Geriatric Mental Health Alliance News
A bi-weekly email to brief you on issues important to geriatric mental health
September 22, 2008 - Vol 2, Issue 11
September 22, 2008 - Vol 2, Issue 11
Revenue shortfalls related to the poor economy in NYS will result in a deficit for 2009-10. To avert this deficit, Governor Paterson has announced that he will seek $2.1 Billion in spending cuts when the Legislature comes back into session in September. These cuts are likely to affect health, mental health, substance abuse, aging, and children's services as well as education. We will let you know details as we learn them. Please be prepared to write, call, and visit your Assemblyperson and Senator to urge them to protect critical services for older adults with mental and/or substance use problems.
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GMHA Announces Workgroups
We have decided to form a few workgroups to focus on various issues related to geriatric mental health.
- Long-Term Care Workgroup - to develop an advocacy agenda and strategies around better meeting the mental health needs of elders in long-term care for 2009-10;
- Financing Geriatric Mental Health Services Workgroup - to identify opportunities to expand geriatric mental health services, barriers to expansion, and ways to overcome barriers;
- People with Long-Term Psychiatric Disabilities Who Are Aging Workgroup - to develop an agenda to improve quality of life.
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GMHA Upcoming Events
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GMHA Welcomes New Staff Member
October 16, 2008 - Evidence Based Psychosocial Interventions in End of Life Care: A Best Practices Presentation in Geriatric Mental Health co-sponsored by the Geriatric Mental Health Alliance of New York and the Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and Longevity of Hunter College.
The event will be held from 3:00 - 5:00PM at the Hunter College School of Social Work - Auditorium, 129 East 79th Street, NYC, (Between Lexington and Park Avenues). Please register by clicking here. If you have any questions, please email or call Yusyin Hsin at yhsin@mhaofnyc.org or (212) 614-6356. The event is free but pre-registration is required.
The event will be held from 3:00 - 5:00PM at the Hunter College School of Social Work - Auditorium, 129 East 79th Street, NYC, (Between Lexington and Park Avenues). Please register by clicking here. If you have any questions, please email or call Yusyin Hsin at yhsin@mhaofnyc.org or (212) 614-6356. The event is free but pre-registration is required.
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November 10, 2008 - Save the Date - Housing for Older Adults with Late-Onset Mental Disorders: Effective Models and Policy Implications
Moderator: Sydelle Knepper, CEO, SKA Marin,
Presenters: Jessica Katz, Director of Housing Development, Division of Special Needs Housing NYC Dept of Housing Preservation and Development
Laura Jervis, Executive Director, West Side Federation for Senior Supportive Housing NYSDHCR
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December 02, 2008 - Save the Date - Legal Issues Confronting Seniors with Mental Health Needs
Presenters: Staff from MFY Legal Services
November 10, 2008 - Save the Date - Housing for Older Adults with Late-Onset Mental Disorders: Effective Models and Policy Implications
Moderator: Sydelle Knepper, CEO, SKA Marin,
Presenters: Jessica Katz, Director of Housing Development, Division of Special Needs Housing NYC Dept of Housing Preservation and Development
Laura Jervis, Executive Director, West Side Federation for Senior Supportive Housing NYSDHCR
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December 02, 2008 - Save the Date - Legal Issues Confronting Seniors with Mental Health Needs
Presenters: Staff from MFY Legal Services
GMHA Welcomes New Staff Member
The Geriatric Mental Health Alliance of New York welcomes our newest staff member, Lisa Furst. Many of you may have known Lisa as the Director of Public Education for MHA of NYC and her work collaborating with the NYC Department for the Aging and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on a project to provide mental health education, screening, and linkages to services for older adults in senior centers. Lisa will continue to direct that project and will also serve as the Director of GMHA's Training and Technical Assistance Center without walls. Lisa looks forward to working with all of you as we enhance and plan our educational and training events.
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LIFENET, Award-Winning Hotline, Goes Online at www.800lifenet.orgLIFENET (1-800-LIFENET), the 24/7, multilingual, multicultural information and referral hotline that is staffed by mental health professionals in New York City and operated by the Mental Health Association of NYC is now online at www.800lifenet.org. The website provides free, confidential, crisis, information, and referrals for those seeking help for behavioral health problems in NYC. The site also offers users the option to speak to a mental health professional 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
To read more, here is the press release.
To read more, here is the press release.
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Other Upcoming EventsOctober 2, 2008 - Meeting the Mental Health Challenges of the Elder Boom. A community conference for Health and Human Service Providers and Family Care Givers from Warren and Washington Counties. The keynote speaker will be Michael Friedman. The conference will be held at the Queensbury Hotel from 08:00am to 12:00pm.
October 4, 2008 - The Second Annual Latino Mental Health Conference: Meeting the Mental Health Needs of the Latino Families & Communities. A conference fully dedicated to address the serious mental health disparities affecting the New York State Latino Community which not only served as a forum for the exchange of information, data, and ideas, but also invigorated the Latino healthcare provider community to stimulate the creation of highly successful projects. The event will be held at the Farkas Auditorium, NYU Langone Medical Center (550 First Avenue at 31st St.)
Please click here to register online.
October 15, 2008 - Breakthroughs in Elder Abuse & Neglect: Multidisciplinary Approaches, Promising Results. An educational forum presented by Laura Mosqueda, MD., and Laura Giles, MSG. for the NYC elder services community and a Weill Cornell Medical College CME activity.
For more information, please click here.
October 16, 2008 - Hunter College School of Social Worth 50th Anniversary Honoring Hunter's Past & Preparing for the Future in Social Work in Aging. An event to honor the recent graduates of the Aging and Health Program. The event starts at 5:30pm at the Hunter College School of Social Work, 129 E. 79th St. Reception to follow. For more information, click here.
October 23-25, 2008 - Save-the-Date: State Society on Aging of New York 36th Annual Conference This year's theme is: Geriatric Mental Health: Practice, Research, Education, and Policy and the conference will be held at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, NY. Michael Friedman will receive the President's Award in recognition of the work of the Geriatric Mental Health Alliance.
October 26-28, 2008 - Community Health: The Foundation of Patient Centered Care. CHCANYS's 2008 Statewide Conference, this dynamic conference features critical discussion on national and state health care issues and practical skills building for community health care providers and administrators. Examples: Financial/Operations Track, Health Information Technology Track, Health Center Board Development Track, Clinical Track, etc. The event will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, White Plains, NY.
For more information, please click here.
November 12-13, 2008 - Empowering Communities for Successful Aging: Housing, Neighborhood Supports, and Services. This conference will help provide communities with the tools to become elder friendly and more livable for persons of all ages. The conference will be held at the Saratoga Hilton and Conference Center, Saratoga Springs, NY.
Brookdale Center for Health Aging & Longevity Certificates in Aging Program
Registration is now underway for the Fall 2008 Certificate Program courses in Aging. Courses are designed for professionals working in or preparing to work in the rapidly growing field of aging services and those with an interest in the field. Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging & Longevity of Hunter College and Continuing Education at Hunter are offering 3 post-baccalaureate certificate programs, including the Certificate in Aging, Certificate in Aging and Mental Health, Certificate in Professional Geriatric Care Management. Courses are held in the evening at Brookdale's convenient midtown location. For more information, or to register, visit http://www.brookdale.org or http://ce.hunter.cuny.edu
RRTI 2008-9 Geriatrics and Developmental Disabilities Nurse Training Program The Rehabilitation Research and Training Institute is pleased to announce the schedule for the 2008-2009 Geriatrics and Developmental Disabilities Nurse Training Program. For a full list of courses and their descriptions and registration, please visit www.rrti.org. Nurses with all levels of training are invited to register for these free courses. Please note that a certificate is available for those Nurses who complete C1-C4 and Nursing Contact Hours can be obtained. For more information and questions, please contact Matt Yaeger at matt@nyrehab.org or 518-449-2976 ext 101. Courses start September 17, 2008 at various videoconference sites.
This continuing education activity has been submitted to the New York State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation
NY Connects Building Connections Workshop
NY Connects is pleased to announce the Building Connections workshop that will be offered in 6 locations across the State. This workshop is designed to support and strengthen local program operations and the Long Term Care Councils. NYSOFA Director Burgess or his designee, and a representative from DOH will provide opening remarks on the current status and future directions of long term care in NYS.
To register, please click here.
Educational Seminar Series at Service Program for Older People (SPOP) This training opportunity features SPOP clinicians who have extensive experience with older adults and mental health. It is offered to the professional geriatrics community and all who work with seniors. Each seminar is held at: 302 West 91st Street at West End Avenue, New York, NY. Seminar fee: $15. Discount for 3 or more attendees from the same organization. Space is limited. Please register in advance by mail or online at www.spop.org or call: 212-787-7120.
For topics, dates, and registration information, click here.
Consortium of New York Geriatric Education Centers
GNYGEC 2008/2009 is beginning another semester of Core and Elective trainings throughout the five boroughs. Click here for the 2008/2009 program announcement, registration form, credit card forms, and training locations. You may also register online here.
Institute for Senior Action
The Joint Public Affairs Committee for Older Adults is offering an exciting, innovative leadership and advocacy training course, the Institute for Senior Action (IFSA). IFSA is a unique 10-week course that sharpens the skills of long-time activist, and equips recent retirees and community members with the skills needed to maneuver our complicated political system and get results.
The Fall 2008 Session is Thursdays, Sept. 18 to Dec. 4th from 10:00am-2:30pm at the Hudson Guild (441 W. 26th St. between 9th and 10th Avenues)
All adults 55+ are invited to apply. There is a nominal charge for the program of $50 with limited scholarships available. For more information, please look at the schedule and the application. Or please contact the IFSA program at (212) 273-5261 or oaribidesi@jasa.org
October 4, 2008 - The Second Annual Latino Mental Health Conference: Meeting the Mental Health Needs of the Latino Families & Communities. A conference fully dedicated to address the serious mental health disparities affecting the New York State Latino Community which not only served as a forum for the exchange of information, data, and ideas, but also invigorated the Latino healthcare provider community to stimulate the creation of highly successful projects. The event will be held at the Farkas Auditorium, NYU Langone Medical Center (550 First Avenue at 31st St.)
Please click here to register online.
October 15, 2008 - Breakthroughs in Elder Abuse & Neglect: Multidisciplinary Approaches, Promising Results. An educational forum presented by Laura Mosqueda, MD., and Laura Giles, MSG. for the NYC elder services community and a Weill Cornell Medical College CME activity.
For more information, please click here.
October 16, 2008 - Hunter College School of Social Worth 50th Anniversary Honoring Hunter's Past & Preparing for the Future in Social Work in Aging. An event to honor the recent graduates of the Aging and Health Program. The event starts at 5:30pm at the Hunter College School of Social Work, 129 E. 79th St. Reception to follow. For more information, click here.
October 23-25, 2008 - Save-the-Date: State Society on Aging of New York 36th Annual Conference This year's theme is: Geriatric Mental Health: Practice, Research, Education, and Policy and the conference will be held at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, NY. Michael Friedman will receive the President's Award in recognition of the work of the Geriatric Mental Health Alliance.
October 26-28, 2008 - Community Health: The Foundation of Patient Centered Care. CHCANYS's 2008 Statewide Conference, this dynamic conference features critical discussion on national and state health care issues and practical skills building for community health care providers and administrators. Examples: Financial/Operations Track, Health Information Technology Track, Health Center Board Development Track, Clinical Track, etc. The event will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, White Plains, NY.
For more information, please click here.
November 12-13, 2008 - Empowering Communities for Successful Aging: Housing, Neighborhood Supports, and Services. This conference will help provide communities with the tools to become elder friendly and more livable for persons of all ages. The conference will be held at the Saratoga Hilton and Conference Center, Saratoga Springs, NY.
Brookdale Center for Health Aging & Longevity Certificates in Aging Program
Registration is now underway for the Fall 2008 Certificate Program courses in Aging. Courses are designed for professionals working in or preparing to work in the rapidly growing field of aging services and those with an interest in the field. Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging & Longevity of Hunter College and Continuing Education at Hunter are offering 3 post-baccalaureate certificate programs, including the Certificate in Aging, Certificate in Aging and Mental Health, Certificate in Professional Geriatric Care Management. Courses are held in the evening at Brookdale's convenient midtown location. For more information, or to register, visit http://www.brookdale.org or http://ce.hunter.cuny.edu
RRTI 2008-9 Geriatrics and Developmental Disabilities Nurse Training Program The Rehabilitation Research and Training Institute is pleased to announce the schedule for the 2008-2009 Geriatrics and Developmental Disabilities Nurse Training Program. For a full list of courses and their descriptions and registration, please visit www.rrti.org. Nurses with all levels of training are invited to register for these free courses. Please note that a certificate is available for those Nurses who complete C1-C4 and Nursing Contact Hours can be obtained. For more information and questions, please contact Matt Yaeger at matt@nyrehab.org or 518-449-2976 ext 101. Courses start September 17, 2008 at various videoconference sites.
This continuing education activity has been submitted to the New York State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation
NY Connects Building Connections Workshop
NY Connects is pleased to announce the Building Connections workshop that will be offered in 6 locations across the State. This workshop is designed to support and strengthen local program operations and the Long Term Care Councils. NYSOFA Director Burgess or his designee, and a representative from DOH will provide opening remarks on the current status and future directions of long term care in NYS.
To register, please click here.
Educational Seminar Series at Service Program for Older People (SPOP) This training opportunity features SPOP clinicians who have extensive experience with older adults and mental health. It is offered to the professional geriatrics community and all who work with seniors. Each seminar is held at: 302 West 91st Street at West End Avenue, New York, NY. Seminar fee: $15. Discount for 3 or more attendees from the same organization. Space is limited. Please register in advance by mail or online at www.spop.org or call: 212-787-7120.
For topics, dates, and registration information, click here.
Consortium of New York Geriatric Education Centers
GNYGEC 2008/2009 is beginning another semester of Core and Elective trainings throughout the five boroughs. Click here for the 2008/2009 program announcement, registration form, credit card forms, and training locations. You may also register online here.
Institute for Senior Action
The Joint Public Affairs Committee for Older Adults is offering an exciting, innovative leadership and advocacy training course, the Institute for Senior Action (IFSA). IFSA is a unique 10-week course that sharpens the skills of long-time activist, and equips recent retirees and community members with the skills needed to maneuver our complicated political system and get results.
The Fall 2008 Session is Thursdays, Sept. 18 to Dec. 4th from 10:00am-2:30pm at the Hudson Guild (441 W. 26th St. between 9th and 10th Avenues)
All adults 55+ are invited to apply. There is a nominal charge for the program of $50 with limited scholarships available. For more information, please look at the schedule and the application. Or please contact the IFSA program at (212) 273-5261 or oaribidesi@jasa.org
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2008 Presidential Election: The Mental Health, Candidates, Party PlatformsIn early 2008, In early 2008, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) sent a questionnaire to all presidential candidates in each party. They also encouraged candidates to provide other relevant materials or explanations of their positions on issues involving mental health even if they did not have time to respond to the questionnaire.
NAMI, "NAMI offers these responses and excerpts from party platforms for educational purposes only. NAMI is a non-profit, non-partisan organization. Non-profit charitable organizations, including NAMI state and local affiliates, are prohibited by law from endorsing specific candidates and this information should not be used by any NAMI affiliate to endorse any candidate."
NAMI, "NAMI offers these responses and excerpts from party platforms for educational purposes only. NAMI is a non-profit, non-partisan organization. Non-profit charitable organizations, including NAMI state and local affiliates, are prohibited by law from endorsing specific candidates and this information should not be used by any NAMI affiliate to endorse any candidate."
Democratic Presidential Nominee
Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois:- Questionnaire response
Republican Presidential Nominee
Sen. John McCain of Arizona: Mental Health Statement in lieu of a response to our questionnaire. The Campaign informed NAMI that it is his policy not to respond to questionnaires.
Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois:- Questionnaire response
Republican Presidential Nominee
Sen. John McCain of Arizona: Mental Health Statement in lieu of a response to our questionnaire. The Campaign informed NAMI that it is his policy not to respond to questionnaires.
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NSDUH Report: Serious, Psychological Distress Among Adults Aged 50 or OlderNSDUH Report: Serious Psychological Distress Among Adults Aged 50 or Older - 2005/2006
SAMHSA has released The NSDUH Report: Serious Psychological Distress Among Adults Aged 50 or Older: 2005 & 2006 . Combined data from SAMHSA's 2005 and 2006 National Surveys on Drug Use & Health (NSDUH) indicate than an annual average of seven percent of adults aged 50 or older experienced serious psychological distress in the past year. Adults aged 50 to 64 were more likely to experience past year serious psychological distress than those aged 65 or older.
To view the report, visit: http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/SPDolder/SPDolderadults.cfm.
SAMHSA has released The NSDUH Report: Serious Psychological Distress Among Adults Aged 50 or Older: 2005 & 2006 . Combined data from SAMHSA's 2005 and 2006 National Surveys on Drug Use & Health (NSDUH) indicate than an annual average of seven percent of adults aged 50 or older experienced serious psychological distress in the past year. Adults aged 50 to 64 were more likely to experience past year serious psychological distress than those aged 65 or older.
To view the report, visit: http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/SPDolder/SPDolderadults.cfm.
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Article...Retirees Filling the Frong Line in Market FearsRetirees Filling the Front Line in Market Fears
By JOHN LELAND and LOUIS UCHITELLE
The New York Times
Published: September 22, 2008
By JOHN LELAND and LOUIS UCHITELLE
The New York Times
Published: September 22, 2008
Older Americans with investments are among the hardest hit by the turmoil in the financial markets and have the least opportunity to recover.
As companies have switched from fixed pensions to 401(k) accounts, retirees risk losing big chunks of their wealth and income in a single day's trading, as many have in the last month.
"There's a terrified older population out there," said Alicia H. Munnell, director of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. "If you're 45 and the market goes down, it bothers you, but it comes back. But if you're retired or about to retire, you might have to sell your assets before they have a chance to recover. And people don't have the luxury of being in bonds because they don't yield enough for how long we live."
Today's retirees have less money in savings, longer life expectancies and greater exposure to market risk than any retirees since World War II. Even before the last week of turmoil, 39 percent of retirees said they expected to outlive their savings, up from 29 percent in 2007, according to a survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, an industry-sponsored group in Washington.
"This really highlights the new world of retirement," said Richard Johnson, a principal research associate at the Urban Institute in Washington. "It's a much riskier world for retirees, because people don't have defined-benefit plans. They have pots of money and they have to worry about making it last."
To read more, click here.
As companies have switched from fixed pensions to 401(k) accounts, retirees risk losing big chunks of their wealth and income in a single day's trading, as many have in the last month.
"There's a terrified older population out there," said Alicia H. Munnell, director of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. "If you're 45 and the market goes down, it bothers you, but it comes back. But if you're retired or about to retire, you might have to sell your assets before they have a chance to recover. And people don't have the luxury of being in bonds because they don't yield enough for how long we live."
Today's retirees have less money in savings, longer life expectancies and greater exposure to market risk than any retirees since World War II. Even before the last week of turmoil, 39 percent of retirees said they expected to outlive their savings, up from 29 percent in 2007, according to a survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, an industry-sponsored group in Washington.
"This really highlights the new world of retirement," said Richard Johnson, a principal research associate at the Urban Institute in Washington. "It's a much riskier world for retirees, because people don't have defined-benefit plans. They have pots of money and they have to worry about making it last."
To read more, click here.
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Article...Institutionalized Medicaid recipients sue FloridaInstitutionalized Medicaid recipients sue Florida
By MATT SEDENSKY, Associated Press Writer
Yahoo! News
PLANT CITY, Fla. - Charles Todd Lee spent a lifetime going backstage at concerts, following politicians on the campaign trail and capturing iconic shots of everyone from Martin Luther King Jr. to Mick Jagger to Mickey Mantle. Today, he enjoys such freedom only in his dreams.
The 67-year-old photographer has been confined to a nursing home for five years, the victim of a stroke that paralyzed his left side. And he's angry.
"Most of the people come here to die, so you want to die," he said. "It is a prison. I can't escape it."
Lee is among the Medicaid recipients across Florida challenging the nightmare of the old and disabled: to be forced from comfort and familiarity into a nursing home.
They say the state is illegally forcing them to live in nursing homes when they should be able to live where they choose. Advocates charge that nursing homes, afraid of losing money, have successfully pressured politicians to make qualifying for community care more difficult. They have filed a federal lawsuit seeking class-action status on behalf of nearly 8,500 institutionalized Floridians.
To read more, click here.
By MATT SEDENSKY, Associated Press Writer
Yahoo! News
PLANT CITY, Fla. - Charles Todd Lee spent a lifetime going backstage at concerts, following politicians on the campaign trail and capturing iconic shots of everyone from Martin Luther King Jr. to Mick Jagger to Mickey Mantle. Today, he enjoys such freedom only in his dreams.
The 67-year-old photographer has been confined to a nursing home for five years, the victim of a stroke that paralyzed his left side. And he's angry.
"Most of the people come here to die, so you want to die," he said. "It is a prison. I can't escape it."
Lee is among the Medicaid recipients across Florida challenging the nightmare of the old and disabled: to be forced from comfort and familiarity into a nursing home.
They say the state is illegally forcing them to live in nursing homes when they should be able to live where they choose. Advocates charge that nursing homes, afraid of losing money, have successfully pressured politicians to make qualifying for community care more difficult. They have filed a federal lawsuit seeking class-action status on behalf of nearly 8,500 institutionalized Floridians.
To read more, click here.
