National Healthcare Decisions Day is coming very soon and time is running out to order special Five Wishes , both the custom and special NHDD versions.
We're already hearing about plans for community workshops, distribution of Five Wishes in workplaces and places of worship, proclamations from governors and local elected officials, and other efforts to raise awareness about advance care planning. Some have already had success in attracting media attention, like this story that aired last night in Baltimore. Those buttons that you see in the news story are the ones specially printed for NHDD. We're happy to offer free promotional resources to support your outreach, so please make sure you contact us to let us know how we can help. Also tell us what you are planning for NHDD so we can highlight your good work.
We'll be at events in Denver and Las Vegas in the days leading up to April 16. The beauty of National Healthcare Decisions Day is that so many of us who encourage advance care planning are doing so together at the same time. Our message comes through loud and clear when there are more voices. Thank you for using this opportunity to provided important information and resources to those whom you serve!
Thank you to Paul Malley of Aging with Dignity and Pam Vingle for providing this wonderful information.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Health Services Directory Updated for Uninsured & Underinsured
The Allegheny County Health Department has updated its directory of local health centers and clinics that serve people with minimal or no health insurance.
“Until the new health care reform law fully goes into effect and expands access to health care, our guide will remain a valuable resource for the uninsured and underinsured,” said County Health Director Dr. Bruce W. Dixon.
The directory has been expanded to include additional resources such as help for compulsive gamblers, Neighborhood Legal Services, the Latino Family Center, the Library for the Blind and Handicapped, and Health Care for the Homeless.
First published in 2007, the directory is intended primarily for social service agencies and other community organizations dealing with the uninsured, but individuals also may find it useful as a handy guide to health care providers.
Most of the providers listed in the directory use a sliding fee schedule based on household income and family size for patients with no insurance. The fees may be as little as $25 or less and possibly even waived in cases of extreme financial hardship.
The 34-page guide lists more than 40 local clinics and health centers as well as resources available to help with other needs, including prescription drugs, vision care, dental care and transportation. It also features a listing of health insurance options for the unemployed and low-income families.
The directory is available on the Allegheny County Health Department web site, under Timely Topics, at www.achd.net, or by calling 412-687-ACHD.
Thank you to Diane Cummings and Lorraine Starsky of the Allegheny County Department of Health for providing this valuable information.
“Until the new health care reform law fully goes into effect and expands access to health care, our guide will remain a valuable resource for the uninsured and underinsured,” said County Health Director Dr. Bruce W. Dixon.
The directory has been expanded to include additional resources such as help for compulsive gamblers, Neighborhood Legal Services, the Latino Family Center, the Library for the Blind and Handicapped, and Health Care for the Homeless.
First published in 2007, the directory is intended primarily for social service agencies and other community organizations dealing with the uninsured, but individuals also may find it useful as a handy guide to health care providers.
Most of the providers listed in the directory use a sliding fee schedule based on household income and family size for patients with no insurance. The fees may be as little as $25 or less and possibly even waived in cases of extreme financial hardship.
The 34-page guide lists more than 40 local clinics and health centers as well as resources available to help with other needs, including prescription drugs, vision care, dental care and transportation. It also features a listing of health insurance options for the unemployed and low-income families.
The directory is available on the Allegheny County Health Department web site, under Timely Topics, at www.achd.net, or by calling 412-687-ACHD.
Thank you to Diane Cummings and Lorraine Starsky of the Allegheny County Department of Health for providing this valuable information.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Ask Medicare E-Newsletter
Support for Caregivers can be found here in the current edition of the Ask Medicare e-newsletter for the months of March and April. The edition covers topics like Kidney Month, Plans for long-term care, Addiction Assistance, Stress Management, and information on the CHIP insurance program for children.
If there is a topic you would like to see covered in a later issue of Ask Medicare, please send suggestions to caregiver_comments@cms.hhs.gov.
Thank you to Monique Scott of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Claudia Koenig of the Offic of Commonwealth Libraries for providing this great information.
If there is a topic you would like to see covered in a later issue of Ask Medicare, please send suggestions to caregiver_comments@cms.hhs.gov.
Thank you to Monique Scott of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Claudia Koenig of the Offic of Commonwealth Libraries for providing this great information.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Librarians' Do You Need Yet Another Book to Read?
Check out This Book is Overdue: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All by Marilyn Johnson. She discusses new librarians and how they are perceived under a new light. Now more than ever librarians are becoming more important to assist information seekers sift through the sea of information that awaits them around every corner. This funny yet insightful book is sure to make you stop an think about what you have done in the past and how that has changed of the years with so many advances in information sciences. Are you staying afloat in the sea of information?
For an excerpt from the book and a short article on the book please visit this website.
For an excerpt from the book and a short article on the book please visit this website.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Fred Roger's Birthday!!
It's that time of year again when we are all reminded of the neighborly opportunities surrounding us every day. Celebrate Fred Roger's birthday on March 20th in the most neighborly way possible with PBS and the United Way. All you have to do is wear that perfect sweater that sits in your closet just waiting to be worn for a special occasion such as this and go outside to be neighborly. This year the United Way has joined PBS to help neighborly people find the best opportunities to be neighborly. For more information on "Wont You Be My Neighbor?" Day please visit the website. For other resources please check out the Neighbors of All Ages page and the Caring Neighbor Check List for ideas on how to be the best neighbor possible.
'Wont You Be My Neighbor'?
'Wont You Be My Neighbor'?
Last Chance!
You may have already heard…
Free Thursday Nights in March and there is only ONE left! Thursday nights are free after 3:30 p.m. from March 1 to 31 at Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, so make it a date night or bring the family after work to enjoy all the museums have to offer! Culture Club not included. Underwritten by The Buncher Family Foundation. For_more_information_visit_our_website!
Free Thursday Nights in March and there is only ONE left! Thursday nights are free after 3:30 p.m. from March 1 to 31 at Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, so make it a date night or bring the family after work to enjoy all the museums have to offer! Culture Club not included. Underwritten by The Buncher Family Foundation. For_more_information_visit_our_website!
Health and Wellness Fair
CCAC North Campus Library will be hosting a FREE public Health and Wellness Fair on Friday April 23rd from 9:00am – 2:00pm. Featured speakers include Jennifer Antkowiak, KDKA anchor and author; Doug Oster, garden columnist for the Post Gazette and KDKA and WQED personality; Janet McKee, certified holistic counselor; and more. The day will include an array of fascinating exhibitors and many, many prizes.
Visit our website for more information.
Address: CCAC North Campus, 8701 Perry Hwy (McCandless Township).
For more information call Barbara Thompson 412-369-3671.
Visit our website for more information.
Address: CCAC North Campus, 8701 Perry Hwy (McCandless Township).
For more information call Barbara Thompson 412-369-3671.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Save the Date - April 6th, 2010
Libraries Go Boom! Library Service to Older Adults and Baby Boomers
via WEBJUNCTION CALENDAR OF EVENTS
When: Tuesday, April 06, 2010 - 2:00 PM
Where: WebJunction at WebExDouglas C. Lord, of the Connecticut State Library and active WebJunction contributor will share best practices related to services to older adults with a special emphasis on the baby boom generation. We'll discuss the characteristics and needs of boomers, and share ideas on how library programming can respond to those needs. We'll also look at what the future holds as boomers continue to age and the next generation enters seniority.
Things you can do from here:
Subscribe to WEBJUNCTION CALENDAR OF EVENTS using Google Reader
Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Information provided by Kelly Beeson of Allegheny County Library Association
via WEBJUNCTION CALENDAR OF EVENTS
When: Tuesday, April 06, 2010 - 2:00 PM
Where: WebJunction at WebExDouglas C. Lord, of the Connecticut State Library and active WebJunction contributor will share best practices related to services to older adults with a special emphasis on the baby boom generation. We'll discuss the characteristics and needs of boomers, and share ideas on how library programming can respond to those needs. We'll also look at what the future holds as boomers continue to age and the next generation enters seniority.
Things you can do from here:
Subscribe to WEBJUNCTION CALENDAR OF EVENTS using Google Reader
Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Information provided by Kelly Beeson of Allegheny County Library Association
Allegheny County Residents Encouraged to
“Check in on Elderly Neighbors” During Severe Weather
Pittsburgh – Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato encourages all county residents to check on the safety and well being of their elderly neighbors during times of severe weather.
“The well-being of our older adult citizens is very important. We want to make sure that we all do our part in seeing that they are kept safe during the times of cold weather and snow storms that our region has been experiencing,” said Dan Onorato. “This may mean going a little out of our way to check in on our elderly neighbors, but it is very important that we do so.”
“This entails seeing that the home is well heated and that there is enough food, water and medication in the home to last for several days,” adds Mildred Morrison, Area Agency on Aging Administrator. “It is also important that the elderly person have a list of emergency telephone numbers that includes neighbors and family members who can help, if needed.”
When the weather circumstances dictate, the Area Agency on Aging and its contracted providers will be in contact with frail, isolated and high-risk consumers who are registered for care management with the agency. Care managers will respond to emergency needs to as they arise to make sure that the elders are safe and stable.
“Not all of the older adults in Allegheny County are registered with the Area Agency on Aging,” cautions Mildred Morrison, Administrator of the Area Agency on Aging. “For that reason we are calling on the community to step up to assure that all of the elderly in our county are kept safe during this particularly difficult weather. We are suggesting to anyone who may know of an older person living alone, particularly someone who is frail, to please take the time to visit him or her”
“If the house feels cold, make sure the furnace is working. Become alert to dangerous methods of heating a room, such as open flames or ovens being used as a heat source. Also, make sure there is food and water in the house. And please, do not stop after one visit. Go back later or the next day to make sure everything is alright.”
County residents are also encouraged to be particularly mindful of the elderly during a power outage. The lack of electrical power could not only present the danger associated with lack of heat, but also the risks associated with non-function of vital medical equipment, such as oxygen systems, stair glides and medication timers.
Information about programs and services for older adults is available by calling SeniorLine (TDD/TTY 412-350-2727) or by visiting www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/olderadults.aspx.
Follow DHS:
twitter.com/acdhs
facebook.com/acdhs
Information Provided by Kathleen Burk and Eliane Plunkett of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services
“Check in on Elderly Neighbors” During Severe Weather
Pittsburgh – Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato encourages all county residents to check on the safety and well being of their elderly neighbors during times of severe weather.
“The well-being of our older adult citizens is very important. We want to make sure that we all do our part in seeing that they are kept safe during the times of cold weather and snow storms that our region has been experiencing,” said Dan Onorato. “This may mean going a little out of our way to check in on our elderly neighbors, but it is very important that we do so.”
“This entails seeing that the home is well heated and that there is enough food, water and medication in the home to last for several days,” adds Mildred Morrison, Area Agency on Aging Administrator. “It is also important that the elderly person have a list of emergency telephone numbers that includes neighbors and family members who can help, if needed.”
When the weather circumstances dictate, the Area Agency on Aging and its contracted providers will be in contact with frail, isolated and high-risk consumers who are registered for care management with the agency. Care managers will respond to emergency needs to as they arise to make sure that the elders are safe and stable.
“Not all of the older adults in Allegheny County are registered with the Area Agency on Aging,” cautions Mildred Morrison, Administrator of the Area Agency on Aging. “For that reason we are calling on the community to step up to assure that all of the elderly in our county are kept safe during this particularly difficult weather. We are suggesting to anyone who may know of an older person living alone, particularly someone who is frail, to please take the time to visit him or her”
“If the house feels cold, make sure the furnace is working. Become alert to dangerous methods of heating a room, such as open flames or ovens being used as a heat source. Also, make sure there is food and water in the house. And please, do not stop after one visit. Go back later or the next day to make sure everything is alright.”
County residents are also encouraged to be particularly mindful of the elderly during a power outage. The lack of electrical power could not only present the danger associated with lack of heat, but also the risks associated with non-function of vital medical equipment, such as oxygen systems, stair glides and medication timers.
Information about programs and services for older adults is available by calling SeniorLine (TDD/TTY 412-350-2727) or by visiting www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/olderadults.aspx.
Follow DHS:
twitter.com/acdhs
facebook.com/acdhs
Information Provided by Kathleen Burk and Eliane Plunkett of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services
Monday, March 1, 2010
Family Caregiver Training Program
The Family Caregiver Training Program is offered through the Community College of Allegheny County in collaboration through the University of Pittsburgh Institute on Aging (UPIA) and the Geriatric Education Center of Pennsylvania. There are two sessions remaining in the month of March. 25 caregivers are allotted space in each of the sessions so pre-registration is key to making sure that space is available. The course is 12 hours total but split into six two hour sessions. The topic covered include Ageless Wisdom, Caring for the Person with Dementia, Managing Transitions of Care, Communicating with Healthcare Providers, Stress Management, and Advanced Planning.
Registration & Contact Information
Individuals interested in learning more about the Family Caregiver Training Certificate Program should contact:
CCAC West Hills Center Workforce Development Health Careers
1000 McKee Road
Oakdale, PA 15071
412.788.7398
jnapoleoni@ccac.edu
Thank you to Jamie Donnell of the University of Pittsburgh Institute on Aging for providing the information on this course.
Registration & Contact Information
Individuals interested in learning more about the Family Caregiver Training Certificate Program should contact:
CCAC West Hills Center Workforce Development Health Careers
1000 McKee Road
Oakdale, PA 15071
412.788.7398
jnapoleoni@ccac.edu
Thank you to Jamie Donnell of the University of Pittsburgh Institute on Aging for providing the information on this course.
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