ASCOG Advocate: February 28, 2014

Wallace Carothers

On this date, in 1935, DuPont scientist Wallace Carothers invented this substance which helped replace materials that were scarce during World War II.  The original name for the substance was "no-run."  What is the substance invented by Carothers?

CMS announced a payment change for Medicare Advantage plans, citing 10% overpayment to Medicare Advantage plans.

A New Jersey doctor pleaded guilty to bilking Medicare out of $13 million; he faces up to ten years in prison.

U.S. insurers say the proposed cuts to private Medicare plans are less than feared.

More arrests were made in a massive "Social Security disability scheme."

The "extreme ups and downs" of being a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer's.

Workforce Oklahoma and the Great Plains Technology Center are teaming up to provide training to veterans on starting their own businesses.

DHS Aging Services plans to award up to $2.4 million in transportation grants.

Free weather radios are being given away to protect residents living in flood zones.

The rate of violent crimes against persons with disabilities is four times higher than persons without disabilities.

The Food and Drug Administration proposed several changes to the mandated labeling of foods and beverages.

ASCOG Advocate: February 21, 2014

On this day, in 1842, John Greenough was granted the first U.S. patent for this.

What was his invention?

In the news:

 

Medal of Honor recipient and Iwo Jima veteran, Hershel "Woody" Williams, shared his personal stories at Fort Sill.

An ex-caregiver received a four-year sentence for fraud after her charge died due to malnutrition and neglect.

Oklahoma Senior Day at the Capitol is Monday, February 24!

Caring for the Alzheimer's caregiver.

The deadline for nutrition projects to sign-up for the 2015 RFP proposers' conference is February 27.

ASCOG's Vonn Saltzman will be a the Rush Springs Senior Center on March 10 at 11:00 a.m. for a public forum on the 2015 Area Plan on Aging.

ASCOG Advocate: February 14, 2014

Photograph of the inventor.

On this date, in 1876, applied for a patent for his new invention, the telephone.  He was granted over 70 patents for his inventions.

What is his name?

In the news:

Lawmakers are negotiating a bill that would reward Medicare doctors for quality of care rather than quantity.

A Bristow woman was sentenced to three-years probation for illegally accepting Social Security benefits in the amount of $67,710.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is seeking comments from seniors and persons with disabilities on the problems within the debt collection market.

"Go Wear Red" Day was celebrated in Oklahoma to bring focus to heart health.

Caregivers/Dementia:

Kimberly Williams-Paisley talks about how her mother's dementia impacted her family and relationships.

Nursing Homes:

Fern Horton is ready to "lead an army" to fight for changes in Oklahoma nursing home laws.

One adviser argues the case against buying long-term care insurance.

Medicare: 

The DHHS Inspector General found that millions of dollars in drug benefits went to prisoners who were not eligible.

States meld Medicare and Medicaid as they seek to reduce costs.

Under-observation, or inpatient, a frustrating Medicare catch in hospitals.

Managed Care:

State are continuing to shift nursing home patients into Medicaid Managed Care programs.

ASCOG Advocate: February 7, 2014

Original theatrical release poster.

On this date, in 1940, Walt Disney released its second full-length animated film, Pinocchio. 

The film won two Academy Awards.  One was for "Best Music, Original Song."  What was the name of the song that won?

In the news: 

Governor Fallin proposed a five percent budget cut to state agencies.

Researchers turned adult cells back into stem cells allowing research to continue in a less controversial manner.

Americans consume too much added sugar and it's killing us.

Medicare:

The Congressional Business Office announced a "broad and persistent" slowdown in the growth of Medicare costs.

Lawmakers are still working on a permanent "patch" to prevent steep cuts in Medicare reimbursement rates to physicians.

Alzheimer's and Dementia:

An innovative community in Amsterdam earned the name, "Dementia Village."

Long-term Care:

Moving people out of nursing homes proves to be a difficult task.

A new trend in nursing homes focuses on providing a feeling like you are at home.

Mental Health:

Early treatment of depression may ward off heart attacks and strokes.

ASCOG Advocate: January 31, 2014

The building in which the 3M company was founded,
Two Harbors, MN.

On this date, in 1930, 3M began marketing a new brand of tape, known in some parts of the world as Sellotape.  The American brand name was a pejorative from the 1920s meaning "stingy."  

What is the common American brand name of this tape?

In the News:

A Blanchard nursing home resident was found dead in a van just outside the nursing home.  Her son spoke on the loss of his mother and her quality of care.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin proposed a new income tax cut.

More Obamacare fears based on the unlikely; the death debt.

Maryland hospitals encouraged to reduce healthcare costs through community partnerships.

A toxin known more commonly for causing foodborne illnesses is linked to multiple sclerosis.

Testosterone treatments linked to heart attacks.

DDT exposure may increase risk of Alzheimer's.

The Oklahoma chapter of the Alzheimer's Association opens a Lawton office.

Registration is now open for the 2014 Senior Day at the Capitol.

Oklahoma Legislature:

The Oklahoma Policy Institute has released the 2014 Oklahoma Legislative Primer.

Disabilities:

Disabilities will not stop two Florida marathoners.

The Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals decided to put beneficiary appeals on the front burner.

A Syracuse disabilities agency was sued under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Dementia and Alzheimer's:

Students provide innovative designs to help dementia patients.

A documentary chronicles the efforts of one social worker to get iPods to every Alzheimer's patient in America.

Medicare/Medicaid Fraud:

An Illinois hospice owner allegedly bilked Medicare out of millions of dollars.

The DHHS Inspector General released a report showing Medicaid overpays millions for diapers.

CMS is cracking down on doctors who habitually overbill Medicare.

Florida hospital chain accused of endemic Medicare fraud.

Caregivers:

Debra Whitman:  The cost of being a caregiver.

Safety is a constant concern for many caregivers.

Nursing Homes and LTC Facilities:

The Fed fined an Iowa nursing home for evicting an ailing veteran with unpaid bills.

New Oklahoma legislation requires nursing home to use more stringent screening for certain patient care positions.

David Satterfield, Jr., admitted to dosing a nursing home patient with lethal amount of insulin in 2007.

Senior Living:

Sex and the single senior; concern about rising rate of STDs.

Four fitness tests that can estimate your life expectancy.

A $250 prize is being offered for the winning theme for the 2014 National Senior Health and Fitness Day.

ASCOG Advocate, January 24, 2014

Shōichi Yokoi

On this date, in 1972, Sgt. Shoichi Yokoi was discovered hiding in isolation since the end of this war.

What was the war in which Sgt. Shoichi Yokoi fought?

A Missouri senator files a Medicaid overhaul; bill that would require adults and children to choose from HMO type providers, but would exclude older persons and persons with disabilities from the HMO plan.

CMS updated their fact sheet on Medicare and the Health Insurance Marketplace.

NYC doormen are being trained in how to spot elder abuse.

Social Security announced new compassionate allowance conditions to expedite disability decisions.

High-tech devices can help Boomers age in place.

Mark your calendars for the 2014 Oklahoma Conference on Aging, May 20-22.  

ASCOG Advocate: January 17, 2014

Captain James Crook

On this date, in 1773, Captain James Crook and his crew became the first Europeans to sail beyond this latitudinal circle in search of a continent they failed to find.

What was the name of the latitudinal circle they crossed?

A new bi-partisan bill could reform Medicare from fee-for-service to coordinated chronic care.

The insurance industry launched a seven-figure advertising campaign to convince Congress to not change Medicare Advantage programs.

FTC and Florida Attorney General sue to halt operations of Medical Alert robocalls.

A former director of a Virginia area agency on aging was convicted of embezzling more than $10,000.

A Georgia nursing home optometrist received a 33-month sentence for over-billing Medicare over $500,000.

Several West Virginia nursing homes were in emergency response mode following a large chemical spill.

The Obama administration is considering a new Medicare rule that would remove protected status from antidepressants, antipsychotics and immunosuppresant drugs.

Oklahoma's Medicaid program had the lowest payment error rate among 17 states.

Oklahoma is already listed in the low-moderate range of health care spending without changing to the HMO-type managed care model.

A new Medicaid rule requires person-centered care for home and community-based services.

Two words that cost Medicare patients thousands of dollars.

Brain training can have a long-term positive impact for the elderly.

Men who drink more than 2.5 servings of alcohol per day show mental decline in next decade.