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Ripples

The E-Newsletter of the Geriatric Social Work Initiative (GSWI)
Volume 8 Issue 1
January 26, 2009

 Inaugural Edition

Upcoming Deadlines:
Hartford Doctoral Fellows: February 2, 2009
Hartford Faculty Scholars: February 2, 2009
Gero-Ed Specialized Gerontology Program Funding: April 10, 2009
Hartford Pre-Dissertation Awardees: May 1, 2009

In this Issue…
Announcements
Research & News
Funding Opportunities
Resources
Policy

Reflections on the Presidential Inauguration
While approximately 2 million people gathered on the National Mall to hear our newest President Barack Obama sworn in, I sat in my warm hotel room and relished the peace and quiet while watching the event on television. I reflected on how many citizens gathered, young and old alike, from far and from near, to witness a historic moment. Many news sources focused on the momentous occasion as a day that would go down in history as the first non-white president took the Oath of Office. However, my attention was focused on how many people had become truly involved with the election process.

I was fortunate enough to spend the majority of the week teaching a bright group of young people from all over the country about civic engagement. When I asked my students what current issues they were interested in, one seventeen-year-old said he was interested in social security. At first, it took me by surprise because this student did not seem as if such an issue would be at the forefront of his mind. However, not only were these young people thinking about their personal and immediate future, but they were thinking ahead and in terms of the community at large. At the end of the week, these students were able to take back skills of activism to their own cities and states, skills they will be able to use throughout their lives in order to further their own growth as human beings, as well as to contribute to society as a whole. 
- Contributed by Sara Halperin, GSA Hartford Program Assistant

Were you a part of the inauguration? Do you have reflections you would like to share regarding this important historical event? Send 200 words or less to Katherine Carter, Program Coordinator at kcarter@geron.org and your comments may be selected for a future edition of Ripples or a special portion of the GSWI website. More details to come!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congratulations to the following…

• Lauren Hersch Nicholas, Hartford Doctoral Fellow Cohort VI, who was named the 2009 John Heinz Award winner by the National Academy of Social Insurance for her dissertation entitled, “Medicare Advantage? The Effects of Managed Care on Medicare Quality, Costs and Enrollment”.  

New Book of Evidence Based Practice Approaches in Aging
Hartford Faculty Scholars Sherry Cummings (Cohort II) and Nancy Kropf (Cohort I) are editors of a new book entitled The Handbook of Psychosocial Interventions with Older Adults: Evidence Based Approaches. The book presents systematic reviews of research-based psychosocial interventions for older adults and their caregivers. The interventions presented focus on a variety of critical issues facing older adults today including medical illnesses (cardiac disease, diabetes, arthritis/pain, cancer, and HIV/AIDS), mental health/cognitive disorders (depression/anxiety, dementia, substance abuse), and social functioning (developmental disabilities, end-of-life, dementia caregivers, grandparent caregivers). The book also features many contributions from previous Hartford Faculty Scholars and Doctoral Fellows. For more information, click here .

Conference to Focus on the Challenges of Aging in the African-American Community
The Association for Gerontology and Human Development in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (AGHD-HBCU) is hosting a conference, "Addressing the Challenges of Aging: African Americans in the Twenty First Century," March 26-28, 2009 in Atlanta, GA.  For more information, visit: www.aghd-hbcu.com .

Registration Now Open for the 2009 Aging in America Conference
Aging in America, the annual conference of the American Society on Aging and the National Council on Aging occurs on March 15-19 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The annual conference brings together a diverse, multidisciplinary community of professionals from the fields of aging, healthcare and education, along with business leaders from across the United States. For more information, click here .

Journals Seek Biological, Social Sciences Editors
The Gerontological Society of America's Publications Committee is seeking nominations for the position of editor of The Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences and The Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences . Self nominations are welcomed and encouraged. These four-year positions will become effective January 1, 2010. Nominations and applications must be accompanied by the candidate's curriculum vitae and a statement of willingness to accept the position. All nominations and applications must be received by March 31, 2009, and should be sent by mail or e-mail to the Publications Committee, Attn: Patricia Walker (pwalker@geron.org ), The Gerontological Society of America, 1220 L Street, NW, Suite 901, Washington, DC 20005-4018.

Call for Book Proposals: Evidence Based Practice
Oxford University Press is accepting proposals for its new Evidence-Based Practices Series . This series focuses on the synthesis of knowledge about evidence-based practices and service delivery initiatives whose effectiveness has been demonstrated by the strength of empirical evidence (i.e., extensiveness and quality of research) in various fields relevant to social work practice such as aging, child welfare, mental health, or substance abuse. The series primary audience is social work faculty, students and social work professionals. The series will also appeal to faculty, students, and professionals in the fields of nursing, psychology, psychiatry, and public health. For a copy of the detailed Author Guidelines for Submission of Manuscript Proposals and/or further information, please contact: either David E. Biegel, Ph.D., Henry Zucker Professor of Social Work Practice, david.biegel@case.edu or Elizabeth M. Tracy, Ph.D, Professor of Social Work, elizabeth.tracy@case.edu .

New Updates Made to the GSWI Website
Next time you’re visiting www.gswi.org , take a look at our recently updated sections: Current Issues in Aging and Funding Opportunities . The Current Issues in Aging page features the latest information on aging research, policy issues and informative newsletters that may be of interest. Our Funding Opportunities section offers a variety of useful funding information for researchers, social workers, professors and students.

New Profiles in Social Work: Philip Rosario, PhD
Check out this month’s profiles in social work, featuring Philip Rosario, PhD. Profiles in social work is dedicated to highlighting social workers who have benefited from Hartford Geriatric Social Work Initiative programs. To read this month’s profile, click here click here.

RESEARCH & NEWS

New Study Reveals More Women at Risk for Alzheimer's
Scientists have discovered a gene variant on the X chromosome that appears to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The findings were presented earlier this month in an online article published in the journal Nature Genetics. The journal article may be viewed for a fee at www.nature.com/ng . To read an article from the Washington Post newspaper featuring the study’s findings, click here .

Health and Retirement Study Seeking Suggestions for 2010 Modules
The University of Michigan Institute for Social Research Health and Retirement Study (HRS) is seeking suggestions for experimental modules from the research community for the 2010 wave of HRS. The Health and Retirement Study is a longitudinal study of health, retirement, and aging and is sponsored by the National Institute on Aging. Proposals for modules must be received by February 16, 2009. For more information on how to submit a suggestion, click here .

EPA Alerts Seniors to Carbon Monoxide Dangers
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a new fact sheet out to help prevent people from becoming part of the 500 deaths and 15,000 visits to the emergency room caused each year by unintentional Carbon Monoxide (Co) poisoning. The sheet focuses on older people, who can be more vulnerable to CO poisoning if they have health issues, especially anemia, heart or breathing conditions. To learn more, click here .

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

• Specialized Gerontology Funding Available
  The CSWE Gero-Ed Center is accepting applications for the Specialized Gerontology (“Gero”) Program. Funding will be available for up to 20 CSWE-accredited BSW, MSW, or combined BSW/MSW programs that have gero content currently infused in foundation courses. Selected programs will receive up to $10,000 over two years (July 1, 2009-June 30, 2011) to develop competency-based aging-specific curriculum. This program provides faculty with the resources to develop, implement, and institutionalize gerontological competencies at the generalist and advanced levels of practice—as a minor, area of emphasis, certificate, specialization, or concentration. Visit the Specialized Gero Program page on the Gero-Ed Center Web site to download and review the RFP and for additional information.
•  

NIH-Supported Centers for Population Health and Health Disparities
The National Institutes of Health recently released a funding opportunity announcement (FOA), sponsored jointly by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences of the National Institutes of Health, to solicit grant applications for Centers for Population Health and Health Disparities (CPHHD) Program. The CPHHD Program is designed to promote trans-disciplinary research in the area of health inequities with the purpose of contributing directly to improved health outcomes and quality of life for populations with a higher disease burden, such as the elderly. The deadline for receipt of optional letters of intent is April 29, 2009. To read the FOA in its entirety, click here.

The Practice Change Fellows Program: 2009 Call For Applications
The 2009 award cycle for the Practice Change Fellows program is now open.  This program is a two year opportunity for nurses, physicians, and social workers to develop leadership skills and content expertise in order to positively influence care for older adults. Fellows complete a project aimed at implementing a new geriatric program or service line integrated within their organization, allowing them to remain at their full time job throughout the two year program. Eligible applicants must hold a leadership role in a health organization or institution and have service line or programmatic responsibility for care to older adults. Applications and more details are available at www.practicechangefellows.org.  The application deadline for the 2009 award cycle is April 1, 2009.

Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program
The Health and Aging Policy Fellows program is open to physicians, nurses and social workers with a demonstrated commitment to health and aging issues and a desire to be involved in health policy at the federal, state or local levels. The deadline for the 2009-2010 fellowship year is April 15, 2009. For more information, visit www.healthandagingpolicy.org.

RESOURCES

Web Resource for Alzheimer’s
The American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF) recently launched their newly redesigned website at http://www.ahaf.org/alzheimers/. The website provides information about Alzheimer’s disease and updates about cutting-edge research. Some key features of the site include: a “Questions and Answers: Ask the Expert” page, accessibility features for the visually impaired, sections focusing on caregiving resources, high quality medical illustrations and a senior housing locator.

AARP’s Teaching Gerontology Newsletter
The latest issue of Teaching Gerontology is now available online. Written by Harry R. Moody, director of AARP's office of academic affairs, the newsletter offers practical and informative articles for those teaching courses on aging.

Public Health and Aging Listserv
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has created a listserv to provide public health and aging services professionals, researchers, policymakers, and others with the opportunity to learn about issues promoting the health of older adults. Topic areas range from health promotion and disease prevention for older adults, to arthritis, epilepsy, osteoporosis, and dementia, as well as Alzheimer's disease, cognitive issues, and health-related quality of life. Information distributed via the listserv includes announcements, funding opportunities, articles, & meeting and conference dates. To learn more or to sign up, click here.

New Rating System for Nursing Homes
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) unveiled a new five-star rating system for the nation's 15,800 nursing homes that participate in Medicare or Medicaid. Facilities are assigned star ratings from a low of one star to a high of five stars based on health inspection surveys, staffing information, and quality of care measures. The CMS website provides a quality rating for each of the three areas, as well as a composite or total score. Rankings are dynamic and will be updated monthly. In the first round of quality ratings, about 12 percent of nursing homes received a full five-star rating, while 22 percent scored at the low end with one star. Click here to learn more.

POLICY

Economic Stimulus Bill Could Bring Aid to Low Income Elderly
Under President Obama’s economic stimulus plan, more than 7 million low income elderly, blind or disabled people could receive an additional SSI benefit payment. Supplemental Security Income delivers cash payments of up to $637 per month to individuals and $956 to couples. About one-fourth of recipients are 65 or older. To learn more, click here.

Social Security Begins Taking Online Applications
A new service recently launched by the Social Security Administration allows people to apply online, in as little as 15 minutes for retirement benefits. While in the past people applying for benefits had to mail in or deliver paper documents with signatures or copies of birth certificates, the new system has no paper forms to sign and usually requires no additional documents. Those with more complicated questions can still call the agency or visit an office. The move to online applications is part of the agency's attempt to deal with the coming eligibility of 80 million baby boomers. For more information, visit: http://www.ssa.gov/.

Report on Federal Research on Aging Released
On December 10, 2008, The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging released an official committee report describing federally funded research that addresses the well-being of older adults. Twenty-seven agencies ranging from the National Institutes of Health and Department of Veterans Affairs to the Environmental Protection Agency and NASA—submitted over 200 research projects to the report. Topics include maintaining health, assuring adequate income, finding employment, engaging in productive and rewarding activity, securing proper housing, and obtaining long-term care services. This research helps to inform Congress during the process of developing legislation, and guides executive branch agencies in implementing programs and policies. To read the report, click here.

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Ripples, an e-newsletter designed to keep interested deans and directors, faculty members, students, practitioners and others informed about the work of the Geriatric Social Work Initiative (GSWI). We welcome your feedback and encourage you to contribute any story ideas, stories, resources, news and other content to subsequent issues of the newsletter. To make a contribution, please contact Katherine Carter, Program Coordinator at kcarter@geron.org. If you have been forwarded this newsletter by a colleague and would like to subscribe, please reply to this e-mail and type the word “subscribe” in the subject line. Please be sure to visit our website at www.gswi.org. This newsletter has been sent from The Gerontological Society of America, 1220 L Street, NW, Suite 901, Washington, DC 20005-4018. To unsubscribe to Ripples, click here and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.