Home care in Europe : the solid facts

This report presents evidence for health policy- and decision-makers explaining why health and social services should provide high-quality and targeted home care for disabled and older people. It provides evidence for the effectiveness of home care, shows how it can be improved and explains the need to ensure equitable access. The publication also explores the varied cultural and care contexts in different countries and reveals how to educate professionals and the public about these issues.

Full report is available

New Book of Interest

Delgado, Melvin. Older adult-led health promotion in urban communities: models and interventions. Lanham, Md. : Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2009.

Contents include: Older adult demographic profile and trends; Civic engagement and older adults; Older adult health care needs; Health promotion field; Older adult-led health promotion; New arenas and settings for older adult health promotion; Research and evidence-based older adult health promotion; Ethical dilemmas and health promotion with older adults; Future rewards and challenges for the field. Older adult demographic profile and trends; Civic engagement & older adults; Older adult healthcare needs; Health promotion field; Older adult-led health promotion; New arenas & settings for older adult health promotion; Research & evidence-based older adult health promotion; Ethical dilemmas & health promotion with older adults; Future rewards & challenges for the field.

Senior Unemployment Rate Hits 31-Year High

The Urban Institute has issued a brief reporting that the unemployment rate for seniors has reached 5.1% - 326,000 unemployed, which represents 60% more than in November 2007. At the same time, the share of adults age 65 to 69 working or looking for work increased to 29.7% in 2007, from only 20.2% in 1982.

Full article is available

Elder Abuse: All in the Family?

Jane Gross' blog The New Old Age in The New York Times discusses a study that shows that over half of the family caregivers of elderly relative suffering dementia have engaged in some form of abusive behavior.

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Medicare Doctor Data Should Remain Private, Court Says

The Wall Street Journal reports that a federal appeals court sided with doctors in a long fight over who should be allowed to see Medicare data on individual doctors. The suit was initiated by Consumer Checkbook, which plans to use the information to rate doctors.
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James Wolcott on Death as a Teaching Moment

Vanity Fair commentator James Wolcott examines books and films that show imminent death as a path to enlightenment.

Full article is available

Improving Palliative Care at the End of Life

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has released a report for health care professionals which outlines the ways in which they can assist patients dealing with end-of-life issues. The key recommendations are:

Provide advance care planning for all patients and document their wishes in advance directives.

Manage pain and other symptoms to ensure the highest possible quality of life for patients with serious or terminal illnesses.

Refer patients to specialized palliative care teams or hospice when appropriate.

Full report is available

Federal Taxes and the Elderly

The Urban Institute has issued a report that considers special federal tax provisions affecting the elderly. It examines the taxation of Social Security, private retirement accounts, and estate taxation. It also analyzes how the elderly might be affected by tax increases necessitated by the dismal long-run budget outlook.

Full report is available

The Disappearing Defined Benefit Pension and Its Potential Impact on the Retirement Incomes of Boomers

The Urban Institute has issued a report examines the impact of an accelerated freeze on the retirement income of boomers. Over the last three decades there has been a steady shift from defined benefit to defined contribution pension plans. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 may accelerate this trend. Simulations suggest that this change could reduce average retirement incomes.

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Long Term Care and the White House

The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging's blog discusses the Obama Administration's recommendations for long-term care. These recommendations include:

Include long-term care services and supports in health reform;

Make $5.5 billion available immediately for 3000 affordable housing projects for the elderly, retirement communities, nursing homes and for new technologies;
Make $4 billion available to stabilize America’s 16,000 nursing homes;

Direct the secretaries of HHS, HUD and Labor to create a coordinated and integrated approach to the orchestration of hundreds of government-defined services for the elderly;

Recognize that post-acute care is separate from long-term care and has different implications for reimbursement, training of staff and care planning.

Full posting is available