Retirement Living TV to Film South Carolina's 'Call to Action' Leadership Summit
Host John Palmer will moderate a panel dissussion with Lt. Governor André Bauer, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging Josfina Carbonell and others

Retirement Living TV (RLTV), the first cable network created for people aged 55 and over, will host South Carolina's Statewide "Call to Action" Leadership Summit on Aging at the Grand Strand Senior Center in Myrtle Beach, SC on April 27, 10 AM-11AM (EST).

Retirement Living TV host John Palmer (former anchor and White House correspondent for NBC) will moderate a panel including Lt. Governor André Bauer and U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging at the Department of Health and Human Services Josefina Carbonell. RLTV will record this important community event for future broadcast, as Lt. Governor Bauer and Assistant Secretary Carbonell discuss how South Carolina and the Federal Government are responding to the growing needs of seniors in America.

"Beyond RLTV's entertainment value, we want to be a positive force in addressing seniors' needs and shift how aging is perceived in America," said John Palmer, Retirement Living TV. "A part of the network's mission is to document the challenges that seniors face daily, and how local, state, and federal entities are finding solutions and building alliances to create a system of support for the rapidly growing senior population. That's why we are excited to tape this show in Myrtle Beach."

"We have heard the message from the federal government loud and clear," said Lt. Governor Bauer, "and we are aggressively remaking our programs to meet the challenge of the senior boom. We have an obligation to the seniors of South Carolina to create a system that works for them."

About Retirement Living TV:

Retirement Living TV, a cable network dedicated to informing, involving, and inspiring people aged 55 and over, was launched in September 2006. Retirement Living TV is comprised of shows covering topics including health, lifestyle, finance, and politics. The Retirement Living TV network roots are in Erickson Retirement Communities, the National Institutes of Health, non- profit research foundations, the Erickson School of Aging Studies at University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), and leading gerontologists across the country. RLTV is committed to changing the perception on aging, and strives to develop innovative and entertaining television for a mature viewing audience.

Retirement Living TV programming can be viewed at http://WWW.RL.TV. Retirement Living TV is also available on channel 364 on DirecTV, M - F, 9 AM - 5 PM (EST).

AARP Planning Guide Can Help Families Deal With Uncomfortable Subject

One of the hardest tasks in the world is putting together a plan you hope you and your loved one will never have to use. For ourselves
and our loved ones, all we really want is happiness, good health, and loving family and friends. When the unexpected happens, however, it helps to have the tools in place to deal with life’s complications, especially when they are designed to help you care for someone close to you.

The above quote is from a new publication from the national non-profit AARP Foundation designed to help families deal with the difficult task of planning for the long term care needs of older family members. Too often, families put off planning for these decisions until there is a problem, which can make a stressful situation such as finding a nursing home or applying for assistance programs that much harder.

According to the Planning Guides Introduction:

Lack of planning doesn’t mean there is a lack of commitment. On the contrary, often families avoid discussions about the future simply because they don’t want to think about changes in the lives of the people they love the most. Like writing a will or buying a life insurance policy, contemplating the 'what if’s,' especially a serious illness or a loss of independence, can be downright depressing.

Today, 30 million households are providing care for an adult over
the age of 50—and that number is expected to double over the
next 25 years. For many Americans, life at 40, 50 or even 60 years
old will include care for an aging parent or relative. As the nation
grows older, the need for caregiving will be as common as the
need for child care.

To get a copy of the publication Prepare to Care - A Planning Guide for Families, contact the AARP foundation at 1-888-OUR AARP (1-888-687-2277).

You can also download an electronic copy by cicking on the Icon to the left of this story (Adobe PDF file).

2007 Medicare Trustees Report Released

Medicare's Hospital Insurance Trust Fund is projected to be at zero by the year 2019, according to the Medicare Trustees Report issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Monday (April 23).

That's actually a slight improvement from last year's estimate, which projected a 2018 date for the fund to reach zero balance. The health of the Trust Fund is a good bellweather for the overall health of the Medicare system, because the lower the fund reserve drops, the more the government must rely on current taxes to pay Medicare expenditures. But at some point in the future, additional expenditures will not be sustainable without large tax increases or drastic cuts to other parts of the budget. In a press release issued by the CMS Office of Public Affairs, Medicare's leaders say more action needs to be taken now to get future costs under control.

From the Release:

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said the report points to the need to act quickly and efficiently to strengthen and improve Medicare, including enactment of the steps proposed in the President’s budget to address Medicare's fiscal health.

“Medicare reminds us of the great dilemma of health care – the things that are priceless are not price free,” Secretary Leavitt said. “We are making progress toward finding peace between the two – toward addressing long-term solvency while providing up-to-date care. But today’s report shows us that we have a long way to go.”

“We are already beginning to implement steps to protect Medicare for future generations,” said Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Acting Administrator Leslie V. Norwalk. “Medicare is now providing up-to-date preventive benefits and comprehensive drug coverage and is developing better information on quality and costs of health care to ensure that we pay appropriately for the health care of our beneficiaries. A critical element of this process is the movement we have underway for Medicare to change from being a passive payer of services to becoming an active purchaser of high-quality, efficient care. Until those steps are fully implemented, today’s report starkly demonstrates the need to act to change Medicare’s current growth trajectory.”

Read the complete press release on the CMS Office of Public Affairs web site.

Download the Overview of the 2007 Trustees Report (Adobe PDF file).

Can Health Promotion Programs Really Save Medicare Dollars?

The answer to that question is yes, according to a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-sponsored study published recently in the journal Clinical Interventions in Aging (Dove Medical Press).

Researchers from Thomson Healthcare and Cornell University led the research project, which examined the relevant scientific literature and concluded that well-designed health promotion initiatives can deliver a positive return-on-investment to the Medicare program, according to a press release issue by Thompson Health and picked up by the Administration on Aging's latest e-newsletter.

From the Thompson Health release:

“Medicare is confronting rising healthcare costs, an aging population, and the high prevalence of chronic disease among the elderly. It needs innovative approaches to manage an urgent situation,” said lead author Ron Z. Goetzel, Ph.D., a vice president at Thomson Healthcare and director of the Institute for Health Productivity Studies at Cornell University. “This study suggests that well-designed health promotion programs can improve seniors’ quality of life and save money.”

CMS sponsored this study as it prepares to launch a three-and-a-half year research project, called Senior Risk Reduction Demonstration (SRRD), that will evaluate the health and economic impact of providing health promotion services to Medicare beneficiaries. “This project is an important step in changing the Medicare program’s focus from disease treatment to disease prevention,” Goetzel said.

The SSRD will make health promotion services available to non-institutionalized Medicare beneficiaries through private sector vendors. Enrollment in the program will be voluntary. The demonstration will emphasize self-care — reducing risk behaviors such as smoking, inactivity, and poor eating habits, and promoting healthy behaviors such as exercise and a balanced diet.

“Research has found that 5 percent of Medicare beneficiaries — presumably many with chronic diseases — account for nearly half of Medicare spending,” Goetzel said. “And 40 percent of beneficiaries account for only 1 percent total spending. Clearly, preventing or postponing the onset of chronic disease can save money while improving lives.”

Read the entire press release from Thompson Health.

Learn more about the Senior Risk Reduction Demonstration project from the CMS Office of Public Affairs.

Senior PGA Tournament Expected to Generate Big Bucks for Charleston Area

The PGA Senior Tour is booming in popularity, hitting a demographic sweet spot with baby boomer older fans who love watching professionals their own age play the game at an extremely high level of competitiveness.

And that popularity is expected to translate into a major economic impact for the lowcountry when the Senior Tour's championship tournament is held at Kiawah Island in May, according to an impact study conducted by the College of Charleston's Office of Tourism and Analysis reported on in the April 20 edition of the "Daily Journal," an online publication of the Charleston Regional Business Journal.

The study metioned in the article by Daily Journal senior staff writer Dennis Quick pegged the economic impact of the week-long Seniors Tourney at $23.3 million.

From the article:

Linda Malcolm, co-owner of Indigo Books, looks forward to the upcoming Senior PGA Championship at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course. Malcolm’s bookshop is located in Johns Island’s Freshfields Village, a shopping center near the Kiawah Island entrance.

“We’re excited. We think a lot of visitors will drop in. Freshfields is an attraction, and there will be lots of activities, a lot for families to do and see,” Malcolm said.

The 2007 Senior PGA Championship is expected to generate a $23.3 million economic impact on the Lowcountry, according to a study conducted by the College of Charleston’s Office of Tourism and Analysis.

Read the complete article.

Greenville's Jay Haas, 53, is expected to be in contention for the championship. He has played well on the Seniors Tour - open to professional golfers aged 50 and above - in 2006 and 2007.

Retiring Boomers Driving a Trend Towards Smaller Housing

As many members of the baby boomer generation begin to contemplate how and where to spend their retirement years, many are choosing to relocate to smaller homes, a trend that has implications for the home-building industry as whole, according to a recent feature story by San Antonio News-Express reporter Jennifer Hill that was picked up by the online building trade publication builderonline.com.

Moving to smaller digs also means figuring out what to do with a lifetime of accumulated "stuff," a process that isn't always easy in practical or emotional terms.

From the story:

Although the size of American homes has been ballooning for decades, reaching an all-time high in 2005 of an average 2,434 square feet, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, some home buyers are starting to move the other direction and to go smaller.

A generation of baby boomers is starting to hit retirement. And family sizes have dropped over the decades.

The National Association of Home Builders expects the average size of an American home to drop to about 2,330 square feet by 2015.

But moving to a smaller home also means cutting the emotional ties to a lifetime of stuff that's gathered in closets, attics and garages.

Read the entire story at builderonline.com.

DHEC Promoting Stroke Awareness During May

The State Department of Health and Environmental Control's (DHEC's) Division of Cardiovascular Health is urging South Carolinians of all ages to be more aware of the risks and signs of stroke.

"High blood pressure, cigarette smoking, diabetes, heart disease, poor eating habits and physical inactivity are stroke risk factors that can be changed, treated or controlled, thus increasing your chances of remaining stroke-free," said Dory Masters, director of DHEC's Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Division.

Masters said stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease. It affects the arteries within, and leading to, the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so it begins to die. Stroke is a medical emergency, so if you notice one or more of these signs, call for help immediately:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

DHEC's Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Division works with community partners and healthcare systems to improve the cardiovascular health and quality of life of South Carolinians through the prevention, detection and treatment of risk factors; early identification and treatment of cardiovascular diseases; and prevention of recurrent cardiovascular events.

Lisa Waddell, M.D., DHEC's deputy commissioner for Health Services, has been selected by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to serve as an ambassador on the national "Power to End Stroke" Ambassador's Task Force for the Mid-Atlantic region. Dr. Waddell and othe DHEC staff members will be conducting stroke awareness meetings around the state during the month of May.

Visit DHEC's Cardiovascular Health Division web page.

For more information about times and dates of outreach events, contact
Clair Boatwright at (803) 898-4461or via email at boatwrc@dhec.sc.gov .

Medicare Watchdog Group Collecting Stories from People Who Have Had Problems With Private Plans

If you've had a less-than positive experience with a Medicare plan offered by a private insurance company as an alternative to traditional Medicare, the non-profit "Medicare Rights Center" wants to hear your story.

According to an item posted in "Medicare Watch," the group's bi-weekly electronic newsletter, by sharing real-life stories that illustrate problems in our healthcare system with the press, policymakers and general public, the group will be able to more effectively raise awareness about these issues and help influence change in national health policy. The identities of the individuals who submit their experiences is protected, according to the organization.

From the Newsletter article:

Medicare Rights Center has launched The Medicare Private Health Plan Monitoring Project to capture the experiences of people who have signed up for a Medicare HMO, PPO, PFFS plan or any of the other types of Medicare Advantage plans. Are you getting the medical care you need? Has your doctor or hospital dropped out of your plan’s network? Is it costing you more than you expected? Were you misled into joining a plan? Are you locked-in to a plan that no longer meets your needs? Please tell your private health plan story so we can bring your story to Capitol Hill.

Visit the Medicare Rights Center web site for the "Medicare Private Health Plan Monitoring Project."

Are "E-Prescriptions" Coming for Medicare?

According to a press release issued Tuesday (April 17) by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, positive results from the testing of a pilot project conducted by HHS support the nationwide adoption of electronic subscription standards.

Setting the standards for electronic prescriptions would be a first step in eventually making all prescriptions electronic. Basically, adoption of such a system would mean that handwritten paper prescriptions would become a thing of the past. Instead, doctors or other healthcare providers would transmit prescriptions directly to pharmacists electronically. Proponents say the high-tech systems would be faster, and more accurate, as well as allowing better communication between doctor and pharmacist about a patient's history, drug interactions, plan coverage, etc. Such a change instituted for Medicare covered prescriptions would likely drive adoption of "e-prescriptions" across the board.

HHS Secreatry Mike Leavitt said in the release that adopton of electronic presciption standards would result in a significant drop in medication errors and also help lower costs in the Medicare prescription drug program.

“Electronic prescribing improves efficiencies while helping to eliminate potentially harmful drug interactions and other medication problems,” Secretary Leavitt said.  “It also solves the problem of hard-to-read handwritten prescriptions.  Additionally, such health information technologies promote affordability by allowing physicians to know which medications are covered by their patients’ Part D plans.”

“The findings in this report, along with previously adopted foundation standards, demonstrate that HHS is effectively advancing electronic prescribing which will continue to help Medicare beneficiaries receive higher quality care,” Secretary Leavitt said.

"Love and Sex: Are We Ever too Old?" Author to speak at Columbia's Capital Senior Center Thursday Evening

"Redefining youth," will be the topic of a four-hour presentation at Columbia's Capital Senior Center on Thursday (April 19) evening beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Author Neili Langer, whose book, Love and Sex: Are We Ever Too Old? attempts to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions about sexuality among older adults will be the featured speaker. With 78 million Baby Boomers marching towards retirement, Langer believes the Baby Boomer generation will play a pivotal role in changing attitudes about late-life love and relationships.

"When you look at their influence on civil rights, women's rights and the Vietnam War, you can see how the Baby Boomers have shaped so many areas of life in America as we know it," says Langer. "Now, they are the best educated and largest cohort of older adults the world has ever seen. They will be a driving force in liberating sexuality and showing the world that your love life doesn't have to slow down as you get older."

The lecture is part of a regular series of educational and cultural offerings aimed at older adults organized by the Capitol senior center. Seating for this event is limited, so call (803) 779-1971 to reserve a spot. Wine and eats will be provided at the event, and admission is free. Signed copies of Dr. Langer's book will be available for purchase.

About Nieli Langer:

Nieli Langer, PhD holds a doctorate in social work with a specialty in gerontology. She is the author of two textbooks in gerontology: Aging Education: Teaching and Practice Strategies and Elder Practice: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Working with Older Adults in the Community. Langer has also published numerous articles and textbook chapters in various publications on the subject of gerontology. She currently teaches in the Graduate School of Human Services at the College of New Rochelle, New York. She is happily married to "the same great guy going on 40 years." The Langers live and work in New York and New Jersey. They have three children and 4 grandchildren.

"Grandparents Visitation" Bill Clears House Judiciary Committee - Amended During Debate

A bill that would allow family courts in South Carolina to order visitation of a child by the child's grandparents under some circumstances saw debate on the floor of the State House of Representatives today (April 17).

H.3134, first introduced in the House on January 9 and referrred to the House Judiciary Committee received a favorable report from that Committee April 11 and has been added to the current House calendar. It passed second reading April 17(after being amended on the floor) and will soon come up for a third and final review/debate.

Some of the other bills related to seniors or aging issues in South Carolina that have seen recent action at the Statehouse include:

S.456 - A bill designed to ensure that financial products such as annuities marketed to seniors truly address their needs. This bill was passed by the Senate April 4 and sent to the House and referred to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry April 10.

S.657 - The "South Carolina Critical Needs Nursing Initiative Act" would create new grant, scholarship and loan programs to address the shortage of qualified nurses in the state. The billwas introduced in the Senate April 10 and sent to the Committee on Education.

H.3770 - The "Senior Protection Act" would create stiffer penalties for anyone who assaults someone 70 yeras of age or older. This bill was introduced in the House on March 22 and referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

H.3797 - This bill would create licensing requirements (including background checks) for "in-home care service providers." It was introduced in the House on March 27 and referred to the Committee on Medical, Military, Pulic and Municipal Affairs.

H.3829 - A bill that would create a "Spartanburg, Columbia and Charleston Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver Program" and direct the State Department of Health and Human Services to request federal matching funds for it was introduced in the House on April 10. It was referred to the Ways and Means Committee.

Visit the South Carolina legislative information web site at www.scstatehouse.net.

U.S. Senate to Consider Bill to Allow Medicare to Negotiate Drug Prices

The U.S. Senate is expected to take up debate this week on a bill that would remove current restrictions on Medicare's ability to negotiate prescription drug prices directly with drug manufacturers, according to the reports in the online magazine SeniorJournal.com and other news outlets.

Bill number S.3, the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007, authored by Montana Senator Max Baucus, passed the Senate Finance Committe April 12. The bill's next stop will be the full Senate for floor debate.

“From now on, when America’s seniors are paying too much for their medicines, every Health and Human Services Secretary can have an additional tool to help them,” said Baucus in an April 13 press release (Adobe PDFfile). “Tonight the Finance Committee made smart changes to the Medicare drug program. The Senate should seize the opportunity next week to exercise good judgment and make the drug benefit work even better for our seniors.”

In January, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would require the government to negotiate Medicare drug prices. S.3 stops short of that, only giving the Secretary of Health and Human services the ability to do so, as well as adding other provisions to the Medicare drug regulations designed to increase "transparency" in how the drug companies set prices for their drugs. Critics of the efforts to bring negotiated pricing to Medicare drug coverage - including President Bush - say that the present system, which allows the insurance companies that provide the drug coverage under Part D and Medicare Advantage plans to work with drug companies to set prices individually, is working well and that allowing the government to negotiate prices directly with drug companies would have little effect on the end price to consumers.

Read Senior Journal.com's comprehensive coverage of this issue.

Read the complete press release from Sen. Baucus' office, as well as the official transcript of his remarks to the Senate Finance Committee. (Adobe PF files)

18th Annual Lowcountry Senior Games Coming This Month

The City of Charleston announced recently that the 18th annual version of the city's Senior Games will be held April 26 through 28.

According to a press release issued March 21 by the city, the Lowcountry Senior Games were started in 1990 to promote recreation, fitness, competition and socialization for adults ages 50 and older in the Charleston/Lowcountry area.

This year’s activities will provide for golf and track and field events on Thursday evening, followed by a full day of outdoor and indoor games including horseshoes, bocce, spin casting, golf chipping, disc golf, basketball hot shots and free throw shooting, table tennis, and
badminton, with a fun walk and a special addition of low impact aerobic sessions geared for seniors being introduced, and concluding with swimming and tennis on Saturday.

The City of Charleston, The Citadel, the Lowcountry Senior Center, Mayor’s Council on Aging and local senior enthusiasts are carrying on the fun tradition of the Lowcountry Seniors to ensure that there is a place to celebrate positive physical activity and renew and build friendships for a lifetime.

Registration forms can be picked up at any City of Charleston recreation facility, the Municipal Golf Course or Lowcountry Senior Center. Applications are due back no later than April 20, 2007 for participation in this year’s events.

For more information on the games or on becoming
a sponsor, contact Paul Wieters at (843) 795-6517.

Download the complete press release. (Adobe PDF file)

Aging Policy Makers in Other U.S. States Looking at Similar Issues to Those Facing South Carolina

Transportation, housing, the work force, healthcare and civic engagement: these issues should all strike a familiar chord with people engaged in aging-related policy and research in South Carolina.

But while our state is somewhat unique because of our tremendous rate of "in-migration" of retirees, virtually all U.S. states are grappling with these same basic set of issues as they look to reshape themselves to meet the challenges of the aging of the baby boom generation. The Dakota County Tribune (South Dakota) reported in it's April 13 edition on that county government's planning efforts with regard to the senior boom. According to the story by Tribune staff writer Laura Adelmann, Dakota County's Planning Commission is considering a plan that will place county government in a lead role in some key areas.

Excerpts from the Article:

Broadly incorporating transportation, housing, health, working and community, finances and social services, the county’s 223-page draft plan to address an aging population was presented to commissioners in committee April 3.

Next month, the board is expected to finalize and approve the plan that shows how the county’s senior population (62 years and older) will increase by 30 percent within two years, and the number of U.S. workers per-retiree will begin dropping.

Under the proposal, the county would act as a “pilot employer” offering more intensive financial planning and training services to its own workforce; the county would also offer financial information to the public. In addition, the county would assist smaller employers with the information and training space to provide such information to its employees.

The proposal has the county establishing a new position for a coordinator charged with improving transportation options, recruiting volunteer drivers and advocating for more governmental travel reimbursements.

Keeping people in their own homes as long as possible is another plan goal, and is proposed to be achieved by improving technical infrastructure so people can receive medical “telemedicine” and “remote check-in.”

The county plan also promotes keeping seniors out of nursing homes as long as possible. It specifies that a survey of Minnesota’s Baby Boomers reveals 90 percent of them would approve a plan to pay family members Medicare funds to provide at-home care for seniors.

Read the entire article at the web site for The Dakota County Tribune's online edition at www.thisweek-online.com.

USA Today Reports on Seniors Moving Closer to Boomer Children as They Grow Older

Wednesday's (April 11) online edition of USA Today featured a story by Marco della Cava that explored a growing trend of seniors who are changing their living arrangements to be closer to their adult children as they age. According to della Cava's reporting, the change can sometimes be complicated emotionally and financially.

From the story:

SAN FRANCISCO — Life is just starting for Evelyn Simon. After 63 years of calling Houston home, she's nestled into new living quarters in a new town, where she's busy making new friends.

"It's a completely new life for me," says Simon, who since last fall has been living at San Francisco Towers in a one-bedroom apartment surrounded by a few modest furnishings and countless pictures of her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. "You know, I haven't been in a place like this since college."

Simon, 77, is part of a new migration of seniors who are compelled, usually by medical problems, to leave their longtime surroundings to live near their adult children. Such a move can be even more emotionally and logistically complex than those facing a teenager decamping for college.

Read the entire story at USA Today.com.

Faith-based Nonprofit HOPE worldwide South Carolina Organizing "Senior Coalition" with United Way and Other Groups

Lt. Governor's Office on Aging Director Curtis Loftis will represent the agency at a meeting designed to help build a new coalition of community groups and government agencies focused on improving the lives of South Carolina seniors.

The effort is being spearheaded by the midlands-based charitable organization HOPE worldwide South Carolina and the United Way of the Midlands. According to HOPE worldwide Community Health Director Genice Crumpton, The "We Care for Seniors Coalition," has set out a list of goals that includes:

• Increasing seniors' financial literacy
• Educating seniors and their caregivers on healthcare information, Medicare and the Part D Prescription Drug benefit
• Promoting social events
• Advocating for policies that support the senior community
• Increasing senior volunteerism

The organizational meeting for the coalition will be held Thursday, May 3 at the United Way of the Midlands Headquarters located at 1800 Main Street in Columbia at 11:30 a.m. The Lt. Governor's Office on Aging has worked previously with Hope worldwide on providing financial literacy classes for seniors.

For more information, contact Genice Crumpton (803) 561-0060 or via e-mail at genice_crumpton@hopeww.org.

South Carolina Cancer Alliance Encourages Cancer Screenings for People Over 50

March was National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and the South Carolina Cancer Alliance would like to remind everyone over the age of 50 in South Carolina that colorectal cancer is often preventable and encourage them to talk with their family doctor about screening options.

Answers to some frequently asked questions about colon cancer and clorectal screening:

Question: What is colorectal cancer?

Answer: This is a cancer that occurs in the large intestine commonly known as the colon. The rectum is the last six or eight inches of the large intestine. If a cancer develops in one of these areas it is called colorectal cancer.

Question: Why is colorectal cancer important?

Answer: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in South Carolina and the United States. This year over 2300 people from our state will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and about 800 will die from it.

Question: Who gets colorectal cancer?

Answer: Age is the biggest risk factor. Over 90% of cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed after the age of 50. There is no significant racial or gender differences. You are at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer if someone in your family has colorectal cancer or if you have other specific digestive problems.

Question: How does colorectal cancer develop?

Answer: Colorectal cancer begins as a benign polyp. A polyp is a growth on the inside lining of the colon. Over time a polyp can grow and turn into cancer. Not all polyps will turn into cancer.

Question: What problems do polyps or colorectal cancer cause?

Answer: Usually polyps and even some cancers may cause very few symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you have any unexplained change in your bowel behavior, blood in your stool, abdominal pain or weight loss. All of these could be a sign of colorectal cancer.

Question: Is colorectal cancer preventable?

Answer: YES!!! This is the most important message about colorectal cancer. Removing polyps prevents colorectal cancer. This can be done by having a colonoscopy.

Question: What is a colonoscopy?

Answer: A colonoscopy is a test performed generally performed by a gastroenterologist (a specialist in the digestive tract). It is the best test for identifying and removing polyps. It is performed by passing a lighted tube around the colon. Don’t worry; you are sedated for this test. Most people say the worst part is getting “cleaned out” the night before the examination.

Question: Should I have a colonoscopy?

Answer: If you are over the age of 50 you should talk to your doctor about colorectal cancer screening. There are several options but a colonoscopy is the single best test. If someone in your family has had colorectal cancer, you may need to be screened at an earlier age. Some organizations recommend that African American’s begin screening at 45 years of age.

Question: Is there anything else I can do to prevent colorectal cancer?

Answer: Yes. Lifestyle may also be an important part of preventing colorectal cancer. A low fat diet, exercise and proper weight may reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer. Calcium and aspirin may help but talk to your doctor about this.

Aging Office Director Meets with LowCountry Senior Network
Organization to Hold Third Annual Expo April 19 and 20

Curtis Loftis, director of the Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging, spoke to the April 10 meeting of the Lowcountry Senior Network, an organization of senior service providers in the Charleston area.

The Lowcountry Senior Network’s Third Annual “Time of Your Life Expo” will be held April 19 and April 20 in Charleston’s Gaillard Auditorium. Billed as Charleston’s largest 55+ active adult event of the year, the two-day expo will feature former Clemson Head Coach Danny Ford as keynote speaker. The expo promises information and displays about active lifestyles, recreation, healthcare and community services available in the Lowcountry. Expo hours are from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Friday.

For more information, visit www.lowcountrysn.com.

Study Says Many Businesses Aren't Ready for Aging Workforce
Survey Shows Companies Not Responding to Changing Demographics

More than a quarter of U.S. businesses have failed to plan for the effects of the aging American workforce, according to the results of a new national survey conducted by Boston College's Center on Aging and Work.

Despite reports that the U.S. faces a shortage of millions of workers within the coming decade as baby boomers retire—taking with them years of experience, talent and expertise and leaving fewer new workers available to take their place—The National Study of Business Strategy and Workforce Development found that many U.S. businesses are unprepared for changing workforce demographics.

"Even though organizations know that the workforce is aging and understand that their own workers are looking at retirement, many are not making plans for how business will adjust to these changes," said Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes, co-director of the Boston College Center on Aging and Work.

"Companies that do not plan for this aging workforce may find themselves suddenly faced with a loss of labor, experience and expertise that will be difficult to offset, given the relatively small pool of new workers and the competition for new talent likely to result from so many companies facing the same problem," said Mick Smyer, co-director of the Center.

The study results are based on responses from 578 organizations from across the United States. Among the economic sectors represented were retail trade, manufacturing, healthcare and social assistance.

Key findings include:

• Only 37% of employers had adopted strategies to encourage late career workers to stay past the traditional retirement age, despite the fact that late career employees "have high levels of skills and strong professional and client networks, a strong work ethic, low turnover and are loyal and reliable."
• 60% of the employers indicated that recruiting competent job applicants is a significant HR challenge.
• 40% indicated that management skills are in short supply in their organizations.
• Only 33% of employers reported that their organization had made projections about retirement rates of their workers to either a moderate (24.1 percent) or great (9.7 percent) extent.

The researchers stress that flexibility resonates particularly with older workers. "Most older workers who say that they want to extend the number of years they remain in the labor force also say that the typical 8-hour day/5-day week doesn't work for them," said Pitt-Catsouphes. "Employers who fail to consider flexible work options may be missing important opportunities to enhance both their business performance and their employees' engagement."

The Boston College researchers recommend that employers and organizations that have not yet done so begin asking themselves some critical questions, such as:

• Does the organization have enough information about the age composition of specific departments and teams?
• Are some occupational groups more susceptible to changes in the distribution of age groups than others?
• How might managers promote the sharing of knowledge among employees at different career stages?
• Could the continued labor force participation of older workers (and the postponement of full-time retirement) help the organization to address some of its HR challenges?
• Has the organization developed a business case for flexible work options?
• Do supervisors fully understand importance of flexible work options both to the business itself and to employee engagement?

The full report/summary report can be found online at www.bc.edu/agingandwork.

The Boston College Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility is a research center established in 2005 and funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The Center works in partnership with decision-makers at the workplace to design and implement rigorous investigations that will help the business community to prepare for the opportunities and challenges associated with the aging workforce. The studies conducted by the Center examine employers' adoption and implementation of flexible work options, as well as the impact of workplace flexibility on businesses and older workers.

Lt. Governor André Bauer and U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging Josefina Carbonell Bring Message of Change to State’s Aging Network

Major changes tied to the 2006 reauthorization of the federal Older Americans Act and other federally-funded programs designed to pave the way for the retirement years of the baby boom generation will significantly impact the way South Carolina’s network of government and non-profit senior services agencies operate in coming years.

For that reason, Lt. Governor André Bauer has invited the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging at the Department of Health and Human Services, Josefina Carbonell, to a statewide summit meeting of Aging service providers and stakeholders. The “Call to Action” Leadership Summit is designed to alert those organizations to the new policies, talk about some of the programs the State Office on Aging is already implementing to meet the challenge of the Aging boom and get input about future policy directions for the state.

“We have heard the message from the federal government loud and clear,” said Lt. Governor Bauer, “and we are aggressively remaking our programs to meet the challenge of the senior boom. We have an obligation to the seniors of South Carolina to create a system that works for them.”

The Leadership Summit is scheduled to take place on April 27 form 10:00 am until 4:00 p.m. at the The Grand Strand Senior Center, 1268 21st Avenue N., Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Anyone interested in Aging issues in South Carolina can attend the Summit, but seating is limited, so please RSVP to Judi Davis in the Lt. Governor's Office on Aging if you plan to attend. She can be reached at (803) 734-9913 or via e-mail at jdavis@aging.sc.gov.

Background Materials for the Leadership Summit.

Not (just) Your Grandkid's Video Game - Seniors Embracing 'Wii' and Other Video Games in Increasing Numbers

"Wii" (pronounced wheee), the interactive video game system produced by the Nintendo company is taking seniors by storm, according to several recent news reports.

A March 23 article from Reuters News Service posted on MSNBC.com and elswhere describe the growing phenomenom of Wii parties and tournaments happening in retirement communities and senior centers around the country, and a segment on the April 9 edition of NBC's Nightly News talked about the Wii parties, as well as increasing senior participation in on-line video gaming in general. Recent studies have also touted the benefits of using video games to stay mentally sharp, but the Wii system brings a physical aspect to video gaming.

A conversation with Christopher Siciliano, Senior Manager of Community Affairs for Baltimore Maryland-based Erikson Retirement Communities confirmed what these media outlets are reporting, that the wii phenomenon - in particular Wii virtual bowling - is becoming wildly popular in the 19 Erickson retirement communities around the country. Siciliano said the whole thing started when the Erickson campus in Baltimore held a pre-Christmas event that demonstrated popular gifts that residents might have been considering purchasing for their grandchildren. The idea was just to help them choose their gift purchases wisely, but something unexpected happened. The Wii system, with it's hand held game controller that has users swinging their arms and moving through a "virtual" space that mimics the real thing - like bowling, golf, or tennis, for example - was an instant hit with seniors looking for an engaging, low-impact form of exercise.

At the company's Sedgewick community in Lincolnshire, Illinois, residents recently set up a full-blown wii bowling tournament, according to the Erickson Tribune.com, the online newspaper that covers resident life in the extended network of Erickson communities.

From the article:

Flora Dierbach, who lives at Sedgebrook and has fallen hard for the Wii, helped organize the tournament. She says she and the rest of the Sedgebrook entertainment committee will be decorating the lounge to look like a real bowling alley – complete with a fan so players can dry their hands before they bowl – just for the tournament. Prizes will be awarded for the single highest scoring game and the highest series of games.

“Bowling and golf are probably the most popular [Wii] games here so far,” says Dierbach. “One guy told me he tried boxing but his granddaughter knocked him out!”

Read the entire article at www.ericksontribune.com.

'You Can: Move to the Music' Event at Columbia's Riverbanks Zoo Will Focus on the Importance of Exercise for Seniors

Moderate daily exercise is a key ingredient in combatting the chronic illnesses and mobility issues that can impair quality of life and lead to reduced independence for older adults, a message that Lt. Governor André Bauer has focused hard on delivering during the last two years, at "You Can! Steps to Healthier Aging" events around the state.

For the second year in a row, the Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging will celebrate the beginning of Older Americans Month with a statewide “You Can! Steps to Healthier Aging” event at Columbia’s Riverbanks Zoo. This year’s theme is “You Can: Move to the Music,” and the event will feature an exercise program, music, dancing and other fun activities. Make plans now to come and enjoy this event with Lt. Governor André Bauer, staff from the Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging, and senior groups from around the state. The event begins at 10:00 a.m. in the Zoo’s Safari Camp outdoor meeting area. Admission to the Zoo is free, and springtime is a great time to enjoy the walking trails and extensive gardens at the Zoo, so plan to enjoy a full morning of exercise, fellowship and social activity.

See pictures from previous “You Can!” events (including last years’ Zoo Walk) and get more information about the “You Can! Steps To Healthier Aging” campaign by visiting the You Can! Steps to Healthier page on the Lt. Governor's Office on Aging Web Site.

Nomination Deadline for 'Experience Works' Outstanding Older Worker 2007 Awards is May 31

Experience Works, the nation’s largest training and employment organization for mature workers, is searching for South Carolina’s outstanding older worker for 2007.

The 'Prime Time Awards' program is part of Experience Works’ national effort to raise awareness of the contributions made by older individuals and to break down barriers associated with the hiring of older workers. Outstanding older workers from every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico; America’s Oldest Worker; and outstanding employers of older workers, will be honored in Washington, D.C., and in their home states for their contributions to the workforce and local communities.

South Carolina ’s 2006 outstanding older worker was 76-year-old George Mize, an employee of the Anderson Independent-Mail for 62 years. Mr. Mize has worked for the newspaper since 1944. On March 1, 2006, he celebrated his 62nd year of continuous employment with the paper.

The organization is is currently soliciting nominations from businesses and individuals in South Carolina. Applicants must be 65 years of age or older, a resident of the state, currently employed and working at least 20 hours each week for pay. The honoree must be willing and able to travel to Washington, D.C., in October for the Prime Time Award events. The visit will include meetings with congressional representatives, a tour of the city’s landmarks, and the awards banquet and ceremony. Applicants who are part of a subsidized employment program funded by the local, state or national government are not eligible for this award.

Download the official nomination form in Microsoft Word format.

Entries can be mailed or faxed to:
attention: Ann King
P.O. Box 2678, Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324

or e-mailed to ann_king@experienceworks.org. An online nomination form or a printed nomination form can be accessed online at www.experienceworks.org. The deadline for nominations is May 31, 2007.

Experiece Works is also looking for for America’s Oldest Worker for 2007. Last year, 104-year-old Waldo McBurney, author and beekeeper of Quinter, Kansas, was named America’s Oldest Worker for 2006.

The Johnson & Johnson/Rosalynn Carter Institute Caregivers Program promotes caring competence in caregiving. In 2005, the Mattie J. T. Stepanek Intergenerational Caregiving Scholarship was initiated to assist students, volunteers, family and professional caregivers of any age and at any level who are interested in pursuing a caregiving career or wanting to receive additional training for their current caregiving situation. Four $2,000 scholarships are awarded annually.

For more information, visit the Institute's web page at www.rosalynncarter.org. The deadline for application is June 1, 2007.

Applications are available for download.

Help Celebrate Older Americans Month 2007 in May With Promotional Materials from the Administration on Aging

Older Americans Month 2007 promotional materials are now available on the U.S. Administration on Aging's web site.

According to the AoA, the theme for Older Americans Month 2007 is “Older Americans: Making Choices for a Healthier Future.” This theme encourages us to think differently about health and long term care, and work together to rebalance and modernize our current systems so that we may adequately plan for and address the needs of current and future generations. Older persons are entitled to live lives of dignity and independence through:

• Streamlined access to information as well as to home and community services, including information that will enable people to plan ahead for long term care

• Information about cost-effective prevention practices and activities that will improve health and quality of life and reduce risk of disease, disability and injury, and,

• Innovative, affordable and flexible options of care and support that will provide an array of choices about how and where to live.

To view and download the promotional materials available, visit the AoA web site

Grant Funding from The Brookdale Foundation Available for Group Respite Programs Aimed at Alzheimer's Disease

In November of 2007, The Brookdale Foundation will be awarding up to 15 seed grants around the country for the development of dementia-specific group respite programs and up to 5 seed grants for programs designed for people with early memory loss.

The seed grants are for $7,500 for the first year, with an opportunity for a second year of funding at $3,000. Proposals are due at The Foundation office July 6, 2007. Award announcements will be made in September.

According to research from the University of South Carolina's Arnold School of Public Health, there are approximately 50,000 individuals in South Carolina with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), and that number is projected to grow to 90,000 by 2030. The impact upon South Carolina's Medicaid program, families and businesses will be considerable. Since the average lifetime cost of care for an individual with Alzheimer's is $174,000, the cost to South Carolina families, individuals, insurance companies, businesses, Medicaid and Medicare would be $8.7 billion for the current 50,000 individuals diagnosed with ADRD. By 2030 that figure could increase to at least $15.7 billion.

Source: South Carolina Mature Adults Count 2006 Report - Opportunities, Challenges and Choices. Available online at the following URL:
http://www.scmatureadults.org/MA06_index.asp (scroll down to "Health" in the table of contents for a direct link to the Alzheimer's statistics.

Background on The Brookdale National Group Respite Program:

Since 1989, the Brookdale National Group Respite Program has awarded seed grants to organizations to develop and implement social model group respite programs. These day programs have served thousands of elders with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia, and their family caregivers.

The goals of the program are:

To offer opportunities for persons with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia to engage in a program of meaningful social and recreational activities in a secure and supportive setting in order to maximize their cognitive and social abilities; and To provide relief and support to family members and other primary caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.

Annual conferences are held for training and networking
In addition to providing respite care and enjoyable group activities, the programs offer family caregivers access to services such as counseling, support groups, information and referral, and training and education. With a nationwide network of programs providing regular respite services, and additional programs opening each year, the Program demonstrates that a cost-effective, social model of adult day services can successfully address the special needs of Alzheimer's families.

For more information, or to download a copy of the RFP and other grant-related materials, visit The Brookdale Foundation web site at www.brookdalefoundation.org.