The ASCOG AAA Advocate has moved.

We are currently rebuilding our ASCOG.org web page and will host future editions of the ASCOG AAA Advocate blog there.  You can also find news, press releases and other publications coming soon.  Just go to ASCOG.org.

ASCOG to hold Senior Day

The Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments (ASCOG) will host the annual Senior Day on Thursday, September 24 at the Stephens County Fair Grounds, beginning at 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  Individuals 60 or older who live in Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Grady, Jefferson, McClain, Stephens and Tillman counties are invited to attend. 

 There will be FREE wellness checks, legal help, door prizes, Bingo, TaiChi, Line Dancers, scavenger hunt, lunch, and much, much more. 

Attendees will be able to view the art, crafts, poetry, photography and quilts that have been submitted for judging.  The ASCOG Spelling Bee contest will be held and attendees will have the opportunity to watch the contest. 

For more information, contact Allison Everett, ASCOG Area Agency on Aging, 1-800-658-1466, extension 241, direct (580)736-7983, or email ever_al@ascog.org.

September is National Preparedness Month

Man in fog

September marks the observance of National Preparedness Month. It is a time to prepare yourself and those in your care for emergencies and disasters.  Whether you are an older adult, an individual with a disability, or a family member caring for a loved one with functional needs; each person's needs and abilities are unique. By evaluating your own personal needs and making an emergency plan, you can be better prepared for any situation. Older people, people with Alzheimer’s or dementia, and people with disabilities can avoid a lot of hassles and stress in times of emergency by having a good plan in place. For detailed information, contact ASCOG ombudsman supervisors Ruben Sotelo, direct: 580-736-7975, sote_ru@ascog.org, or Darin Terry, direct: 580-736-7974, terr_da@ascog.org, toll free: 1-800-658-1466.

ASCOG To Hold Senior Day

The Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments (ASCOG) will host the annual ASCOG Senior Day on Thursday, September 24 at the Stephens County Fair Grounds beginning at 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  Individuals 60 or older who live in Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Grady, Jefferson, McClain, Stephens and Tillman counties are invited to attend. 

There will be a FREE lunch, wellness checks, massages, educational seminars, door prizes, Bingo, a scavenger hunt, and much, much more. 

Attendees will be able to view the art, crafts, poetry, photography and quilts that have been submitted for judging.  The ASCOG Spelling Bee contest will be held and attendees will have the opportunity to watch the contest.

For information and contest entry forms, please contact Allison Everett, ASCOG Area Agency on Aging, 1-800-658-1466, ext. 223 or (580)736-7983 or email ever_al@ascog.org.  

CMS cutting-edge technology identifies & prevents $820 million in improper Medicare payments in first three years

The Fraud Prevention System is one part of the administration’s effort to protect the Medicare Trust Fund

 

After three years of operations, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today reported that the agency’s advanced analytics system, called the Fraud Prevention System, identified or prevented $820 million in inappropriate payments in the program’s first three years. The Fraud Prevention System uses predictive analytics to identify troublesome billing patterns and outlier claims for action, similar to systems used by credit card companies.  The Fraud Prevention System identified or prevented $454 million in Calendar Year 2014 alone, a 10 to 1 return on investment.

"We are proving that in a modern health care system you can both fight fraud and avoid creating hassles for the vast majority of physicians who simply want to get paid for services rendered. The key is data," said CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt. "Very few investments have a 10:1 return on taxpayer money."

The Fraud Prevention System was created in 2010 by the Small Business Jobs Act, and CMS has extensively used its tools, along with other new authorities made possible by the Affordable Care Act, to help protect Medicare Trust Funds and prevent fraudulent payments. For instance, last month Health & Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Justice announced the largest coordinated fraud takedown in history, resulting in charges against 243 individuals, including 46 doctors, nurses, and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $712 million in false billings. Over the last five years, the administration’s efforts have resulted in more than $25 billion returned to the Medicare Trust Fund. 

The Fraud Prevention System helps to identify questionable billing patterns in real time and can review past patterns that may indicate fraud.  In one case, one of the system’s predictive models identified a questionable billing pattern at a provider for podiatry services that resulted in Medicare revoking the provider’s payments and referring the findings to law enforcement. The Fraud Prevention System also identified an ambulance provider for questionable trips allegedly made to a hospital. During the three years prior to the system alerting officials, the provider was paid more than $1.5 million for transporting more than 4,500 beneficiaries.  A review of medical records found significant instances of insufficient or lack of documentation. CMS also revoked the provider’s Medicare enrollment and referred the results to law enforcement. 

 “The third year results of the Fraud Prevention System demonstrate our commitment to high-yield prevention activities, and our progress in moving beyond the ‘pay and chase’ model,” said Dr. Shantanu Agrawal, CMS deputy administrator and director of the Center for Program Integrity. “We have learned a lot in the three years since the Fraud Prevention System began, and as we learn, we continue to become more sophisticated in detecting aberrant billing patterns and developing leads for investigations and action.”

In future years, CMS plans to expand the Fraud Prevention System and its algorithms to identify lower levels of non-compliant health care providers who would be better served by education or data transparency interventions.

For more information, please see the Report under “Guidance and Reports” at: http://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Components/CPI/Center-for-program-integrity.html   

2015 ASCOG Senior Day Poetry Contest Deadline Fast Approaching

     The Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments (ASCOG) will host a Senior Health Fair Day on September 24, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Stephens County Fair Grounds.  Individuals 60 or older who live in Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Grady, Jefferson, McClain, Stephens and Tillman counties are eligible to compete in multiple contests featured during the event. There will be a Poetry contest, Spelling Bee Contest, a Photography Contest, and Art and Crafts contests. 

     The fast approaching deadline for the Poetry Contest is August 1.  All contestants must be 60 years of age or older and may submit up to three poems they personally authored.

     There will also be blood pressure checks, blood sugar checks and other wellness checks.  There will be door prizes throughout the day, Bingo, live entertainment, lunch provided by ASCOG, and much, much more.  Those who would like to set up a booth to sell arts, crafts, or other products will be permitted with a nominal booth registration fee.

     Certified Medicare Counselors will be available to answer your questions about Medicare.

     For registration, rules and entry forms, please contact Allison Everett at (580)736-7983.  

     Funding for this conference is provided in part by state and Older Americans Act funds from ASCOG AAA and DHS Aging Services.  It is the policy of ASCOG AAA to serve all individuals who are eligible for its programs without regard to race, national origin, ancestry, color, religion, sex, age or disability.

Healthcare inspections for nursing homes to be tougher under new OSHA rules

Nursing homes will face more scrutiny based on a new key hazard list from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The new hazards, specified in an OSHA memorandum, include musculoskeletal disorders related to resident handling, workplace violence, bloodborne pathogens, tuberculosis and slips, trips and falls. The hazards were addressed in OSHA's recent National Emphasis Program – Nursing and Residential Care Facilities, which involved collecting specific injury and illness data from 80,000 healthcare facilities.

“The goal of this policy is to significantly reduce overexposures to these hazards through a combination of enforcement, compliance assistance and outreach,” the OSHA memo reads. OSHA Assistant Secretary of Labor David Michaels, Ph.D., stressed the importance of creating safe working environments in hospitals and nursing homes in a statement.

“The most recent statistics tell us that almost half of all reported injuries in the healthcare industry were attributed to overexertion and related tasks. Nurses and nursing assistants each accounted for a substantial share of this total,” Michaels said. “There are feasible solutions for preventing these hazards and now is the time for employers to implement them.”

A long-term care ombudsman advocates for rights of persons in long-term care settings like nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Learn more about long-term care issues by contacting ASCOG long-term care ombudsman supervisors Ruben Sotelo, direct: 580-736-7975, sote_ru@ascog.org, or Darin Terry, direct: 580-736-7974, terr_da@ascog.org, toll free: 1-800-658-1466.

Community Expansion of Nutrition Assistance (CENA) Funding Announcement

The Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments (ASCOG) is accepting applications from eligible senior citizen centers for the Community Expansion of Nutrition Assistance (CENA).

CENA funds may be used for food, utilities, insurance, equipment, repairs and maintenance or other approved functions. This year, a special priority will be given to food and utilities.

CENA currently provides assistance to 43 independent senior centers in ASCOG’s eight-county area which includes Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Grady, Jefferson, McClain, Stephens and Tillman counties.

Image Credit Bill Larkins public domain

To apply for a CENA grant, call Ken Jones at 580-736-7972. CENA applications are due by August 1.

POSITION AVAILABLE -

POSITION AVAILABLE

AREA AGENCY ON AGING INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE SPECIALIST

The Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments is accepting resumes for an Area Agency on Aging Information and Assistance Specialist position in Duncan.  Experience in information and referral work required.  Acceptable equivalent I&R experience involves client-focused work in the field of human services that includes positions such as social work, discharge planning, consumer credit counseling, community health nursing, independent living skills instruction and school counseling, or employment in a homeless or domestic abuse shelter, food pantry, group home or other similar settings. Bachelors or higher degrees may be used to substitute for experience in accordance with AIRS Certification standards. Must have a valid Oklahoma driver’s license and be proficient in the operation of a computer using Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Power Point.  Starting annual salary is $22,048.

Send resume to:  ASCOG, Attention Nancy English P. O. Box 1647, Duncan, OK. 73534. Resumes accepted through Thursday, July 23.  ASCOG is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Cameron to host OID Fraud Conference on July 14

Did you know you are the first line of defense against Medicare fraud, abuse, waste and Medical  identity theft?  When you receive those pre-screened offers for loans and insurance policies, did you know there is a way your identity can be stolen if you throw them in the trash before destroying them?  Do you receive those annoying robocalls from unknown callers?  How can you make them stop?

The Oklahoma Insurance Department is presenting an exciting and informative Senior Fraud Conference in Lawton on Tuesday, July 14 at Cameron University with a FREE breakfast, beginning at 8:00 am until 12:00 p.m.   Please call Vonn Saltzman, (580)736-7973 to register.  Learn how to protect, detect, and report.

Make a difference in the lives of seniors!

Make a difference in the lives of seniors!

OHAI is expanding and looking for dedicated individuals to join the team. We are currently hiring for the positions below.

To apply, go to www.jobs.ou.edu and search by the corresponding requisition number.

Education Specialist in Lawton   (requisition number 22643)

Education Specialist in Enid   (requisition number 22608)

 

Administrative Assistant in Durant   (requisition number 22614)

 

The Oklahoma Healthy Aging Initiative is an important collaborative partner in the Oklahoma Aging Network.  Published with permission from OHAI.

ASCOG Offers Free Ombudsman Training

ASCOG (Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments) will provide free ombudsman training. A long-term care ombudsman advocates for rights of persons in long-term care settings like nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Learn more about long-term care issues by attending the free training sessions on July 8^th and 9^th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Great Plains Technology Center, Bldg. 600 in room 623B; 4500 SW Lee Blvd, Lawton. For detailed information, contact ASCOG ombudsman supervisors Ruben Sotelo, direct: 580-736-7975, sote_ru@ascog.org, or Darin Terry, direct: 580-736-7974, terr_da@ascog.org, toll free: 1-800-658-1466.

Ruben Sotelo, Ombudsman Supervisor

A New Centenarian at Duncan Nutrition Site

Duncan North Nutrition Site has welcomed the centenary birthday of retired pilot John Shipman. He served as a flight instructor or pilot for much of his career, including World War II. In 1986, he donated a Bucker Jungmeister biplane, based on a 1935 German design, to the Oklahoma Air Space Museum. Celebrating with him were his daughter Karen McFarland, niece Sharon Holden, great-nephew Greg Holden, and sister Charlotte Casico. Mr. Shipman received letters from both President Barack Obama and Governor Mary Fallin to commemorate his birthday.

Mordell Trammell Recognized for Lifetime of Service

Mordell Trammell, along with thousands of “the Greatest Generation,” began his lifetime of service with the U.S. Army in World War II, where he fought in the Battle of Okinawa and in the invasion of the Philippines.

After the war, he came back to Duncan and worked at the Old Sun Ray Refinery for 32 years. He has served on the ASCOG Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council for over 25 years and has represented Duncan and Stephens County in the Silver-haired legislature since 1988 and is a lifetime member of the Oklahoma Silver-haired Legislature Alumni Association. He has volunteered with Stephens County Emergency Management since 1984, and started the local emergency planning committee for Stephens County. He was an ombudsman volunteer for ASCOG for 8 years in Stephens County, ensuring the rights of residents in long-term care facilities.  Mordell served over 600 hours as a volunteer for the Department of Human Services in Stephens County and was named as the Outstanding Older Oklahoman of the Year by the Department of Human Services. He currently serves as chairman of the ‘poppy board” for the American Legion.

Mordell, thank you for your lifetime of service.

ASCOG To Host First Annual Policy Conference June 26

ASCOG is delighted to announce our first annual Policy Conference, scheduled for June 26th at the Great Plains Technology Center in Lawton. This conference is free to everyone, and free breakfast and lunch will be provided. Featured topics include fraud prevention and detection, as well as services available from community action agencies. Other topics will address end-of-life legal documents such as advance directives, transfer-on-death deeds, and durable powers of attorney. The keynote speaker is Gail Wettstein, Director of Adult Protective Services, who will be speaking about fraud prevention and detection.

 

 

 

Falls in Nursing Homes

                        Falls in Nursing Homes

Nursing home residents fall frequently. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control/ Prevention and the National Center for Injury Prevention/Control estimate 1,800 older adults living in nursing homes die each year from fall-related injuries and those who survive frequently sustain injuries that result in permanent disability and reduced quality of life.

How big is the problem?

·        More than 1.4 million people 65 and older live in nursing homes.  If current rates continue, by 2030 this number will rise to about 3 million.

·        About 5% of adults 65 and older live in nursing homes, but nursing home residents account for about 20% of deaths from falls in this age group.

·        Each year, a typical nursing home with 100 beds reports 100 to 200 falls. Many falls go unreported.

·        Between half and three-quarters of nursing home residents fall each year. That’s twice the rate of falls among older adults living in the community.

·        Patients often fall more than once. The average is 2.6 falls per person per year.

·        About 35% of fall injuries occur among residents who cannot walk.

 

How can we prevent falls in nursing homes?

Fall prevention in nursing homes presents multiple challenges.  It requires a combination of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and environmental changes.  Fall prevention interventions can be implemented at the organizational, staff or patient levels. The most effective interventions address multiple factors or use a multidisciplinary team.

For detailed information, contact ASCOG (Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments) Ombudsman Supervisors Ruben Sotelo, direct: 580-736-7975, sote_ru@ascog.org, or Darin Terry, direct: 580-736-7974, terr_da@ascog.org, toll free: 1-800-658-1466.

 

 

 

Three ways you can help the Elder Justice Initiative of South Central Oklahoma

Credit: Project Focus video "An Age for Justice"

Recently, an elderly family member was contacted by a scam artist.  The scammer was very aggressive and smooth in his language.  He convinced my relative to give out her bank account number and social security number.  He was very convincing. 

Even as she was giving out the information, she had strong doubts of the validity of the caller.  She thought the best thing to do was get him off the phone.  So, she answered all of his questions.

The next day her checking account showed a zero balance.

It took her several days to gather the courage to tell her family about it.  She felt abused.  She felt scared.  She felt ashamed. 

She's not alone.

We have been challenged with raising awareness of elder fraud, abuse and neglect in the South Central Oklahoma area.  Sadly, there has been only a limited increase in funding for law enforcement to address this issue.  In one Texas county alone, 342 cases of elder abuse were confirmed in 2014.  We will do our best in educating the public about elder abuse.  But with no additional funding for enforcement, we will have to be creative.

Here's how you can help:

First, learn more about elder fraud, abuse and neglect.

There are several online sites that have detailed information about elder abuse and prevention.  You can start by reading the Elder Justice Policy Brief published by the White House Conference on Aging. 

I also recommend the following sites for additional information on the subject:

• The United States Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative
• The National Council on Aging's Elder Justice Public Policy and Action Page
• The Administration on Community Living's Elder Justice Roadmap

Second, advocate for additional funding for elder justice initiatives.

Without additional funding for enforcement of the Elder Justice Act, prevention will be impossible.  It is difficult to compete for the limited resources of the district attorney offices, local law enforcement precincts and other law enforcement agencies, especially when they receive funding specifically for other justice programs.

The National Council on Aging has excellent resources to help you develop better communications with policy makers in Washington, D.C.  These ideas work well with state legislators, too.


Third, help us educate others about preventing, detecting and reporting elder abuse, fraud or neglect.

ASCOG is always looking for volunteers to help us get the word out.  We can train you to be a presenter at nutrition sites, senior centers or other venues.  We are always looking for volunteers with our Senior Medicare Patrol program. 

You can also help us out by hosting a screening of An Age For Justice: Elder Abuse in America.


For further reading: 

• Jackson county octogenarian sexually assaulted in her own home.
• Surprised neighbors believed severely neglected, 90-year-old Dorothy Havens had passed away years ago.
• A Georgia woman was arrested for running an illegal home, keeping four elderly men in her basement.
• Ninety-year-old Dorothy Havens, left in her bed by her daughter and granddaughter over a six-month period, died.  Her daughter is facing a murder charge.
• Caregiver caught on camera assaulting 84-year-old nursing home resident.
• AARP summer scams tips.

ASCOG Home Delivered Meals

Photo from public domain.

Let’s get this out of the way first: Meals on Wheels is to home-delivered meals as Kleenex is to tissues. ‘Meals on Wheels’ is a specific brand, and ‘home-delivered meals’ is the generic term. That said, I know that people ask me about “meals on wheels” a lot, and this past week or so I’ve gotten more than the normal amount of requests about them.

The thing is that we – ASCOG – do not do home-delivered meals just because people ask for them. That would be much too easy! We partner with Delta Nutrition to provide a multitude of fine dining establishments, also known as senior nutrition sites, where people can gather, socialize, and have fun. (It is possible that one of these establishments has pool tables. I’ll let you figure out which.)

ASCOG prefers people to eat at senior sites because people who go to congregate meal sites have improved quality of life, better nutrition, and improved access to other useful services. Even loners like me have to acknowledge that some human contact is a good thing! Still, ASCOG understands that not everyone is able to travel to nutrition sites, and THAT is what our home-delivered meals are for.

 

If you need home-delivered meals, or if you’d like to join one of Delta’s senior nutrition sites, please call MaddieLuke at 855-962-3343. MaddieLuke handles all of Delta’s intake procedures, including determining who is eligible for home-delivered meals. It’s not a problem if you’re unable to leave your home – MaddieLuke will come to you!

Jordan Grooms

Information and Assistance Specialist

Toll-free: (800) 658-1466

Office: (580) 736-7036

Senior Info-Line: (800) 211-2116

Email: groo_jo@ascog.org

 

ASCOG to Hold Medicare Information Presentation at Local Senior Center

For Immediate Release                                             

The Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments (ASCOG) will have a representative at the Tuttle Senior Center, 5 JD Ryan Road, on Tuesday, May 26 at 10:30 a.m. to answer Medicare questions, get assistance applying for Extra Help with Part D Prescriptions, and providing information on senior fraud and scams.  

 
For more information or a private appointment, contact Vonn Saltzman, Medicare Assistance Specialist, (580)736-7973 or (800)658-1466, ext. 234 at Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments (ASCOG).

 

# # #

National Physical Fitness Month, VA Waives Resident Rate Requirements, A Profile of the Older Americans Act and a New Law to Protect Storm Victims

ASCOG's AAA Planner, Kaylee Price, will be at Cement May 20 to conduct a site assessment.  Next week she will be at Hinton on May 28. 

 A new Oklahoma law is designed to protect storm victims.

The Administration for Community Living released A Profile of Older Americans: 2014.

VA Secretary Waives Resident-Rate Requirements of the Choice Act through December 2015.

Let’s Move! May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. #MoveInMay.

Medicare Monday: May 18, 2015

Make plans to attend Senior Expo 2016, June 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Great Plains Technology Center in Lawton.  RSVP to groo_jo@ascog.org by June 22.

Medicare Part B premiums are going up for higher income brackets.

A Texas doctor received an indictment alleging he defrauded Medicare out of $5.2 million.

Credit agencies agree to 180-day waiting period for medical debt reporting.

ASCOG ADvocate: May 16, 2016

On this date, in 1988, the U.S. Surgeon General equated the addictive properties of nicotine with cocaine and heroin.  What was the name of the Surgeon General?

Administration on Community Living head Kathy Greenlee shares her thoughts about the recent roundtable discussion on issues affecting older women.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reminds seniors their benefits are protected from garnishment.

Twenty-nine percent of American adults are caregivers.

The prevalence of elder abuse may be one in ten for Americans aged 60 and older.  When it comes to elder abuse, “The sins of omission are more common than the sins of commission.”

John Shipman celebrated his 100th birthday at the Duncan Senior Center.

The unemployment rate for Americans with disabilities declined significantly.

Advance directives and end-of-life conversations

The New York Times has an article regarding the disadvantages of advance directives. The main problem with them is that advance directives are seldom in places that first responders can find, and also that family members may not know about their existence or contents. While the same drawbacks apply to the Polst form, it is more specific in the event of terminal or life-threatening illness, where an advance directive may be vague or use outdated language. The very best way to ensure that your wishes are carried out is also the most difficult: speaking to your family members as well as filling out documentation.

Caregiver Tuesday and other news.

Vonn Saltzman, Medicare Assistance Counselor, and Jordan Grooms, Information and Assistance Specialist, will be at the Ringling Nutrition Site tomorrow, Tuesday May 12th. Bring your questions!

MarketWatch lists six resources for caregivers, one of which is your regional Area Agency on Aging. That would be ASCOG, for those in our service area.

AARP has an entire section of its website dedicated to caregivers and their needs, including legal and practical issues. AgingCare also has a section for caregiver support, including an article about the age-old question of 'How do I get paid for being a caregiver?' Unfortunately, the answer is 'generally speaking, you don't, though you can get compensated in various other ways.' If you're interested in accessing those compensations, please call the Senior Info-Line at 1 (800) 211-2116.

Medicare Monday May 11, 2015

Happy Monday!

President Obama wants Medicare to be able to negotiate drug prices. 

Nexium topped the drug cost list recently released by Medicare.

Jacksonville, Florida hospitals agree to $7.5 million Medicare fraud settlement.  Generic Vicodin also topped the list.  Health Management Associates, Inc. agree to $15 million settlement.

Money Magazine explains how to ensure your hospital stay is covered by Medicare.

Vonn Saltzman will be at the following sites to discuss Medicare enrollment and fraud prevention: 

• Ringling Nutrition Site, May 12 at 11:00 a.m.
• Ryan  Nutrition Site, May 13 at 10:30 a.m.
• Frederick Nutrition Site, May 14 at 10:30 a.m.

A much-too-exciting conference

The 40th Aging Conference was not cancelled, despite running on emergency backups, from the May 6th tornado in Norman.

Under the circumstances, it seems appropriate to make this blog post about emergency preparedness. Ready.gov notes that the first step to preparing for emergencies is learning about hazards in your area. Disaster Preparedness By Seniors For Seniors lists useful things to keep in an emergency kit; personally I cannot emphasize your medications strongly enough!!

The Red Cross emphasizes creating a support network; FEMA also has a pamphlet about taking care of your pets in an emergency. I would add: if you have a large dog or other pet, make sure that you're able to get them into your tornado shelter, or make them their own. Our dog can't manage the stairs in our cellar, so she has her own closet in the interior of the house; she'll go there of her own accord.

I hope everyone is having fun at the conference!

Mail carriers across the state are hosting a "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive this week on behalf of the Regional Food Bank. Most needed items include: canned meats, meat-bashyed soups, canned fruits, canned vegetables, peanut butter, and rice and beans. Nonperishable food donations can also be dropped off at participating post offices. Monetary donations can also be made online at regionalfooodbank.org (website currently down) or by calling 405-600-3136.

In the Duncan area, the Water Advisory Committee, formed in March, is debating the area's water situation and what can be done about it. (Note that the Duncan Banner website only allows limited viewing of its web pages.) The committee is made up of private citizens with experience in water, infrastructure, politics, fundraising and drilling, so that the best minds the community can offer are on the committee. Members of the group are Jacob Bachelor, Roger Calger, Todd Clark, Clay Cole, John Galloway, Mike Kiester, Kelly Kirkland, Phil Leonard and Lisa Thomas. Lisa Thomas is with ASCOG.

HAPPY OLDER AMERICANS MONTH!

Each May, we celebrate Older Americans Month to recognize older Americans for their contributions to the nation. This year, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act (OAA), we are focusing on how older adults are taking charge of their health, getting engaged in their communities, and making a positive impact in the lives of others. The theme for Older Americans Month 2015 is Get into the Act.


The Presidental Proclamation about Older Americans Month is President Obama's contribution to the annual opening of the month, and also is a reminder that it's the 80th anniversary of Social Security as well.

More importantly, tomorrow is the first day of the 40th Annual Oklahoma Conference on Aging! May 5th is free for seniors 60 and older, and everyone is encouraged to attend!

People with disabilities in the arts and business

Self-Advocacy Solutions of North Dakota and Love Is Sharing The Exceptional Needs (L.I.S.T.E.N.) have put on an adaptation of the Wizard of Oz featuring the personal stories of its performers, all people with disabilities.

Meanwhile, Danish companies have begun realizing the benefits of hiring people with disabilities; an accellerator program, Sociale Kapitolfund, has invested in 22 companies, and shows no signs of slowing. Hopefully other countries will take note of the successes enjoyed by Denmark and model similar programs.

Patterson Nutrition Site beware! (rejoice?)

Jordan Grooms, Information and Assistance Specialist, will be visiting Lawton's Patterson Nutrition Site Wednesday, April 29th. She will be talking about ASCOG, its services, and upcoming events. Be sure to call ahead to reserve a meal! Patterson's phone number is 580-581-3485.

Dementia and decisions

While 78-year-old Henry Rayhons was acquitted of raping his wife who had dementia, the publicity of the case has raised questions about dementia and consent, as well as questions of policy for long-term care facilities. (Please note that in NPR's article, Dr. Tenenbaum's hypothetical scenario would constitute rape by fraud, which is defined as criminal on a state-by-state basis.)

An issue just as divisive as the above concerns dementia and death with dignity. Assisted suicide is already controversial and illegal in some states; when complying with an advance directive would force someone's caregivers into the role of assistant, there are few right answers.

House Bill 1566

A set of bills in Oklahoma's House and Senate - Senate Bill 640, Senate Bill 752, and House Bill 1566 - are proposing to radically change the way that Medicaid is administered in Oklahoma. In the case of HB 1566, it would privatize Medicaid's managed care programs.

According to Rep. McReady, one of the authors of the bills, HB 1566 will reduce the cost of supporting the aged and disabled population, who require the most care of the population. The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs has indicated its support of Medicaid reforms, as has the Oklahoma Hospitals Association.

Meanwhile, Trish Emig, chair of the State Council on Aging, holds that HB 1566 will force Oklahomans into nursing homes without reducing costs for the state. The Oklahoma Public Employees Association agrees with this assessment.

Diabetes, dementia, and depression

A new study has connected snoring (and other forms of sleep apnea) to an earlier onset of mild cognitive impairment and memory problems. These can sometimes progress to Alzheimer's, but not always. Most significantly, the researcher notes that use of a CPAP machine prevents that early onset.

There is also another study that attributes depression, as well as diabetes, to the onset of dementia. Depression in particular, according to the study, raises the risk of dementia by 83%. Those familiar with depression's effects on the brain will be unsurprised to hear this; depression is often linked to other chronic health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease.

Social Security and Medicare numbers

A new federal law will strip Social Security numbers off of Medicare cards. The new rules are part of the new "Medicare Doc Fix." At least one commenter has taken the opportunity to suggest that Social Security numbers be done away with entirely.

Medicare and nursing homes

The New York Times reports that Medicare's coverage of short-term care rather than long-term care, combined with hospitals' new tendency to release patients sooner than recommended in order to cut costs, has contributed to a situation where neither long-term care nor short-term care nursing home residents are getting the care they need.

The Hebrew Home at Riverdale takes a queue from Adam Sandler in their program to make good-morning videos for their Alzheimer's and dementia patients, featuring loved ones.

Oklahoma and Medicare mental health

Oklahoma's mental health commissioner, Terri White, called for a $10 million increase in state appropriations to her agency.

For those who have Medicare, some outpatient and inpatient mental health services are covered. Outpatient services are covered under part B; inpatient services are covered under part A.

Heartline's Senior Info Line responders are trained to answer the Suicide Hotline and can find you some help or just a neutral ear. For more information call 1-800 211-2116.

Masonic Grant: CLOSED

"You won't understand the Masonic grant until you do it," everyone told me.

Everyone was right. Hundreds of applications later, I have clawed my way out of the stack to tell you that the grant is closed and no longer accepting routine applications. (It actually closed in March, according to deadlines.) People in dire straits (aka 'exceptional circumstances') can still apply for urgent situations, but everybody else has to wait until the next grant cycle. I won't hang on to people's applications until then, because I did that last year and it didn't end well.

In Medicare news! The Senate has approved a bill that changes how Medicare pays doctors. Apparently doctors will now be paid according to the quality of their service, not the quantity of it. Community health centers also recieved more funding, yay! And the Children's Health Insurance Program was extended by two years, which: excellent. According to Medicare Watch, "the bill also permanently funds the Qualified Individual (QI) program that helps low-income Medicare beneficiaries afford Part B premiums." (Oh, yeah, and it also approved our funding for the next couple of years as well.)

And a Happy New COG Director!

Lots of important news today! First, the one you care about the most.

2015 Masonic Grant is now accepting applications!

 

It's OK. I'll wait. DO NOT FORGET to attach an estimate!! I will hunt you down, for real.

 

...back? Excellent. Other news!

 

We have a new Executive Director of ASCOG, Ronnie Ward! We're not entirely sure what to do with a new executive director yet, since we kept the last one for 28 years, but we'll figure it out. His former position was the Director of Community and Economic Development, which has been filled by Tom Zigler.

 

 

Weekly Reminders

 

40th Conference on Aging wants your poetry! The time is now, the due date is the 15th.

 

Senior Day at the Capitol bonus edition: "blue cards." They're comment cards that you can send in, and then your legislator will read them on Senior Day, February 23rd. If you can't get out, or frankly don't WANT to get out in this weather, a blue card is the perfect way to participate! You'll need to get them in by February 6th in order to make sure they're read. Call me at (580) 736-7036 and I'll mail one to you! Please leave your address if I can't catch your call. The Masonic grant is a busy, busy time. I am a busy, busy bee.