A publication of the University of Utah Center on Aging 

AGS Annual Meeting Report

Utah's Center on Aging research was well represented at the Annual Meeting of the American Geriatrics Association in Orlando, Florida on May 15-17, 2014 with nine presentations.

Our poster presenters Lucy Brunker, Tim Farrell and Natalie Manley are pictured below.

Utah Commission on Aging

MUSIC & MEMORY℠ Comes To Utah

We are excited to report that Dan Cohen's groundbreaking MUSIC & MEMORY℠ program, as featured in the award-winning documentary "Alive Inside", is being implemented in Utah!

MUSIC & MEMORY℠ helps elders in care facilities, hospice, and home settings suffering from a wide range of cognitive and physical challenges "revive" and "awaken" through the gift of personalized music. The movie has had a phenomenal response, spurring audiences to take action in communities both nationally and internationally.

The Utah Commission on Aging has been designated as the coordinator for a workgroup of key leaders from local state agencies, businesses, clinical providers and non-profits to ensure successful collaboration of the Utah roll-out.

Thanks to generous donations from Zions Bank and Skullcandy providing seed funding, in cooperation with non-profit volunteer support of Jewish Family Services, the Utah launch has been enabled.

Application of this program state-wide will likely offer great opportunities for research projects. 

Free Film Screenings of "Alive Inside"

Don't miss attending an upcoming film screening and panel Q & A of "Alive Inside". These screenings are free and open to the public.

We encourage you to share this information with your colleagues:

• Thurs. July 22 - 7:00 PM -  Salt Lake City Library
• Thurs. August 14 - 7:00 PM - West Jordan City Library (Viridian Center)
• Thurs. August 21 - 7:00 PM - Peery's Egyptian Theater, Ogden Utah

 

ADRC Update

Currently, the Utah Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) has funding through the end of September 2014 and has just received information regarding future funding opportunities.

The U.S. Administration for Community Living, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Veterans Health Administration have developed this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to assist states in the planning of a No Wrong Door (NWD) System that will make it easier for all populations in need of LTSS to learn about and access the services and supports they need, "Transforming State LTSS Access Programs and Functions Into a No Wrong Door System for All Populations and Payers." This is a 12 month funding opportunity to create a 3-year plan to enhance Utah’s residents experience when seeking long term services and support. The application is due on July 15th, and awards will be offered in September.  This announcement can be viewed at www.acl/gov/Funding:

The Utah ADRC is in the second year of funding from the VA Office of Rural Health, providing Options Counseling to Rural Veterans. Our ADRC agencies are reaching out to their veteran callers, many who have never been enrolled in any VA program or service. In the first year ADRCs served 338 veterans, 57% of these clients are over the age of 80! The project expanded to 2 additional ADRC sites, Five County (AAA) and Active Re-Entry (CIL) joining, Bear River (AAA), Mountainland (AAA), Salt Lake County Aging and Adult Serves (AAA).

April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014
Total Veterans Served: 338
95% were over the age of 60
3% were under the age of 60
Top VA Referrals
46% were referred to VHA Healthcare
44% were referred for Aid & Attendance
36% were referred for Pension
22% were referred for Nursing Home Care

Member Spotlight

Jacqueline Eaton, a PhD student in the UU Hartford Center for Geriatric Nursing Excellence, successfully defended her dissertation, "Increasing Positive Perceptions of Late Life Potential", on May 1, 2014.

She also received the College of Nursing Outstanding PhD Student Award during the convocation on May 2, 2014.

Upcoming Events

AGING GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: This is not necessarily a comprehensive list. Please Search for additional opportunities at Grants.nih.gov. 

 

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Center on Aging Membership Directory

As a mostly virtual Center, we depend on the accuracy and timeliness of our Web presence. Center members are urged to review and update their membership directory information. Please view your information on the Center’s Web site . Please send any updates or requests for changes to aging@utah.edu.