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Women & Aging
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In This Issue:
Upcoming Deadlines
Announcements
Research & News
Funding Opportunities
Resources
Policy
Upcoming Deadlines
CSWE Annual Program Meeting early-bird registration rate ends Aug. 31st
GSA Annual Conference early-bird registration rate ends Sept. 13t
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Announcements
August is Cataract Awareness Month
A cataract, which is formed slowly and with no pain, is the clouding of the eye's normally clear lens, blocking the passage of light needed for vision. It is estimated that 20.5 million people over the age of 40 have cataracts and may not even be aware of it. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, cataracts are the leading cause of visual loss in Americans 65 and older. Nearly half of adults by age 80 will develop cataracts, or clouding of the lens. This month, learn how to recognize the symptoms, find treatment, and educate others on this common (but treatable) eye condition. For more information, click here.
Active Aging Week: September 25th to October 1st
Now in its ninth year, Active Aging Week, September 25–October 1, promotes the benefits of active, healthy lifestyles for adults over 50. During that time, host sites invite older adults in their local communities to experience free wellness activities and exercise in a safe, friendly and fun atmosphere. Linked here are some insights from veteran organizers as well as some general planning tips for participating in this kind of health promotion event.
n4a Awards Local Aging Programs for Innovations in Addressing the Needs of Older Adults and Their Caregivers
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) honored 48 aging programs from across the U.S. for developing initiatives to help older Americans remain independent in their homes and communities. n4a announced the 2011 recipients of its prestigious Aging Innovations and Achievement Awards at its annual Conference, held this year in Washington, DC. The program, sponsored by CST your Link to Life (CST-LTL), recognizes Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and Title VI Native American aging programs that have developed innovative programs to support older adults and their caregivers. In addition to receiving their award, honorees presented highlights of their programs to their peers at the Conference, where over 500 representatives of the Aging Network gathered to discuss the key issues facing America’s rapidly aging population. To read the press release, click here.
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Research & News
Sleep Apnea Increases Dementia in Aging Women According to Study
A study conducted by Brigham and Women's Hospital has found that aging women who experience frequent episodes of sleep apnea are at a greater risk of developing dementia or cognitive decline. The study has opened up curiosity about the connection between oxygen levels and dementia. Dr. Gary Kennedy of the Montefiore Medical Center called the study findings positive and hopeful, "If the abnormalities in getting oxygen are what's causing the damage to the brain, it's a potentially reversible or preventable problem." For more information about the study, click here.
New Study Denies Link Between Menopause and Risk of Developing Diabetes
A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan Health System has denied any association between menopause and chances of developing diabetes among women. While the actual study can be purchased from the Journal of The North American Menopause Society, a brief overview of the results can be found here.
Women Bear the Burden of Alzheimer's
According to recent research women fear the onset of Alzheimer’s only second to that of cancer. Additionally the number of women developing Alzheimer’s is increasing , while women taking care of those with the disease remains high. "With statistics consistently pointing to the fact that more women are living with Alzheimer's and caring for people with Alzheimer's, it is clear women are disproportionately affected by this disease," said Angela Geiger, chief strategy officer of the Alzheimer's Association. For the full article, click here.
Most Stressed Out in U.S.? Middle-Aged Women Have Lowest Well-Being, Study Finds
According to a Gallup-Heathways Wellbeing Index, women between the ages of 45 and 65 are the most stressed in the United States. Juggling careers, families, and friends, women tend to sacrifice their health for the sake of others, but are also sacrificing years of their life. For more about the science behind the consequences of such high stress levels and an in depth interview conducted by Diane Sawyer about the topic, click here.
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Funding Opportunities
Translational Research to Help Older Adults Maintain their Health and Independence in the Community (R01)
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the Administration on Aging (AoA) invite applications using the R01 award mechanism for translational research that moves evidence-based research findings towards the development of new interventions, programs, policies, practices, and tools that can be used by community-based organizations to help elderly individuals remain healthy and independent, and living in their own homes and communities. The goal of this FOA is to support translational research involving collaborations between academic research centers and community-based organizations with expertise serving the elderly (such as city and state health departments, city/town leadership councils, and Area Agencies on Aging) that will enhance our understanding of practical tools, techniques, programs and policies that communities across the nation can use to more effectively respond to needs of their aging populations.
Translational Research at the Aging/Cancer Interface (TRACI) (R01)
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, encourages research grant applications from institutions/organizations that propose translational research in the overlapping areas of human aging and cancer, linking basic and clinical research relevant to the care of older cancer patients through both bench to bedside and bedside to bench approaches. Ultimately, information from the research supported by this initiative should improve the health and well-being of elderly patients at risk for, or diagnosed with, cancer and decrease the functional impairment and morbidity associated with cancer in this population.
T2 Translational Research: Research leading to new health care practices, community programs and policies affecting older persons (R21)
This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) encourages exploratory/developmental R21 research projects on translational research (T2) directed towards development of health care practices, community programs and policies, including monitoring and quality improvement for pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches for preventing and treating key health issues affecting the elderly. For the purposes of this FOA, T2 translational research on aging is defined as research to gather information needed to develop or evaluate methods of translating results from clinical studies into everyday clinical practice and health decision making (e.g., adapting an efficacious intervention for application in clinical practice and evaluating its effectiveness in different clinical settings). Methods for T2 translational research include but are not limited to intervention studies, systematic reviews, meta analysis, outcomes research and implementation research.
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Resources
Conference Focuses On Research Linking PTSD with Dementia, Heart Disease
Research conducted at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center was presented in June at the fourth annual "Brain at War" conference. Researchers have found that combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are twice as likely to have dementia and two to three times as likely to develop cardiac problems as compared to veterans without PTSD. Dr. Michael Weiner, director of the Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, explained that this could lead to a large increase in the number of veterans who develop Alzheimer's disease in the next 10 to 20 years. Researchers hope that by understanding how combat affects the brain, they can work towards improvements. A Veterans Administration Web Site features a searchable map of PTSD programs throughout the country, and the National Center for PTSD, administered by the VA, is working to advance the clinical care and social welfare for America 's Veterans. The Center also co-designed a downloadable Phone App, "PTSD Coach" to connect veterans with information, resources, and tools to use to manage living with PTSD. For more information, visit:
BandwidthOnline.org Now Offers Resources on Using Social Media
In response to requests from many grantees, the Hartford Foundation is excited to announce the addition of How do I effectively utilize social media in my work? as the newest resource on BandwidthOnline.org, the communications Web site for geriatrics professionals and grantees of the John A. Hartford Foundation. The site is designed to improve communications skills by providing quality resources online and available when you need them most.
On this new page, you will find:
· A comprehensive list of commonly used social media tools with links to these tools
· An overview of what each tools does, and tips on how to effectively use these tools
· How to incorporate social media into your overall communications strategy
· Resources to further investigate social media best practices, tips, and tools
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Policy
Influential Senators proposing spending cuts that would eliminate the Community Living Assistance Services & Support Act
With the budget deficit at the top of everyone’s list of concerns, and proposals for spending cuts being made frequently it is important to pay attention to Congress. Six influential Senators, Republicans Saxby Chambliss (GA) and Tom Coburn (OK), and Democrats Kent Conrad (ND), Dick Durbin (IL), Mark Warner (VA) and Mike Crapo (ID) proposed to eliminate the CLASS Act. The Community Living Assistance Services and Support (CLASS) Act is a voluntary, federally administered, consumer-financed insurance plan. It became law when President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on March 23, 2010. CLASS provides those who participate, faced with functional limitations, with cash to help pay for needed assistance in a place they call home: from independent living to a nursing home.
Brief Provides Primer On the Older Americans Act
The National Health Policy Forum released a guide earlier this summer on the Older Americans Act, which is supposed to be reauthorized this year. The brief explains the programs within the seven titles of the act (of which six are run through the Administration on Aging), the history of the act, and how funding is allocated. The United State Senate Special Committee has held several hearings this year on the Older Americans Act. For more information, click here.
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