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August 2008 Edition
News From The AGS Foundation For Health In Aging
Other News
News From The AGS Foundation For Health In Aging
AGS Foundation for Health in Aging Releases Guide to "Geriatric Syndromes"
Americans are living longer and healthier lives. Even so, many older adults will eventually develop one or more of a group of related medical problems known as "geriatric syndromes." To help seniors and their caregivers understand these syndromes, and how they affect older adults' health and quality of life, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA) has released a comprehensive and easy-to-understand tip sheet, "The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging Guide to "Geriatric Syndromes."
The two-part tip sheet describes 14 commonly diagnosed geriatric syndromes -- including vision and hearing problems, difficulty swallowing, bladder problems, dizziness, and falls -- and offers advice on recognizing these complex disorders, and addressing them with healthcare providers. Not only do geriatric syndromes typically have more than one cause, and involve several different body systems, one can often contribute to another. For these reasons, providing medical care for older people with geriatric syndromes can be complicated. Geriatricians -- doctors who have advanced training in the care of older adults -- and other geriatrics healthcare providers can play an important role in diagnosing and managing these syndromes.
The FHA's series of health tip sheets for older people is posted on the Foundation's comprehensive public education Web site. The tip sheets and all other information on the site can be printed and distributed at no cost.
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FHA's "New Research" Web Page Includes Summaries of New JAGS Studies
Written for the general public, each summary in the "New Research" section of the FHA's Aging in the Know Web site describes the findings from a new study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS). Studies in the journal keep healthcare providers abreast of cutting-edge research in the field of geriatrics and the FHA summaries make this research easy to understand. Each summary begins with an introduction that puts the new research in context, and includes a subsection, subtitled "What Should I Do?" that offers advice on how to put the new information to use. For readers who want to know more, each summary also includes a link to the original JAGS study. The "New Research" section is updated monthly.
New study summaries include:
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AGS and Foundation for Health in Aging Among Endorsing Participants in "National Family Caregiver Month"
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) and its Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA) are pleased to be among the endorsing participants in this year's "National Caregiver Month." Organized each November by the National Family Caregiver Association (NFCA), National Caregiver Month is dedicated to raising awareness of family caregiving and empowering the nation's 50 million family caregivers.
The theme of 2008's National Family Caregiver Month is "Speak up." Among other things, the event will encourage family caregivers to advocate for stronger public policy addressing family caregiving issues, and raise awareness of community programs supporting caregivers.
The AGS and FHA work to raise awareness of the needs of family caregivers, advocate for public policy supporting caregivers, and publish a wide range of public education materials for caregivers on the foundation's Health in Aging Web site. The FHA's Eldercare at Home, is an award-winning guide to caregiving. A text-only edition of the guide is available at no cost online.
For a free family caregiver kit and additional ideas for recognizing and supporting family caregiving, contact the National Family Caregivers Association at www.thefamilycaregiver.org or 800-896-3650.
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Make a Donation to Advance the Care of Older Adults
The Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA) works to advance the care of older adults - not only by empowering older adults and their caregivers with trustworthy health information - but also by helping train the next generation of geriatrics healthcare professionals. By making a contribution to the FHA, you can help promote the health and wellness of all older adults in each of these ways. No gift is too large or too small. Gifts can be made on the FHA Web site Donations page.
The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging is registered in New York as a non-profit corporation. The Foundation for Health in Aging is a public charity exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We appreciate and thank you for your support.
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Save the Date! AGS Foundation for Health in Aging Lifetime of Caring Gala to Benefit Foundation
The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging will celebrate a year of extraordinary individual and collective accomplishments on behalf of older adults and their caregivers at its 9th annual Lifetime of Caring Gala on January 28, 2009 at The Plaza in New York City. The FHA Lifetime of Caring Award recognizes significant contributions to the care and well-being of older adults, or individuals whose life and work are testimony to the potential for extraordinary creativity, accomplishment and validity throughout life. Past recipients include former Senator John Glenn and Mrs. Annie Glenn, former President Jimmy Carter and Mrs. Rosalynn Carter, Dr. Sidney Katz, Maya Angelou, Ambassador Corinne "Lindy" Boggs, Dr. Dorothy I. Height, Doris Roberts and Jane Freilicher.
This year's Lifetime of Caring Award will be presented to Robert Butler, MD, President and CEO of the International Longevity Center for his exceptional achievements and commitment to bringing population-aging issues into the public discourse.
The FHA Impact Award is intended to recognize organizations that have contributed in ways that have helped to empower older adults and caregivers toward successful aging. The Impact Award will be presented to Evercare for their role as a leader in geriatric health care and their significant contributions to improving the health of older persons and enhancing their quality of life. Chairman John Mach, MD, will accept the award on behalf of Evercare.
In recognition of his outstanding business, civic and philanthropic leadership, and of AstraZeneca's commitment to the well-being of older adults, their families and the communities in which they live, the FHA will honor Tony Zook, CEO with its Discovery Award.
The foundation advocates on behalf of older adults and their special healthcare needs; supports elder health research; and provides public education programs for older people and their caregivers. Proceeds from the Gala will help support the FHA's important work. As the population of older Americans continues to grow, this work becomes ever more critical. You can help promote the health and wellness of all older adults by supporting the Foundation for Health in Aging's Annual Lifetime of Caring Gala. For more information, please contact Li-Chia Ong at the FHA at 212-308-1414 or long@americangeriatrics.org.
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Other News
NIA Releases New Educational Brochure on Skin Care and Aging
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has published a new consumer brochure, Skin Care and Aging. The free brochure -- part of a series of NIA Age Pages covering more than 40 health topics of interest to older people -- covers typical age-related skin changes. The brochure describes common conditions such as dry skin, wrinkles, age spots and skin tags, includes a detailed guide to skin cancer, advice for keeping skin healthy, and a list of sources for additional information.
You can order free copies of Age Pages from the NIA Web site at http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/ or by calling NIA's Information Center toll free at 1-800-222-2225. Depending on availability, all NIA publications can be ordered as single copies or in bulk.
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AHRQ Releases New Plain-Language Guide Comparing Medications for Osteoporosis
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released a new plain-language guide comparing medications for the treatment of osteoporosis. The guide covers the clinical benefits, risks, and cost of these medications. Osteoporosis Treatments That Help Prevent Broken Bones, A Guide for Women After Menopause also provides basic facts about osteoporosis, or "thinning bones.
The guide is the latest in a series of AHRQ publications that help patients make informed treatment choices. Other AHRQ guides compare treatments for diabetes, depression, gastroesophageal reflux disease, high blood pressure, narrowed kidney arteries and osteoarthritis. Order copies of the guides by sending an e-mail to ahrqpubs@ahrq.gov.
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Alzheimer's Disease: Helping Yourself Help a Loved One
Alzheimer's disease affects more than five million Americans, and by 2050, that number is expected to reach 16 million. It's estimated that as many as four family members act as caregivers for each individual with Alzheimer's disease.
The Alliance for Aging Research has updated its award-winning "Alzheimer's Disease: Helping Yourself Help a Loved One Workshop Kit", to assist those caring for people newly diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The new version of this helpful kit includes information on treatment and research, as well as a revised "Caregiver Workbook" which helps caregivers sort through important issues. A "Caregiver's Guide", available in Spanish, is also part of the kit and offers caregivers advice on caring for those with Alzheimer's and themselves. An accompanying DVD features a family dealing with Alzheimer's. Finally, the kit includes a Leader's Guide, providing tips and instructions on conducting workshops for other caregivers.
All materials, and related resources, are available online at http://www.agingresearch.org/content/article/detail/1802. A FREE hard copy of the kit can be ordered from www.agingresearch.org or by calling 202-293-2856.
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The Alzheimer's Association Helps Families Find Care for Older Loved Ones With Nationwide Senior Housing Database
To help caregivers research living options for individuals with dementia, the Alzheimer's Associations has created a nationwide senior housing database, the Alzheimer's Association Senior Housing Finder. The easy-to-use online database includes detailed listings of more than 65,000 licensed residences throughout the United States. Among these are many facilities that offer services especially for people with dementia. Users can search for assisted living communities, residential homes, nursing homes and other senior housing options. They can also customize their searches by geographic criteria, name of residence, housing type, availability status, license type and care services.
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To make a donation to the AGS Foundation for Health in Aging, visit the donation page on our Web site at http://www.healthinaging.org/donate/ or call Li-Chia Ong, at 212-308-1414.
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