ProAging Information Network

Source: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup/2009/09/older_people_falling_down.html

Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), 91, reportedly lost his balance and fell down in his home Tuesday morning. It happens all the time to older people, for whom falling down can pose serious health issues.

But falling down isn’t an inevitable part of aging. So says Mary Tinetti, professor of medicine, epidemiology and public health at the Yale School of Medicine. Tinetti has been a leading researcher looking at seniors, the falls they take and the effect falling has on their health. Her research cites figures showing that a third of people over 65 fall each year and that fully half of those over 80 will fall in a given year.

Tinetti’s work caught the attention of the MacArthur Foundation, which on Tuesday named her one of 24 recipients of the foundation’s famous "genius" grants this year.

Tinetti’s research has demonstrated that older people don’t typically just fall down for no good reason; their falls are commonly due to such factors as impaired balance, gait, cognition, vision and muscle strength plus changes in blood pressure, physical obstacles in their living areas and taking multiple medications. By figuring out what causes seniors to fall, Tinetti’s been able to devise ways to prevent falling – simple measures such as cutting back on medications, teaching balance exercises and removing those physical obstacles – and thus to ward off falling’s complications, such as hip fracture, and the physical and mental decline that often follows a fall.

Tinetti has been working to help physicians view fall prevention as an integral part of the care of older patients. It sounds simple, right? But despite the frequency with which seniors fall, it seems nobody had called attention to falling as a major and preventable source of poor health among the elderly.

Nobody, that is, until Tinetti. That’s why she got that big ($500,000 over five years, to be spent as she wishes) MacArthur grant.

Do you figure they ever give those to health bloggers?

Friday, September 25 8:30 a.m. to 10ish



Atrium Village 4730 Atrium Court, Owings Mills, MD 21117

FREE event, please RSVP to: rsvp@proaging.com

 Join other senior-serving professionals for a great networking and educational event

All professions are encouraged to attend this event.

September 15, 2009   A program that helps older adults remain independent was recognized by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for winning a Commonwealth Council on Aging 2009 Best Practices Award. The board honored ElderLink’s Independent Living Project during its September 14 meeting.

 The Independent Living Project is one of eight programs to win a Best Practice Award from the council this year. The award criteria include innovation, cost-effectiveness, ease of replication and impact on the quality of life of older Virginians, their families and their caregivers.

 The program is part of the Department of Family Services’ Fairfax Area Agency on Aging.

 The Independent Living Project offers a mix of classes and workshops to help older people prevent falls, maintain health and fitness, and increase their knowledge of services. The program takes place over six to eight weeks. It includes:

·        exercise classes;

·        workshops on fall prevention and health;

·        consultation on medication management and home safety risks;

·        minor home safety modifications (grab bars, etc.).

 The project has been offered in the Franconia, Springfield/Burke, Falls Church and Annandale areas. A new program starts today in Springfield. Call 703-324-7210, TTY 703-449-1186 for more information.

 ElderLink’s Independent Living Project is a partnership program of the Department of Family Services, Division of Adult and Aging Services, Fairfax Area Agency on Aging, Fire and Rescue Department, Health Department, Community and Recreation Services, Library Services, Department of Transportation, Department of Housing and Community Development, Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Department for the Aging,  Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons, Inova Health System, CVS/pharmacy, RPJ Housing, Alzheimer’s Association, National Capital Area Chapter, and faith-based communities in Fairfax County.

 The Commonwealth Council on Aging is composed of members appointed by the governor and other state officials.

 For more information on services for older adults, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/aaa.

 The Independent Living Project aligns with Fairfax County’s Fairfax 50+ Action Plan for a more “aging friendly” Fairfax County.

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Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. To request this information in an alternate format, call Department of Family Services’ Fairfax Area Agency on Aging at 703-324-5411, TTY 703-449-1186.

FREE COMMUNITY EVENT NOV. 1 EXPLORES NEW TRENDS AFFECTING PEOPLE OVER AGE 50

Experts Address Wellness, Health, Aging, Retirement, and Financial Freedom

 (Rockville, MD– Sept. 1,  2009)—Lifestyles are shifting for people over age 50, as more of them return to work, devote significant time to caring for their grandchildren and consider new options in health, housing and leisure. Participants can explore these trends with local experts at a free event, W.H.A.R. F. F. Expo 2009, Sunday, Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Temple Beth Ami, 14330 Travilah Road, Rockville. Montgomery County residents of all religious and ethnic backgrounds are welcome.  The expo is co-sponsored by Temple Beth Ami, Premier Homecare, the Montgomery County Recreation Department,  the Rockville Senior Center, JSSA (Jewish Social Service Agency), and the Jewish Council for the Aging.

 

W.H.A.R.F.F. stands for wellness, health, aging, retirement and financial freedom, the major themes of the expo, which will offer a series of panel discussions by local experts. Speakers will include:

•         Author and journalist Abigail Trafford, who has written about changing trends in life after age 50, discussing creating a fulfilling retirement and a positive attitude about exploring life at this stage

•         William Roberge, an attorney experienced in estate planning and elder law issues, addressing retiring in a new economy

•         Internist Marcia Goldmark on the subject of blending traditional and alternative medicine approaches

•         Financial planner Lois Fishman presenting financial considerations in retirement

•         Natalie Merkur-Rose, a social worker at JSSA (Jewish Social Service Agency) speaking about contemporary grandparenting

 

At the expo, participants may also sample an array of services to improve their health and well-being.  In 15-minute sessions, visitors may try out the scents of aromatherapy and the touch of massage and energy therapists. A podiatrist, a dermatologist, a certified dietician and an oral cancer specialist will also offer 15-minute consultations. Advance registration for these services and others is available on the Internet at www.BethAmi.org/WHARFF.  Walk-in registration for these appointments will be available only in the event of cancellations or no-shows.

 

Local senior painters, sculptors and photographers will show their work during the expo, which will feature the performing arts as well. The Heart of Maryland Chorus with its many senior singers will entertain, and a number of musicians over age 50 will perform with the Montgomery Philharmonic.

 

Other activities will include cooking demonstrations, a book fair by Barnes and Noble with an author signing, two exhibit halls featuring over fifty vendors, and a blood drive. A silent auction will offer items such as music lessons, a traditional tea for 12, and signed memorabilia from the Washington Capitals.  In addition, participants who enter a raffle may win a cruise for two, a weekend getaway at a Maryland bed and breakfast, a day of spa services and more.

 

For more information, visit www.BethAmi.org/WHARFF.

 

 

SYNERGY HOMECARE EXPANDS IN MARYLAND

Lutherville Residents Open Second Synergy in the State

 (Towson, MD) – With 76 million baby boomers fueling the aging population, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that the home health care industry is expected to increase by more than 55 percent between 2002 and 2012.  Synergy HomeCare is paving the way for this rising industry, which is why Lutherville residents Steven and Jennifer Diamond will open their own Synergy HomeCare at 8601 LaSalle Road on September 9, 2009.  Synergy HomeCare has aggressive growth plans for Maryland, with plans to open six additional locations in the state over the next three years.

 A career centered on caring for others was a natural choice for the Diamonds:  Steven, an accountant and lifelong Maryland resident, worked in the nursing home industry for close to 20 years before he and Jennifer founded Hands Across the Americas – a non-profit organization committed to providing access to healthcare and economic development in communities throughout the Americas – in 1996.  Since then, Hands Across the Americas has served roughly 35,000 patients in need, specifically in the South American countries of Columbia and Peru, the latter of which where Jennifer was born and raised, but the Diamonds wanted to bring that same level of care and compassion to their local community.  Synergy HomeCare proved to be the perfect fit for their backgrounds as well as the needs of local residents.

 “People want to remain independent for as long as possible and Synergy HomeCare can play an integral role in helping these individuals through the important transitions in their lives,” said Steven.  “The need for this type of service is only going to increase as time goes on and we are looking forward to being a part of this growing industry.”

 Founded in 2002, by Peter Tourian, Gilbert, Ariz.-based Synergy HomeCare provides high-quality, non-medical home care to people in their homes.  Potential clients can call any time of the day or night to request a caregiver and Synergy HomeCare responds.  Unlike other home care providers, Synergy HomeCare does not limit its services to seniors and provides high-quality, non-medical care to people of all ages in the comfort of their own homes.  Caregivers are available on an hourly, daily, weekly, or 24/7 basis, 365 days per year to seniors, the convalescing, adults injured on the job, those recovering from injuries or surgery, the disabled and anyone who needs help with daily activities.  Though their existing coverage area already includes most of Baltimore County, the Diamonds hope to expand their territory into surrounding communities over the next few years while still providing all clients with the individual attention Synergy is known for.

 “It’s difficult for many people to find the time to balance their own personal needs and the needs of someone else: what Synergy offers is unparalleled care exactly when it’s needed most,” said Jennifer.  “It’s our goal to make Synergy the provider that comes to mind when care is needed.  Our standards are extremely high and we’ll do whatever it takes to match every client with a caregiver that will not only meet but exceed their needs.”

Back to Business at Capital City Nurses

 

Chevy Chase, MD - After a two year sojourn to the Indonesian island of Bali, former Capital City Nurses Director of Business Development, Tricia Hanson has rejoined the Chevy Chase Maryland based agency.  Founder and president, Susan Rodgers, RN said she is excited to have Tricia back with new energy and ideas. “We look forward to teaming up with Tricia again. Over the years, our business has grown primarily through positive client experience and word of mouth advertising. With the exponential increase in home care agencies in our area, Tricia will help us stay focused on defining our services to meet the needs of a changing market.”  

While in Bali for her husband’s work doing marine conservation, Ms. Hanson became involved in a number of projects.  The most challenging involved developing a model program that received an award by Rotary International.  She was project leader of Bali Seminyak Rotary Club’s matching grant that brought local community members and non-governmental organizations together to begin building 14 water wells and provide immunizations to children on the island of Sumba, in the southeastern area of the Indonesian archipelago called East Nusa Tenggara.

Previously, Ms. Hanson worked in aging health and long term care for over 17 years in a variety of settings.  In the community arena, she helped establish Elder Health in Baltimore as one of the nation’s first Medicare Advantage programs targeting preventive medical services at community and nursing home residents.  Tricia worked as a marketing manager for MedStar Health Visiting Nurse Association’s skilled home health services at Washington Hospital Center and in suburban Maryland.  She also worked for a number of years at the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington as their marketing specialist. In this capacity she helped develop rehabilitative therapy programs including the launch of a Stroke Survivors Support Group available for the local community.  Tricia was an active committee chair with the Alzheimers’ Association Memory Walk and a board member of GROWS (the Grass Roots Organization for the Well-Being of Seniors).  In addition, Tricia co-chaired the Senior Services Committee and earned a certificate from the George Mason University SAGE program in geriatric health.  She holds a bachelor of science degree from the University of Wisconsin.

Capital City Nurses is a private duty nursing and companion care agency that was established in Chevy Chase Maryland in 1976.  The agency is owned and operated by nurses who developed high standards including a total team process for screening and hiring of nurses, aides and companions.  Over the 33 years of operation, Capital City Nurses has gained a reputation for exceptional customer service and delivery of private duty care.  Over half of the caregivers have been with the agency for 10 years or longer.  For information about Capital City Nurses and the innovative services they offer, please call 301-652-4344 or visit online at CapitalCityNurses.com.

 

Bethesda, Maryland’s LifeMatters Soars to Number 65 in Inc. Magazine’s 500 Fastest Growing Companies in the USA.

September 17, 2009, BETHESDA, MD – Bethesda, Maryland-based LifeMatters has been recognized as the 65th fastest growing company in the USA by Inc. Magazine’s 2009 500 Fastest Growing Companies. The magazine’s September issue features companies with greatest percentage growth. In the health sector, LifeMatters is number four nationally and is the eighth fastest growing company in any category in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

“We are honored to be recognized by Inc. Magazine,” said Scott Thompson, CEO of LifeMatters. “We can attribute this to the dedication of our employees to provide quality care without compromise.”

Inc. Magazine’s annual list is compiled by measuring the percentage growth in revenue of the fastest growing privately held companies in America.  LifeMatters achieved a 2,051.1% return from 2005 to 2008. 

LifeMatters is a home health care company that serves Maryland, Washington, DC and Northern Virginia. LifeMatters Northern Virginia office will be moving into expanded quarters on October 1, 2009. The company has been in business since 2004. Their services include skilled nursing, personal care and Alzheimer’s care services.

“We don’t ask, ‘will this help grow the business?’ We ask, ‘how can we improve quality of life, make life easier or ease a client’s frustration?’” added Thompson. “In health care, when you focus on quality, growth is a direct result.”

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ABOUT LIFEMATTERS

LifeMatters is a privately-owned and operated Home Health Care company in Bethesda, Maryland offering a comprehensive range of personal, skilled nursing and Alzheimer’s Care Services tailored to each client’s individual needs. LifeMatters’ innovative, licensed and dedicated professionals are committed to providing the highest quality care to support comfort and independence.

 

State-by-State Analysis of Criminal Background Check Requirements Finds Shortcomings; Cautions Families, Recommends Improvements

WASHINGTON, DC – Opportunities for abuse, neglect and financial exploitation by caregivers heighten the need to screen job applicants. Criminal background checks are an important screening tool, but families may develop a false sense of security, believing that their loved ones are safe, if they rely solely on a criminal background check, a new report from AARP stresses.

Criminal background checks can help prevent abuse by individuals with a criminal history or a history of abuse, but they are not a perfect tool and should be improved. Background checks may miss records, fail to uncover some crimes, or overlook a caregiver’s history of abuse or neglect that stops short of criminal conviction. These are among the findings of "Safe At Home? Developing Effective Criminal Background Checks and Other Screening Policies for Home Care Workers," a new report from AARP’s Public Policy Institute.

An increasing number of states – 46 states and the District of Columbia – require background checks for some or all paid home care workers. Yet these state requirements show little or no agreement on standards, according to the report. For example, some states disqualify job applicants only for past criminal offenses against vulnerable people, while others exclude them for a DUI conviction. – needs to exercise greater caution to protect individuals from neglect, abuse and exploitation by caregivers," said AARP Senior Vice President and Public Policy Institute director Susan Reinhard. "States need to ramp up the accuracy, speed and cost-effectiveness of criminal background check systems – and add other tools as well."

State, county, FBI and other databases are not integrated and may have gaps and errors, the report concludes, and there is no single agency for families to consult for a comprehensive review of criminal records. Additionally, even a comprehensive criminal background check of multiple agencies shouldn’t be taken as total assurance, the report warns. Elder abuse, neglect and exploitation is underreported. However, improvements in criminal background checks can be made to increase their effectiveness.

"As the demand for home care skyrockets, everyone – policymakers, state, county and municipal officials, employers and individuals

The report makes a number of policy recommendations to help states prepare for growth in the population needing home care provided by government programs or by caregivers hired for parents or other loved ones, including integration of online data sources and information sharing between various state agencies.

http://www.aarp.org/research/ppi/ltc/care/articles/2009-12.htm

In light of these findings, the report also recommends actions that both employers and families can take to help keep loved ones safe in addition to a criminal background check. These steps include: conduct reference checks, review credit histories, conduct thorough interviews, consider drug and alcohol screening and provide training for all potential caregivers.

We are happy to get the word out about awards, expansions, new business units, new employees and promotion. These "press releases" will always carry a heading of People on the Move so that our readers know the nature of their content is not necessarily "news".

Just email these announcents to steve@proaging.com, with "people on the move" in the subject line. Please email them in "text" format - its very hard to utilize pdf and attachments in our format.

Thanks!

 SENIOR GUARDIAN SERVICES EXPANDS TO SERVE ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

Lutherville, MD – Estate resolution services firm Senior Guardian Services is expanding their service area to include Anne Arundel, Howard and Montgomery Counties. The new Annapolis office will serve all three South/Central Maryland counties. They selected Stephen Berry of Anne Arundel Community College to head up the new office, located near the Severn River.

Senior Guardian Services offers resolution services to estate executors, trustees and legal professionals, including security for the estate property, appraisal and inventory of the decedent’s personal property and assets, registration of wills with the county registrar, preparations and filing of all Federal and state estate tax documents, and other estate-related services. Their main office in Lutherville currently serves Baltimore, Carroll, and Harford Counties and Baltimore city.

Berry, recently an adjunct professor in the business school at Anne Arundel Community College, as well as at Baltimore City Community College, after nearly a decade with the Capital Gazette Newspapers, and is a registered Pastor at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Stephen has over 20 years of experience in general business, marketing and management, and has a background in project management.

“We’ve wanted to reach into other counties and offer a wider base of service to help more customers. Opening an office near the capitol is a logical next move for us, and Steve fit the bill perfectly,” notes Dave Poulos, Chief Marketing Officer for the three-year-old company. “We feel that his marketing and PR skills, complimented by his divinity training, will be an ideal fit for working with our customers at a very vulnerable and delicate time in their lives,” adds Poulos.

“I’m excited about this opportunity to bring these services to the communities in south central Maryland. Senior Guardian Services is well-respected within their industry and I’m proud to offer these services to our new customers in these areas,” said Berry, who opened the new office on September 1st.

Senior Guardian Services offers estate resolution services to estate executors, trustees and legal professionals in Maryland. They also offer referral services for estate liquidation, including legal services, real estate sales, restoration, personal property auction services, debris removal, landscaping and other sales preparation services to help liquidate estates. They are bonded and insured, and are licensed security services, and accounting services purveyors and appraisers. They can be reached in Baltimore County at 410-337-2521.