A Report from
Harvard School of Public Health–MetLife Foundation Initiative
on Retirement and Civic Engagement
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
Approximately 77 million babies were born in the United States during the boom years of 1946 to
1964. In 2011, the oldest will turn 65, and, on average, can expect to live to 83. Many will
continue well into their 90s.
The baby boomers soon will have the opportunity to redefine the meaning and purpose of the
older years. As some of the demands of work and family that have commanded their attention in
mid-life recede, boomers will have the potential to become a social resource of unprecedented
proportions by actively participating in the life of their communities.
But will they participate? Compared to their parents' generation, the so-called "Greatest
Generation," boomers have done less by every measure of civic engagement, including rates of
voting and joining community groups. Given this reality, Reinventing Aging: Baby Boomers and
Civic Engagement, a report from the Harvard School of Public Health–MetLife Foundation
Initiative on Retirement and Civic Engagement, examines these questions:
• Can a national effort succeed in mobilizing large numbers of boomers to contribute their
time, skills, and experience to address community problems?
• If boomers respond in large numbers, will civic organizations of various kinds be
prepared to receive them?
• What roles can the news media, the advertising industry, and Hollywood play in helping
society redefine the meaning and purpose of the older years
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
)Over 80 on the Internet
I get a lot of strange kind of looks when I tell people my grandma has a blog," said Cora Huffman of Moxee, Lemaster's 31-year-old granddaughter.
Internet use by seniors is on the rise, according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, which released surveys on the subject in 2000 and 2004. The percentage of Americans 65 or older who go online jumped from 15 percent in 2000 to 22 percent in 2004 and appeared to be on an upward trajectory, the studies found.
"There are a lot of people who are 80 and over who are using computers and the Internet," said Phil Carnahan, a consultant with SeniorNet, a national group that offers computer training to seniors.
Carnahan, a 75-year-old retiree who lives in Sparks, Nev., said most people his age don't blog; but they are online and they use e-mail heavily.
"The biggest reason you have for people who come in (to a SeniorNet center) is they want to be able to correspond with their family," he said. "They want to e-mail their grandchildren."
Still, there is a relatively small proportion of seniors online compared with other age groups. There are older bloggers than Lemaster out there, but among her contemporaries it's still unusual.
"I don't think I've even told any of my friends," she said of her blog, which is frequented by family members and the occasional stranger who stumbles upon it. "They're not into computers. They wouldn't know what I was talking about."
Internet use by seniors is on the rise, according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, which released surveys on the subject in 2000 and 2004. The percentage of Americans 65 or older who go online jumped from 15 percent in 2000 to 22 percent in 2004 and appeared to be on an upward trajectory, the studies found.
"There are a lot of people who are 80 and over who are using computers and the Internet," said Phil Carnahan, a consultant with SeniorNet, a national group that offers computer training to seniors.
Carnahan, a 75-year-old retiree who lives in Sparks, Nev., said most people his age don't blog; but they are online and they use e-mail heavily.
"The biggest reason you have for people who come in (to a SeniorNet center) is they want to be able to correspond with their family," he said. "They want to e-mail their grandchildren."
Still, there is a relatively small proportion of seniors online compared with other age groups. There are older bloggers than Lemaster out there, but among her contemporaries it's still unusual.
"I don't think I've even told any of my friends," she said of her blog, which is frequented by family members and the occasional stranger who stumbles upon it. "They're not into computers. They wouldn't know what I was talking about."
Modern computerized systems
Modern computerized systems have links to online information on best practices, treatment recommendations and harmful drug interactions. The potential benefits include fewer unnecessary tests, reduced medical errors and better care so patients are less likely to require costly treatment in hospitals.
The widespread adoption of electronic health records might also greatly increase evidence-based medicine. Each patient’s records add to a real-time, ever-growing database of evidence showing what works and what does not. The goal is to harness health information from individuals and populations, share it across networks, sift it and analyze it to make the practice of medicine more of a science and less an art.
The widespread adoption of electronic health records might also greatly increase evidence-based medicine. Each patient’s records add to a real-time, ever-growing database of evidence showing what works and what does not. The goal is to harness health information from individuals and populations, share it across networks, sift it and analyze it to make the practice of medicine more of a science and less an art.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
SAVING WITH GENERIAC DRUGS
Perhaps the greatest savings on generic brands comes in the pharmaceutical industry. According to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, in 2006 the average retail price of a generic prescription drug purchase was $32.23, while brand-name drugs went for an average of $111.02.
“The price is the only significant difference,” said Charlie Mayr, spokesman for the Generic Pharmaceuticals Association. “In terms of the way that it is absorbed by the body and the way it works, it is exactly the same.”
About 67 percent of all prescriptions filled in the United States are generic drugs. There are at least 8,730 generic equivalents to the 11,487 prescription drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
“Particularly now with the economy in the condition it is in and people looking for ways to meet their current bills, some people are considering whether or not to continue their medications,” Mayr said. “Generic brands offer them the ability to do both - to continue the medication they need and to have extra money for the bills that they have.”
Rashiv Lal, a marketing professor at Harvard Busine
“The price is the only significant difference,” said Charlie Mayr, spokesman for the Generic Pharmaceuticals Association. “In terms of the way that it is absorbed by the body and the way it works, it is exactly the same.”
About 67 percent of all prescriptions filled in the United States are generic drugs. There are at least 8,730 generic equivalents to the 11,487 prescription drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
“Particularly now with the economy in the condition it is in and people looking for ways to meet their current bills, some people are considering whether or not to continue their medications,” Mayr said. “Generic brands offer them the ability to do both - to continue the medication they need and to have extra money for the bills that they have.”
Rashiv Lal, a marketing professor at Harvard Busine
Saturday, November 15, 2008
covering illegal imigrants
Hospitals are required to screen and treat all those who arrive at their emergency rooms. But they receive only partial compensation for illegal immigrants, through emergency Medicaid and, for the last few years, through Section 1011 of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, a program that expired in October. That partial coverage ends when the patient is stabilized.
But hospitals are also required to discharge safely patients who need continuing care, leading to their quandary: they generally cannot find nursing homes to accept illegal immigrants, or legal ones with less than five years' residency, because long-term care is not covered by emergency Medicaid.
But hospitals are also required to discharge safely patients who need continuing care, leading to their quandary: they generally cannot find nursing homes to accept illegal immigrants, or legal ones with less than five years' residency, because long-term care is not covered by emergency Medicaid.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
FY08 Funding for Prescription Advantage
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The fiscal year 2008 budget included over $60.5 million to fund Prescription Advantage. This funding level for Prescription Advantage is based on Medicare Part D providing the primary prescription drug coverage for most of the program’s members and Prescription Advantage providing supplemental assistance with Part D premiums, co-payments, deductibles and coverage gaps. Prescription Advantage will continue to provide primary coverage for members not eligible for Medicare.
Please note: The legislation which funds Prescription Advantage requires the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to operate the program within its appropriation for the current fiscal year; thus, during the course of the year, the Plan may be required to impose cost containment measures”.
The fiscal year 2008 budget included over $60.5 million to fund Prescription Advantage. This funding level for Prescription Advantage is based on Medicare Part D providing the primary prescription drug coverage for most of the program’s members and Prescription Advantage providing supplemental assistance with Part D premiums, co-payments, deductibles and coverage gaps. Prescription Advantage will continue to provide primary coverage for members not eligible for Medicare.
Please note: The legislation which funds Prescription Advantage requires the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to operate the program within its appropriation for the current fiscal year; thus, during the course of the year, the Plan may be required to impose cost containment measures”.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
VA'S Presciption Drug System
A groundbreaking study, by Frank R. Lichtenberg, Ph.D. of the Columbia School of Business, should put such comparisons to rest. In Older Drugs, Shorter Lives? An Examination of the Health Effects of the Veterans Health Administration Formulary, Dr. Lichtenberg shows the VH approach is not about prices or genuine negotiations. With the VA's tight budget, it is all about restricting veterans' access to new (and many old) medications to save dollars and hit budget targets.
The VA's highly restrictive national formulary excludes 62% of drugs approved by the FDA during the 1990's and 81% of new medications approved since 2000. Even worse, the drug benefit designed for our nation's veterans does not pay for a staggering 78% of new, high-priority prescription drugs approved by the FDA on an expedited basis since 1997 because of their life-saving impact. By comparison, commercial health plans, Medicare Part D drug plans, and state Medicaid programs cover the vast majority of new drugs and move quick to add coverage for most drugs given fast-track by the FDA.
Dr. Lichtenberg's 2005 study shows that the VA's prescription drug system - seen by many as the "model" for Medicare Part D - reduced the life span and survival rates of vets since its 1997 introduction. Note to Congress: Death is always cheaper than life but rarely preferable.
The VA's highly restrictive national formulary excludes 62% of drugs approved by the FDA during the 1990's and 81% of new medications approved since 2000. Even worse, the drug benefit designed for our nation's veterans does not pay for a staggering 78% of new, high-priority prescription drugs approved by the FDA on an expedited basis since 1997 because of their life-saving impact. By comparison, commercial health plans, Medicare Part D drug plans, and state Medicaid programs cover the vast majority of new drugs and move quick to add coverage for most drugs given fast-track by the FDA.
Dr. Lichtenberg's 2005 study shows that the VA's prescription drug system - seen by many as the "model" for Medicare Part D - reduced the life span and survival rates of vets since its 1997 introduction. Note to Congress: Death is always cheaper than life but rarely preferable.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
PRESCRITION DRUGS (GENERICS)
4. Prescription Drugs
The FDA must certify all generic medications (including over-the-counter products) as having the same quantity of active ingredient, and no significant difference in performance, says Gabriel Levitt, vice president of research for pharmacy-rating site PharmacyChecker.com. Going generic could cost you as much as 50% less. Just ask your doctor to note on prescriptions when the generic equivalent is OK.
Even if you're insured, tiered co-pays can offer substantial savings for switching to generics, says Tod Marks, senior editor for Consumer Reports. Blue Cross Blue Shield New England, for example, charges $5 for most generic medications, compared with $10 to $25 for brand names. Fill a prescription through Target or Wal-Mart's $4 generic prescription program, and save even more.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Medicare off the hook?
Conservative Republicans still hate Medicare, and would kill it if they could — in fact, they tried to gut it during the Clinton years (that’s what the 1995 shutdown of the government was all about). But so far they haven’t been able to pull that off.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Hedge fund
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial regulation
v • d • e
A hedge fund is a private investment fund open to a limited range of investors which is permitted by regulators to undertake a wider range of activities than other investment funds and which pays a performance fee to its investment manager. Although each fund will have its own strategy which determines the type of investments and the methods of investment it undertakes, hedge funds as a class invest in a broad range of investments, from shares, debt and commodities to works of art.
As the name implies, hedge funds often seek to offset potential losses in the principal markets they invest in by hedging their investments using a variety of methods, most notably short selling. However, the term "hedge fund" has come to be applied to many funds that do not actually hedge their investments, and in particular to funds using short selling and other "hedging" methods to increase rather than reduce risk, with the expectation of increasing return.
Hedge funds are typically open only to a limited range of professional or wealthy investors. This provides them with an exemption in many jurisdictions from regulations governing short selling, derivative contracts, leverage, fee structures and the liquidity of investments in the fund. A hedge fund will nevertheless voluntarily limit the scope of its activities via its contractual arrangements with its investors, in order to give the investors some certainty over what they are investing into.
The assets under management of a hedge fund can run into many billions of dollars, and this will usually be multiplied by leverage, meaning that their influence over markets is substantial. Hedge funds dominate certain specialty markets such as trading within derivatives with high-yield ratings and distressed debt.[1]
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Aging Servies THE FACTS
FOR INFORMATION AND REVIEW KEEPING OUR SENIORS SAFE IN A NEIGHBORHOOK ENVIRONMENT
Aging Services: The Facts
General Facts
Misconceptions
Workforce
Caregiving
Not-for-Profit Aging Services
Long-term Care Insurance
Global Aging
General Facts
Need
By 2026, the population of Americans ages 65 and older will double to 71.5 million.
Between 2007 and 2015, the number of Americans ages 85 and older is expected to increase by 40 percent.
Among people turning 65 today, 69 percent will need some form of long-term care, whether in the community or in a residential care facility.
By 2020, 12 million older Americans will need long-term health care. (HIAA, "A Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance", 2002)
Availability
There are 16,100 certified nursing homes in the United States.
There are 39,500 assisted living facilities in the United States.
There are 1,900 continuing care retirement communities in the United States.
There are more than 300,000 units of Section 202 affordable senior housing available in the United States.
For each Section 202 affordable senior housing unit that is available, there are ten eligible seniors on waiting lists for it. The average time an eligible senior is on the waiting list is 13.4 months.
Cost
The average daily cost for a private room in a nursing home is $213, or $77,745 annually.
The average daily cost for a semi-private room in a nursing home is $189, or $68,985 annually.
The average monthly cost of living in an assisted living facility is $2,969, or $35,628 annually.
The average monthly cost of living in a not-for-profit Continuing Care Retirement Community is $2,672, or $32,064 annually.
The average monthly rate for assisted living facilities that charge additional fees for Alzheimer’s and dementia care is $4,270, or $51,240 annually.
To move into a community, individuals must also pay an entry fee ranging from $60,000 to $120,000.
The average hourly rate for a certified home health aide is $32.37.
The average hourly rate for a uncertified home health aide is $19.00.
The national average daily rate for adult day centers is $61. (2007 MetLife Market Survey of Adult Day Services & Home Care Costs)
The national average hourly rate for homemakers/companions is $18. (2007 MetLife Market Survey of Adult Day Services & Home Care Costs)
Who Pays
Nearly 40 percent of long-term care spending is paid for by private funds.
Medicare, which covers rehabilitation services after an individual is discharged from a hospital, pays for 19 percent of all long-term care spending.
Medicaid, which covers health care costs for low-income individuals, pays for 49 percent of all long-term care spending.
Accounting for about 40 percent of total expenditures on nursing facilities, Medicaid's payments cover the care of more than half of all nursing home residents.
Use
There are more than 1.4 million nursing home residents in the United States.
An individual's average age when he or she moves into a nursing home is 79.
Women are almost three times as likely to live in nursing homes than men.
More than 900,000 individuals live in assisted living residences.
More than 150,000 individuals receive care and services at an adult day center.
There are more than 1.1 million seniors in some type of senior housing community in the United States.
There are approximately 745,000 older adults who live in continuing care retirement communities in the United States.
The average age of an individual moving into a continuing care retirement community is 78.
Nearly 1.4 million individuals receive home health services.
The average lifetime nursing home use per individual is one year, and the average home care use is a little over 200 visits.
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Misconceptions
Cost:
Only 8 percent of Americans over 45 can estimate the average monthly cost of a nursing homes within 20 percent of its actual cost.
Less than a quarter (23%) of Americans over 45 can estimate the monthly cost of an assisted living facility within 20 percent of its actual cost.
One in five (20%) Americans over 45 say they don't know the cost of an in-home visit from an aide.
Nearly 20 percent of Americans over 45 said that their estimates of long-term costs were "just a hunch."
Cost Coverage:
Close to one fifth of Americans over 45 (18%) responded that they "don't know" what funds will cover their long-term care costs.
More than 55 percent (59%) of Americans over 45 incorrectly believe that Medicare will pay for extended nursing home stay.
Fifty-two percent of Americans over 45 incorrectly believe Medicare covers assisted living costs.
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Workforce
Size:
Approximately 21% of all individuals working in health services are employed by nursing and residential care facilities.
There are approximately 1.39 million nursing assistants, orderlies and attendants, working in the United States today.
There are approximately 663,000 home health aides working in the United States today.
There are approximately 566,000 personal care and home care aides working in the United States today. Two-thirds of them work for home-based service providers.
There are approximately 16,000 licensed nursing home administrators working in the United States today.
Demographics:
On average, registered nurses working in long-term care are older than those in other health care settings. More than a third (36%) are over 50 and one in ten are over 60.
Women make up approximately 90 percent of the direct care workforce.
About half of direct care workers are racial or ethnic minorities. A third are African-American while 15 percent are Hispanic or other persons of color.
With a mean age of 46, home care workers are older than direct care workers in nursing homes, where the median worker age is 36. Additionally, the percentage of home care workers over 65 is three times that of direct care workers in nursing homes.
Twenty percent of certified nursing assistants and home health aides have not graduated from high school. More than 30 percent, however, have attended some college.
Approximately 50 percent of direct care workers are employed full-time, while only about a third of home care workers are full-time employees.
Need:
Overall, nearly 96,000 full-time equivalent nurses and other health care professionals are now needed to fill vacant positions in America's nursing homes.
In 2002, 15 percent registered nurses (RNs), 13 percent of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and 8.5 percent of certified nurse aide (CNA) positions in America's nursing homes were vacant.
By 2010, the number of vacant positions in nursing homes is expected reach 810,000.
The average annual turnover rate for licensed nursing home administrators is 43 percent.
The average national turnover rate for nurses working in aging services is 49 percent.
The average national turnover rate for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) is 71 percent.
The total cost of CNA turnover is more than $4 billion each year.
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Caregiving
An estimated 34 million Americans provide some care for a family member, age 50 or older. And as the baby boomers begin to retire, that number is going to climb even higher.
Ninety percent of individuals receive care at home get help from family and friends, and 80% rely solely on these individuals for assistance.
Informal caregivers are general between 45 and 64, and two-thirds are women.
A study from the National Association of Caregivers says the costs of home care average more than $5,500 a year — $400 more than the average household spends on health care and entertainment combined.
When the aging relative lives in another city, the costs run even higher. On average, long-distance caregivers spend nearly $9,000 a year.
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Not-for-Profit Aging Services
Not-for-profit organizations manage 31% of all nursing homes in the United States.
Not-for-profit organizations manage approximately 80% of all continuing care retirement communities in the United States.
Not-for-profit organizations manage 78% of all adult day centers in the United States.
Not-for-profit organizations manage 45% of home health agencies in the United States.
There are 1,520 not-for-profit retirement communities in the United States.
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Long-term Care Insurance
The average annual long-term care premium for individuals under 65 is $1,337.
The average premium for individuals over 65 is $2,862.
The average long-term care insurance policy purchased by a 65-year-old and held until death pays out 82 cents for every dollar.
Since 1987, fewer than 10 million Americans have bought long-term care insurance, and only about 7 million of those policies remain in force today.
Almost 30 percent of Americans over 45 have purchased a long-term care insurance policy.
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Global Aging
Each month, the world's elderly population of people increases by 795,000.
China's population includes 88 million elderly individuals, making it the world's "oldest" country.
The elderly population in Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan and Spain outnumbers that of children.
Last Updated : 4/16/2008 9:55:43 AM
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
http://www.aahsa.org/aging_services/default.asp#5
Aging Services: The Facts
General Facts
Misconceptions
Workforce
Caregiving
Not-for-Profit Aging Services
Long-term Care Insurance
Global Aging
General Facts
Need
By 2026, the population of Americans ages 65 and older will double to 71.5 million.
Between 2007 and 2015, the number of Americans ages 85 and older is expected to increase by 40 percent.
Among people turning 65 today, 69 percent will need some form of long-term care, whether in the community or in a residential care facility.
By 2020, 12 million older Americans will need long-term health care. (HIAA, "A Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance", 2002)
Availability
There are 16,100 certified nursing homes in the United States.
There are 39,500 assisted living facilities in the United States.
There are 1,900 continuing care retirement communities in the United States.
There are more than 300,000 units of Section 202 affordable senior housing available in the United States.
For each Section 202 affordable senior housing unit that is available, there are ten eligible seniors on waiting lists for it. The average time an eligible senior is on the waiting list is 13.4 months.
Cost
The average daily cost for a private room in a nursing home is $213, or $77,745 annually.
The average daily cost for a semi-private room in a nursing home is $189, or $68,985 annually.
The average monthly cost of living in an assisted living facility is $2,969, or $35,628 annually.
The average monthly cost of living in a not-for-profit Continuing Care Retirement Community is $2,672, or $32,064 annually.
The average monthly rate for assisted living facilities that charge additional fees for Alzheimer’s and dementia care is $4,270, or $51,240 annually.
To move into a community, individuals must also pay an entry fee ranging from $60,000 to $120,000.
The average hourly rate for a certified home health aide is $32.37.
The average hourly rate for a uncertified home health aide is $19.00.
The national average daily rate for adult day centers is $61. (2007 MetLife Market Survey of Adult Day Services & Home Care Costs)
The national average hourly rate for homemakers/companions is $18. (2007 MetLife Market Survey of Adult Day Services & Home Care Costs)
Who Pays
Nearly 40 percent of long-term care spending is paid for by private funds.
Medicare, which covers rehabilitation services after an individual is discharged from a hospital, pays for 19 percent of all long-term care spending.
Medicaid, which covers health care costs for low-income individuals, pays for 49 percent of all long-term care spending.
Accounting for about 40 percent of total expenditures on nursing facilities, Medicaid's payments cover the care of more than half of all nursing home residents.
Use
There are more than 1.4 million nursing home residents in the United States.
An individual's average age when he or she moves into a nursing home is 79.
Women are almost three times as likely to live in nursing homes than men.
More than 900,000 individuals live in assisted living residences.
More than 150,000 individuals receive care and services at an adult day center.
There are more than 1.1 million seniors in some type of senior housing community in the United States.
There are approximately 745,000 older adults who live in continuing care retirement communities in the United States.
The average age of an individual moving into a continuing care retirement community is 78.
Nearly 1.4 million individuals receive home health services.
The average lifetime nursing home use per individual is one year, and the average home care use is a little over 200 visits.
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Misconceptions
Cost:
Only 8 percent of Americans over 45 can estimate the average monthly cost of a nursing homes within 20 percent of its actual cost.
Less than a quarter (23%) of Americans over 45 can estimate the monthly cost of an assisted living facility within 20 percent of its actual cost.
One in five (20%) Americans over 45 say they don't know the cost of an in-home visit from an aide.
Nearly 20 percent of Americans over 45 said that their estimates of long-term costs were "just a hunch."
Cost Coverage:
Close to one fifth of Americans over 45 (18%) responded that they "don't know" what funds will cover their long-term care costs.
More than 55 percent (59%) of Americans over 45 incorrectly believe that Medicare will pay for extended nursing home stay.
Fifty-two percent of Americans over 45 incorrectly believe Medicare covers assisted living costs.
Back to Top
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Workforce
Size:
Approximately 21% of all individuals working in health services are employed by nursing and residential care facilities.
There are approximately 1.39 million nursing assistants, orderlies and attendants, working in the United States today.
There are approximately 663,000 home health aides working in the United States today.
There are approximately 566,000 personal care and home care aides working in the United States today. Two-thirds of them work for home-based service providers.
There are approximately 16,000 licensed nursing home administrators working in the United States today.
Demographics:
On average, registered nurses working in long-term care are older than those in other health care settings. More than a third (36%) are over 50 and one in ten are over 60.
Women make up approximately 90 percent of the direct care workforce.
About half of direct care workers are racial or ethnic minorities. A third are African-American while 15 percent are Hispanic or other persons of color.
With a mean age of 46, home care workers are older than direct care workers in nursing homes, where the median worker age is 36. Additionally, the percentage of home care workers over 65 is three times that of direct care workers in nursing homes.
Twenty percent of certified nursing assistants and home health aides have not graduated from high school. More than 30 percent, however, have attended some college.
Approximately 50 percent of direct care workers are employed full-time, while only about a third of home care workers are full-time employees.
Need:
Overall, nearly 96,000 full-time equivalent nurses and other health care professionals are now needed to fill vacant positions in America's nursing homes.
In 2002, 15 percent registered nurses (RNs), 13 percent of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and 8.5 percent of certified nurse aide (CNA) positions in America's nursing homes were vacant.
By 2010, the number of vacant positions in nursing homes is expected reach 810,000.
The average annual turnover rate for licensed nursing home administrators is 43 percent.
The average national turnover rate for nurses working in aging services is 49 percent.
The average national turnover rate for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) is 71 percent.
The total cost of CNA turnover is more than $4 billion each year.
Back to Top
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Caregiving
An estimated 34 million Americans provide some care for a family member, age 50 or older. And as the baby boomers begin to retire, that number is going to climb even higher.
Ninety percent of individuals receive care at home get help from family and friends, and 80% rely solely on these individuals for assistance.
Informal caregivers are general between 45 and 64, and two-thirds are women.
A study from the National Association of Caregivers says the costs of home care average more than $5,500 a year — $400 more than the average household spends on health care and entertainment combined.
When the aging relative lives in another city, the costs run even higher. On average, long-distance caregivers spend nearly $9,000 a year.
Back to Top
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not-for-Profit Aging Services
Not-for-profit organizations manage 31% of all nursing homes in the United States.
Not-for-profit organizations manage approximately 80% of all continuing care retirement communities in the United States.
Not-for-profit organizations manage 78% of all adult day centers in the United States.
Not-for-profit organizations manage 45% of home health agencies in the United States.
There are 1,520 not-for-profit retirement communities in the United States.
Back to Top
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Long-term Care Insurance
The average annual long-term care premium for individuals under 65 is $1,337.
The average premium for individuals over 65 is $2,862.
The average long-term care insurance policy purchased by a 65-year-old and held until death pays out 82 cents for every dollar.
Since 1987, fewer than 10 million Americans have bought long-term care insurance, and only about 7 million of those policies remain in force today.
Almost 30 percent of Americans over 45 have purchased a long-term care insurance policy.
Back to Top
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Global Aging
Each month, the world's elderly population of people increases by 795,000.
China's population includes 88 million elderly individuals, making it the world's "oldest" country.
The elderly population in Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan and Spain outnumbers that of children.
Last Updated : 4/16/2008 9:55:43 AM
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
http://www.aahsa.org/aging_services/default.asp#5
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE
Healthcare Policy: providing access to health insurance and making it affordable, passing SCHIP expansion to cover working class families earning 300% of the federal poverty level or approximately $60K/Yr. for a family of 4, creating a healthcare purchasing exchange similar to what members of Congress enjoy, a Medicare Buy-in option, mandatory COBRA to age 65, increasing access to medical facilities and allowing National Guardsmen and Reservists to be eligible for TRICARE.
A plan also calls for lowering the cost of prescription drugs and, because of our proximity to Canada, allowing prescription drug reimportation if the prescriptions are safe and more affordable. Powers also calls for breaking up monopolies and increasing competition, citing the 400 healthcare mergers in the past decade.
Additionally, Powers' plan calls for electronic medical records to save money (and potentially avert health problems in emergencies), aid for small businesses for catastrophic care, phasing out of excessive Medicare overpayments to HMOs, and ensuring premiums are spent on patients.
After listening to seniors' concerns about the high costs of prescriptions , health insurance companies assessing risk pools like those for auto insurance. answer simple "Take away the incentive for it."
Monday, September 8, 2008
WHEN DOCTORS DO THEIR JOB ELDERLY FALL LESS
Yuk. A study in today’s NY Times reports that percentage of elderly people who fall drops by 11% if the doctor actually asks them if they are prone to falls — then takes their blood pressure lying down and standing, treats it properly, and then reduces their other medication. How ironic that the doctor who did the study notes she can’t estimate the cost of this ‘prevention’ program because it ought to be part of standard care. Exactly.
So — in the absence of standard care, falls among the elderly account for 10% of emergency room visits and 6% of hospitalizations for those 65 and older.
Thus is born the market for fall detection offerings — like Intel’s research and future product offering.
Where there’s a lack of will, there’s a way.
Entry Filed under:
MALDEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CALENDAR
Malden -
The Malden Chamber of Commerce has set up a Community Calendar on its Web site, maldenchamber.org. A letter to all Clubs, organizations and schools has been sent to offer this Google-based calendar service, free of charge.
The calendar can be viewed by anyone in the community, 24 hours a day to see what’s going on in Malden. It will help organizers plan their fundraisers so the event doesn’t conflict with others already planned for the same date.
To notify the Chamber of an upcoming event to be posted on the calendar, e-mail the date, organization hosting, time, location, cost, and contact person with phone and email to maurene@maldenchamber.org. Or, fax it to 781-322-4866, or mail it to Malden Chamber of Commerce, Malden Government Center, 200 Pleasant Street, Suite 416, Malden, Mass., 02148.
For more information, call the Chamber office at 781-322-4500.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Fannie was created during the depths of the Great Depression, and Freddie in 1970, to help make mortgages more affordable for homeowners. The companies buy billions of dollars in mortgages each month from commercial lenders. Some are sold to investors as mortgage-backed securities; others are held by the companies in their own investment portfolios.
The plan represents a cease-fire in a decades-long ideological battle over the proper role of the companies. Free-market conservatives see the companies as extensions of “big government,” while Democrats have protected them as the main vehicle to promote affordable housing for middle- and lower-income people.
The plan represents a cease-fire in a decades-long ideological battle over the proper role of the companies. Free-market conservatives see the companies as extensions of “big government,” while Democrats have protected them as the main vehicle to promote affordable housing for middle- and lower-income people.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Heakth Care Reforms
Are the democrats likely to pass bold health reforms or are they afraid to rock the private insurance boat? The country has a consensus for expanded health coverage, but experience shows you can't achieve universal coverage at an affordable price unless you throw out the insurance companies overhead and profit. Have the Democrats learned this lesson or is 'universal coverage,' merely a euphemism for the right to purchase private health insurance? Has health reform flatlined
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Caring for your aging parents.
We live in a very mobile society where family members don’t always live in the same town or even the same state. In fact, according to the National Institute on Aging, approximately seven million Americans are long-distance caregivers, mostly caring for aging parents who live more than an hour away.
“It’s only natural that adult children of seniors will have some concerns about how their aging parents are doing, especially if they are apart during the holiday season,” said a member of the Right at Home office. “Identifying strategies for long-distance caregiving will make the challenges of caring for aging parents or loved ones more manageable.”
Below are tips from Right at Home for long-distance caregiving:
1) Establish Support Contacts in Your Aging Parents’ Community – Make a list of family, friends and neighbors’ phone numbers and addresses. Ask if you can check in with them to find out how your loved one is doing. They may also be willing to stop by your loved one's home for regular visits.
2) Stay in Touch With Your Parents – Keep in regular touch with your loved one by phone, letters, and e-mail. Record any changes you sense in his or her personality or ability to function day by day.
3) Make Observations During Visits – When you are able to visit your parents, pay attention to any changes in grooming, eating, or social activities. Look for changes in the way he or she manages money, cleans, shops, and gets around.
4) Keep Track of Important Information – Find out where your parents keep important documents such as his or her insurance policies, bank account numbers, investments, living will and power of attorney (for legal, financial, and health care purposes). It’s also beneficial to have a list of physicians that your relative is seeing, and any hospitals or clinics that are involved in his or her medical care, and any medications he or she is taking.
5) Look into Professional Help Options – There are several options for aging parents who need additional assistance. In home caregiving agencies, such as Right at Home, provide services such as companionship, meal preparation, and light housekeeping to help seniors continue to live independently with the help of a caregiver.
6) Identify Community Resources – Research local area agencies on aging, senior centers, churches, synagogues, or other volunteer organizations about available resources for seniors. To locate the area agency on aging, individuals can call Eldercare Locator, public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, toll-free at (800) 677-1116 or visit www.eldercare.gov.
7) Involve Your Parent – Allow your parents to retain as much decision-making ability as possible. Remember that your primary objective is to help your loved one to fulfill his/her needs, not to take over your relative’s life. In some situations, when your loved one is unable to make decisions, you may need to do so on his/her behalf.
8) Take Time for Yourself – Caregiving can have an emotional and physical toll on caregivers, especially when done long-distance. Make sure you are eating right, getting enough rest, exercising regularly and keeping up with your own medical needs.
Remember, the holiday season is a time for family, togetherness and making memories. By taking the time to address these long-distance caregiving issues, your family will have the much-needed sense of security, comfort and hopefully the ability to create new memories with your aging loved ones for many years to come!
“It’s only natural that adult children of seniors will have some concerns about how their aging parents are doing, especially if they are apart during the holiday season,” said a member of the Right at Home office. “Identifying strategies for long-distance caregiving will make the challenges of caring for aging parents or loved ones more manageable.”
Below are tips from Right at Home for long-distance caregiving:
1) Establish Support Contacts in Your Aging Parents’ Community – Make a list of family, friends and neighbors’ phone numbers and addresses. Ask if you can check in with them to find out how your loved one is doing. They may also be willing to stop by your loved one's home for regular visits.
2) Stay in Touch With Your Parents – Keep in regular touch with your loved one by phone, letters, and e-mail. Record any changes you sense in his or her personality or ability to function day by day.
3) Make Observations During Visits – When you are able to visit your parents, pay attention to any changes in grooming, eating, or social activities. Look for changes in the way he or she manages money, cleans, shops, and gets around.
4) Keep Track of Important Information – Find out where your parents keep important documents such as his or her insurance policies, bank account numbers, investments, living will and power of attorney (for legal, financial, and health care purposes). It’s also beneficial to have a list of physicians that your relative is seeing, and any hospitals or clinics that are involved in his or her medical care, and any medications he or she is taking.
5) Look into Professional Help Options – There are several options for aging parents who need additional assistance. In home caregiving agencies, such as Right at Home, provide services such as companionship, meal preparation, and light housekeeping to help seniors continue to live independently with the help of a caregiver.
6) Identify Community Resources – Research local area agencies on aging, senior centers, churches, synagogues, or other volunteer organizations about available resources for seniors. To locate the area agency on aging, individuals can call Eldercare Locator, public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, toll-free at (800) 677-1116 or visit www.eldercare.gov.
7) Involve Your Parent – Allow your parents to retain as much decision-making ability as possible. Remember that your primary objective is to help your loved one to fulfill his/her needs, not to take over your relative’s life. In some situations, when your loved one is unable to make decisions, you may need to do so on his/her behalf.
8) Take Time for Yourself – Caregiving can have an emotional and physical toll on caregivers, especially when done long-distance. Make sure you are eating right, getting enough rest, exercising regularly and keeping up with your own medical needs.
Remember, the holiday season is a time for family, togetherness and making memories. By taking the time to address these long-distance caregiving issues, your family will have the much-needed sense of security, comfort and hopefully the ability to create new memories with your aging loved ones for many years to come!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Malden Trash tax
Effective Monday, Oct. 6, Malden will institute the program. All household trash must be disposed of in special light blue City of Malden trash bags.
The 33-gallon bags will cost $2 each and will be sold in boxes of 10. They will be available for purchase at Lamson and Davis Ace Hardware, 190 Commercial St.; the Super 88 Market, 188 Commercial St.; three Stop & Shop locations: 99 Charles St., 60 Broadway and 540 Squire Road, Revere, at the Malden line; certain Malden Government Center offices, 200 Pleasant St., the Malden Department of Public Works, and JRM Hauling and Recycling, 1130 Eastern Ave. (M—F, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.) in early September. Additional locations may be added in the future.
Under this new program, recyclables and yard waste will continue to be collected at no additional cost.
Recyclables are picked up weekly; yard waste pickup is on a seasonal schedule. Visit cityofmalden.org for more information.
Supported by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the pay-per-throw program encourages recycling, as those who recycle more will pay less to dispose of their trash.
Under the program, all Malden residents, not just homeowners, who use the city’s trash service, will be charged the same.
The 33-gallon bags will cost $2 each and will be sold in boxes of 10. They will be available for purchase at Lamson and Davis Ace Hardware, 190 Commercial St.; the Super 88 Market, 188 Commercial St.; three Stop & Shop locations: 99 Charles St., 60 Broadway and 540 Squire Road, Revere, at the Malden line; certain Malden Government Center offices, 200 Pleasant St., the Malden Department of Public Works, and JRM Hauling and Recycling, 1130 Eastern Ave. (M—F, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.) in early September. Additional locations may be added in the future.
Under this new program, recyclables and yard waste will continue to be collected at no additional cost.
Recyclables are picked up weekly; yard waste pickup is on a seasonal schedule. Visit cityofmalden.org for more information.
Supported by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the pay-per-throw program encourages recycling, as those who recycle more will pay less to dispose of their trash.
Under the program, all Malden residents, not just homeowners, who use the city’s trash service, will be charged the same.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Filing a bill State Legislature
Massachusetts citizens are permitted and encouraged to take an active
role in the lawmaking process of the state legislature. It is a good
idea for a person who feels strongly about an issue to present his or
her ideas to a representative or senator. That person may discover that
those concerns have already been formulated into a bill which is
awaiting legislative action. If not, the citizen is allowed to file
legislation addressing the subject. Massachusetts is one of the few
states to allow its citizens to do so. This access is called the "right
of free petition."
Although it is not mandatory that a representative or senator sponsor a
citizen's bill, the rules of the House and Senate provide that a
petition must be endorsed for presentation by a member before it can be
considered by the General Court. Obtaining the support of individual
legislators, then, is most advisable.
Howard McGowan
role in the lawmaking process of the state legislature. It is a good
idea for a person who feels strongly about an issue to present his or
her ideas to a representative or senator. That person may discover that
those concerns have already been formulated into a bill which is
awaiting legislative action. If not, the citizen is allowed to file
legislation addressing the subject. Massachusetts is one of the few
states to allow its citizens to do so. This access is called the "right
of free petition."
Although it is not mandatory that a representative or senator sponsor a
citizen's bill, the rules of the House and Senate provide that a
petition must be endorsed for presentation by a member before it can be
considered by the General Court. Obtaining the support of individual
legislators, then, is most advisable.
Howard McGowan
Friday, August 1, 2008
Swingvote
Active Grannies: the New Soccer Moms?
In the publication Politico on Tuesday, Democratic strategist Mark Penn wrote about the enormous importance of the senior vote in the race for president, especially in states like Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Penn declares that key swing voters in this election may be “active grannies” - empty-nesters who have found a new freedom in their lives after their kids have left, and who look at the world very differently than do their kids graduating college. Top issues in these “older grannies’” lives include: making income after the age of 65, fighting age discrimination, getting plugged into technology, having access to the latest medical treatments and good doctors through Medicare, and dealing with their families’ being torn apart by career-driven migration. In the coming months, active grannies are expected to be major viewers of cable television, the conventions and the debates. Fifteen percent of seniors surveyed in a recent poll were undecided, and 4 to 5% of undecided senior voters could be enough to tip the election.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Health Care
Gas prices are in the political spotlight right now; this year's spike has been painful and the calls for action — and heads — have pushed other issues to the side. But it is worth remembering that when it comes to real, sustained growth in costs, when it comes to real, sustained erosion of families' disposable income, gas still can't hold a candle to the real elephant in the room: health care.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
MIDDLE CLASS
The Middle Class in America Isn’t Happy
Posted in: individual
There has been a lot of talk about which presidential candidate has the best tax plan for “middle class” America. It’s an interesting question because I’m not sure that anyone can actually define “middle class” anymore - my readers seem to feel that it’s all over the place.
Middle class - as it’s widely defined - is generally defined as those families who are in the middle of income brackets. That can be confusing. Based on 2005 Census Bureau reports, 40% of Americans earned less than $36,000 a year (the bottom 20% earn less than $19,000). The next 40% - the so-called middle class - reported betwen $36,000 and $91,705 of earnings. The top 20% of earners, making $91,705 or more, earned 50% of the income reported in the US.
[Kelly’s geeky note: From a math perspective, that’s pretty interesting: while the richest 20% took in nearly 50% of income, the middle class (representing 40% of Americans) earned a fairly representative proportion of total income (37.5%).]
So there you have it, statistically you are middle class if you earn between $36,000 and $91,705 (adjusted for inflation since 2005) per year. Easy, right?
Not so fast.
There are a lot of factors that pure numbers don’t take into consideration including the size of your family and the cost of living in your geographical location. Lots of folks who make more than $75,000 per year may live comfortably in some areas of the world - but that kind of money won’t take you very far in areas like New York City or San Francisco where housing costs alone can easily reach $1 million for relatively modest homes.
The reality is that almost everyone thinks that they’re middle class, though of course, you can’t be. And realistically, you don’t want to be right now. Here’s why.
Elizabeth Warren, professor at Harvard Law School, just testified before the Joint Economic Committee in Congress that the middle class is suffering. How much so? Adjusted for inflation, median household income for middle class families has dropped by $1,175 between 2000 and 2007 - that represents a significant decline. While income is dropping, expenses are rising. The average family is spending $4,655 more each year on basic expenses, such as gas, food and health insurance.
Let’s talk the bane of my existence (as most working parents): child care costs. Families with children under the age of 5 spend $1,508 a month more on child care costs (yes, do the math, that’s more than $18,000) - older children cost about half that much. You don’t escape during the teens, either: the cost of sending a child to college has more than doubled over the last 20 years, far outpacing increases in income.
Also in the news these days are those folks who cannot afford housing. The proportion of families who spend more than 35% of income on housing has quadrupled in a single generation - a disproportionate number of middle class families spend nearly half of their income on housing. Two “middle class” Americans earning an average salary could not afford to pay the mortgage of a median-priced home in 2/3 of the nation’s metropolitan areas including my own Philadelphia (which is reasonably priced, I might add). In addition to the increased costs of housing stock, real estate taxes have also increased. Most municipalities have not tweaked their systems to account for a disproportionate increase in property “value” (albeit somewhat artificial) - this means that taxpayers are often paying too much (for reassessed properties at historic rates) or too little (for properties that have not been reassessed) in real estate tax from neighbor to neighbor. The high costs, as much as $10,000 in some middle class neighborhoods, are hitting folks in the pocketbook.
According to Warren, if you include real estate taxes, along with Medicare and other taxes, the total tax burden for a two income family today is 38% more compared to one income families a generation ago. And yes, I realize in a progressive tax system, that was bound to happen. It’s not so much that it happened that’s surprising, it’s what it means. It means less money in the pockets of middle class Americans at the end of the day.
Income is decreasing and expenses - including taxes - are increasing. So what are people doing? Charging up a storm. Credit card debt for middle-income families rose 75% between 1989 and 2001, according to Demos, a non-partisan public policy organization. Warren’s report claims that 10% of total disposable income in the United States goes to paying off credit cards. This, of course, jives with much of what you told me you would do with your economic stimulus check.
There has been a clamoring for a second stimulus package to offer some relief. Despite the rumors to the contrary, no such package has yet been seriously proposed. Jared Bernstein, senior economist with the Economic Policy Institute, has advised that a package should rely on getting funds together for the states, particularly for infrastructure projects, and not into the hands of taxpayers. Infrastructure means jobs - this was made abundantly clear when Congress thought about tinkering with the gas tax.
Second stimulus package or not, it’s clear that something needs to change. What is the breaking point before the middle class is no longer middle class?
Tags: America, cost of living, Economic Policy Institute, economic stimulus, economy, Elizabeth Warren, gas-tax, middle-class, second stimulus package
Posted in: individual
There has been a lot of talk about which presidential candidate has the best tax plan for “middle class” America. It’s an interesting question because I’m not sure that anyone can actually define “middle class” anymore - my readers seem to feel that it’s all over the place.
Middle class - as it’s widely defined - is generally defined as those families who are in the middle of income brackets. That can be confusing. Based on 2005 Census Bureau reports, 40% of Americans earned less than $36,000 a year (the bottom 20% earn less than $19,000). The next 40% - the so-called middle class - reported betwen $36,000 and $91,705 of earnings. The top 20% of earners, making $91,705 or more, earned 50% of the income reported in the US.
[Kelly’s geeky note: From a math perspective, that’s pretty interesting: while the richest 20% took in nearly 50% of income, the middle class (representing 40% of Americans) earned a fairly representative proportion of total income (37.5%).]
So there you have it, statistically you are middle class if you earn between $36,000 and $91,705 (adjusted for inflation since 2005) per year. Easy, right?
Not so fast.
There are a lot of factors that pure numbers don’t take into consideration including the size of your family and the cost of living in your geographical location. Lots of folks who make more than $75,000 per year may live comfortably in some areas of the world - but that kind of money won’t take you very far in areas like New York City or San Francisco where housing costs alone can easily reach $1 million for relatively modest homes.
The reality is that almost everyone thinks that they’re middle class, though of course, you can’t be. And realistically, you don’t want to be right now. Here’s why.
Elizabeth Warren, professor at Harvard Law School, just testified before the Joint Economic Committee in Congress that the middle class is suffering. How much so? Adjusted for inflation, median household income for middle class families has dropped by $1,175 between 2000 and 2007 - that represents a significant decline. While income is dropping, expenses are rising. The average family is spending $4,655 more each year on basic expenses, such as gas, food and health insurance.
Let’s talk the bane of my existence (as most working parents): child care costs. Families with children under the age of 5 spend $1,508 a month more on child care costs (yes, do the math, that’s more than $18,000) - older children cost about half that much. You don’t escape during the teens, either: the cost of sending a child to college has more than doubled over the last 20 years, far outpacing increases in income.
Also in the news these days are those folks who cannot afford housing. The proportion of families who spend more than 35% of income on housing has quadrupled in a single generation - a disproportionate number of middle class families spend nearly half of their income on housing. Two “middle class” Americans earning an average salary could not afford to pay the mortgage of a median-priced home in 2/3 of the nation’s metropolitan areas including my own Philadelphia (which is reasonably priced, I might add). In addition to the increased costs of housing stock, real estate taxes have also increased. Most municipalities have not tweaked their systems to account for a disproportionate increase in property “value” (albeit somewhat artificial) - this means that taxpayers are often paying too much (for reassessed properties at historic rates) or too little (for properties that have not been reassessed) in real estate tax from neighbor to neighbor. The high costs, as much as $10,000 in some middle class neighborhoods, are hitting folks in the pocketbook.
According to Warren, if you include real estate taxes, along with Medicare and other taxes, the total tax burden for a two income family today is 38% more compared to one income families a generation ago. And yes, I realize in a progressive tax system, that was bound to happen. It’s not so much that it happened that’s surprising, it’s what it means. It means less money in the pockets of middle class Americans at the end of the day.
Income is decreasing and expenses - including taxes - are increasing. So what are people doing? Charging up a storm. Credit card debt for middle-income families rose 75% between 1989 and 2001, according to Demos, a non-partisan public policy organization. Warren’s report claims that 10% of total disposable income in the United States goes to paying off credit cards. This, of course, jives with much of what you told me you would do with your economic stimulus check.
There has been a clamoring for a second stimulus package to offer some relief. Despite the rumors to the contrary, no such package has yet been seriously proposed. Jared Bernstein, senior economist with the Economic Policy Institute, has advised that a package should rely on getting funds together for the states, particularly for infrastructure projects, and not into the hands of taxpayers. Infrastructure means jobs - this was made abundantly clear when Congress thought about tinkering with the gas tax.
Second stimulus package or not, it’s clear that something needs to change. What is the breaking point before the middle class is no longer middle class?
Tags: America, cost of living, Economic Policy Institute, economic stimulus, economy, Elizabeth Warren, gas-tax, middle-class, second stimulus package
Monday, July 21, 2008
Medicare
http://www.newamerica.net/blog/new-health-dialogue/2008/reform-project-medicare-reform-ready-runway-5267
TRY THIS FOR MEDICARE INFO
TRY THIS FOR MEDICARE INFO
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Malden Senior Community Center
As an observer at the Malden Senior Community Building meetings I heard many suggestions on the use and outreach plans for the building. Everyone seems pleased with the progress but at the walk through I was told the the tower at the end of the building was to be closed off and just made pigeon proof.
I was surprised because this is an integral part of the building. Walking by I observed the work being done and how massive the opening of windows and how the tower faces in all directions toward the downtown area.
I think with a little imagination and thought with planning of the committee this area could become a valuable part of the Community Center. I thought that it would be great to be a monument to the World War II era. or a memorial for 9/11 but this was dismissed Since we are planning a big celebration come December maybe holiday decorations should be displayed. I would at least make open for discussion and maybe get the Seniors, Downtown Merchants, taxpayers involved. WE Should practicee the Vision for Malden concept of community involvement
--
Howard McGowan
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Housing
Provide adequate funding streams to support housing production
1. Add Comment
Historically, the federal government has been a key player in providing affordable housing. Declining federal funding for housing in Massachusetts has been a long-documented problem. Federal support for affordable housing fell by seven percent or nearly $29 million from 2006 to 2007. Similarly State funding for affordable housing has not kept pace with housing production costs. Paradoxically, since 2004, the State has increased funding for housing programs in the Department of Housing and Community Development. In 2008, the budget for DHCD programs will be $199 million, which represents the highest level of State support since 1991. Because State funding remained low, the current spending level is 23 percent less than it was in 1991 and only half the $410 million committed in 1989.
1. Add Comment
Historically, the federal government has been a key player in providing affordable housing. Declining federal funding for housing in Massachusetts has been a long-documented problem. Federal support for affordable housing fell by seven percent or nearly $29 million from 2006 to 2007. Similarly State funding for affordable housing has not kept pace with housing production costs. Paradoxically, since 2004, the State has increased funding for housing programs in the Department of Housing and Community Development. In 2008, the budget for DHCD programs will be $199 million, which represents the highest level of State support since 1991. Because State funding remained low, the current spending level is 23 percent less than it was in 1991 and only half the $410 million committed in 1989.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Social Security Pre Paid Debit Card
Social Security recipients in 10 states can now get their monthly benefits loaded onto a pre-paid debit card, a change that will bring convenience -- but possibly new headaches, as well.
Previously, seniors could only get their money as paper checks mailed to their home or wired to their bank accounts via direct deposit
Administered by Comerica Bank, the debit card will initially be available to people getting Social Security and Supplemental Security Income checks in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas. It's expected to be rolled out across the country in coming months.
Known as the Direct Express Debit MasterCard, the new Social Security debit cards will initially be targeted at Social Security users without bank accounts (although it's assumed that if the program is successful and a money saver for the government, it will be expanded beyond this group to all Social Security users.) These seniors now face high check cashing fees, as well as the risk that their monthly check could be lost or stolen. Presumably, a debit card pre-loaded with their benefits would alleviate those problems.
But the cards come with not-so-obvious fees that may trip up first-time users, especially seniors who aren't familiar with debit cards or bank accounts. Here's what users should know before they sign up for the debit card:
Frequent trips to the ATM will add up: Direct Express users will be entitled to one free cash advance at a network ATM a month, and then will be hit with a 90 cent fee per cash advance after that (plus additional out of network ATM fees).
Monthly paper statements will cost another 75 cents a month.
Direct Express online bill pay is 50 cents per bill.
There are additional fees for using the card for purchases outside the U.S., cash advances out of the country, and card replacements.
For a detailed breakdown of free services and fees associated with the card (or to sign up,) go to the Direct Express Web site.
At this point, if your parents are getting their checks via direct deposit, they should probably stick with that and not switch over to the debit cards because of the fees and hassles. But for people who wait for the postman to deliver their monthly check, the new debit card may be a better option.
What about your parents? Would they be interested in this kind of debit card? Would you feel secure with your parent using a debit card for their monthly expenses?
Image courtesy of Comerica Direct Express
Caring Currents
Previously, seniors could only get their money as paper checks mailed to their home or wired to their bank accounts via direct deposit
Administered by Comerica Bank, the debit card will initially be available to people getting Social Security and Supplemental Security Income checks in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas. It's expected to be rolled out across the country in coming months.
Known as the Direct Express Debit MasterCard, the new Social Security debit cards will initially be targeted at Social Security users without bank accounts (although it's assumed that if the program is successful and a money saver for the government, it will be expanded beyond this group to all Social Security users.) These seniors now face high check cashing fees, as well as the risk that their monthly check could be lost or stolen. Presumably, a debit card pre-loaded with their benefits would alleviate those problems.
But the cards come with not-so-obvious fees that may trip up first-time users, especially seniors who aren't familiar with debit cards or bank accounts. Here's what users should know before they sign up for the debit card:
Frequent trips to the ATM will add up: Direct Express users will be entitled to one free cash advance at a network ATM a month, and then will be hit with a 90 cent fee per cash advance after that (plus additional out of network ATM fees).
Monthly paper statements will cost another 75 cents a month.
Direct Express online bill pay is 50 cents per bill.
There are additional fees for using the card for purchases outside the U.S., cash advances out of the country, and card replacements.
For a detailed breakdown of free services and fees associated with the card (or to sign up,) go to the Direct Express Web site.
At this point, if your parents are getting their checks via direct deposit, they should probably stick with that and not switch over to the debit cards because of the fees and hassles. But for people who wait for the postman to deliver their monthly check, the new debit card may be a better option.
What about your parents? Would they be interested in this kind of debit card? Would you feel secure with your parent using a debit card for their monthly expenses?
Image courtesy of Comerica Direct Express
Caring Currents
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Medicare shows millions Social Security Numbers
“Many individuals carry their Medicare cards in their wallets or purses and could become victims of identity theft should dishonest individuals steal such items or lift their Medicare number from a beneficiary card or medical document,” Mr. O’Carroll said.
Other federal agencies are taking steps to remove Social Security numbers from identification cards. The Department of Veterans Affairs said that new identification cards issued to veterans generally did not display Social Security numbers.
Other federal agencies are taking steps to remove Social Security numbers from identification cards. The Department of Veterans Affairs said that new identification cards issued to veterans generally did not display Social Security numbers.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
McFadden Manor update
REPORT AND SUGGESTION FOR MSAC PARTICIPATION IN FUTURE EFFORTS McFadden Manor
City votes to establish Geriatric Authority for McFadden (as suggested by chapter)
Board
City Council President Gary Christenson\ Councilor at large Gregory Lucy/ a Geriatric Doctor
SUGGESTION (get business men involved thru chamber of commerce Malden Social Services agencies Board of Health.
need people for fund raising and support from local banks and businesses. Non profits have the expertise to write grants. The Malden Redevelopment has Federal Funds to distribute.)
Need Approval of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate to get a legislative act signed into law by the Governor.
This years session ends July31,2008
(Needs a Political Action Group like MSAC (metro north chapter members) to lobby as a unit at both the city hall but now primarily at the state house with as many as the legislators (who need to be make aware of the issues) who will support our local state legislators. The organization "Friends of McFadden Manor should become an affiliate with our State organization and recruit members to join metro north chapter for a united support in this (PAC)
July 30th the end of the Legislative session
Finally need support of all local government and taxpayers for pressure on STATE BOARD OF
HEALTH FOR TRANSFER NURSING HOME LICENSE.
For Information
The House and Senate will continue to meet in informal session after 31st of July.
During informal sessions unanimous consent is needed to advance legislation and the objections of a single lawmaker can stop a bill in tracks.
GET POLITICAL
REQUEST The Malden City Council prepare a resolution of support to send to the State and read at a
public council meeting in support of the NEW GERIATRIC AUTHORITY.
--
Howard McGowan
MaldenSenior
349 Pleasant Street
Malden, Ma 02148
781 324 8076
City votes to establish Geriatric Authority for McFadden (as suggested by chapter)
Board
City Council President Gary Christenson\ Councilor at large Gregory Lucy/ a Geriatric Doctor
SUGGESTION (get business men involved thru chamber of commerce Malden Social Services agencies Board of Health.
need people for fund raising and support from local banks and businesses. Non profits have the expertise to write grants. The Malden Redevelopment has Federal Funds to distribute.)
Need Approval of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate to get a legislative act signed into law by the Governor.
This years session ends July31,2008
(Needs a Political Action Group like MSAC (metro north chapter members) to lobby as a unit at both the city hall but now primarily at the state house with as many as the legislators (who need to be make aware of the issues) who will support our local state legislators. The organization "Friends of McFadden Manor should become an affiliate with our State organization and recruit members to join metro north chapter for a united support in this (PAC)
July 30th the end of the Legislative session
Finally need support of all local government and taxpayers for pressure on STATE BOARD OF
HEALTH FOR TRANSFER NURSING HOME LICENSE.
For Information
The House and Senate will continue to meet in informal session after 31st of July.
During informal sessions unanimous consent is needed to advance legislation and the objections of a single lawmaker can stop a bill in tracks.
GET POLITICAL
REQUEST The Malden City Council prepare a resolution of support to send to the State and read at a
public council meeting in support of the NEW GERIATRIC AUTHORITY.
--
Howard McGowan
MaldenSenior
349 Pleasant Street
Malden, Ma 02148
781 324 8076
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Veterans Issue of Court Cases Malden Ma
I Know that everyone has a slogan and everyone agrees that" we owe a lot to our veterans" is a great slogan.
We have a chance to consider an innovative program to help a segment of the population that remain neglected and improve the
"way of life" and the mission to provide services to some of our most vulnerable citizens HERE IN MALDEN
We have many non-profit organizations and grant programs that could be brought in to sponsor this program
We must have people in Malden who are in touch with those in our court system that could help with setting up a Malden and area towns
Any interest and suggestions?
Buffalo Veteran's Court, Only One In U.S.
Posted by: Josh Boose, Reporter
Created: 5/22/2008 8:34:14 PM, Updated: 5/23/2008 11:51:53 AM
http://www.wgrz.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=58115
There's a new program in Buffalo aimed at helping local veterans.
It's called Veteran's Court. It's a program designed by the Buffalo City Court to keep non-violent offenders, who are veterans, out of jail.
2 On Your Side's Josh Boose asked Judge Robert Russell, "Did you see veterans locally here, falling through the cracks in a sense?"
"We seemed to notice, here locally, we may have been working with veterans in a drug treatment court, we worked with a number of veterans in a mental health treatment track; however, when one veteran was working with one veteran, peer to peer, it appeared to increase our probability of success with that population," said Russell.
After a year of planning, Veteran's Court kicked-off in January.
Here's what happens: If a veteran is arrested for a non-violent offense, they can ask to enter Veteran's Court where they can get proper treatment, mentors who can help them and assistance with any military benefits from the Veteran's Hospital.
"It's a group that many may not have the same degree or understanding or appreciation for," said Russell.
There are some strict rules, if you're in the program you must remain sober, lead a law abiding life and find a stable job or schooling.
Judge Russell says there are no additional costs. The court expenses already exist and there are some volunteers.
"So there's no out of pocket expenses for the city or something like that," Boose asked Russell.
"No," the judge replied.
So far, Buffalo is the only city in the country to focus in on the needs of veterans like this.
Russell and Buffalo City Court Projects Director Hank Pirowski say it's something other cities are taking note of.
"Where do you see this a year from now," Boose asked Pirowski.
"One hundred vets without a problem in the next twelve to eighteen months and I hope to see 15, 20, 25 other veteran's courts open across the country," he replied.
Right now about 35 veterans are in the program. They are right in the middle of it now. Those who complete the program will graduate at the beginning of next year.
Veterans who need some help but are not violating the law in anyway can go through the program too. For more information about Veteran's Court, call 716-845-2697.
1053428523010486955.jpg
29K View Download
We have a chance to consider an innovative program to help a segment of the population that remain neglected and improve the
"way of life" and the mission to provide services to some of our most vulnerable citizens HERE IN MALDEN
We have many non-profit organizations and grant programs that could be brought in to sponsor this program
We must have people in Malden who are in touch with those in our court system that could help with setting up a Malden and area towns
Any interest and suggestions?
Buffalo Veteran's Court, Only One In U.S.
Posted by: Josh Boose, Reporter
Created: 5/22/2008 8:34:14 PM, Updated: 5/23/2008 11:51:53 AM
http://www.wgrz.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=58115
There's a new program in Buffalo aimed at helping local veterans.
It's called Veteran's Court. It's a program designed by the Buffalo City Court to keep non-violent offenders, who are veterans, out of jail.
2 On Your Side's Josh Boose asked Judge Robert Russell, "Did you see veterans locally here, falling through the cracks in a sense?"
"We seemed to notice, here locally, we may have been working with veterans in a drug treatment court, we worked with a number of veterans in a mental health treatment track; however, when one veteran was working with one veteran, peer to peer, it appeared to increase our probability of success with that population," said Russell.
After a year of planning, Veteran's Court kicked-off in January.
Here's what happens: If a veteran is arrested for a non-violent offense, they can ask to enter Veteran's Court where they can get proper treatment, mentors who can help them and assistance with any military benefits from the Veteran's Hospital.
"It's a group that many may not have the same degree or understanding or appreciation for," said Russell.
There are some strict rules, if you're in the program you must remain sober, lead a law abiding life and find a stable job or schooling.
Judge Russell says there are no additional costs. The court expenses already exist and there are some volunteers.
"So there's no out of pocket expenses for the city or something like that," Boose asked Russell.
"No," the judge replied.
So far, Buffalo is the only city in the country to focus in on the needs of veterans like this.
Russell and Buffalo City Court Projects Director Hank Pirowski say it's something other cities are taking note of.
"Where do you see this a year from now," Boose asked Pirowski.
"One hundred vets without a problem in the next twelve to eighteen months and I hope to see 15, 20, 25 other veteran's courts open across the country," he replied.
Right now about 35 veterans are in the program. They are right in the middle of it now. Those who complete the program will graduate at the beginning of next year.
Veterans who need some help but are not violating the law in anyway can go through the program too. For more information about Veteran's Court, call 716-845-2697.
1053428523010486955.jpg
29K View Download
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Social Security over Quarter Century
Lyric Wallwork Winik
Published: August 7, 2005
Social Security Turns 70
Social Security turns 70 this month. While both sides debate how to keep the program healthy, here are a few fascinating facts about it:
* A legal secretary was the first person to collect monthly benefits. She paid $24.75 in taxes to the program (1937-39) before retiring and got back more than $22,000, living until 1975.
* The tax rate for Social Security (including the employer contribution) initially was 2%; it’s now 12.4%. In 1937, only the first $3000 of income was taxed; today, it’s $90,000.
* Last year, 48 million Americans got Social Security. Until 2004, even felons on the run were allowed benefits by law. A 2001 audit showed that $31 million had been paid to the dead, mostly because of poor record-keeping.
* The average monthly retirement benefit is $955; 40% of Americans over 65 reportedly would be in poverty without Social Security. In general, to qualify, you must spend 10 years in the workforce and earn the minimum each year (now $3680).
Monday, April 21, 2008
VETERANS INFORMATION
Department veterans affairs
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is convening a four-day meeting in Washington, D.C. in July, 2007 of mental health clinicians and researchers from across the country. VA will also hire 100 new employees to provide readjustment counseling at the Department's 209 community-based Vet Centers. VA also recently hired 100 new Vet Center employees, who are combat veterans, to conduct outreach to veterans of the Global War on Terror. VA operates one of the largest mental health programs in the country, with an annual budget of nearly $3 billion solely for mental health services. About 1 million of VA's patients have a mental health diagnosis.
The rate of community-acquired MRSA skin and soft tissue infections increased from 24.0 cases per 100,000 people in 2000 to 164.2 cases per 100,000 in 2005. Risk factors for infection included incarceration, African-American race, and residence at a group of public housing complexes. Older age was also tied to a increased risk of infection.
1. http://mysite.verizon.net/vzew50b7/fairshakeforseniors/
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is convening a four-day meeting in Washington, D.C. in July, 2007 of mental health clinicians and researchers from across the country. VA will also hire 100 new employees to provide readjustment counseling at the Department's 209 community-based Vet Centers. VA also recently hired 100 new Vet Center employees, who are combat veterans, to conduct outreach to veterans of the Global War on Terror. VA operates one of the largest mental health programs in the country, with an annual budget of nearly $3 billion solely for mental health services. About 1 million of VA's patients have a mental health diagnosis.
The rate of community-acquired MRSA skin and soft tissue infections increased from 24.0 cases per 100,000 people in 2000 to 164.2 cases per 100,000 in 2005. Risk factors for infection included incarceration, African-American race, and residence at a group of public housing complexes. Older age was also tied to a increased risk of infection.
1. http://mysite.verizon.net/vzew50b7/fairshakeforseniors/
VETERANS INFORMATION
Department veterans affairs
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is convening a four-day meeting in Washington, D.C. in July, 2007 of mental health clinicians and researchers from across the country. VA will also hire 100 new employees to provide readjustment counseling at the Department's 209 community-based Vet Centers. VA also recently hired 100 new Vet Center employees, who are combat veterans, to conduct outreach to veterans of the Global War on Terror. VA operates one of the largest mental health programs in the country, with an annual budget of nearly $3 billion solely for mental health services. About 1 million of VA's patients have a mental health diagnosis.
The rate of community-acquired MRSA skin and soft tissue infections increased from 24.0 cases per 100,000 people in 2000 to 164.2 cases per 100,000 in 2005. Risk factors for infection included incarceration, African-American race, and residence at a group of public housing complexes. Older age was also tied to a increased risk of infection.
1. http://mysite.verizon.net/vzew50b7/fairshakeforseniors/
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is convening a four-day meeting in Washington, D.C. in July, 2007 of mental health clinicians and researchers from across the country. VA will also hire 100 new employees to provide readjustment counseling at the Department's 209 community-based Vet Centers. VA also recently hired 100 new Vet Center employees, who are combat veterans, to conduct outreach to veterans of the Global War on Terror. VA operates one of the largest mental health programs in the country, with an annual budget of nearly $3 billion solely for mental health services. About 1 million of VA's patients have a mental health diagnosis.
The rate of community-acquired MRSA skin and soft tissue infections increased from 24.0 cases per 100,000 people in 2000 to 164.2 cases per 100,000 in 2005. Risk factors for infection included incarceration, African-American race, and residence at a group of public housing complexes. Older age was also tied to a increased risk of infection.
1. http://mysite.verizon.net/vzew50b7/fairshakeforseniors/
SENIOR TREATMENT OF ASSETS
Improving the Treatment of Assets
The resource standards for the Medicare Savings Programs exclude many potential
beneficiaries who would be eligible on the basis of low income alone. Improving the
treatment of resources therefore provides further opportunities for reaching more
people who could use assistance with their Medicare premiums and cost sharing.
Option 8 would exclude financial assets from the resource test and include their
annuity value as a component of income. Option 9 would eliminate estate recovery
for participants in the Medicare Savings Programs.
8. Annuitize Assets
Under current rules, income from a defined-benefit pension or an annuity is counted
in determining eligibility for Medicaid and the Medicaid Savings Programs, but the
present value of future benefits is not counted as an asset. In contrast, if income is
derived from an Individual Retirement Account or from other funds held directly by
an individual, those funds count toward the asset limit. Thus some analysts have
suggested excluding financial assets from countable resources and adding to income
the estimated income that the funds could be expected to produce if invested in an
annuity (Moon, Friedland, and Shirey 2002).
Annuitizing assets would increase from 8 percent to 13 percent the portion of
Medicare beneficiaries who are eligible for full Medicaid benefits. The fraction of
beneficiaries who are eligible for any form of subsidy would increase from 25
percent to 29 percent (Merlis 2005). The option would cost about $11 billion a
year (Verdier 2006).
36 National Academy of Social Insurance
The major limitation of this option is its complexity. It would still be necessary to
identify assets and determine their value; estimating the assets’ annuity value would
be an additional step in the eligibility determination process. Also, if an asset is
already producing income, steps would have to be taken to avoid counting both the
cash income and the imputed annuity value. These complications would increase
the burden on program administrators and could discourage eligible beneficiaries
from applying for assistance.
9. Eliminate Estate Recovery
Nineteen percent of eligible non-enrollees cite worries about estate recovery as a
reason that they do not apply for the Medicare Savings Programs. (Haber et al. 2003).
Federal law requires states to seek recovery from the estates of Medicaid
beneficiaries for payments for mandatory services, including long-term care and
associated hospital and drug costs. In such cases, the state must also seek to
recover payments for premiums and cost sharing (Cusick and Nibali 2005). States
need not seek recovery from estates of beneficiaries who have not received longterm
care, and fewer than half the states seek estate recovery for payments made
for Medicare Savings Programs. Nonetheless, many beneficiaries still believe that
applying for benefits will result in losing their homes (Glaun 2002).
Eliminating estate recovery just for MSP beneficiaries is likely to have only a small
cost. Only 22 states include MSP payments in the services for which recovery is
attempted, and even they are not likely to recover significant amounts of money.
Because premiums and cost-sharing amounts are small, it is not advantageous for
states to devote any great effort to collecting them (Verdier 2006). If eliminating
estate recovery increases participation in the Medicare Savings Programs, costs
would rise, but the size of this effect cannot easily be estimated.
The resource standards for the Medicare Savings Programs exclude many potential
beneficiaries who would be eligible on the basis of low income alone. Improving the
treatment of resources therefore provides further opportunities for reaching more
people who could use assistance with their Medicare premiums and cost sharing.
Option 8 would exclude financial assets from the resource test and include their
annuity value as a component of income. Option 9 would eliminate estate recovery
for participants in the Medicare Savings Programs.
8. Annuitize Assets
Under current rules, income from a defined-benefit pension or an annuity is counted
in determining eligibility for Medicaid and the Medicaid Savings Programs, but the
present value of future benefits is not counted as an asset. In contrast, if income is
derived from an Individual Retirement Account or from other funds held directly by
an individual, those funds count toward the asset limit. Thus some analysts have
suggested excluding financial assets from countable resources and adding to income
the estimated income that the funds could be expected to produce if invested in an
annuity (Moon, Friedland, and Shirey 2002).
Annuitizing assets would increase from 8 percent to 13 percent the portion of
Medicare beneficiaries who are eligible for full Medicaid benefits. The fraction of
beneficiaries who are eligible for any form of subsidy would increase from 25
percent to 29 percent (Merlis 2005). The option would cost about $11 billion a
year (Verdier 2006).
36 National Academy of Social Insurance
The major limitation of this option is its complexity. It would still be necessary to
identify assets and determine their value; estimating the assets’ annuity value would
be an additional step in the eligibility determination process. Also, if an asset is
already producing income, steps would have to be taken to avoid counting both the
cash income and the imputed annuity value. These complications would increase
the burden on program administrators and could discourage eligible beneficiaries
from applying for assistance.
9. Eliminate Estate Recovery
Nineteen percent of eligible non-enrollees cite worries about estate recovery as a
reason that they do not apply for the Medicare Savings Programs. (Haber et al. 2003).
Federal law requires states to seek recovery from the estates of Medicaid
beneficiaries for payments for mandatory services, including long-term care and
associated hospital and drug costs. In such cases, the state must also seek to
recover payments for premiums and cost sharing (Cusick and Nibali 2005). States
need not seek recovery from estates of beneficiaries who have not received longterm
care, and fewer than half the states seek estate recovery for payments made
for Medicare Savings Programs. Nonetheless, many beneficiaries still believe that
applying for benefits will result in losing their homes (Glaun 2002).
Eliminating estate recovery just for MSP beneficiaries is likely to have only a small
cost. Only 22 states include MSP payments in the services for which recovery is
attempted, and even they are not likely to recover significant amounts of money.
Because premiums and cost-sharing amounts are small, it is not advantageous for
states to devote any great effort to collecting them (Verdier 2006). If eliminating
estate recovery increases participation in the Medicare Savings Programs, costs
would rise, but the size of this effect cannot easily be estimated.
Unisured Health issues
Most of us cringe when we hear a physician state that being uninsured doesn't prevent access to health care, noting that the emergency room is always available. This survey provides reassurance that most physicians do not share that view. When asked what the one single biggest impediment to access is, two-thirds of physicians state that it is the lack of health insurance. Though it is acknowledged that other factors are also important, being insured is absolutely crucial.
1.
1.
Good Thought for Seniors
May your troubles be less,
may your blessings be more,
and may nothing but happiness
come through your door!
may your blessings be more,
and may nothing but happiness
come through your door!
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