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WOSU NPR News
Caregivers is an extension of our radio series hosted by Judith Brachman, former director of Ohio Department of Aging. Topics include AARP, Alzheimer’s disease, Medicare, and other issues of interest to the elderly and their families. Below you will find audio links to recent topics on aging-related issues that Judy and her guests have addressed.
Medicare Appeals
When Medicare denies a claim for payment, most beneficiaries accept that decision… but it isn’t necessary to take “no” for an answer. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talks with Bob Hayes, President of the Medicare Rights Center.
Listen
For More Information:
Medicare Rights Center
Medicare Interactive
Elder Advice
Newspaper columnists offering guidance have serious competition from a group of older adults right here in Ohio. The women at the Summit at Park Hills in Fairborn have joined a nation network of Elder Wisdom Circles. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talks with the group, and Terra Latting, Activities Director at Summit at Park Hills
Listen.
For More Information:
Elder Wisdom Circle:
Patient Safety
A 1999 report by the Institute of Medicine announcing more then 98,000 people in the U.S. die each year as a result of medical errors. Following the report, health officials in Ohio formed a health care network known as the Ohio Patient Safety Institute. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talks with Rosalie Weakland from the Ohio Patient Safety Institute about their program and their goals.
Listen.
For More Information:
Ohio Patient Safety Institute
Medications Card
Multi-generational Living: Austin Manor
It may look like just another dormitory at Ohio Wesleyan University, but Austin Manor is no ordinary living quarters. Instead, it houses a population that ranges from college freshman to residents in their 90’s. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talks with two residents, Pat Powers, who has lived in Austin Manor for 10 years and is the Presidents of the Austin Manor Residents Association. Brachman also spoke with Carrie Christian, a senior at Ohio Wesleyan.
Listen.
For More Information:
Austin Manor
New Director: Ohio Department of Aging
Governor Strickland recently appointed Barbra Riley as the Director of the Ohio Department of Aging. While she’s is new to this department, she’s an old hand in state government. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talks with Director Riley about some of the plans for Ohio’s older adults.
Listen.
For More Information:
Money Follows the Person
Medicaid Home Care Gap
According to a recent economic study, Ohio is spending far more than necessary to provide long term care for its growing elderly and disability. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talks with Kathleen Anderson, Executive Director of the Ohio Council for Home Care. She also spoke with Dr. Howard Fleeter, State & local Government Finance and Tax Policy Consultant at the firm of Driscoll & Fleeter.
Listen.
More Information
Ohio Council for Home Care
Prescription Drug Pricing
The question of who sets the prices consumers pay for their prescription medications was recently reviewed by the U.S. Congressional Budget Office… and the answer is not as simple as it may seem. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talks with Donald Marron, Deputy Director of the Congressional budget Office.
Listen
For More Information:
Congressional Budget Office:
Pharmacist Communication
A recent study finds doctors often fail to give important information to their patients when prescribing new medications. This can lead to patients not taking their medications properly. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talks with Jack Lince, President of the Pharmacy Foundation of Ohio.
Listen.
Long Distance Caregiving
When adult children live far from their aging parents, it’s not always easy to be sure of the well being. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talks with Nancy Piccione, a long distance caregiver for her parents, and Janet Sobel-Meadow, professional geriatric care manager with Golden Guidance LLC.
Listen
More information
Family Caregiver Alliance
National Institute on Aging
Housing Choices
There’s no place like home, but what happens when mom and dad can no longer safely remain at home? WOSU’s Judith Brachman talks with Rod Pritchard, Housing Coordinator for the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging.
Listen.
For More Information:
Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
Mental Illness & Aging
At a recent hearing before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, experts noted almost 40% of older adults show signs of depression, and 1/5 of all suicides are committed by seniors… but only a few seek psychological help. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talks Dr. Christopher Kovell, Medical Director at the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County.
Listen.
For More Information:
ADAMH
Netcare Access
Northwest Counseling Services
Selecting the Best Nursing Home
Selecting the best nursing home for you loved one can be a real challenge. Reading over reports can be confusing, but Consumer Reports recently produced its fifth annual report. However, some leaders in the nursing home industry disagree with the findings. WOSU's Judith Brachman talked Trudy Leiberman from Consumer Reports and Peter Van Runkle of the Ohio Health Care Association. trudy says consumer reports looks at several specifics.
Listen
Employment Costs
Taking care of an infirm or chronically ill family member is a major investment of time, and now employers are finding it can be costly as well. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talks with Gail Hunt, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving.
Listen
For More Information:
National Alliance for Caregiving
Employer Calculator
Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116
Goodwill Volunteers
Volunteers are the heart of many non-profit organizations, and sometimes the experience becomes more than a way to pass time. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talks with E. Marie Lewis, a participant with Volunteer Express, and her volunteer, Nancy Thatcher, who works with Goodwill Columbus.
Listen:
For More Information:
Goodwill Columbus
Alzheimer’s Website helps families work through issues
Hearing a diagnosis of dementia from a doctor can be an overwhelming experience for both the patient, and their family. A new website is available to help people work through the issues related to Alzheimer’s. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talked with Judy D’Orsi, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Center Ohio Chapter.
Listen.
For More Information:
Alzheimer’s Care Finder
Nursing Home Rights
Consumers of all walks of life may come to a crossroads when dealing with nursing homes. But the National Senior Citizens Law Center is trying to change that. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talked with Eric Carlson, attorney with the National Citizens Law Center, and author of Twenty Common Nursing Home Problems… and How to Resolve Them.
Listen.
For More Information:
National Senior Citizens Law Center
Long Term Care Insurance
Several years ago, AARP surveyed Americans age 45 and up, they found more than half underestimated the cost of a long term stay in a nursing home. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talked with Ann Womer Benjamin, Director of the Ohio Department of Insurance.
Listen.
For More Information:
Ohio Department of Insurance Shoppers Guide to Long Term Care Insurance (pdf file)
Ohio Department of Insurance Senior Hotline: 1-800-686-1578
General Hotline: 1-800-686-1526
Insurance Evaluation
As people age, their needs change… including the kids of insurance required. By evaluating their current insurance and future needs, older adults may save money and even avoid costly errors. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talked with Alessandro Iuppa, President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Superintendent of the Bureau of Insurance for the State of Maine.
Listen.
For More Information:
National Association of Insurance Commissioners
Ohio Department of Insurance
Housing Planning & Older Adults
For older adults, the house they bought for a growing family, more than 30 years ago, may not meet their current needs. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talked with Steve Lafferty, Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Zoning for Howard County Maryland about what his county is doing to prepare for the nearly 78 million baby boomers and their radically changing lifestyles.
Listen.
Retirement Security
Most Americans feel they have enough money to retire, but their dreams of travel and relaxation may be shattered when they face the reality of living on their savings. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talked with Jack VanDerhei, a faculty member at Temple University’s Fox School of Business and Management, and a Fellow at the Employee Benefit Research Institute.
Listen.
More information:
Choose to Save
Alzheimer’s Behavior
Alzheimer’s patients can challenge the patience of the most dedicated caregiver. Now, professionals in the field are beginning to use a new approach to working with these patients. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talked with Mary Dannhauer, coordinator for the in-home caregiver support team at the Alzheimer’s Association of Central Ohio.
Listen.
For more information:
Alzheimer’s Association, Central Ohio Chapter
Healthcare Safety Advisories
A recent study shows a patient guide to healthcare safety put out by the U.S. government is not as helpful as it appears. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talked with Michelle Mello, Associate Professor of Health Policy and Law in the Department of Health Policy and Management at Harvard University’s School of Public Health.
Listen.
Generic Medications
Patients on prescription drugs stand to save thousands by switching to generic medications. But that may not always be the best course of treatment. WOSU’s Judith Brachman talked with Gail Shearer, Director of Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs, and Scott Lassman, Assistant General Counsel at Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.
Listen.
For more information:
Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
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