ASCOG Advocate: July 31, 2013

Larisa Latynina in 2010.

On this date, in 2012, this Olympian broke a 48-year-old record for the greatest number of medals won at the Olympics.  The record was previously held by Larisa Latynina. 

What was the name of the Olympian who set the new record?

A Tampa man faces neglect charges in the death of his 82-year-old mother.

Green House homes look to replace nursing homes.

Chicago nursing home operators face kickback charges.  A Minnesota nursing home faces neglect charges in the death of a patient.  A Florida jury awards a son $1.2 billion in nursing home death case.

Health.com seeks to debunk the myths about multiple sclerosis.

Medicaid HMOs post strong earnings reports in Kansas.

A link has been found between taking blood pressure medicine and lower rates of dementia-related deterioration.

Obamacare receives credit for savings seniors on Medicare over $7 billion on prescriptions.

ASCOG Advocate: July 30, 2013

Sample Medicare card.

On this date, in 1965, the Social Security Act of 1965 was signed into law, establishing Medicare and Medicaid.

Who was the President who signed the Social Security Act?

Citing budget cuts, Utah's largest provider of mental health services removed 2,200 patients from its roster.

Medicaid managed care drives up profits for Kansas HMOs.

A New York nursing facility set a new trend in removing bias from policy about sexual expression.

A documentary takes a hard look at "memory care" facilities.

Feds put moratorium on new Medicare and Medicaid providers in high-fraud areas.

ASCOG Advocate: July 25, 2013

Drawing of the action.

On this date, in 1783, a peace agreement is reached ending the Siege of Cuddalore (Present day India).  That was the last action in the Second Anglo-Mysore War as well as this war between France and England.

What was the other war called?

Facebook proves to be an effective tool in finding missing elderly couple.

Caregivers find stress relief through art therapy.

Technology, like sensors to measure your heart rate, motion, gait and bathroom use, is available to help seniors age in place.

A nursing home operator who defrauded South Carolina Medicaid out of $1 million gets five years probation on a suspended sentence.

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration is looking into the large number of workplace injuries in long-term care facilities.

The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care has issued a request for public comment to the Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding bed rail safety in long-term care facilities.

ASCOG Advocate: July 24, 2013

The Kansas City slugger at bat.

On this date, in 1983, New York Yankees manager Billy Martin protested the amount of pine tar on the bat of a Kansas City player who just hit a go-ahead run.  The event became known as the "Pine Tar Incident."  

What was the name of the Kansas City player who hit the go-ahead home run?


A new study shows that echocardiograms, non-evasive ultrasounds of the heart, are overused.

The U.S. Department of Justice sues Florida for keeping children in nursing homes.

Lower levels of Vitamin D are linked to higher rate of disabilities according to a new study.

A California doctor was sentenced to only 3.5 years in prison for his role in defrauding Medicare out of nearly $3 million.  A Cleveland woman who bilked Ohio Medicaid out of $234,000 was sentenced to two years in prison.

ASCOG Advocate: July 23, 2013

A Landsat satellite from 1999.

On this date, in 1972, the Unites States launched Landsat 1.  It was the first of its kind.

What was the purpose of Landsat 1?

The grisly face of elder abuse, men held captive for their government checks.

A Texas state hospital is in danger of losing federal funding.

An Ohio man who defrauded the government out of over $1 million was sentenced to two years in prison.

Dementia rates decline abroad; America is a little murkier.

A new study outlines the positive benefits a spouse receives when physically caring for their loved-one.

With the sexual revolution generation entering long-term care, are nursing homes ready?

Washington state mental health services may be completely dismantled and rebuilt under a new federal directive.

Medicare speeds up plans for performance-based doctor pay.

Stem cells used to to cure blindness...in mice.

As caregivers are bogged down with caring for their loved ones, they miss out on opportunities to save money.

Sage advice in preventing dementia.

Video:  What to expect in the coming years with health insurance changes.

ASCOG Advocate: July 22, 2013

Pilot who flew
around the world.

On this date, in 1933, this Oklahoman became the first person to fly solo around the world, traveling 15,596 miles in 7 days, 18 hours and 45 minutes.  He, along with passenger Will Rogers, died in a plane crash two years later.

What was his name?

An over-comer of multiple sclerosis inspires engineers from the University of Delaware.

Medicare Advantage programs continue to grow despite Obamascare.

The Congressional Budget Office issued an estimate of $234 billion for the value of families caring for their loved ones 65 and older.

Social Security Disability applications drop while the unemployment rate for Americans with disabilities continues to rise.

Hysterectomy patients who avoid hormone therapy have higher likelihood of heart attack and death.

ASCOG Advocate: July 19, 2013

Bone reconstructed in 3-D.

On this date, in 1983, the first three-dimensional reconstruction of the human head using this device was published. 

What is the device called?
 
Health care providers continue to wait for the $50 million owed them from the now-defunct, Washington, D.C. managed-care firm D.C. Chartered Health Plan. Meanwhile, the president of an Aetna Medicaid company sings the praises of managed care.

Report highlights the need to address long-term services and supports.

University of Massachusetts medical researchers were able to turn off the genes for Down Syndrome in experiments using stem cells.

Many private insurers and state Medicaid agencies across the nation "impose sharp limits" on medications that help patients overcome opioid addiction.

Subjective complaints of cognitive decline, formerly dismissed, are now given needed attention as early signs of dementia.

An Affordable Care Act program aimed at reducing costs for Medicare is experiencing a high provider drop-out rate.

A Pew Research study shows the percentage of Americans who are caregivers rose from 30 to 39 percent.