Healthcare System; Avoiding Medical Errors
Title: Speak Up: Help Prevent Errors in Your Care (Part I)
Type: Article, 1000 words
Description: Patient education information from the Joint Commission to help patients be alert for medical errors and take charge of their own care.
Source: The Joint Commission
Available through: July 11, 2011
Healthcare Quality; Medication Safety
Title: Speak Up: Help Prevent Errors in Your Care (Part II)
Type: Article, 800 words
Description: Patient education information from the Joint Commission to help patients be alert for medical errors and take charge of their own care.
Source: The Joint Commission
Available through: July 11, 2012
Memory Care; Senior Wellness
Title: Could Hospitalization Increase Memory Problems?
Type: Short article, 300 words
Description: A study from Rush University Medical Center shows that being hospitalized is associated with a higher risk of mental decline in seniors.
Source: IlluminAge, including report on Rush University study appearing in American Academy of Neurology journal.
Available through: July3, 2012
Aging Research; Honoring Seniors
Title: New Attitudes About Aging Gain Global Attention
Type: Article, 750 words
Description: May is Older Americans Month. This year’s theme, “Never Too Old to Play,” recognizes the value of staying engaged and active at every age. Also this year, the World Health Organization shone the spotlight on aging, with a particular emphasis on noncommunicable disease.
Source: IlluminAge reporting on U.S. Administration on Aging and World Health Organization news.
Available through: July 3, 2012
Financial; Healthcare
Title: Medicare Combats Fraud with Consumer-Friendly Billing Statements
Type: Article, 700 words
Description: The Kaiser Family Foundation reports on the new Medicare billing statements, which are designed to be more user-friendly to allow Medicare recipients to spot fraudulent charges, appeal a denied claim, and catch any other mistakes.
Source: Kaiser Health News
Available through: June 26, 2012
Senior Fitness
Title: “Walk Your Way to Better Health” Word Scramble
Type: PDF puzzle with accompanying text, 100 words
Description: Word scramble puzzle reminds readers that walking is a great way to exercise, and invites them to give their brain a workout by unscrambling nine popular walking locations.
Source: AgeWise
Available through: June 26, 2012
Home Hygiene
Title: Mayo Clinic Offers Advice for Keeping Bedbugs at Bay
Type: Article, 400 words
Description: Information from the Mayo Clinic on how to avoid bringing these pests into your own home.
Source: Mayo Clinic
Available through: June 20, 2012
Honoring Seniors
Title: “Never Too Old to Play”: May 2012 is Older Americans Month
Type: Article, 300 words
Description: May 2012 is Older Americans Month. Article spotlight’s this year’s theme, which reminds us that seniors benefit from lifelong participation in social, creative and physical activities—and that younger people likewise benefit from relationships with elders.
Source: U.S. Administration on Aging
Available through: June 20, 2012
Brain Health, Senior Wellness
Title: Ten Great Ways to Take Care of Your Brain
Type: Article, 600 words
Description: Article reminds readers to add more physical activity, quit smoking, treat depression, and several other important steps to take to support brain health.
Source: AgeWise
Available through: June 12, 2012
Memory Care, Brain Research
Title: “Why Did I Come In Here?”
Type: Short article, 260 words
Description: Interesting study from University of Notre Dame explains why we are likely to forget why we came into a room: the act of going through a door causes the mind to “file away” memories.
Source: IlluminAge, reporting on University of Notre Dame study
Available through: June 12, 2012
Osteoporosis; Hip Fracture
Title: Study Confirms Health Impact of Hip Fracture
Type: Article, 550 words
Description: Recent research confirms the devastating effect hip fracture has on the lives of seniors. Addressing osteoporosis is an important part of preventing these fractures.
Source: Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research
Available through: June 5, 2012
Family Caregivers; Social Work Focus
Title: Sandwich Generation Find Themselves Squeezed Between Needs of Parents, Children
Type: Article, 600 words
Description: A survey of social workers finds families are ill-prepared for time, expense, and emotional toll of caring for aging parents.
Source: National Association of Social Workers
Available through: June 5, 2012
Advance Directives; Healthcare Planning
Title: Advance Directives: Plan Now, Just in Case
Type: Article, 1200 words (can be divided into two articles)
Description: Article gives overview of advance directives, including health care appointments, durable power of attorney, health care directives (living wills) and things to consider during healthcare planning.
Source: AgeWise
Available through: May 30, 2012
Financial; Just for Fun
Title: “Tax Time” Wordfind
Type: PDF puzzle with solution, accompanying text, 100 words
Description: Wordfind puzzle with 20 words having to do with income tax time, and a link to the IRS senior assistance site.
Source: AgeWise
Available through: May 30, 2012
Social Security
Title: The Countdown Is On: Switch Now to Electronic Federal Benefit Payments
Type: Article, 525 words
Description: Information to help seniors prepare for the transition to electronic-only Social Security payments
Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service
Available through: May 23, 2012
Senior Health Care; Communicating with Healthcare Provider
Title: The Family Caregiver Role in Senior Health Appointments
Type: Short item, 290 words
Description: Continuity of care includes provider, patient—and often, a family member.
A Johns Hopkins study shows that the role of family members who accompany their loved one to the doctor has been underrated, and should be addressed as an important part of effective eldercare.
Source: AgeWise, reporting on a study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Available through: May 23, 2012