News Roundup, July 19, 2021

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced:

• Reports shows that words matter. Language can reduce mental health and additional stigman. “In a perspective published in Neuropsychopharmacology, leaders from the National Institutes of Health address how using appropriate language to describe mental illness and addiction can help to reduce stigma and improve how people with these conditions are treated in health care settings and throughout society” Read more.
• Study shows imaging after mild brain injury may predict outcomes. Read more.
• National Cancer Institute announces Resources for Caregivers. Read more.
• National Institute of Mental Health announces Caring for your Mental Health. Read more.
• Blog: How to Heal Skin Without the Scars
• Addressing One of the Most Enduring Challenges in Health Care: End-of-Life Decision Making, Videocast September 14, 2021, 10am to 11am ET. Read more.

The AARP published an article in its July/August 2021 titled Battling for Safer, Fairer Nursing Homes. The article describes four lawsuits the AARP is participating in: Brown v. Azar (California), Levine v. Ventura Convalescent Hospital (California), Brown v. District of Columbia (WDC) and Fair Housing Justice Center v. New York (New York). Read more.

LeadingAge and the Global Ageing Network, who are industry service providers, businesses, scholars and others committed to addressing the challenges and opportunities of global aging, announced their 2021 Expo in Atlanta, Georgia. It will take place from October 24 through October 27, 2021. For more information or to register, click here.

CAAR E-Clippings reported (Selected items):

• Georgia senior care homes struggle to rebound after pandemic,” (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 15, 2021)
• Aging population to hit U.S. economy like a ‘ton of bricks‘ (Reuters, July 12, 2021)
• Social Security recipients may get biggest cost-of-living bump in almost 40 years, (Columbia Broadcasting System [News], July 13, 2021)
• Medicare would cover dental, vision and hearing under Democrats; USD 3.5 trillion spending plan, (CNBC, July 14, 2021)
• 70 Over 70′ Podcast Features Reflections From People Over The Age Of 70, (US National Public Radio All Things Considered, July 13, 2021)
• Biogen Alzheimer’s drug hits roadblocks with some hospitals, insurers, (Reuters, July 15, 2021)
• How Walking Can Build Up the Brain, (New York Times, July 14, 2021)
• Reading, Puzzles May Delay Alzheimer’s by 5 Years: Study, (HealthDay, July 15, 2021)
• A Woman’s Guide to Making the Most of Social Security, (New York Times, June 28, 2021)
• What long-term services and supports do retirees need?, (MarketWatch, June 29, 2021)
• Advocates for the elderly call on Tennessee to tap federal funds to provide better care, (Tennessean [Nashville, Tennessee], June 29, 2021).

The U.S. Supreme Court has delayed hearing a dispute over work requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries. Read more.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality announced:

• Community discharge among post-acute nursing home residents: an association with patient safety culture?
• Implementation of patient safety structures and processes in the patient-centered medical home
• Effects of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion on the Distribution of New General Internists Across States

The Administration for Community Living announced:

• Recent Funding Opportunities to Expand Access to Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) for Individuals with Disabilities
• ACL has recently awarded a cooperative agreement to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to implement the National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC)
• Input requested on the “No Surprise Billing” rule
• Webinar: Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Adults with Serious Mental Illnesses, August 5, 2021, 2pm to 3pm ET. Read more.
• Webinar: Building and Maintaining Relationships After a Dementia Diagnosis: Dementia Care Partners and Social Isolation, August 24, 2021, 1pm to 2pm ET. Read more.
• Alzheimer’s Disease Programs Initiative 2021 Awards Announced. Read more.
• New Book: 30 Years of Community Living for Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities. Read more.
• COVID-19 Resources and Webinars. Read more.

Benefits.gov:

• How Can I Apply to the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
• 5 Notable Benefits for Military Veterans

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced:

• Cognitive Assessment & Care Plan Services. For Health Care Providers. For Medicare Recipients.

Government Accountability Office (GAO):

• Firearm Injuries: Health Care Service Needs and Costs
• VA Disability Benefits: Actions Needed to Better Manage Appeals Workload Risks, Performance, and Information Technology
• Summer Travel— TSA’s and Air Marshals’ Response to COVID-19

Veterans Administration:

• Planned expansion of benefits for disability claims for conditions related to certain toxic exposures (e.g., Agent Orange). On July 20, 2021, the VA announced that it has expanded Agent Orang conditions. Read more.
• Updated disability housing grants for veterans
• Caring for Veterans with Dementia (including Alzheimer’s Disease).Depending on the Veteran’s needs, services may include Home Based Primary Care, Homemaker and Home Health Aide, Respite Care, Adult Day Health Care, outpatient clinic, inpatient hospital, Nursing Home, Palliative Care, or Hospice Care. Read more.

Health Affairs published an article titled Larger Nursing Home Staff Size Linked to Higher Number of COVID-19 Cases in 2020. Read more.

Advancing PALTC Education announced a webinar on Treating People with Parkinson’s Disease: A New Pocket Guide to Help Make a Complex Disease Easier to Navigate, August 25, 2021, 7pm to 8pm ET. Read more.