Geriatric Mental Health Alliance News
A bi-weekly email to brief you on issues important to geriatric mental health
March 23, 2009 - Vol 3, Issue 03
March 23, 2009 - Vol 3, Issue 03
The Behavioral Health, Chemical Dependency and Long-term Care Act Is Introduced!
Next Geriatric MH and CD Planning Council Meeting
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GMHA Upcoming Events
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GMHA Joins Coalition to End the Two-Year Wait for Medicare
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GMHA presents at ASA/NCOA Conference
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Other Upcoming Events
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Benefits Checklist for Older Adults
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SAMHSA Accepting Applications for $11 Million in Grants...
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Article...Mentally ill a threat in nursing homes
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Article...Legislators Propose 'Geriatrics Loan Forgiveness Act'
The Behavioral Health, Chemical Dependency and Long-term Care Act of 2009 (A.7027/S.3341) was introduced in the NYS Legislature last week! Assemblyman Peter Rivera, Chair of the Mental Health Committee, introduced the bill in the Assembly. Senator Ruben Diaz, Chair of the Aging Committee, introduced it in the Senate.
We will provide updates as the legislation moves along.
Has Your Organization Signed-on?
Over 80 organizations have signed on in support of the Act.
If your organization has not signed-on and you want to be added, please email Erica Izenberg at eizenberg@mhaofnyc.org.
Next Geriatric MH and CD Planning Council Meeting
The next meeting of the NYS Interagency Geriatric Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Planning Council is this Thursday, March 26th at 10:30am. To link to the live webcast, click here. You can view an archive of the webcast by clicking here.
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GMHA Upcoming Events
April 21, 2009 - Creativity in Late Life: A Best Practices Presentation in Geriatric Mental Health co-sponsored by the Geriatric Mental Health Alliance of New York, the Consortium of New York Geriatric Education Centers, and the Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and Longevity of Hunter College.
This presentation will provide an overview of the role of creativity in the lives of older adults. Topics covered will include: the meaning of creative aging, how creativity may be used to enhance quality of life among older adults and tools practitioners may use to foster creativity among the older adults with whom they work.
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 or visit: http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2gqiqfwfrb0o81r/start. 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.
This presentation will provide an overview of the role of creativity in the lives of older adults. Topics covered will include: the meaning of creative aging, how creativity may be used to enhance quality of life among older adults and tools practitioners may use to foster creativity among the older adults with whom they work.
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 or visit: http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2gqiqfwfrb0o81r/start. 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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May 15, 2009 - Save-the-Date - Third Annual Geriatric Mental Health Alliance Conference.
TREATMENT AND BEYOND: Meeting the Behavioral Health Challenges of the Elder Boom
Brooklyn Marriott, NY
Keynote Speaker: Cameron J. Camp, Ph.D.
Click here for the Save-the-Date Card.
Click here for the Sponsors/Vendors Prospectus
May 15, 2009 - Save-the-Date - Third Annual Geriatric Mental Health Alliance Conference.
TREATMENT AND BEYOND: Meeting the Behavioral Health Challenges of the Elder Boom
Brooklyn Marriott, NY
Keynote Speaker: Cameron J. Camp, Ph.D.
Click here for the Save-the-Date Card.
Click here for the Sponsors/Vendors Prospectus
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GMHA Joins Coalition to End the Two-Year Wait for Medicare
GMHA has signed on to The Coalition to End the Two-Year Wait for Medicare for people with severe disabilities. The Coalition is supporting Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009 which is to be introduced by Senator Jeff Bingaman and Congressman Gene Green. The legislation would eliminate the unjustifiable two-year delay in coverage for people with severe disabilities who are waiting to become eligible for Medicare coverage.
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GMHA presents at ASA/NCOA Conference
At the annual joint conference of the American Society on Aging (ASA) and the National Coalition on Aging (NCOA), Kim Williams presented on the work of the Geriatric Mental Health Alliance, including successes and current activities. She presented as part of a panel presentation entitled A Mental Health National and State Policy Update, with co-presenters Lynn Friss Feinberg, Deputy Director, National Center on Caregiving, Family Caregiver Alliance; Willard Mays, MA, Assistant Deputy Director for Public Policy, Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction; and Anita Rosen, PHD, MSW, Senior Project Advisor, Self Employed.
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Other Upcoming Events
April 7, 2009 - Living in the Community - This program is for those who plan to offer services to older adults and are interested in understanding program and service options for older adults with vision impairment, identifying way sin which technology can be used to keep older adults at home, identifying housing options, and identifying treatment and options for older adults with mental illness. The training will be held at the Samuel Field YM & YWHA (58-20 Little Neck Pkwy, Little Neck, NY 11362)
For more information, click here
April 16, 2009 - Older Adult Caregivers of People With Psychiatric Disabilities: Practice, Cultural, Legal and Policy Issues. This Video and Multidisciplinary discussion will be from 5:30pm to 7:30pm in the McMahon Hall Lounge of Fordham University-Lincoln Center Campus (155 West 60th St./Amsterdam Ave.). Please RSVP to bial@fordham.edu. The event is free but registration is required.
Click here for more information.
April 21, 2009 - Brain Injury in the Community: Wounded Warriors in Transition. This Third Annual Conference sponsored by ICD, AHRC-NYC, and The Brain Injury Association of NYS will be held 9:00am to 4:00pm at OMRDD, 1st Floor Auditorium, 75 Morton Street.
This conference will provide an opportunity for professionals from the TBI field, mentlal health and substance abuse agencies, and programs serving military personnel to learn about the impact of TBI in this context and strengthen their ability to provide services and supports to our wounded warriors.
April 25, 2009 - New York City Mental Health Film Festival The theme this year is stomping out stigma. We have selected four films. One is "crazy enough to care." This is the true story of a father who battled manic depression for 10 years. He fought the stigma that he was unable to be productive. He started a non profit that travels to psychiatric wards, hospitals and nursing homes to spread love through music and comedy. Our feature film "stop pointing" is a full length film. This film is compromised of 6 people telling their stories on fighting stigma, from our relatives, our potential employers and society at large. Our last film is "Open Space". Open space is a documentary about 4 people you would not assume to be mental health recipients who find ways to cope with their psychiatric disabilities. The movie ends with a surprise, revealing someone you never would suspect is a mental health recipient.
May 7, 2009 - Mental Health and Geriatric Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. RRTI is offering this free course instructed by Dr. Phil McCallion, PhD and Dr. Lisa Ferretti, PhD. It will be held at various videoconference sites across New York State on May 7, 2009 from 9am to 4pm, available to all levels of Nurses.
Topics include assessment of mental health issues such as personality disorders, paranoia, and depression; behavioral changes and the differentiationbetween various dementias; Alzheimer's disease; substance abuse issues; aging and sensory loss and related behaviors; affective disorder; and understanding treatment, therapies, and supports.
To register: http://rrti.org
If you have further questions please contact the HRSA Program Assistant; Matt Yaeger at 518-449-2976 or matt@nyrehab.org
June 2, 2009 - Safety in a Storm: Identification and Prevention of Elder Abuse - The Fourth Annual NYC Elder abuse Conference will be held at the New School Institute for Retired Professionals, 66 West 12th St.
Click here for the Save-The-Date card.
For more information, click here
April 16, 2009 - Older Adult Caregivers of People With Psychiatric Disabilities: Practice, Cultural, Legal and Policy Issues. This Video and Multidisciplinary discussion will be from 5:30pm to 7:30pm in the McMahon Hall Lounge of Fordham University-Lincoln Center Campus (155 West 60th St./Amsterdam Ave.). Please RSVP to bial@fordham.edu. The event is free but registration is required.
Click here for more information.
April 21, 2009 - Brain Injury in the Community: Wounded Warriors in Transition. This Third Annual Conference sponsored by ICD, AHRC-NYC, and The Brain Injury Association of NYS will be held 9:00am to 4:00pm at OMRDD, 1st Floor Auditorium, 75 Morton Street.
This conference will provide an opportunity for professionals from the TBI field, mentlal health and substance abuse agencies, and programs serving military personnel to learn about the impact of TBI in this context and strengthen their ability to provide services and supports to our wounded warriors.
April 25, 2009 - New York City Mental Health Film Festival The theme this year is stomping out stigma. We have selected four films. One is "crazy enough to care." This is the true story of a father who battled manic depression for 10 years. He fought the stigma that he was unable to be productive. He started a non profit that travels to psychiatric wards, hospitals and nursing homes to spread love through music and comedy. Our feature film "stop pointing" is a full length film. This film is compromised of 6 people telling their stories on fighting stigma, from our relatives, our potential employers and society at large. Our last film is "Open Space". Open space is a documentary about 4 people you would not assume to be mental health recipients who find ways to cope with their psychiatric disabilities. The movie ends with a surprise, revealing someone you never would suspect is a mental health recipient.
May 7, 2009 - Mental Health and Geriatric Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. RRTI is offering this free course instructed by Dr. Phil McCallion, PhD and Dr. Lisa Ferretti, PhD. It will be held at various videoconference sites across New York State on May 7, 2009 from 9am to 4pm, available to all levels of Nurses.
Topics include assessment of mental health issues such as personality disorders, paranoia, and depression; behavioral changes and the differentiationbetween various dementias; Alzheimer's disease; substance abuse issues; aging and sensory loss and related behaviors; affective disorder; and understanding treatment, therapies, and supports.
To register: http://rrti.org
If you have further questions please contact the HRSA Program Assistant; Matt Yaeger at 518-449-2976 or matt@nyrehab.org
June 2, 2009 - Safety in a Storm: Identification and Prevention of Elder Abuse - The Fourth Annual NYC Elder abuse Conference will be held at the New School Institute for Retired Professionals, 66 West 12th St.
Click here for the Save-The-Date card.
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
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
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Benefits Checklist for Older Adults
Produced by the Sadin Institute on Law & Public Policy of the Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging & Longevity of Hunter College, the Benefits Checklist for Older Adults is an essential tool for all advocates for the elderly including elder lawyers, social workers, nurses, doctors, financial advisors, accountants, public officials and their staffs, academics and all others who work in any capacity to advise and assist elderly clients.
Click here for details and ordering instructions.
Click here for details and ordering instructions.
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SAMHSA Accepting Applications for $11 Million in Grants...
SAMHSA Accepting Applications for $11 Million in Grants to Expand and Strengthen Treatment Services for Persons Who Are Homeless
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for fiscal year 2009 grants for the Development of Comprehensive Drug/Alcohol and Mental Health Treatment Systems for Persons Who are Homeless program. The purpose of this program is to expand and strengthen treatment services for persons who are homeless (including those who are chronically homeless) and who also have substance use disorders, mental disorders, or co-occurring substance use and mental disorders.
SAMHSA expects that up to $11 million will be available for up to 33 grants of approximately $350,000 per grant for up to five years. The actual award amount may vary, depending on the availability of funds and the progress achieved by the awardees. Funds are available for grants in two categories: "General" and "Services in Supportive Housing." Approximately $4.5 million per year of the $11 million will be used to provide services in supportive housing. The remaining $6.8 million will be available for "General" Treatment for Homeless grants. The grants will be administered by SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.
This is the increase to the Services in Supportive Housing funding that the Network has been successfully advocating for in recent years. It is probable that some additional funding will be included in the final FY 2009 appropriations bill, currently being worked on by Congress. Thanks to Congresswoman Nita Lowey, (NY 18-Westchester) for playing a leadership role in securing these much needed funds, part of the effort to fund supportive housing services in the Health and Human Services budget. Network members are strongly encouraged to apply.
WHO CAN APPLY: Domestic public and private nonprofit entities are eligible to apply.
HOW TO APPLY: Applications for No. TI-09-006 are available by calling SAMHSA's Information Line at 1-877-SAMHSA7 [TDD: 1 800-487-4889] or by downloading the application at http://www.samhsa.gov/grants/2009/ti_09_006.aspx
Applicants are encouraged to apply online using www.grants.gov.
APPLICATION DUE DATE: April 30, 2009. Applications must be received by the due date and time to be considered for review. .
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Applicants with questions about program issues should contact Bryant Goodine at (240) 276-2828 or bryant.goodine@samhsa.hhs.gov . For questions on grants management issues contact Kathleen Sample at (240) 276-1407 or kathleen.sample@samhsa.hhs.gov
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for fiscal year 2009 grants for the Development of Comprehensive Drug/Alcohol and Mental Health Treatment Systems for Persons Who are Homeless program. The purpose of this program is to expand and strengthen treatment services for persons who are homeless (including those who are chronically homeless) and who also have substance use disorders, mental disorders, or co-occurring substance use and mental disorders.
SAMHSA expects that up to $11 million will be available for up to 33 grants of approximately $350,000 per grant for up to five years. The actual award amount may vary, depending on the availability of funds and the progress achieved by the awardees. Funds are available for grants in two categories: "General" and "Services in Supportive Housing." Approximately $4.5 million per year of the $11 million will be used to provide services in supportive housing. The remaining $6.8 million will be available for "General" Treatment for Homeless grants. The grants will be administered by SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.
This is the increase to the Services in Supportive Housing funding that the Network has been successfully advocating for in recent years. It is probable that some additional funding will be included in the final FY 2009 appropriations bill, currently being worked on by Congress. Thanks to Congresswoman Nita Lowey, (NY 18-Westchester) for playing a leadership role in securing these much needed funds, part of the effort to fund supportive housing services in the Health and Human Services budget. Network members are strongly encouraged to apply.
WHO CAN APPLY: Domestic public and private nonprofit entities are eligible to apply.
HOW TO APPLY: Applications for No. TI-09-006 are available by calling SAMHSA's Information Line at 1-877-SAMHSA7 [TDD: 1 800-487-4889] or by downloading the application at http://www.samhsa.gov/grants/2009/ti_09_006.aspx
Applicants are encouraged to apply online using www.grants.gov.
APPLICATION DUE DATE: April 30, 2009. Applications must be received by the due date and time to be considered for review. .
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Applicants with questions about program issues should contact Bryant Goodine at (240) 276-2828 or bryant.goodine@samhsa.hhs.gov . For questions on grants management issues contact Kathleen Sample at (240) 276-1407 or kathleen.sample@samhsa.hhs.gov
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Article...Mentally ill a threat in nursing homes
Mentally ill a threat in nursing homes
By CARLA K. JOHNSON
CHICAGO (AP) - Ivory Jackson had Alzheimer's, but that wasn't what killed him. At 77, he was smashed in the face with a clock radio as he lay in his nursing home bed.
Jackson's roommate - a mentally ill man nearly 30 years younger - was arrested and charged with the killing. Police found him sitting next to the nurse's station, blood on his hands, clothes and shoes. Inside their room, the ceiling was spattered with blood.
"Why didn't they do what they needed to do to protect my dad?" wondered Jackson's stepson, Russell Smith.
Over the past several years, nursing homes have become dumping grounds for young and middle-age people with mental illness, according to Associated Press interviews and an analysis of data from all 50 states. And that has proved a prescription for violence, as Jackson's case and others across the country illustrate.
Younger, stronger residents with schizophrenia, depression or bipolar disorder are living beside frail senior citizens, and sometimes taking their rage out on them.
To read more, click here.
By CARLA K. JOHNSON
CHICAGO (AP) - Ivory Jackson had Alzheimer's, but that wasn't what killed him. At 77, he was smashed in the face with a clock radio as he lay in his nursing home bed.
Jackson's roommate - a mentally ill man nearly 30 years younger - was arrested and charged with the killing. Police found him sitting next to the nurse's station, blood on his hands, clothes and shoes. Inside their room, the ceiling was spattered with blood.
"Why didn't they do what they needed to do to protect my dad?" wondered Jackson's stepson, Russell Smith.
Over the past several years, nursing homes have become dumping grounds for young and middle-age people with mental illness, according to Associated Press interviews and an analysis of data from all 50 states. And that has proved a prescription for violence, as Jackson's case and others across the country illustrate.
Younger, stronger residents with schizophrenia, depression or bipolar disorder are living beside frail senior citizens, and sometimes taking their rage out on them.
To read more, click here.
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Article...Legislators Propose 'Geriatrics Loan Forgiveness Act'
Legislators Propose 'Geriatrics Loan Forgiveness Act'
Key bill would help address growing nationwide shortage of healthcare professionals trained to meet the unique healthcare needs of older Americans
(3/18/2009)
NEW YORK-The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) applauds Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) for introducing the "Geriatrics Loan Forgiveness Act" today. This key legislation will help address the acute and growing nationwide shortage of geriatricians and other geriatrics healthcare providers in the United States by enabling healthcare professionals pursuing advanced training in geriatrics to participate in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program.
With the eldest of the nation's baby boomers reaching retirement age in just two years, the number of Americans 65 and older will nearly double, to 77 million, by 2030. Yet the number of geriatricians-physicians with advanced training that prepares them to meet the unique healthcare needs of older adults-is expected to remain flat, at roughly 7,500, over the next two decades, unless steps are taken to address disincentives to entering and remaining in the field. Other geriatrics healthcare professionals, including geriatric psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, and psychologists are also in increasingly short supply.
In its groundbreaking 2008 report, Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Health Care Workforce, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) concluded that the nation's elder healthcare workforce is too small and too unprepared to meet the healthcare needs of the rapidly growing number of older Americans.
Just as children's healthcare needs differ from those of adults, older people's healthcare needs differ from those of younger adults. The average 75-year-old, for example, has three chronic health problems and takes five prescription medications.
To read more, click here.
Key bill would help address growing nationwide shortage of healthcare professionals trained to meet the unique healthcare needs of older Americans
(3/18/2009)
NEW YORK-The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) applauds Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) for introducing the "Geriatrics Loan Forgiveness Act" today. This key legislation will help address the acute and growing nationwide shortage of geriatricians and other geriatrics healthcare providers in the United States by enabling healthcare professionals pursuing advanced training in geriatrics to participate in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program.
With the eldest of the nation's baby boomers reaching retirement age in just two years, the number of Americans 65 and older will nearly double, to 77 million, by 2030. Yet the number of geriatricians-physicians with advanced training that prepares them to meet the unique healthcare needs of older adults-is expected to remain flat, at roughly 7,500, over the next two decades, unless steps are taken to address disincentives to entering and remaining in the field. Other geriatrics healthcare professionals, including geriatric psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, and psychologists are also in increasingly short supply.
In its groundbreaking 2008 report, Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Health Care Workforce, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) concluded that the nation's elder healthcare workforce is too small and too unprepared to meet the healthcare needs of the rapidly growing number of older Americans.
Just as children's healthcare needs differ from those of adults, older people's healthcare needs differ from those of younger adults. The average 75-year-old, for example, has three chronic health problems and takes five prescription medications.
To read more, click here.
