Coordinating Care Across the Continuum: A Panel Discussion on Transitions in Care
SEPTEMBER 15, 2010
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Event will take place at RUSH University and Medical Center; 710 S.Paulina, Chicago, Room TBA
Light Refreshments and Free Parking Available
Questions or to RSVP contact Claudia Cook at ccook@livhome.com
**Thanks to Rodrigo Senna for the picture

Shakeela is the Chicago Bridge’s first Older Adult Guest Writer. We welcome her to the Chicago Bridge and thank her for her contributions. We hope all readers learn a valuable message from the voice(s) of those people we serve. Her article is titled “Empowered Aging: Stories of Strength.” She states in her piece, “I vehemently argued that no way whatsoever was I going to a facility in which I would feel disempowered, lacking the independence I so value- a place the Chicago Tribune and I, through a series of exposes, perceive to be neglectful and unsafe.”

In addition to the challenges most of us face as we age, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) elders encounter additional obstacles due to inequality, bias laws and policy that affect their financial security and health care options. Of the numerous safety net programs that fail to protect and support LGBT elders equally with their heterosexual peers, the program that has one of the harshest effects on LGBT elders is Medicaid. Proper planning with a comprehensive estate plan that includes a power of attorney for healthcare, and a Medicaid asset protection trust can empower LGBT elders. These tools can help LGBT elders to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their finances so same sex partners can age together with dignity.

The United States Social Security program is one of the nation’s most successful programs to promote economic security in our country. Why do so many people believe that Social Security will not be around when they retire? Please join the discussion on the importance of Social Security and help to ensure the program’s success for generations to come.

The concept of positive aging has come to dominate the mainstream images and discourse on getting older. But where does this leave the large number of people who find that getting older brings far more challenges than they could have imagined?

Social Security is frequently proposed as a program to explore in looking for cost-savings. In light of both federal and state budget crises, advocacy is necessary to protect safety net programs, like Social Security; the time to speak up is now. There is evidence that older adults are not able to afford cost of community living. The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform meets May 26th, is Social Security secure?

One of life’s most difficult transitions may be for an older adult moving to a long-term care facility. For aging professionals, we can attempt to understand this experience by comparing this transition to other life transitions. However, there is a lot to learn from older adults transitioning to new communities later in life, especially from the perspective of older adults themselves.

Integrating mature adults into the workplace has its benefits. Bringing mature and younger workers together not only enhances the output, it enhances quality of life. Taking advantage of the skills of mature workers will not only support economic productivity, it improves that worker’s well-being.

Although a 20-year-old federal mandate restricts the use of chemical restraints on nursing home residents, misuse and overuse of psychotropic drugs on residents is a substantial problem with dire consequences. This form of abuse has come to the attention of the Illinois Nursing Home Safety Task Force, which is currently developing a policy to assure appropriate use of psychotropic drugs in Illinois nursing homes.

With the increase of older adults in society, business opportunities abound. If you’ve ever thought about creating your own business and work in the field of aging, you could use your creativity to develop a small business. With a great idea, lots of dedication, and an excellent support system, you could carve a unique niche and find yourself in a satisfying career.