community to the selection of kitchen cabinet hardware.

• Identify the differences between accessibility compliance and universal design.

• Discuss examples of universal design features and products that can be integrated into a home design to allow aging in place by enabling flexibility and independence of the residents and their guests.

• Explore the relationship between universal design and sustainable design and integration into a residential design.

Registration required:

Register online at http://www.mlaipc.org/udregister.html and mail payment or completed form with payment to: MLAIPC, ATTN: Jackie, 2911 South 4th Street, Louisville, KY 40208.

When:

Tuesday,
October 13, 2009
8:00 am to Noon

Where:

Egan Leadership Center, Spalding University
4th & Breckinridge Streets
Cost:$25 ($15 for MLAIPC members)
Students free

More:

• Coffee and light breakfast served
• Optional: $12 for box lunchavailable at noon
• Confirmation is not complete until payment is received.
• All checks must be received by registration deadline,Tuesday, October 6th.
• Approved for AIA Continuing Education credits (qualifies for HSW/SD credit)
• Funded in part by the Access Center Partnership Fund

Contact:

For more information and directions, call (502) 548-1239 or visit www.mlaipc.org.

Seating is limited! Register by October 6th http://www.mlaipc.org/udregister.html (Checks only please, cannot accept credit cards)

Louisville Metro Area Residents Invited to Dispose of Expired Prescription Medicines Safely

What can you do with old medicines? Louisville Metro Police, Louisville Metro Solid Waste, Senior Pharmacy Solutions and TRIAD are teaming up to provide opportunities for Louisville residents to safely dispose of their unused medication products.

Toss them safely and free at these locations below:

Thursday, October 8, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Location: Our Mother of Sorrows Church
770 Eastern Pkwy, Louisville, 40217  (near the intersection of Preston Street)

Friday, October 9, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm 
Location: Park Terrace                   
9700 Stonestreet Road, Louisville 40272

Saturday, October 10, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Location: Middletown Christian Church  
500 North Watterson Trail, Louisville 40243

Saturday, October 10, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Sponsored by AARP Mt. Washington Chapter #4613
Location: Mt. Washington Police Department
180 Landis Lane (off original section of Highway 31)
Mt. Washington, KY 40047

What to bring?

• Expired or unused medications
• Bulk or loose tablets and capsules
• Unsealed tubes of creams, ointments, etc.
• Medications that should have been kept cold but were not
• Unsealed syrups, eye drops, nasal sprays, or inhalers

What to do?

• Remove labels or cross out personal information
• Place any tablets and capsules into a zip-lock bag
• Place vials into a seperate bag or secure container 
• Place bottled liquids and tubes of medication into separate leak-proof bags

Learn more about the best way to protect the environment and the dangers of tossing, flushing or burning old medicines at http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions/articles/tossing_old_meds.html

AARP Applauds New House Bill -“Medicare Premium Fairness Act” (H.R. 3631) - to Help Seniors Struggling in Tough Economy 

 

By a vote of 406 to 18 the House of Representatives (9/24/09) passed the Medicare Premium Fairness Act (H.R. 3631) that will hold Medicare premiums steady for all beneficiaries for the next year. All Kentucky's House members voted in support of H.R. 3631.

According to AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond, “As health care costs continue to soar despite lower inflation throughout the economy, older Americans are hit particularly hard. Retirees have seen their savings wiped away by market losses while their health care bills continue to climb. People in Medicare today spend nearly a third of their income on health care. The lack of a cost-of-living update in Social Security means that millions more in Medicare could see their health care costs rise further out of reach."

“By holding Medicare premiums steady for all beneficiaries for the next year—premiums that have doubled since 2000—[this] bill would help ensure that health care is more affordable for people in Medicare—without burdening taxpayers or future generations with new spending," added LeaMond.
 

More information is available at: www.healthactionnow.org and www.aarp.org

Why Does Senator Jim Bunning Needs to Hear from You?

The Senate's Finance Committee is today working on their draft of a health reform package and Senator Jim Bunning to hear from you. AARP asks you call the Senator and ask him to support -  Home Community Base Services and Low Income help for seniors.

Please call Senator Bunning toll-free at 1-800-944-6723. Ask him to support amendmening the Senate Finance Committee's health package and pass health reform this year.

Support Home and Community Based Services:

• AARP is fighting to ensure all Americans have the choice to receive the services they need at home rather than a more costly institution.  

• Surveys show 89 percent of Americans 50+ say they want to live in their homes for as long as possible.  Yet, only 27% of Medicaid long-term care spending for older adults and adults with physical disabilities goes toward home and community-based services (HCBS). 

• Today, Medicaid’s flawed institutional bias makes it hard for individuals to receive the services and supports they need to live independently at home. 

Support Medicare and Low Income Subsidies:

AARP is fighting to ensure that our most vulnerable seniors have the extra help they need to afford to pay for health care. Unfortunately, the Senate Finance Committee’s proposal fails to help those in need break through the red tape and access the help that’s available to them. 

• Millions of seniors are unfairly being denied help because they have a small amount of lifesavings that disqualifies them from getting assistance.  This unfair asset test punishes those who played by the rules and managed to save a small nest egg. As a result, less than a third of the people who need assistance with paying their Medicare Part B premiums are receiving it.  

• Medicare's Part D Low Income Subsidy that pays premiums and most out-of-pocket drug costs has not enrolled an estimated 3 million eligible low income people because of unreasonable asset limits on program eligibility.  

• We’re calling on the Finance Committee to support Senator Bingaman’s amendment (D4), which would: increase asset tests and cut red tape so more people who need help can qualify. 

Please Call Senator Jim Bunning and ask him to support these amendments and pass health reform this year - 1-800-944-6723.

Find more info at www.healthactionnow.org        

Where Does AARP Stand on Health Care?

• Protect Medicare Benefits.Medicare is a sacred promise that was made to seniors – because no one should be left to struggle with medical bills after a lifetime of hard work.  We must protect the Medicare benefits seniors have earned and strengthen the program for future generations. We’re also working to fill in gaps in today’s benefit package, such as closing the Part D prescription drug coverage gap (the so-called “doughnut hole.”) and eliminate out-of-pocket costs for important preventive care like cancer screenings and diabetes tests.

• Eliminate Waste: We must reduce waste in Medicare so we can ensure today’s seniors continue to get the benefits they’ve been promised.   Currently, Medicare hands out billions in subsidies to private insurance companies. These are tax dollars that should be going to seniors’ care not insurance company subsidies.   By eliminating this waste, we can protect senior benefits and fill in some of the gaps in Medicare.

• Preserve Your Choice of Doctor:   AARP is fighting to ensure doctors get paid fairly so seniors will have the freedom to choose the doctors they need. Without health reform, Medicare doctors will be forced to take a 21 percent pay cut.    

• Protect Your Right to Make Medical Decisions: AARP is fighting to ensure that all health decisions are made by you and your doctor, not your insurance company or the government.   No matter what your age, your care should be your choice. 

• Prevent Discrimination. Health reform must end insurance abuses, such as denials of coverage due to a person’s health history, or using age as an excuse to charge sky-high premiums. Such discrimination has become a serious problem for Americans age 50-plus who need insurance, and AARP is fighting to make sure needed protections are in a final health reform plan.

• Protect Consumers: AARP is fighting to stop the high prices charged by drug companies by: enabling drug price negotiation; allowing safe, legal importation of lower-priced prescription drugs from abroad; and permitting the sale of generic versions of biologic drugs – costly medications for diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis.

Kentucky Fall Prevention Awareness Day
September 22, 2009

Fall Prevention Awareness Day in Kentucky! - Statewide Activities are Planned for You, see list below for details.

Contact the KY Safe Aging Coalition by e-mail to Steve Sparrow at steve.sparrow@uky.edu  or http://www.kspan.uky.edu/

Local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) and other groups have a host of activities planned for KY Fall Prevention Day on September 22nd.

• Pennyrile AAA is designing placemats which will be distributed to all senior centers for the congregate meals.
• Pennyrile AAA Hopkinsville: Gentiva Home Health will host a Falls Prevention workshop with an OT and PT at A W Watts in Hopkinsville from 10:00am – 11:00am on September 22.
• Pennyrile AAA   Caldwell:  Caldwell County Home Health will be doing Fall Prevention Training at the Senior Center on September 22 at 11:30 for Fall Prevention.
• Pennyrile AAA  Crittenden:  Crittenden County Hospital will be presenting a Fall Prevention presentation at the Senior Center on September 22 at 11:30
• Pennyrile AAA Hopkins:  Caretenders will be doing a Fall Prevention presentation at the Senior Center on September 22 at 9:00
• Pennyrile AAA Livingston:  On September 22 at the senior center a presentation on home modification/home safety will start at 11:30
• Pennyrile AAA Lyon:  Local rescue squad will be doing fall prevention presentation at  the Senior Center on September 22 at 11:30
• Pennyrile AAA Muhlenberg:  Gentiva Home Health will be doing presentation on fall prevention at  the Senior Center on September at 11:30
• Pennyrile AAA Todd:  Nurse from Todd County Health Department and Physical Therapist to talk about Fall Prevention at the Senior Center on September 22
• Pennyrile AAA Trigg:  Laura Hughes, RN with Shady Lawn Nursing Facility will present a program at the Senior Center on September 22 at 11:30
• Green River AAA Falls prevention presentation by a local PT at the Senior Day at the Gardens. Follow up with presentation at Senior Day at the Mall. Utilize Methodist Hosp. balance screening efforts scheduled for August to Publicize fall prevention day. Utilize the Active Aging Week programs that will beiImplemented by several health councils.
• Green River AAA will establish Skeletal presentation in as may counties as resources allow on 9/22.
• Green River Area  AARP National Day of Service for Ohio County.
• Green River Area  9/21/09 A Matter of Balance Class begins in Union County at the Senior Center from 930-11:30
• Green River Area  9/22/09 Methodist Hospital (Henderson) Balance Screening at the Methodist Hospital North Tower  from 10 – 2 pm.
• Green River Area  9/22/09 Senior Day at the Botanical Gardens (GRADD) Owensboro Botanical Gardens. Presentation by OMHS Health Park Trainers on staying Active
• Green River Area  9/24/09 Senior Day at the Mall in Owensboro at the Town Square Mall Owensboro from 9 – 12pm
• Green River Area There are some associated active aging week events planned in Union County, details yet to be provided,
• Barren River AAA  Plans are to hold a Falls Prevention education and evaluation day in two of our 8 counties. Plan to have Physical Therapist on hand to do Balance/Fall prevention training, a pharmacist on hand to help seniors evaluate their medications, optometrist to do eye exams to name a few.
• Lake Cumberland ADD/AAA Coalition members will attend Foothills Festival (health fair) to distribute information to build Community coalition and educate the community on falls
• Kentucky Firefighters Association Public Education Committee Members will be utilizing the Senior's "Remembering When" Program during their Fire Prevention Month Activities and Programs.  Many Senior Citizen Facilities and Centers as well as Senior's Clubs will be visited by members of our Team.
• UK Trauma Outreach has secured Coldstream Research Campus for a possible run/walk/health fair.  They are looking at a possible donation of something that can be given away as a prize for a raffle for the event. Will be utilizing information from the ENA program and CDC.
• Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital on September 22, 2009 will hold program “The Impact of Falls In Health and Well Being”  for health care professionals, Program will review statistics regarding occurrence of falls, discuss occurrence of falls related to injuries, prevention for falls via modification of environments, prevention for falls with exercise, increase awareness of fall risks to promote safe living.
• Senior Pharmacy Solutions© All prescriptions filled from Fall Prevention Day through end of year, fall potential will be emphasized where appropriate. Medication Therapy Management Reviews to continue to emphasize fall potential. Will be marketing to referring physicians emphasizing "Fall Prevention". All presentations to Seniors, 1-3 monthly will continue to emphasize fall prevention.
• Senior Pharmacy Solutions© Recently participated in a community education offering for fall prevention.  It was part of the Healthy Hometown Initiative and provided presentations from various professionals and lay people well versed in preventing falls.
• Lourdes Homecare, Paducah, KY    is planning to provide an event/offering of some kind on the awareness day. Details yet to be provided.
• Madison County is discussing taking the falls prevention information to Eastern Kentucky to be given to the Fire Chiefs during their recertification classes.
• Lake Cumberland Area Clinton County plans to do media events for Fall Prevention Awareness Day, such as radio talk show, newspaper articles, and newsletters for school students to take home to grandparents.
• Lake Cumberland Area Cumberland County plans to do media events for Fall Prevention Day, such as radio talk show, newspaper articles, and set up a booth at the Bluegrass Festival Health Fair to educate the community on falls.
• Lake Cumberland Area Casey County Senior Citizens Center plans falls prevention education to learn to improve your balance. The event will be held on September 22, 2009 from 9:30am to 1:30pm, Lifeline Home Health group exercise, Tai-Chi, a form of ancient Chinese exercise for breathing and body coordination, Little Tumblers and Casey County High Cheerleaders, Lunch, AARP Falls Prevention Education, Balance screening and a Visit Veterans Park and see the falls.
• Maysville Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility will be participating in the National Falls Prevention Awareness Day.  We will be conducting a family council meeting consisting of residents, family members and members of our local community.  The event will take place on Wednesday September 23 at 6:00pm and will feature a presentation by their medical director, Dr. Leroy Gallenstein.  In addition to Dr. Gallensteins presentation, they plan to also have members of our physical therapy department on hand to discuss and answer questions on how to prevent falls.
• Susan Bachner Consulting LLC plans to do a co-presentation to the KY Occupational Therapy Association's annual state meetings on 9/18 -- also in regard to the impact of falls on health.
• Boone County Senior Citizen’s Picnic: Wednesday, September 9th , (9am – 3:30pm); Joan and Jan, and third person TBD (still looking for a third person) to staff.  Health fair will include fall prevention materials.
• Campbell County Senior Citizen Picnic: Wednesday, September 16th, (12 – 5pm); Joan, Jan, and Marsha to staff. Health fair will include fall prevention materials.
• Grant County Senior Bash: Thursday, September 17th, (11am – 2pm); Joan and Jan to staff. Health fair will include fall prevention materials.
• Kenton County Senior Harvest Celebration: Thursday, September 17th, (11am – 3pm); Cathy Winston to staff. Health fair will include fall prevention materials.
• NKADD Senior Expo: Thursday, October 22nd, (9am – 2pm); Marsha and Kelly to staff. Health fair will include fall prevention materials.

   

Contact the KY Safe Aging Coalition by e-mail to Steve Sparrow at steve.sparrow@uky.edu  or http://www.kspan.uky.edu/

For data on falls specific to your county, visit http://www.kspan.uky.edu/data.htm

Visit AARP's Create the Good website and learn more home and safety tips.

www.createthegood.org

AARP KY Joins Attorney General Conway in Announcing Columbia Gas Agreement to Cut Requested Rate Increase by More than $5 Million

New AARP Survey Shows Support For Increased Consumer Protections in Financial Industry

AARP Executive Vice President, Nancy LeaMond released the following statement (9-14-09) in response to President Obama’s speech today on Wall Street:

“Older Americans saw their retirement savings decimated by the economic crisis. AARP has long maintained that consumers must be armed with as much information as possible so that they can make sound financial decisions. In a world where individuals must plan for their own financial futures, information is imperative and greater protections are needed in the marketplace.

“AARP supports the creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Agency that would advocate on behalf of consumers’ needs in the financial marketplace. It is important that individuals know they are buying products and getting financial advice from industry certified advisors. It is important that when individuals buy a product that has been recommended to them it is the right product for their needs.

“In a recent AARP survey, 95 percent of people 25 years and older believe in having investment services firms increase their transparency around the costs, risks and benefits of all financial products they offer. The same number of individuals believe companies that manage 401(k) plans should be required to clearly explain their fees on participant’s annual statements. AARP has long advocated for transparency in 401(k) plans, having known that the majority of investors are unaware of the fees associated with their retirement savings.

“Similarly strong support exists for providing consumers with information on how to monitor their investment advisors and report possible professional misconduct (89 percent), and allow them to check their investment advisor’s record (93 percent). Finally, 69 percent believe in only permitting investment firms to sell products that are suitable for the needs, objectives, and risk tolerance of their consumers.

“AARP looks forward to working with Congress and the Administration to protect consumer’s financial well-being and to improve the economic security of American families.”