Friday, July 11, 2014

ASCOG Advocate: July 11, 2014

Babe Ruth2.jpgOn this date, in 1914, Babe Ruth made his debut in Major League Baseball. 

What was the name of his inaugural team?

The Administration for Community Living announced a new webinar series on Alzheimer's and related diseases.

Sometimes it's difficult to know when to take out Social Security widows benefits.

Scientists are getting closer to a blood test for Alzheimer's with hopes to detect the disease in earlier stages.

One Kenyan pastor with disabilities breaks down barriers in a country that stigmatizes people with physical impairments.

Government unveils online resource to tackle elder abuse.

CARE CEO acknowledges high rate of centenarians in Chickasha.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Power of Attorney

Many family members believe that having Power of Attorney (POA) is an overall right to make decisions for the resident in long-term care facility. 

A POA legally authorizes someone else to act on a person’s behalf, but it does not give absolute power over them. POA is limited to medical or financial decisions or both depending on how the document is worded. It can be revoked at the will of the maker or his/her death. A POA is to make decisions “in the best interest of the maker” and according to the maker’s wishes. 

A Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) continues until a stated expiration date, upon revocation, or death. It does not end upon loss of the resident’s capacity to understand. A “springing” DPOA may not go into effect until loss of capacity is determined by a physician.

On both of these documents, two witnesses and a notary are necessary when handwritten, but only a notary is needed when an Oklahoma statutory form is used.

 A person must be determined, by a judge in a court of law, to lack capacity before guardianship is granted.  Guardianship can be General (person and/or property), Limited (over certain aspects of property and/or person), or Special (emergency purpose, generally not to exceed 30 days).

All three of these responsibilities do not allow for consent to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining procedures. Also, it is always with the resident’s rights and wishes that decisions should be made. Copies of these documents must be on file at the facility.

For more information, please call Ruben Sotelo, Ombudsman Supervisor at ASCOG Area Agency on Aging, Direct: 580-736-7975 or 1-800-658-1466.

Friday, June 20, 2014

ASCOG Advocate: June 20, 2014

On this date, in 1963, this means of communication was established between the Soviet Union and the United States of America, following the Cuban Missile Crisis.  What was the means of communication?  (Hint:  It was not a red phone.)

Jim McMahon shares details about his struggle with dementia.

Social Security encourages Boomers to seek online assistance in wake of budget cuts and office closures.

Eight Social Security basics you need to know.

DHS announced funding is available for the LIHEAP summer cooling program.

Local classes may help diabetes management in seniors.


Friday, June 13, 2014

ASCOG Advocate: June 13, 2014

On this date, in 1970, this song became the last U.S. number one song recorded by the Beatles.  What was the name of the song?

A federal program will give up to $50 per senior to spend at Oklahoma farmers' markets.

The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is facing a $20 million budget cut.

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority recommended cutting provider rates by 7.75%.

A former Miami physician faces jail time for defrauding Medicare out of millions of dollars.

An advanced directive played an important role in the battle over Casey Kasem's end of life care.

June 15 is Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

ASCOG Announces Senior Health Fair Day Contest Winners

Forty-two area residents participated in contests at the recent Senior Health Fair Day sponsored by ASCOG.  In addition to a spelling bee, contests were held for art, crafts, photography, poetry and quilting.  Vendors and sponsors provided contest and door prizes as well as lunch, refreshments, health screenings and massages.  Nearly 200 senior citizens, volunteers and vendors attended the event.

Rose Schmidt placed first in the art contest, Imogene Barger placed second and Nelda Morgan placed third.  In the craft contest, Wilma Willis placed first, June “Neva” Whaley placed second, and Joy Sweat placed third.  James Barthel placed first in poetry, Eve Leach placed second, and Shirley Rains placed third.  In the photography contest Caroline Craven placed first and second and Gloria Morse placed third.  In the quilting contest Karen Payne placed first, Dixie Gildon placed second, and George Whitehead placed third.  The winner of the spelling bee was D.P. Taylor with second place going to Lorna Rhodes.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should contact Vonn Saltzman, information and assistance at 580.736.7973.
 

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

New Job Posting - ASCOG AAA Accountant


Accountant II/Resource Management/Area Agency On Aging

 

Works under general supervision of the Director of Resource Management and coordinates with the AAA Director, performs accounting work for the Association and Area Agency on Aging; performs related work as required.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

 

 

1.               Reviews AAA vendor invoices and travel claims for accuracy and classifies the expenditures according to the budget and chart of accounts.  Processes monthly subgrantee vouchers and prepares monthly distributions to subgrantees.

 

2.               Creates and maintains project expenditure reports for AAA grants.  Reports to grantor agencies and management on the financial activities and status of grants.

 

3.               Makes regular on-site visits to AAA sub-grantees to monitor financial activities, record keeping, and compliance.  Attends annual audits for subgrantees, if requested.  Serves as the AAA financial resource at Advisory Council meetings.

 

4.               Reviews financial reports submitted by AAA sub-grantees to ensure accuracy.  Compiles sub-grantee reports for submission to grantor agency.

 

5.               Provides technical assistance in accounting and bookkeeping functions to sub-grantees on a regular and continuing basis to resolve financial, personnel, and policy issues.  Reviews subgrantees preparation of budget and develops AAA Admin budget. 

 

6.                Serves as Accounts Receivable Clerk.  Receives and codes all receipts into the agency including recording transactions in the computer system and preparing daily bank deposits.

 

7.               Serves as Inventory Clerk.  Coordinates furniture and equipment inventory and maintains official inventory listing.

 
 

8.               Conducts and arranges for training of project staff.

 

9.               Monitors and assesses funded programs and projects. May develop and revise assessment tools for this purpose.

 

10.            Assists the AAA director in development of the Area Plan.

 

11.            Assists the AAA director in the administration of the Community Expansion for Nutrition Assistance (CENA) grant.

 

12.       Performs other related work as required and assigned.

 

Skills and Knowledge

 

General knowledge of professional accounting theory and practice; of elementary auditing principles and methods; of office procedures and methods; of professional accounting terminology and phraseology; of standardized records, reports; of arithmetical computation of analytical and evaluation procedures.  Knowledge of Federal Standards.

 

Ability to establish and maintain satisfactory and effective working relationships with others; to follow relatively complex and difficult oral and written instruction and/or accounting procedures; all as evidenced by an investigation and/or an oral interview.

 

Education and Experience

 

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelors degree in accounting or a bachelor’s degree in business, finance or a closely related field.  Substitution of work experience in accounting field of at least four years may be allowed for the bachelors degree.

 

Salary Range

 

Between mid-twenties and mid-thirties, commensurate with experience.

Friday, June 6, 2014

ASCOG Advocate: June 6, 2014

On this date, in 1984, this video game was released.  It went on to become one of the best-selling video games of all time.  What is its name?

The DHS Advisory Panel on Aging Issues will hold a public listening session in Tulsa.

One in ten older Americans over the age of 60 has experience some form of neglect or abuse.

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month.

June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.