ASCOG Advocate: November 26, 2013

British Airways flight in 1986.

On this date, in 2003, this plane made its final flight over Bristol England.

What was the name of the plane?

HHS announces energy assistance funding.

Medicare Open Enrollment ends soon.

Accountable Care Organizations, how Obama is cutting Medicare.

Last week N4A released its federal budget cuts report called "Squeezing Seniors."

Kaiser's compilation of stories related to Medicaid and Medicare.

ASCOG Offices will be closed for the holidays from noon on November 27 through November 29.

ASCOG Advocate: November 25, 2013

Super Typhoon Nina approaching landfall.

On this date, in 1987, Typhoon Nina pummeled this country with category 5 winds of 165 mph and a surge that destroyed entire villages.  Over 1,000 deaths were attributed to the typhoon.  

What is the name of the country that was decimated by this storm?

Compared to men, women who are caregivers are significantly less likely to be in the labor force.

Recessions connected to later mental decline.

Forty-four percent of Americans incorrectly believe Medicare will pay for their long-term care.

Two important updates for Medicare open enrollment.

Jeff Foxworthy:  You might be a caregiver if...

ASCOG Advocate: November 22, 2013

1736 engraving.

On this date, in 1718, the British pirate Edward Teach was killed in battle off the coast of North Carolina.

By what name was Teach better known?

Oklahoma Silver-Haired Legislature to take bills to Capitol.

Relief workers in the Philippines struggle to ensure victims with disabilities are not forgotten.

An 85-year-old American and  Korean War veteran was detained in North Korea.

Jose Katz was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison for his crime of bilking Medicare and Medicaid out of $19 million.

A California nursing home operator agreed to pay $48 million to settle a Medicare fraud case.

The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging established a new anti-fraud hotline to assist seniors.

This is a time to give thanks for caregivers.

Celebrating the holidays when a loved on has Alzheimer's.

A new treatment for people with high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease.

Scientists have made min-kidneys using human stem cells.

ASCOG AAA will host public planning forums in Geronimo and Anadarko.

ASCOG Advocate: November 21, 2013

An image in Promptuarii Iconum Insigniorum

On this date, in 164 BC, the son of Mattathias of the Hasmonean family restored the Temple in Jerusalem.  The event is commemorated each year in the festival of Hanukkah.  

What was the name of the son of Mattathias?

Boomers are facing higher debts than their parents.

A "self-advocate" with autism promotes a new level of inclusion in the community.

An Altus couple opens their home and invites those in need to watch some football, do some laundry.

Most people misunderstand long-term care coverage and costs.

Web MD:  Nutrition, diet and your heart.

The telltale signs of elder abuse.

ASCOG Advocate: November 20, 2013

View of the landmark from the "Long Walk."

On this date, in 1992, fire broke out in this historic British landmark, causing over £50 million worth of damage.

What is the name of the landmark?

"Granny cams" are becoming more popular as states battle with nursing homes to ensure patient safety.

Boomers are not talking about their finances with their children as they face retirement, health care crises.

A South Dakota candidate proposes Medicare for all ages.

Ten things you need to know about being a caregiver.

ASCOG Advocate: November 19, 2013

1958 Corsair

On this date, in 1959, the Ford Motor Company announced it would discontinue this unpopular model of car.

What was the name of the  model Ford discontinued?

Fraudsters are exploiting new health care law by taking advantage of confusion during Medicare open enrollment.

After 57 years of accepting each other as they are, couple battling Alzheimer's doesn't plan to change.

Michigan hotel owner admits to tying parents in bed and leaving them in filth. 

Some still hold out hopes for a government-run, long-term care insurance.

ASCOG Advocate: November 18, 2013

Modern telephone.

On this date, in 1963, this new telephone technology first went into service.

What was this new technology?

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority needs $150 million in new funds.

Medicare penalized over 1,400 hospitals for low quality scores.

Local agencies are offering winter assistance for the needy.

Hospitals may be disappearing in the era of health care reform.

Elizabeth Dole:  Military and veteran caregivers also need our support.

Video:  How do we better support caregivers?

Sing more show tunes, reap cognitive benefits.

ASCOG Advocate: November 15, 2013

The sender of the package when he
was a a professor at Berkeley.

On this date, in 1979, a package began smoking in the cargo hold of a flight from Chicago to Washington, D.C., forcing the plane to make an emergency landing.

Who sent the package?

OIG:  States need to provide better oversight to Medicaid managed care providers.

A new study shows major depression can speed up the aging process on the molecular level.

Premiums for long-term care insurance expected to rise 25%.

Researchers are looking into patients' eyes as a way to diagnose Alzheimer's.

Aging home buyers show a promised growth in the housing industry.

ASCOG Advocate: November 14, 2013

Astronaut Pete Conrad

On this date, in 1969, NASA launched its second manned mission to the moon.

What was the name of the mission?

The U.S. Department of Transportation fined US Airways $1.2 million for failure to provide wheelchair assistance to passengers with disabilities.

New high-cholesterol treatment guidelines were released Tuesday.

ACL's Kathy Greenlee is thankful for caregivers.

Caregivers, make sure your loved one's Medicare coverage still meets their needs.

A benefits checkup can help caregivers.

ASCOG Advocate: November 13, 2013

Manhattan entrance to the tunnel, 1985.

On this date, in 1927, this tunnel opened to traffic.  It was the first vehicle tunnel that connected New York and New Jersey underneath the Hudson River.

What is the name of the tunnel?


Feds are still rounding up fugitive Medicare fraudsters.

A Bush era rule goes into effect requiring equal treatment for mental health.

Nursing homes are the most dangerous places to work.

Seven myths about multiple sclerosis.

ASCOG Area Agency on Aging was awarded a grant for chore and home repair services.

ASCOG Advocate: November 12, 2013

Lake in the Scottish Highlands

On this date, in 1933, Hugh Gray took the first known photo of this creature believed to inhabit a lake in Scotland.

What is the name of the creature?

Advocates are concerned California is failing to protect residents from abuse by caregivers.

Under managed care, the incentive to hospitalize acute care dementia patients is decreased.

New rules will make air travel easier to passengers with disabilities.

A 29-year-old faces 45 years of prison for Medicaid fraud.

The deadline for Medicare open enrollment is getting closer.

ASCOG Advocate: November 8, 2013

St. Mary Lake

On this date, in 1889, this state, also known as the "Land of the Shining Mountains," became the 41st U.S. state. 

What is the name of this state?

CMS announced that Medicare recipients saved $8.3 billion due to changes from the Affordable Care Act.

The most common form of elder abuse is financial exploitation, but it remains difficult to prove.

Medicare Part B premiums have been announced.

November is Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, National Diabetes Month, National Family Caregivers Month and National Native American Heritage Month.

ASCOG offices will be closed on Monday, November 11, in celebration of Veterans' Day.

ASCOG Advocate: November 7, 2013

First Congresswoman.

On this date, in 1916, this woman was the first to be elected to the United States Congress.

What was her name?


A Rhode Island nursing home administrator agreed to settle embezzlement claims for only $1.2 million.  He was found guilty of embezzling at least ten times that from nursing homes.

Social Security announced a 1.5 percent increase in benefits for 2014.

Misunderstandings about the Medicare Part D late enrollment penalty.

One-third of veterans seeking mental health treatment have to wait weeks for their first appointment.

Lawmakers seek Medicare focus on the qualify of doctor care.

November is National Family Caregivers Month.

The younger generation is doing a better job of planning for long term care.

Medicare publishes resource to battle scams against seniors.

ASCOG Advocate: November 5, 2013

Picture from mid 1870s.

On this date, in 1912, this man was elected President of the United States.  He went on to create the League of Nations.

What was his name?

NODA is dropping its Area Agency on Aging.

A look back at the failed experiment of Oklahoma fully capitated Medicaid managed care.

Senators John McCain and Robert Menendez push to ratify Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  

Job seekers with vision impairment remain largely unwanted in the U.S. workplace.

The F.B.I. continues to seek fugitives who made Miami the capital of healthcare corruption.

ASCOG Advocate: November 4, 2013

Agency headquarters.

On this date, in 1952, this intelligence agency was created by President Harry S. Truman.  

What is the name of the agency?

An Iowa nursing home director, cited for failing to protect residents from a convicted sex offender, was fined $500.

An increasing number of assisted living residents are seriously ill or have dementia.

Gradual onset of heart attach symptoms does not mean you should wait longer to receive treatment.

Medicare doctors are facing a 24% pay cut.

It is important for caregivers to plan ahead by learning more about their loved-one's finances.

It's important for caregivers to know that when they have authority to handle someone else's money, it is not theirs to spend as they please.

Many Boomers are realizing their siblings are also in need of long-term care.

ASCOG Advocate: November 1, 2013

Maple Leaf Gardens, where
the first game was played.

On this date, in 1946, the Toronto Huskies played in the first game of the Basketball Association of America.  They lost 68-66.  

What was the name of the team that defeated the Huskies?

Oklahoma has one of the highest rates of Medicare beneficiaries receiving at least one high-risk medication.

Medicaid enrollments surge ahead of health care exchange purchases.

Health care exchange issues overshadow Medicare open enrollment.

A warning to caregivers about mishandling your loved one's finances.

Caregivers struggled after the Valley Springs Manor long-term care facility abandoned their residents upon losing their license.

Even modest increases in blood sugar can contribute to memory loss in later years.

Older workers report high job satisfaction.

Some tips for the overtaxed caregiver.

As pensions are replaced by lump-sum retirement plans, scams are on the rise.