Job: Fulltime activitiy specialist, adult day center

Alexian Village is looking for someone with a real heart for the elderly who is creative, kind, and energetic to lead activities in The Rose room 8-4:30 weekdays. Contact Fran Lange, 414-357-5105 Ext. 5759 flange@alexianbrothers.net.

Report shows CMS deficient in nursing home program management, oversight

US Government Accountability Office May 9 -"GAO analyzed the results of federal monitoring surveys for fiscal years 2002 through 2007, reviewed CMS guidance for the survey program, and interviewed headquarters and regional office officials.A substantial proportion of federal comparative surveys identify missed deficiencies at the potential for more than minimal harm level or above." Summary, full report.

CIRS-A study group being offered

June 10, 10 am-1:30 pm, CWAG Training Center, 2850 Dairy Drive, Suite 200, Madison, WI 53718. Free: small fee for lunch or bring your own. Study group preparation for people planning to take the Certified Information & Referral Specialist-Aging level exam at the Wisconsin AIRS conference in September. Information: Jayne Mullins, AgeAdvantage AAA, jmaaage@gmail.com or call 608-224-6305. Register by June 2.

Jobs: part-time geriatric case managers

Geriatric Support Associates has a growing caseload and is looking for one or more case managers for southeastern Wisconsin. For the right people with a degree (master's preferred) and experience, they offer a supportive, flexible environment and opportunties for professional and career growth. More here under What's New. Resume and salary history to Miriam Oliensis-Torres, motorres@geriatricsupport.com

New report: A Workforce to Care for Our Aging

Genworth Financial has published a report on "challenges we face as a nation as the cost and demand for long term care rise without a growing caregiver workforce." Report

RN wanted to work with older adults in Milwaukee County: Interfaith Older Adult Programs

If you are or know a registered nurse who's interested in assessment, care evaluation, and case management, Interfaith is hiring for a 32-40 hour/week position. More

Participate in health perceptions survey

Dr. Dean VonDras, UW-Green Bay Human Development Program, is seeking volunteers ages 40-100 to participate in a written health perceptions survey. Call 920-465-5012 or email vondrasd@uwgb.edu.

E-mail and phone scams alert: economic stimulus payments

You may want to warn clients and others about e-mail and telephone scams related to economic stimulus payments. They appear to be from the IRS (but are not).

The IRS uses information on the tax return and does not contact taxpayers by telephone or e-mail for the rebates.

• In telephone calls, the caller impersonates an IRS employee and asks for Social Security and bank account numbers, claiming they are needed to process the payment.

• In e-mail, a message that appears to be from the IRS asks recipients to click on a link and fill out a form, claiming it is for direct deposit.

In both cases the information is used fradulently for identity theft. 

Save two dates in September for CWAG benefit, End of Life Coalition Conference

• 2nd Annual PURSE luncheon to benefit the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups: Thursday, September 25, 2008, 11-1:30, Italian Conference Center. Auctions, fashion show by Bruce Paul Goodman. More information in July. 414-817-0030.

• End of Life Coalition Conference: Wednesday, September 10, 2008, Majestic Theater in Waukesha. More information later.

Next Step Think Tank, public discussion postponed

The Center on Age & Community is rescheduling the Next Step Think Tank on innovation in long term care and the following day public discussion originally scheduled for May 15 and 16 at UWM's Zelazo Center. Watch for new dates!

MS Society warns of possible solicitation fraud

The Wisconsin Chapter of the National MS Society has heard that people are receiving telephone solicitations of contributions to the National MS Society. The organization is NOT conducting a telemarking campaign at this time. If you receive a call or have information, please contact Colleen Kalt, 262-369-4400 or 800-242-3358.

Check your e-mail to DHFS

The Department of Health and Family Services is changing its e-mail client. While no disruption of service is expected, if you haven't received a response to an e-mail to DHFS staff, please phone to be sure they received it. Thanks. From Gail Schwersenska, Office on Aging

Job: MCFI Older Adult Day Center

Have fun while working with seniors. Join the Milwaukee Center for Independence team in our growing Older Adult Day Center. Plan activities and outings, oversee Alzheimer’s and Memory Fitness programs. Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field and experience desired. Apply www.mcfi.net or in person 2020 W. Wells Street, Milwaukee.

CCC Symposium: Updates on Family Care expansion, Medicare

November 19, 2008, 8 am - noon, Zoofari Conference Center, 9715 W. Bluemound  Rd., Milwaukee. Continuing Care Coordinators of South East Wisconsin present Paul Socznyski, Community Care Organization and Donna Bryant, Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care. RSVP online: CCCSEWI.org. Limited Sponsorship opportunities available @ $250. Call Kristen Croysdale 414-607-4155.

Care for the Caregiver Program

SOUTH MILWAUKEE – Vitas Innovative Hospice Care Chaplain Colleen Kwong presents Coping with Caregiver Stress and Loss, 10:30 a.m. May 21 in the chapel at Franciscan Gardens, 1000 Williams St. Franciscan Gardens are on the campus of Franciscan Villa, 3601 S. Chicago Ave., South Milwaukee. Free. Refreshments. To register call Candace Doyle, 414-570-5384 or candydoyle@catholichealth.net.

CCC host First Annual Power Networking Event

Continuing Care Coordinators invite colleagues and other healthcare professionals to a networking event Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 5-7 pm, at the Radisson Hotel Milwaukee-West. Free to members: $10 guests. More

Center on Age & Community announces release of film for Older Americans Month

May is Older Americans Month. As part of its approach to celebrating older Americans, UWM's Center on Age & Community is releasing an award-winning film, Kyoko Naturally, by Milwaukee filmaker Chris Thompson. The 15-minute film raises many questions about aging, generations, and friendship. More

New book on caregiver research and public policy implications

Aging and Caring at the Intersection of Work and Home Life, Anne Martin Matthews and Judith Phillips, editors, "explores the shifting boundaries of caregiving in families from a work-life perspective." International look at paid and family caregivers "challenges traditional research on care-giving by emphasizing the complex negotiations of care amongst caring networks, and across multiple paid care providers." Review

Free fall-risk screenings offered

SOUTH MILWAUKEE – Dr. Ryan Furniss of Oak Creek Relief and Wellness is offering free fall-risk screenings in the chapel of Franciscan Gardens at 10:30 a.m. May 30. Free.Refreshments. Franciscan Gardens is on the campus of Franciscan Villa, 3601 S. Chicago Ave., South Milwaukee. To register or for more information, contact Candy Doyle 414-570-5384 or candydoyle@catholichealth.net.

Handouts from April 4 housing conference now available online

PowerPoint presentations and handouts from the April 4 conference Linking Housing & Elderly Services for Bottom Line & Best Practice are now available at the Consortium's website.

IOM report calls for "fundamental reform" in workforce for older adults

Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Health Care Workforce (Institute of Medicine, April 2008) calls for quickly moving to a three-pronged approach for meeting healthcare needs of the burgeoning population of older Americans.  1. Enhance geriatric competence of entire workforce. 2. Incease recrutiment and retention of geriatric specialists and caregivers. 3. Improve the way care is delivered.

Center on Age & Community publishes 2007 senior housing design whitepaper

As part of its focus on the environment in which people age, UWM's Center on Age and Community co-hosted with the School of Architecture and Urban Planning the 2007 Aging in Community design competition ("charrette") for creative housing ideas for seniors. Read more about it here.  You  can also read the report from the Consortium's Expanding Housing Options Issues in Aging Summit, held just before the design competition, here.

Consortium executive director goes to Harvard

Last time Milwaukee Aging Consortium executive director Amy Ambrose went to Harvard, it was for a short course. Now she's been accepted to the university's Kennedy School Mid-Career Masters in Public Administration program, starting in July. While we're sorry to lose her, we're delighted for her wonderful opportunity. Join us in wishing her well--and stay tuned for future develpments! Letter from board president Noleta L. Jansen.

2008 report on key indicators of well-being for older adults released.

The Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics recently released the report Older Americans 2008: Key Indicators of Well-Being. The report shows impressive financial and health gains for white members of "The Greatest Generation," less for blacks. Furthermore, life expectancy is lower in the US than in many other high-income nations, a trend that began in the 1980s.

Eden Alternative Conference June 3-6 in Ohio

The 4th International Eden Alternative will be held June 306 in Columbus, Ohio. The Eden Alternative is an approach to transforming institutional long-term care. Registration fee before May 2 is $650: after, $750. Brochure

Milwaukee Repertory Theater Access Programs for people with hearing, visual loss

The Milwaukee Repertory Theater offers special Access Programs for all of its productions, including written or audio script synopsis, large print programs, infrared listening system, and wheelchair accessibility. For Armadale at the Quadracci Powerhouse Theater, special performances include sign language (May 22, 7:30 pm); captioned theater (May 25, 2:00 pm), and audio description (April 24, 7:30 pm and May 20, 7:30 pm). For accommodations, inform the box office when buying tickets: for more information, call William Newcomb, 414-290-0717.

Weinberg Foundation announces grants for family caregiver support programs

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg foundations has made up to $9 million available to support 12-20 community-based projects for a three year period. The Family and Informal Caregiver Support Program is for creative community partnerships. Awards will range from $100,000-$300,000/year. Deadline for letter of inquiry: June 12. Must arrive by mail. More information

Great resource: Aging Research Translator brings research findings to everyone

The Cornell Institute for Translational Research on Aging has developed the Aging Research Translator to help move research knowledge into practice. Recent brief synopses in plain English include studies of depression and osteoporosis, bereavement and health behavior, and advance directives and end-of-life care quality outcomes. 

Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging award winners

Each  year, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) acknowledges communities that combine "smart growth" and active aging. Achievement Award winners for 2007 announced this month:

Atlanta Regional Commission (Lifelong Communities Initiative to enable aging in place through zoning policy change and development of service-connected senior housing)

City of Kirkland, Washington (investing $1.5 million for sidewalk improvement and activity programs for older adults).

Want to nominate your city? Applications are due September 12, 2008

Volunteer Guardians Needed for Older Adults in Milwaukee County

If you'd like to make a difference in someone's life, become a volunteer guardian for some 60 or older in the Family Care program. Guardians visit and get to know their ward and maintain close contact with the caregivers, helping make important decisions. No caregiving or financial obligation is involved. Volunteers receive a $30 monthly stipend of $30 per ward.  If you are interested call Diana Pitkaranta at the Legal Aid Society GAIN program - 414/727-5360 or dpitkaranta@lasmilwaukee.com