2011 Age-Friendly West Side Grocery Guide

From the New York City Council and The New York Academy of Medicine, a guide to grocery stores aimed at the elderly. The guide informs seniors of the availability of seating, restrooms, single portions, and home delivery.

Full guide is available
Discussion in The New York Times

Income and Poverty among Older Koreans Relative Contributions of and Relationship between Public and Family Transfers

Rand Corporation looks at the effects of public pensions/welfare systems vs. private systems on poverty in the Republic of Korea.

Link to full report

Impact of population change on well-being of elderly in Thailand

This chapter from a larger work on demographic change in Thailand by the University of Michigan Population Studies Center looks at the well-being of seniors in an environment in which there are fewer younger people, but increasing access to a more comfortable lifestyle.

Full report is available

Improving Advanced Illness Care: The Evolution of State POLST Programs

AARP examines the benefits of Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment as used in 12 states. It looks at how the plans developed as a means of communicating patient choices without sacrificing care.

Full report is available

Caregiver Roulette: California Fails to Screen those who Care for the Elderly at Home

California Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes looks at the problems facing the elderly in California who require home healthcare. California does not regulate the home care industry, resulting in elderly citizens being victimized by individuals who prey on their helpless situation.

Full report is available

Home Health Care and Discharged Hospice Care Patients: United States, 2000 and 2007

National Center for Health Statistics compares characteristics, length of service, medical diagnoses, functional limitations, service use, advance care planning, and emergent and hospital care use for home health care and hospice patients for the years 2000 and 2007.

Report is available

Part D Plans Generally Cover Drugs Commonly Used By Dual Eligibles

U.S. DHHS Office of the Inspector General presents the results of a study which looked at the drugs contained in the formularies of the pharmacies included in stand-alone drug plans and Medicare Advantage drug plans. The intent of the study was to determine if the most commonly used drugs needed by dual eligibles were included.

Full report is available

Proposed Changes to Medicare in "Path to Prosperity": Overview and Key Questions

In an Issue Brief, Kaiser Family Foundation looks at the proposals in the Paul Ryan's budget proposal, The Path to Prosperity: Restoring America’s Promise that would directly affect Medicare.

Issue Brief is available

Narrowing World Health Disparities and Longevity A report from the International Longevity Centre Global Alliance dinner debate, Cape Town

This report from the International Longevity Centre (UK) presents the results of a discussion held 25th October 2010 in Cape Town,
South Africa. The report analyzes the differences in life expectancy throughout the world, and the genetic, behavioral, environmental and systemic factors that influence the differences.

Full report is available

Ryan Medicaid Block Grant Would Cause Severe Reductions in Health Care and Long-Term Care for Seniors, People with Disabilities, and Children

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities examines the effects of Congressman Paul Ryan's efforts to restructure Medicaid. The report finds that the plan would decrease federal funding to Medicaid by 35% in 2022 and by 49% in 2030. This would force states to either fund the difference or scale back eligibility.

Report is available

What Factors Affect Health Care Expenditures and Health?

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation looks at the factors that affect differences in health care expenditures and death rates among the elderly, and policy solutions that can reduce costs and increase insurance coverage.

Report is available

Who Purchases Long-Term Care Insurance?

Urban Institute uses data from the 2008 Health and Retirement Study to determine the percentage of adults over age 55 with long-term care insurance, by annual income and race.

Full report is available

Health Care Coverage for Direct-Care Workers: 2009 Data Update

National Clearinghouse on the Direct Care Workforce looks at the healthcare benefits of direct-care workers. Of specific interest is the data that applies to health care workers involved with the elderly and disabled.

Full report is available

Preliminary Analysis of the Continuing Resolution For Fy11

National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities presents an overview of each U.S. Federal agencies proposed funding levels, as outlined by the contingency resolution.

Full report is available

The Independent Payment Advisory Board: A New Approach Controlling Medicare Spending

Kaiser Family Foundation discusses how the Independent Payment Advisory Board, a 15 member committee that is appointed by the President and approved by the Senate, will attempt to reduce Medicare spending.

Issue Brief is available

Complementary and Alternative Medicine: What People Aged 50 and Older Discuss With Their Health Care Providers

In an AARP and National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine report, the results of a telephone survey of 1,013 people 50 and older, and their use of complementary/alternative therapies is discussed. How much or little do seniors tell their physicians about their use of CAM methodologies?

Full report is available