The Link E-Newsletter - June 2017

WEEK OF JUNE 9, 2017

• The UnitedHealth Foundation has released its America's Health Rankings 2017 Senior Report that provides a comprehensive analysis of senior population health on a national and state-by-state basis across 34 measures of senior health. Iowa ranks #19: http://assets.americashealthrankings.org/app/uploads/ahr2017_seniorreport.pdf

• The National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) and the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) recently released a new report. The National Core Indicators Aging and Disability Adult Consumer Survey: 2015-2016 National Results highlights the commitment of participating states toward measuring and improving the quality of their long-term services and supports (LTSS) systems that serve seniors and adults with physical disabilities: http://nci-ad.org/upload/reports/NCI-AD_2015-2016_National_Report_FINAL.pdf

• The National Institute on Aging has developed an infographic that shows the difference between normal aging issues and Alzheimer's. Even though forgetfulness can be a typical part of aging, it's important to know the difference between normal forgetfulness and more serious memory problems, such as Alzheimer's disease: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/infographics/forgetfulness-normal-or-not?

• A recent Supreme Court decision on printer cartridges could help pave the way for wholesale drug importation. In Impression Products, Inc. v Lexmark International Inc., the Supreme Court ruled patent law cannot be used to prevent the resale of products back into the United States. The case is an important ruling in the context of the domestic policy debate concerning prescription drug pricing and the importation of prescription drugs as an antidote to the high prices in the U.S.:
  http://nashp.org/supreme-court-decision-removes-barrier-to-importing-us-patented-drug-products-at-lower-cost/

• The National Council on Aging (NCOA) has begun compiling a list of benefits and outreach materials from federal agencies that are available in Spanish, Korean, Chinese and other languages for organizations that serve non-English speaking consumers: https://www.ncoa.org/news/ncoa-news/center-for-benefits-news/multi-language-benefits-resources/

• The Wallace Winkie Foundation, a non-profit organization located in Belle Plaine, Iowa, has established a Lifelong Learner Hall of Fame to celebrate and honor Iowans - past and present - who have made a lasting impact on the quality of life in Iowa through their contributions to lifelong learning. Nominations are being accepted now through Aug. 30, 2017: http://www.parkitvirtualmuseum.com/lifelong-learner-hall-of-fame.html

• Last year the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized a new Nutrition Facts label loaded with information designed to help people make healthier food and beverage choices. The label still includes key information for patients such as sodium, and saturated and trans fat, but also some new information including added sugars: https://health.gov/news/blog/2017/05/help-your-patients-use-the-nutrition-facts-label-to-cut-down-on-added-sugars/

• The Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality recently released a report entitled Building the Caring Economy: Workforce Investments to Expand Access to Affordable, High-Quality and Long-Term Care. The report discusses ways to promote the well-being of older adults, individuals with disabilities and their families by laying the framework for create jobs that meet family caregiving needs: 
  http://nasuad.org/hcbs/article/building-caring-economy-workforce-investments-expand-access-affordable-high-quality

• A new website from the Administration for Community Living features a searchable database of nearly 200 community-based oral health programs for seniors, plus resources to start your own: https://oralhealth.acl.gov/

• The Chicago Tribune recently reported that many seniors lack dental coverage since Medicare generally doesn’t cover dental care and private dental coverage can be expensive. In an attempt to convince lawmakers to add a dental benefit to Medicare, the article reports, public health researchers are “highlighting the many seniors forgoing care until their dental health has deteriorated,” which can cause “trouble eating, swallowing or speaking,” and ignite additional health problems: http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/ct-seniors-dental-care-health-0516-20170516-story.html 

• As policymakers talk about more jobs for American workers, there is only one program that exclusively provides job training and placement to low-income older Americans: the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). But the 52-year-old program is slated for elimination in the Administration’s FY18 budget:
  https://www.ncoa.org/blog/straight-talk-seniors-senior-community-service-employment-program/

• The Office of Substitute Decision Maker recently released a new digital guide to substitute decision-making options in the state of Iowa. The guide includes a list of resources and links to a glossary of common substitute decision-making terms: https://www.iowaaging.gov/programs-services/elder-justice-adult-protective-services/office-substitute-decision-maker

• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently released its May Monthly Complaint Report, summarizing the complaints the organization has received from people aged 62 and older and highlighting the issues with financial products and services that older consumers are more likely to experience than their younger counterparts: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/research-reports/monthly-complaint-report-vol-23/

Webinar: How to Overcome Barriers to Successful Investigation and Prosecution of Elder Abuse Cases

June 20, 2017 (2-3 p.m. CT)

More Information | Register

Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging Caregiver Conference

June 22, 2017 (12-4 p.m.)

Waterloo Center for the Arts | 225 Commercial St. | Waterloo, IA 50701

More Information

The mission of the Iowa Department on Aging is to develop a comprehensive, coordinated and

cost-effective system of long-term living and community support services that helps older Iowans maintain

health and independence in their homes and communities.