Free Advocacy Training Offered by ASCOG

ASCOG (Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments) will offer free advocacy training for any person over 18 years old who would like to become an ombudsman volunteer and assist persons with long-term care issues or concerns. The training will be on Wed., Oct. 1 and Thur., Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Great Plains Technology Center, room 623B, 4500 Lee Blvd, Lawton. Contact ombudsman supervisor Ruben Sotelo at ASCOG for detailed information: sote_ru@ascog.org, direct: 580-736-7975 or toll free: 1-800-658-1466..

Ombudsman Supervisor Job Announcement Extended to September 30

ASCOG has an opening for a Long-Term Care Ombudsman Supervisor. Duties include resolving complaints and advocating for residents of long-term care facilities, recruiting, training and supervising volunteers, assistance to individuals regarding care choice, and technical assistance to facility staff.  Documentation and extensive local travel is required. 

 Bachelor’s degree and related experience working with aging individuals required.

Minimum salary is $27,739.

Send resumes to ASCOG Attn:  Nancy English, P O Box 1647, Duncan, OK  73534.  Resumes accepted through Friday, September 30, 2014.  ASCOG is an equal opportunity employer.

ASCOG Advocate: September 12, 2014

Jack Kilby's integrated circuit

On this date, in 1958, Jack Kilby invented the integrated circuit and would go on to win the Nobel Prize in Physics for his invention.  Where was Kilby employed when he invented the integrated circuit?

One of Medicare's architects died from melanoma.

Julianne Moore stars in "Still Alice," a film depicting a college professor who is diagnosed with Early-onset Familial Alzheimer's.

U.S. Senator Bob Casey plans to introduce legislation that will establish a caregiver corp to help fill the cap in caregiver availability.

Benzodiazepines linked to higher risk of Alzheimer's.

There will be no ASCOG Advocate on September 19 to give staff an opportunity to attend the 2014 Home and Community Based Services Conference.

ASCOG Advocate: September 5, 2014

Churchill, Truman and Stalin at
the Potsdam Conference.

Igor Gouzenko, was a cipher clerk at a Soviet Embassy.  After defecting, he exposed Soviet espionage in North America, marking the beginning of the Cold War on this date in 1945.  What was the name of the country to which he defected?

Medicare and Medicaid are projected to spend billions less than expected over the next ten years according to a new CBO report.

Illinois resident is building her own house despite disabilities.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau published "Protecting Residents From Financial Exploitation."

September 7 is Grandparents Day.

ASCOG Advocate: August 29, 2014

She won three Academy Awards, two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globes and a Tony for best actress.  You probably know her as Ilsa Lund in Casablanca.  She was born in Stockholm Sweden on this date in 1915.  What was her name?

Ten Oklahoma hospitals were targeted by Chinese hackers who stole debit and credit card information as well as social security numbers; here's what to do if your information was stolen.

A growing number of retirees have Social Security checks garnished by the federal government to repay student loans.

People with Down Syndrome are pioneers in Alzheimer's research.

A Michigan caregiver fleeced a retiree out of over $500,000.

The old-fashioned house call is making a comeback.

Alan Barth (62) of Lawton plans a 50-mile trek as a show of strength against muscular dystrophy.

September is Hunger Action Month.

Medicare pays for many preventative services, including vaccines.

Sam and Jane Ard continue to support their community after decades of service in Lawton.

ASCOG Advocate: August 22, 2014

On this date, in 1989, this Major League Baseball pitcher became the first to record 5000 strike outs when he fanned Rickey "The Man of Steel" Henderson.  What is his name?

A 42-year-old Salinas caregiver, who plead no-contest to severe neglect likely to cause great bodily injury or death and who allegedly received over $30,000 in unemployment while being paid as a caregiver, was sentenced to probation.  A man in Chicago, caught on camera beating an Alzheimer's patient, was sentenced to two years in prison.

A new study shows that more than half of the elderly patients who have visited an emergency room were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition.

Persons with vitamin D deficiency are twice as likely to develop dementia.

NCOA: The National Council on Aging released it's 2015 Medicare Part D costs and coverage gap information graphic. Vaccines:  What Medicare pays for fact sheet.

Fifteen percent of Americans 65 and older are living in poverty.

It's time to start preparing for the 2014 flu season.

A tough conversation, dealing with driving and dementia.  Based on an assumption of risk, California court ruled that a caregiver cannot sue Alzheimer's patient under her care.

United Way Follies kicked off the 2014 United Way of Stephens County campaign.

ASCOG Advocate: August 15, 2014

On this date, in 1945, Japan surrendered to the allies to end hostilities during World War II.  However, the "state of war" did not end between Japan and the allies until a treaty was signed in 1952.  The treaty was named after a western American city.  What was the name of the 1952 peace treaty?

In an attempt to combat fraud and protect seniors' social security numbers, an Illinois senator is advocating for changes to Medicare cards.

Depression can hide behind the "most happiest of facades."

Frequently asked questions regarding Medicare and the Marketplace.

New technologies to help senior age in place were revealed at the recent O4A conference in Dallas.

Oklahomans can receive free dental, medical and vision care this weekend in Oklahoma City.

The United Way of Stephens County Follies will take place tonight, helping to raise funds for 13 local programs, including two senior centers.