This is a good article about PTSD and Older Adults.
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/newsletters/research-quarterly/V12N3.pdf
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Declining Depression Rates Among Older Americans
Depression rates have fallen significantly among the majority of older adults in recent years, with the most pronounced drop among the elderly, who have historically been a higher risk group for depression. This is according to a new study led by Depression Center member Kara Zivin, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychiatry in the U-M Medical School and research investigator at the VA Center for Clinical Management Research, which found that fewer Americans over 50 are experiencing symptoms of depression. The results were not all good news, however, as increased depression rates were found among “late middle agers” (55-59 years of age) over the study period (1998 to 2008).
http://www.michiganradio.org/post/fewer-older-adults-report-depression-symptoms-except-one-group
AAA1B Network Insider
This issue includes info on:
- Pet Food for Food Stamp Recipients
- Monroe County Yellow Dot Program for Senior Citizen Drivers
- AAA 1-B Aging Network News
- DSP Vendor Updates: Reporting Missed Visits MDCH Requirement
- Mind on Art at the Detroit Institute of Arts
Older Michiganians Day 2013 platform
Attached is the platform for Older Michiganians Day. I encourage you to read and share it with your members, and to contact your legislators in support. If you’re unsure of who your state representatives and senators are, you can find out at http://www.michigan.gov/som/0,1607,7-192-29701_29704—,00.html. Happy advocating!
PBS NewsHour: Long-Term Care in America
This week, PBS kicks off coverage of long-term care in America with a segment that will be the first in a series of videos on this critical element of aging with dignity and independence. Coverage will also include articles and infographics.
To view the videos, go to PBS NewsHour Long-Term Care In America
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/topic/health/?utm_source=5-30-13%3A+TSF+May+Revise+Fact+Sheet&utm_campaign=May+2013+Eblast&utm_medium=email
Detroit Senior Olympics
The Detroit Recreation Department is offering the following activities in June:
June 18 Detroit Senior Olympics – Williams Recreation Center, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
June 19 Detroit Senior Olympics – Belle Isle Casino, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Hearing Aids: A Luxury Good for Many Seniors
High costs and minimal insurance coverage may be keeping adults out of the hearing aid market. An article from NPR:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/28/186499113/hearing-aids-a-luxury-good-for-many-seniors
AMA’s Guidance on Assisting Older Adults with Driving Cessation
I attended a great presentation by Dr. Mark Ensberg at the Geriatric Education Center of Michigan. He’s a physician and the presentation discussed how the AMA directs/guides physicians on how to assess older drivers’ physical and mental capacity to drive, how to have the difficult conversation of advising/prescribing them not to drive, and how to report older drivers who are dangerous drivers.
The website includes an array of good information on what to expect (presuming your member/resident’s PCP is up to date) on support you can get from suggesting a member talk with their physician about their driving concerns.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/public-health/promoting-healthy-lifestyles/geriatric-health/older-driver-safety/assessing-counseling-older-drivers.page
I’m also attaching the chapter for physicians that specifically addresses how to hold that challenging conversation with their patient about driving cessation. It includes scenarios with dialogue, resources, and pitfalls. Even though you are not physicians and will not be prescribing driving cessation, some of the conversations give the same background context a SC could give.
Finally, I’m attaching the AMA’s handouts for older drivers and their families. There are some outstanding checklists for helping older adults self assess their driving as well as tips for families/caregivers.
Aging Alert
Aging Alert publication of the Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan attached.
Focus is on aging programs hit by federal cuts.
Ideas for Health Assessments
Hey everyone!
Henry Ford Health System has a community outreach person who is responsible for doing things like scheduling blood pressure screenings. I recently got in touch with the outreach person for Henry Ford Wyandotte, Melanie Elliott. I asked if she could help me with scheduling screenings other than blood pressure here at Flat Rock Towers. I explained to Elliott that screenings that involve puncturing skin or ingesting things are not permitted on site. Since that conversation, Elliott scheduled a therapist to come out to do grip assessments. Grip assessments tie in to balance assessments in that it tests the patient’s ability to do things like grip shower bars.
The flyer that I made for this event is attached:
So, these are just some ideas as to how to meet those assessment criteria on the logic model. What types of things has everyone else done in their co-ops?
-Renee