Study notes high costs for caregiving of elderly
The out-of-pocket cost of caring for an aging parent or spouse averages about $5,500 a year, according to the nation’s first in-depth study of such expenses, a sum that is more than double previous estimates and more than the average American household spends annually on health care and entertainment combined.

Family members responsible for ailing loved ones provide not only “hands on” care but often reach into their own pockets to pay for many other expenses of care recipients, including groceries, household goods, drugs, medical co-payments and transportation. That nudges the average cost of providing long-distance care to $8,728 a year.

These findings and others, released in mid-November 2007, came from a telephone survey of 1,000 adults caring for someone over age 50 who needs help with activities like bathing, using the toilet, preparing meals, shopping or managing finances. It is the first detailed look at out-of-pocket spending among the estimated 34 million Americans providing care for older family members or friends and builds on a 2004 study. (excerpted from New York Times, 11-19-07)

Debate surrounds early screening for Alzheimer's
Early detection of Alzheimer's disease can be crucial, giving patients a chance to plan for the future and take medication to keep symptoms from worsening, at least for a while. Many geriatric experts advocate routine screening of older people for the disease, to give patients their best shot at treatment.
But a number of patient advocates and physicians say the push for widespread screening is premature. There are no data showing that screening people who have no memory complaints actually leads to better outcomes. And there are potential negative consequences, these critics say, including false positives that needlessly put patients at risk for depression or anxiety.

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AB 1022 passes first committee hurdle
Assembly Bill 1022 (Saldaña, D-San Diego), Aging Services’ sponsored legislation on Continuing Care at Home, passed out of the Assembly Human Services Committee on a 6-0 bipartisan vote on January 7. The bill will be heard next in the Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee and will then go to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. For the latest information, contact Eric Dowdy at edowdy@aging.org.

HAP payment delays still possible
Aging Services’ housing members are encouraged to begin thinking about and planning for possible scenarios under which timely housing assistance payments are not received. Despite the short-term fixes implemented by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development last year, payment delays are still possible throughout 2008.

Nor Virus raises ugly head
The Nor Virus is once again hitting skilled nursing facilities sporadically in different parts of the state. Aging Services encourages providers to review their infection control systems and alert the staff to follow infection control procedures, especially hand washing.

CMS launches new integrated care website
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently launched a new web location that will serve as a resource for states, health plans and providers to use in designing integrated care delivery systems. The website can be accessed directly at www.cms.hhs.gov/integratedcareint/.

MDS validation study to be discussed
On January 24, 2008, CMS will hold a meeting to discuss the results of the five-year validation study of MDS 3.0. CMS has promised to post an updated version of MDS 3.0 on the MDS website this month. CMS is moving ahead with its timeline to have draft specifications by November 2008, final specification in spring of 2009 and implementation of MDS 3.0 by fall of 2009.

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Showcase your best employees best work
Members: Send photographs of senior living and care employees to Aging Services so they may be recognized in a multimedia slideshow to premiere at the association's 2008 Annual Conference, May 5-7, in San Diego. The extended deadline for submissions is February 15. All (high-resolution) photos should be submitted to dlindsey@aging.org or mailed to Darren Lindsey, Aging Services of California, 1315 I Street, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95814. Check online at www.aging.org for more details.

Art & Alzheimer's: Portraits of the mind by William Utermohlen
Aging Services of California proudly presents the international touring art exhibition by renowned artist William Utermohlen this February in Sacramento. Utermohlen, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1995, chronicled his descent into dementia through a remarkable series of self-portraits.

This poignant and powerful presentation will be on display inside the State Capitol and at The Art Foundry Gallery. Special arrangements will be made for attendees of Aging Services' 2008 Public Policy Conference (February 19-21) to view the displays. A commemorative lithograph promoting the exhibition will also be made available to senior living and care providers as an insert in the upcoming edition of agenda. Utermohlen's work was previously featured on the cover of the August 2007 edition of agenda.

Aging Services' awards nominations due January 18
Take time now nominate a deserving individual, unique program or productive association Region for special recognition by Aging Services of California. The awards brochure with nomination forms is available online at www.aging.org. Nominations must be received at the Aging Services office by January 18, 2008. Award recipients will be honored at the Annual Conference on May 6-7 in San Diego.

Award categories are: Associate Member-of-the-Year, Award of Honor, Community Service, Meritorious Service, Outstanding Mentor, Region Recognition, Resident-of-the-Year, Social Responsibility, Trustee-of-the-Year, Quality First, and Volunteer Service.

ASAE honors Aging Services public education campaign
Aging Services of California's public education campaign - "Aging is an Active Verb" is one of only 18 programs named to the prestigious Associations Advance America Honor Roll, a national recognition sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives and The Center for Association Leadership.

The Advance America program honors and promotes associations "that propel America forward [by] disseminating valuable information to policyshapers, regulators and the public to enhance understanding or analysis [and by] educating consumers about the efficiency, quality and safety of products and services, thereby bolstering public confidence in the marketplace."

2008 Annual Conference sponsorships available
Aging Services of California is offering sponsorship opportunities for the 2008 Aging Services Annual Conference, May 5-7, 2008 in San Diego at the Paradise Point Resort & Spa. As a statewide leader in advocating quality senior living and care, Aging Services offers prospective partners a mutually beneficial proposition - with both public interest and marketing value.
The Annual Conference is the premier event for long-term care professionals in California. It attracts more than 800 attendees for three days of education and networking. Contact Jan Guiliano at 916-932-1267 or email jguilian@aging.org for more information or visit the Aging Services website at www.aging.org.

Take advantage of few remaining booths for 2008 Annual Conference
Aging Services of California encourages Associate members and other providers of senior services and products to exhibit at the association's Annual Conference and Exposition, May 5-7, at the Paradise Point Resort & Spa in San Diego. As the largest event of its kind on the West Coast, this is the opportunity to access and network with more than 500 of the state's key administrators and professionals in long-term care. Also joining these leaders are dozens of their communities' most active Board presidents, trustees and residents.
Besides the unprecedented one-on-one access to hundreds of prospects, exhibitors also benefit from:

• more than four hours of non-conflicting exhibit time
• free pre- and post-conference attendee list
• free listing in the on-site brochure
• free listing on the Aging Services’ website
• incredible exposure

For additional information on the Aging Services Exposition, visit www.aging.org or contact Felicia Price at fprice@aging.org or 916-932-1270.

Disney to deliver leadership seminars for Aging Services members
The Disney Institute's traveling professional development program, "Disney Keys to Excellence," sponsored by Solution Infusion, is coming to California. The first stop is at California State University, Long Beach on March 25, 2008. From there the program travels to Menlo College in Atherton in the San Francisco Bay Area for a presentation on April 11, 2008.

The full-day, interactive seminars provide an exclusive look at the "business behind the magic" from Walt Disney World® insiders. Facilitated by a network of Disney professionals, the seminars impart the successful business practices and unique philosophies that have made the Disney name synonymous with creativity, quality and innovation. The public seminars share strategies in leadership, management, customer service and customer loyalty techniques currently used throughout the Walt Disney World® organization. The instruction also provides hands-on, effective solutions that can easily be applied and adapted to other organizations.

Sponsored by Solution Infusion, Aging Services of California will extend discounted registration fees to association members. The member rate is $374, a $50 discount off the regular fee. (Aging Services members should use promotional code "ASCANWSE" to register online at www.keyssanfran.com or www.keylosangeles.com. For more information, including details on group discounts, call 877-544-2384.)

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