Monday, May 21st 2007

Senior Medicare Patrol meeting

Tuesday May 22nd 2007 – First day of the conference

"Improving Long Term Care through Innovative Housing Solutions”
Dr. William H. Thomas Author, Gerontologist, and AARP Visiting Scholar.

Dr. Bill Thomas is a nationally recognized author, gerontologist and expert in innovative elder care.  His energy and sense of hope are infectious as he describes his “Greenhouse” model of long term care being developed around the nation.  Dr. Thomas will describe innovations in eldercare, reflect on Montana’s situation, and then answer our questions during this plenary.

Dr. William H. Thomas Author, Gerontologist, and AARP Visiting Scholar. 

Dr. Thomas will continue by exploring all the behaviors that can improve our health and therefore our financial security as we age.  His humor and compassion are evident as he addresses the “wise use of prescriptions” and our role and responsibility as wise healthcare consumers.  We’ll be energized and encouraged to take charge of our own health with our healthcare provider.  Questions and answers conclude this session.

In spite of coming from a generation averse to credit an increasing number of our seniors are “aging into debt.”  The presentation will explore the causes and consequences of Elder debt in Montana.  Current and future policy directives will be discussed.

Reducing Your Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. This presentation will cover the basics of Alzheimer’s disease and how it attacks the brain with particular focus on the demands of care giving and the need for respite. The future of treatment will also be explored concluding with easy ways to reduce the risk of falling victim to the disease. Bob Maxson, Director of Programs and Education for the Alzheimer’s Association Montana Chapter

Nutrition Basics for Title VI Programs - Title VI of the Older Americans Act, as amended, provides for nutrition services to older Indians.  This session will describe the basic laws related to the provision of nutrition services and basic nutrition guidelines for these services. Floristene Johnson, Senior Aging Program Specialist/Nutritionist Administration on Aging/Region VI, Dallas, Texas.

A New Aging Agency Funding Source: Aging in Place Network/ HECM Reverse Mortgage Program - In this presentation you will learn about a new funding source for your program, which also helps your clients who are trying to remain independent but lack the necessary income to pay for services that will help them to remain in their home.  The Aging in Place Network is partnering with local aging agencies to provided knowledgeable objective HECM Reverse Mortgage counseling to senior clients.  This program provides education and funding for this work.  So come learn about a program that can help your agency’s budget and your clients’ pocketbook. Sue Bailey, Program Manager, Yellowstone Co. Council on Aging Resource Center.

A New Trend in Healthcare: Value-Based Purchasing - Currently Americans spend more money on healthcare than any other developed nation in the world. Can we expect higher quality healthcare to cost less money? What are next steps providers, payers and consumers need to know and do to be successful in a new environment of value-based purchasing? Learn how the current healthcare system operates and what is in store for our future. Presenters: Kim Kurokawa, RN and Kirsten Kammerzell, RHIA - Mountain-Pacific Quality Health

Wednesday May 23rd 2007

Sexuality and Aging, covers the issues of sexuality as a person ages. Tempered with humor, this sometimes uncomfortable and “taboo” topic deals with the reality that an older adult continues to be a sexual being. Ms Sparks also discusses the responsibility that caregivers have when determining whether an older adult with Memory Loss is capable of continuing to use capable judgment regarding sexual activity. Sheryl L. Sparks is the Vice President of Alzheimer’s Programming with Highgate Senior Living in Washington State.  She has a Master of Arts in Psychology with an emphasis on Gerontology. (presented twice)

Assessing Elder Needs How to Measure Benefits and Develop Links to Long-term Care. – The purpose of the project is to assist tribes in interpreting and using their needs assessment data to develop long-term care infrastructure that respond to local needs and culture. Topics covered in the toolkit are community development, needs assessment, health promotion, home and community based services, assisted living, skilled nursing homes, and hospice care. We are developing a spectrum of long term care services/options for tribes to consider when planning, developing, and implementing their long term care efforts. Alan Allery, M.Ed., MHA, Ph.D. Director for the National Resource Center on Native American Aging with the Center for Rural Health, within the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of North Dakota.

Divided We Fail - is a national campaign led by AARP to amplify the voices of Americans who believe that health and long-term financial security are the most pressing issues facing our nation today.  AARP believes that individuals should have access to affordable, quality healthcare and peace of mind about their future long-term financial security.  Together we can make this happen, but Divided We Fail. Over the next 18 months, we will distribute information, ask you to pledge your support for candidates committed to health and financial security, and ask you to share your stories of your own struggles for health and financial security. The session will provide information about the campaign and how you can help.  Presented by - Claudia Clifford, Associate Director for Advocacy and Pat Callbeck Harper, Associate Director for Communication, AARP Montana.

Medicare Preventive Services & MyMedicare.gov - Lets discuss Medicare's coverage of preventive services; their importance, what services are covered, how often, and their costs.  Additionally, to help people with Medicare take charge and manage the Medicare benefits they are entitled to (including preventive benefits); we will discuss the new MyMedicare.gov tool now available to Medicare consumers.  Nan Pellegren, CMS Region VIII - Denver, CO

How to Talk to Your Doctor - Tips for getting the most out of your health care encounter!  What do we know about physician behavior?  Eighteen Seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That’s the time it takes most doctors to make a diagnosis……. Getting the right diagnosis is a life and death matter. But, about 15% of the initial diagnoses were wrong! Learn about how to help your doctor make the correct diagnosis by talking to them.  Alan Allery, M.Ed., MHA, Ph.D. Director for the National Resource Center on Native American Aging with the Center for Rural Health, within the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of North Dakota.

Medicare Preventive Services & MyMedicare.gov - Lets discuss Medicare's coverage of preventive services; their importance, what services are covered, how often, and their costs.  Additionally, to help people with Medicare take charge and manage the Medicare benefits they are entitled to (including preventive benefits); we will discuss the new MyMedicare.gov tool now available to Medicare consumers.  Nan Pellegren, CMS Region VIII - Denver, CO

Politics & Retirement Security: Can You Afford to Retire?” - Planning for retirement can be a daunting process.  The policies that Congress decides today may impact your retirement tomorrow.  Where can I afford to live?  What services will I require?  How much money will I need?  Do I need long term care insurance?  What help will I get from Social Security and Medicare?  The workshop will address many of the legal and financial concerns of boomers and the influence of politics for a safe and secure retirement.  The presenter will look at the politics that drives the policies of Federal and State programs that are available for retirees and how these programs may help or hinder retirees both financially and socially.  This workshop provides various tools for an individual to see how ready they are to retire.

Thursday May 24th, 2007 half day

Contracts: Fine Print and Bold Lies! - Showing how to avoid being ripped up by a contract including avoiding terminations fees, dealing with arbitration clauses, and watching out for dangerous clauses in contracts.  Answering the big questions like “Do I have 3 days to cancel a contract?” and “What if I can’t read a contract because it is printed too small” Cort Jensen

Depression in the Elderly - Depression is not a normal consequence of aging.  Although the prevalence of depression in health, independent elders is actually lower than in the general population, depression in later life frequently coexists.  In addition, advancing age is often accompanied by loss of key social support systems due to the death of a spouse or siblings, retirement, and/or relocation of residence.   The normal sadness and grief associated with these life changes can lead to depression if there is subsequent loss of independence or social isolation.  Because of their change in circumstances and the fact that they're expected to slow down, doctors and family may miss the diagnosis of depression in elderly people, delaying effective treatment.  As a result, many seniors find themselves having to cope with symptoms that could otherwise be easily treated. Internist Scott Falley, M.D.,  St. Peter's Hospital, Helena

Legislative Issues Impacting Seniors - This is an informal workshop presentation of interest to seniors, service providers and advocates by the Advocacy Director and lead volunteers of AARP Montana. The session will highlight the 2007 Montana Legislative Session issues - Security freeze protection from ID theft, Older Montanans Trust Fund, Senior and Long-term Care Division funding, election laws, bills related to grandparents raising grandchildren, among others. Claudia Clifford, Associate Director for Advocacy, AARP Montana

Revitalize Your Spirit - The second part of the session will allow participants to select from a variety of activities to reconnect to our spirit, to relax, to laugh, and to just have fun!  Activities will include a breakout session of yoga, massage, and relaxation; dancing; gardening; and woodworking. Join Traci Clark, Coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Grant; Kira Niece who graduated from the Oregon School of Massage; Rhonda McKay, a registered nurse and nationally registered yoga instructor; Tim Pattison, dance instructor since 1983; and many others and Revitalize YOUR Spirit! 

Scams, Swindlers, and Bingo - Fraud happens every day. It happens to our neighbors and friends. It happens in communities across the State and it costs Montanans millions of dollars.The State Auditor’s Office will talk about our InvestSmart Montana program. We show you how to check out your brokers, investment advisors, and investment companies to ensure that they are properly licensed and doing legitimate business in Montana. And we help you ensure that investments are legitimate before you turn over your money. Montana Lottery will discuss the various Lottery and sweepstakes scams    presently being distributed through Montana.  Samples of some of these schemes will be available for the public to see.We will also play InvestSmart Bingo. You have a chance to win some great prizes including gift certificates, lottery scratch tickets, and merchandise. And this bingo game has a twist. You are playing for fun and prizes but at the same time, you are learning how to be a smart and savvy consumer. Jen Kirby & Bill Henne State Auditor’s Office

Grant Possibilities for Renovation or Replacement of Senior Centers - Many senior centers operate out of building that were already old when they began servicing seniors 20-30 years ago.  As a result, centers are looking for ways to either replace their current facility or do some repairs and updating to keep their centers going.  This session will look at two possible strategies to accomplish these goals with the assistance of two groups that were successful in accomplishing the task: applying for a Community Development Block (CDBG) grant or seeking foundation funding.  Frank Kromkowski, CDBG program specialist; Beth Hunt, Director of the Meagher County Senior Center; and Clara Sipe, Director of the Polson Senior Center.

Rebalancing State Medicaid Programs: Recommendations for MT Based on National Trends - States continue to struggle with Medicaid – trying to balance cost containment and the need for a safety net that can help low-income disabled individuals in a cost-effective way. One answer some states have found is “rebalancing” – reallocating resources from institutional care to home and community based services. Nearby states Washington and Oregon are leading the nation, but other states have lessons to offer as well. Presenters will discuss recent changes in federal Medicaid policy, best practices at the state level and offer recommendations for how Montana can “rebalance” its state Medicaid program. Lee Goldberg is the policy director for the Long Term Care Division of the Service Employees International Union, the nation’s largest union and the largest health care union in the United States.