health Senior health
By Larry Lucas Many of us focus on the
wrinkles and gray hair that are an unavoidable part of the aging process. But with age also comes wisdom and knowl- edge gained through a lifetime of experience. As I look toward my own retirement, I want to be able to enjoy time with my family and friends, and share some of my own life lessons with the next generations. In order to ensure that I – and other seniors in our commu- nity – have many healthy years ahead, we need to be certain that proper care for chronic aging-related diseases is a pri- ority.
Across the country, more
than 11 million African Ameri- can children grow up with a grandparent in the home. This dynamic can present a tremen- dous opportunity for different generations to learn from one another, and for grandparents to be actively involved in their grandchildren’s lives. Many of my friends have had more fun being a grandparent than they did raising their own children. But chronic diseases that dis- proportionately affect African- American seniors, like high blood pressure and arthritis, can rob grandparents of this precious opportunity.
Most African-American se-
niors have at least one chron- ic condition and many have multiple conditions, accord- ing the Department of Health and Human Services. Among the most frequently occur- ring chronic conditions are high blood pressure and dia- betes. Both of these chronic
your doctor or get a new pre- scription. Let your doctor know about any illnesses or conditions for which another doctor or health care profes- sional is treating you.
As we get older, it’s just as Larry Lucas
diseases are more common in older African Americans than older Whites, and they are also known risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. Ac- cording to the Alzheimer’s As- sociation, these factors may account for some of the dif- ferences in prevalence of Al- zheimer’s among other racial groups: African Americans are nearly twice as likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s as their White counterparts.
Though we can’t control
aging, we can take steps to manage chronic aging-related diseases. To manage condi- tions like hypertension and diabetes, it’s so important to follow your doctor’s recom- mendations. This means exer- cising, eating right and taking your medicine regularly. It is important to keep a list of your medicines,
including
non-prescription medicines, and give the list to each doctor you consult. Give a copy to a family member as well, and update it every time you visit
important to keep our minds active as it is our bodies. Social engagement with family and friends and participating in mentally stimulating ac- tivities can help seniors stay healthy and might also help to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s dis- ease, according to The Nation- al Institute on Aging. These are simple steps we can take to ensure a high quality of life through our golden years.
America’s pharmaceutical
research and biotechnology companies were working on more than 2,000 new medi- cines for older Americans as of 2008, including 150 for dia- betes and 91 for Alzheimer’s disease. But new treatments are wasted if the medicines that are developed don’t get to the patients who need them. For patients who need help accessing their prescription medicines to manage aging-re- lated diseases, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) is available to help. For five years, PPA has helped connect 6.5 million patients in need to programs that provide either free or nearly free medi- cines.
For more information, pa-
tients can call 1-888-4PPA- NOW or visit
www.pparx.org.
Larry Lucas is a vice presi-
dent for Pharmaceutical Re- search and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).
SVS Vision donates to Boys Hope Girls Hope of Detroit SVS Vision Optical Centers, has partnered
with Transitions Optical and VSP Vision Care, to bring a fully stocked 45-foot mobile eye exam clinic to provide two days of free comprehen- sive eye exams and complimentary eyeglasses to students served by Boys Hope Girls Hope of Detroit.
The two-day event is scheduled for Thurs-
day and Friday, June 17-18 at Detroit Cristo Rey High School located at 5679 West Vernor Highway.
Students who have been pre-selected by Boys
Hope Girls Hope will receive free eye exams by SVS Vision Optometrists and will select frames of their choice fitted with Transitions lenses to protect the health and wellness of their eyes.
As part of this event, Bess the Book Bus,
a mobile literacy outreach initiative, will be onsite to provide the students with free books and to facilitate discussions about today’s most popular books.
In addition, SVS Vision is donating $1 for
every pair of Transitions lenses sold in each of its 53 locations on June 17 and 18 to Boys Hope Girls Hope of Detroit.
SVS Vision Optical Centers is a Michigan-
based company with 53 locations in 10 states. To find an SVS Vision Optical Center, visit
www.svsvision.com or call 800-SVS-4600 (800- 787-4600).
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
June 9-15, 2010
Page B-3
Granholm proclaims ‘No Child Left Inside Week’
The Department of Natural Resources and
Environment offers several opportunities to get outside during “No Child Left Inside Week,” June 7-13. This week, set aside annually, is a way to highlight the importance of getting Michigan’s children outdoors for at least one hour every day.
“We know that getting children outdoors
benefits them physically, mentally and emo- tionally,” said Raymond Rustem of the DNRE’s Marketing, Education and Technology Division. “Children today need to reconnect with their outdoor heritage. In many cases, children un- derstand less about the animals and plants in their own backyards than they do the charac- ters from popular TV shows or video games.”
A proclamation signed by Gov. Jennifer M.
Granholm, establishing the week, recognizes the decline in the time children spend outdoors and encourages parents and other caregivers to be outdoor mentors. In support of this effort, the DNRE suggests people participate in any of the 10 activities recently adopted in Michigan House Resolution 200.
“There is no better place to participate in
any of these activities than at one of Michigan’s 98 state parks and recreation areas on our mil- lions of acres of state forests lands,” Rustem said. “Many state parks offer programs geared toward children and families, and these are perfect opportunities to strengthen the child- nature connection.”
Rustem, who is a founding member and
current chairperson of the Michigan No Child Left Inside Coalition, noted that many Michi- gan state parks and interpretive centers have scheduled special events and programming that coincide with No Child Left Inside Week. For example, the summer Explorer Ranger program (introducing families and kids to the many outdoor opportunities in state parks) is in full swing at 40 state parks, and the DNRE’s Free Fishing Weekend is slated for June 12- 13.
On Thursday, June 23, the DNRE offers
another great opportunity for people to learn about forging the child-nature relationship: the No Child Left Inside Summit, on the campus of University of Michigan-Dearborn. This summit is presented by the Michigan No Child Left Inside Coalition, a collection of organizations working to rekindle the connection between Michigan’s children and nature.
“The No Child Left Inside Summit is set to
be an information-packed day of breakout ses- sions and activities focused on environmental literacy, teacher professional development, community planning, health connections and mentoring outdoor activities,” said Rustem.
The coalition is committed to promoting ac-
tivities and policies that will help children re- connect with nature through outdoor play and exploration, recreational opportunities and hands-on environmental education.
Learn more at
http://www.mi-ncli.org/.
Molina Healthcare Introduces Molina Medicaid Solutions
Molina Healthcare, Inc.
recently announced that it closed on its acquisition of the Health Information Manage- ment (HIM) business of Unisys Corporation. HIM will oper- ate as a subsidiary of Molina Healthcare under the name, Molina Medicaid Solutions.
“We believe that Molina
Medicaid Solutions will lay the foundation for an exciting new opportunity for our company,” said, J. Mario Molina, MD, Molina Healthcare’s president and chief executive officer. “Molina’s expertise in both
The Golden Retriever
Rescue of Michigan (GRRoM) will host a “Night of Wine and Goldens” wine tasting event on Tuesday, June 29, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Oxford Inn, 1214 S. Main St., Royal Oak. Tickets for this fundraiser are $40 per person in advance or
Medicaid and in managed care gives us unique knowledge that will enable us to deliver Medicaid health information solutions for states and to op- timize efficiency in ways that will reduce costs.”
Molina Medicaid Solutions
provides design, development, implementation, and business process outsourcing solutions to state governments for their Medicaid Management Infor- mation Systems (MMIS). MMIS is a core tool used to support the administration of state Medicaid and other health care
$45 at the door. Space is lim- ited and participants must be 21 years of age or older.
For more information or to
donate silent auction items, e- mail Jeff Angell at grromtrea-
surer@gmail.com.
To RSVP and order tick-
entitlement programs. Molina Medicaid Solutions currently holds MMIS contracts with the states of Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, New Jersey, and West Virginia, as well as a contract to provide drug rebate admin- istration services for the Flori- da Medicaid program.
The consideration for the
acquisition was $135 million, subject to working capital ad- justments. The acquisition was funded with available cash and funds drawn under the Company’s credit facility.
Wine tasting benefit
ets by mail, send a check to Golden Retriever Rescue of Michigan, P.O. Box 250583, Franklin, MI 48025.
For more information about
GRRoM, visit the organiza- tion’s website at
www.grrom. com.
Finally, a simple Medicare plan that offers more.
Plan Premium
Dental Benefit (Preventive and $950
Comprehensive allowance)
Over-the-Counter ($20 monthly allowance)
Transportation (unlimited trips to/from medical appointments)
866-713-5066 TTY 800-346-4128
Monday – Sunday 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM local time
Molina Medicare Options Plus (HMO) is a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Special Needs plan(s) (MAPD-SNP). This plan is available to anyone who has Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, premium and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1, 2011. The benefit information provided herein is a brief summary, but not a comprehensive description of available benefits. Additional information about benefits is available to assist you in making a decision about your coverage. This is an advertisement; for more information contact the plan. Premiums, co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles may vary based on the level of help you may receive; for more information, please contact the plan. This plan(s) is offered by Molina Healthcare, a health plan with a Medicare contract. LR_H5628_2010_4000_0114 F&U 5843MED0510
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40