Video of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsiblity and Reform: 1rst Meeting

September 1, 2010

Since discussions during the President’s federal deficit commission meetings touch on retirement, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, I thought it would be useful for our readers if I archive the meetings here. We are in a crucial period of reform related to our retirement security and health care provisions for older Americans and this commission’s work will likely impact any future changes that take place regarding government programs that benefit many of our clients, residents, and customers.

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Health Literacy is an Important Life Skill for Older Adults

September 1, 2010

The ability to obtain, understand, and utilize basic health information and services is important for every adult. These skills in health literacy become increasingly important as we age. New research examines the correlates of health literacy in older adults and points toward opportunities for interventions.

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Intergenerational Music Program Provides Enjoyment for All

August 31, 2010

Every now and again we like to highlight model programs that show great promise. Intergenerational programs are always a challenge, but offer a highly rewarding opportunity to engage different generations with one another. In Wilson, WY, employees working with the Center for the Arts are running a program called Music Together. This program is designed to engage children in music movement and teach them basic skills, such as rhythm. In Wyoming a novel use of this program was created by a partnership between a children’s community center and an assisted living residence.

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Quality of Work Life and Intention to Retire among Older Employees

August 31, 2010

New research has found an association between an individual’s quality of work life and the age they retire. A European based study examined 6836 participants, aged 50-65, and assessed the retirement intentions of participants and their job satisfaction.

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New Research Examines Health Literacy and Computer Usage of Low-Income Adults

August 31, 2010

Internet use and access has increased immensely over the past 15 years. In 1995, 15% of households had internet access. In 2008 this number rose to 77%. During this time, the internet has become an important source of information on health related issues for many Americans. It often serves as a primary source of information and as a way to research a diagnosis made by a health care professional. Because of these trends a lot of interest has been growing in health literacy related to the internet (or e-health literacy); especially, among groups of people who are novice users of the internet. New research was published that examines the health literacy of internet users of low-income adults.

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The Landscape of Retirement Continues to Change

August 31, 2010

A new research brief published by the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire, adds to mounting evidence that retirement patterns are shifting dramatically. This represents an abrupt change from the nearly 50 year long trend of older adults retiring earlier to a life of leisure. The autonomy promised by retirement has quickly become an unreachable dream for a growing number of older adults and perhaps undesirable for others who prefer to work later into life.

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Evaluating Employee Turnover in Home and Hospice Care

August 31, 2010

The number of home and community based services for older adults have grown tremendously over the past 20 years. This has occurred because of a continued shift in government expenditure related to these programs and an increasing desire of older adults to age in place in their homes and/or communities. Because of this growth, it is no surprise that questions about staffing quality and professionalization are now occurring related to home-based care. In response, a new study has compared the turnover rates of home care and hospice agencies among their direct care staff.

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Will Moving Later in Life Impact Your Health? It Depends…

August 31, 2010

Researchers at Syracuse University recently published a report outlining the diverse impact that moving has on older adults. This study builds on previous research that found that moving has the potential to change the health status of older adults. Many older adults do not move or wish to move from their current homes, so this research is mostly relevant for senior housing providers and older adults thinking about moving.

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Older Women Face Different Health Obstacles in Rural and Urban Settings

August 31, 2010

The link between an individual’s health status and various social determinates has been confirmed in numerous research studies. The history of such research spans decades. The majority of these studies have focused on the role that socioeconomic status, gender, and ethnicity play in the lifestyle choices, environmental risks, and health care access of individuals. A new study in Canada builds off of this research in an effort to better understand the health inequalities of older women by utilizing a comparative approach between rural and urban residential settings.

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Study Finds Early Retirees At Greater Mortality Risk

August 27, 2010

A United States based study sought out to assess whether the age at which a person retires impacts the length of their life. The current study assesses if there is any survival advantage in individuals that retire early.

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