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Healthcare and Aging Network |
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Books, Videos, Websites and Other Key Tools for Professionals in Aging Coordinated by Diane Cooper
The following guide brings you capsule reviews of resources for healthcare professionals working with people ages 50-plus. It was first published in July 2002 as a special issue of Healthcare and Aging, the quarterly newsletter of the Healthcare and Aging Network (HAN). To compile the listings, we sent out a call to HAN members asking them to identify publications, videos, websites and other resources that they have found particularly useful to their work. We received a wide range of contributions not only from our members, but also from other professionals in the field who kindly shared their expertise.
Wherever available, we have supplied full information on publishers or distributors and on the cost -- if any -- of the resources listed in this roundup. Most of the materials can be ordered directly by clicking on the links in the listings below.
Given the breadth of the field of healthcare, this guide is necessarily far from comprehensive. If you are familiar with other resources that HAN members should know about, please send a brief review along with information on where to find the item to the HAN staff liaison by e-mail at han@asaging.org or by fax at (415) 974-0300. Our regular "Resources" columns in future issues of Healthcare and Aging will continue alerting our members to new, relevant and helpful materials.
Finally, we would like to express our gratitude to the many wonderful HAN members and other contributors who responded to our call for resources for this issue. Their names and institutional affiliations are noted at the end of the listings that they submitted.
General information and advice to health professionals on dealing with elders -- whether healthy, sick or dying -- and with their families, caregivers and institutions. -- Moira Fordyce, Stanford Medical School
An excellent resource for all those working with older adults who want to improve elders' quality of life and help them maintain their health and prevent disability. The report covers several important topics including physical inactivity, complications related to medication, depression, undernourishment and urinary incontinence. -- Geoffrey Walton, Sun Health Corp
The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society is a peer-reviewed geriatrics journal. In addition to reports on major clinical investigations, it contains articles in a variety of useful applied areas such as ethics, public policy and medical economics, managed care and aging, and models of care. -- Peter Yedidia, GHS Inc.
GERINET
http://listserv.buffalo.edu/archives/gerinet.html
A listserv for professionals and others interested in healthcare and aging. Because aging is an interdisciplinary field, the list has a diverse membership. For information on subscribing and a complete archive of posts to the list, visit the GERINET website. -- Diane Cooper
RAND Center for the Study of Aging, P.O. Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138; (310) 393-0411, ext 7989; Web: www.rand.org/labor/aging.
The RAND Center for the Study of Aging researches and analyzes interrelationships among health, socioeconomic factors and public policy. The center's website offers such useful features as tools for producing custom reports from data sets including the Health and Retirement Study. -- Diane Cooper
Comprehensive Care of the Older Patient: Taking the Quantum Leap by Eileen Barsi (San Francisco: Catholic Healthcare West, 2000); report, 13 pages; free. Copies available from the author at ebarsi@chw.edu.
A white paper outlining steps that HMOs, physician groups and hospitals must take to ensure comprehensive healthcare for older adults. -- Eileen Barsi, Catholic Healthcare West
Film and Video Collection on Aging, Main Library, University of North Texas. Rental, $10.00 per title plus s/h (in Texas); $23.00 plus s/h (other states). Ordering information and full catalogue available at www.library.unt.edu/media/aging.htm.
Maintained by the Main Library at the University of North Texas, this collection includes over 600 film and video titles -- features, documentaries and training tapes -- concerning various aspects of aging, including health and long-term care issues. -- Diane Cooper
This kit provides materials for a workshop to help elders learn to communicate effectively with healthcare professionals. The materials, which would work well for senior centers and health fairs or in healthcare settings, include a facilitator's guide and overhead transparencies, as well as two handouts for participants. -- Ellen Browne, healthcare consultant
AgeLine
Produced by AARP, AgeLine is an online database of citations for books, articles and videos related to aging, with in-depth coverage of healthcare publications. A valuable resource for those conducting full literature searches or simply looking for publications on targeted topics in aging. -- Gerard Koskovich, ASA
Cosponsored by the National Institute on Aging, this federal portal site provides an extensive directory of resources on bioethics, with links to organizations, journals, websites and other information sources. Of particular interest to professionals in aging is a section of links on end-of-life issues, including palliative care and advance directives. -- Roberta Suber
Developed by ASA and the Roybal Institute of Applied Gerontology and funded by CDC, this site provides resources to increase understanding of the changing health and social service needs of the increasingly diverse aging population of the United States. The site offers training modules on a range of aging-related health topics. -- Nancy Ceridwyn, ASA
A consumer database developed by the National Library of Medicine, MEDLINEplus is a free source of good health information, including a range of materials specifically addressing key healthcare issues for elders. -- Gerard Koskovich, ASA
Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services
Sponsored by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (formerly HCFA), this site offers information on Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people ages 65 and older. The site provides a wide range of data and resources for consumers, healthcare providers and researchers. -- Diane Cooper
Maintained by the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research, this online database provides data relevant to gerontological studies. The data reflect substantive research issues across the fields of medical science, demographics, economics, sociology and psychology, as well as other disciplines. -- Diane Cooper
The National Center for Health Statistics is a federal agency that brings together data on health-related issues. Among the sections is "Trends in Health and Aging," which offers health statistics broken out by age, gender, race and ethnic group, along with references to related publications and Internet resources. -- Diane Cooper
The "Age Data" section of the U.S. Census Bureau website offers demographic estimates, projections, economic predictors and other information on the U.S. population broken out by age group and by such factors as state of residence. -- Diane Cooper
This website publishes all reports prepared by the U.S. General Accounting Office since 1995, searchable by keywords appearing anywhere in the full texts. The site includes studies on aging and health requested by Congress, looking at such topics as the dangers of antiaging products and the implications for national policy of population aging. -- Diane Cooper
Promoting Assistive Equipment: Resource Manual for ASAPs by Alison S. Gottlieb (Boston: Gerontology Institute, University of Massachusetts, 2000); paperback, 41 pages; free. Order from the author at alison.gottlieb@umb.edu; also available as a PDF at www.geront.umb.edu/proj_index.htm.
This manual provides information to assist homecare providers and agencies (referred to as "aging services access points," or ASAPs) in their efforts to highlight the value and effectiveness of low-cost assistive equipment for serving frail elders in the community.
-- Ellen Bruce
Disability, Aging and
Long-Term Care Web
Sponsored by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation in the Department of Health and Human Sciences, this website offers links to policy documents, programs and other information on elders with disabilities. -- Diane Cooper
This gateway site monitors, reviews and reports on information about legal rights, financial resources, assistive technology, employment opportunities, housing modifications, transportation services, and more for people with disabilities. A test of the keyword "aging" in the search feature returned 76 links to a variety of resources.
-- Debra Sheets, California State University, Northridge
This gateway site provides information useful to anyone working with people with disabilities. The keyword "senior" returns 28 links to articles, policy reports and other resources on elders with disabilities. -- Debra Sheets, California State University, Northridge
Diversity & Cultural Competence
Multicultural Aging Toolkit, compiled by the American Society on Aging (San Francisco: American Society on Aging, 1999); spiral bound manual; $35.00 plus s/h (ASA members save $5.25). To order, visit ASA's online store at www.asaging.org/estore or contact ASA at (800) 537-9728 or customerservice@asaging.org.
Prepared for ASA's Serving Elders of Color training program, this useful kit contains articles and handouts covering topics from administration to program design. The materials outline steps to prepare organizations, staff and community for programs serving ethnically diverse populations. -- Carmelita Tursi, ASA
Stanford Geriatric Education Center, c/o VAPAHCS, 3801 Miranda Ave., Room A-236 (182B-SGEC), Palo Alto, CA 94304; (650) 494-3986; Web: www.stanford.edu/dept/medfm/gec/page1.html.
The Stanford Geriatric Education Center (SGEC) offers ethnogeriatric training for healthcare providers and conducts research and policy analysis. The center distributes a wealth of publications and videos on healthcare provision for minority elders. In addition, the SGEC website offers a number of valuable resources. -- Audrey Wong, ASA
HRC Family Net
This site includes a section on the healthcare needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults. Although directed at consumers, the materials also provide a useful introduction to LGBT aging issues for healthcare providers. -- Gerard Koskovich, ASA
The home page of ASA's Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network offers an annotated guide to over 200 websites dealing with LGBT aging. The links are grouped into categories
for ease of use. HAN members will find online resources of particular interest under the headings "Health," "HIV/AIDS" and "Mental Health."
-- Gerard Koskovich, ASA
An agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Minority Health (OMH) works to advance the health of racial and ethnic populations. The OMH website features databases of publications, programs and funding sources that include extensive resources on aging (click on the "Search" button, then use such keywords as "aging" or "senior"). Of particular interest is the full text of the May 2000 OMH newsletter, Closing the Gap, which is devoted entirely to aging issues (www.omhrc.gov/ctg/ctg_aging2.pdf). -- Audrey Wong, ASA
In straightforward, well-organized sections, this book gives you all the tools you need to dramatically reduce resident abuse in long-term care facilities. Written by three leading experts, the book also includes two complete in-service sessions for frontline caregiving staff. -- Richard Hoffman, Frontline Publishing
Competence With Compassion: An Abuse Prevention Training Program for Long-Term Care Staff by the Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (Philadelphia: CARIE); VHS plus book; $239.00 plus s/h. Ordering information: (215) 545-5728.
This seven-module interactive curriculum -- including the videotape At the End of the Day -- empowers participants to meet the challenge of providing high-quality care to vulnerable adults. The program also provides definitions, examples and indicators of abuse. -- Beth Hudson Keller, CARIE
A Guide to Recalling and Telling Your Life Story, developed by M. Palaez & R. Rothman (Washington, D.C.: Hospice Foundation of America, 1994); $18.00 for workbook, $10.00 for video, both for $25.00. Order from the Hospice Foundation of America at (800) 854-3402 or www.hospicefoundation.org/publications/order.htm.
This workbook is designed to help a person tell his or her life story, a process that can help those facing illness and loss find meaning in their lives. The guide suggests exploring such topics as family, adult life, growing older and reflections. -- Lisa McGahey Veglahn, Hospice Foundation of America
A collection of articles by well-known experts in the field of aging and loss, this book also contains an extensive resource list and practical suggestions for professionals who work with elders. -- Lisa McGahey Veglahn, Hospice Foundation of America
American Hospice Foundation, 2120 L St. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20037; (202) 223-0204; e-mail: ahf@americanhospice.org; Web: www.americanhospice.org.
Offers training, consultation and publications on hospice for healthcare professionals, as well as resources for supporting individuals dealing with grief. The organization's website includes useful articles on hospice care, the Medicare hospice benefit and various aspects of grief. -- Marcie Parker, Optum
Living With Grief: Loss in Later Life; National Bereavement teleconference moderated by Cokie Roberts (Washington, D.C.: Hospice Foundation of America, 2002); $25.00 (2.5-hour format), $15.00 (1-hour format). Order from the distributor at (800) 854-3402 or www.hospicefoundation.org/publications/order.htm.
Aimed at a professional audience, particularly those in healthcare and hospice, funeral service, clergy, and those in the aging network, this program discusses the losses inherent in the aging process, including death.
-- Lisa McGahey Veglahn, Hospice Foundation of America
Griefnet
Offers a variety of resources related to death, dying, bereavement, and major emotional and physical losses. The site includes directories of professional resources and resources on bereavement and loss. Also featured are an annotated bibliography and sponsored listservs. -- Diane Cooper
The Caregiver Sourcebook by Jane J. White (New York City: Resources for Aging, 2002); paperback, 350 pages; $59.95. Order at www.ageinfo.com.
A well-organized, comprehensive sourcebook developed to explain the issues of adult caregiving for today's informal caregivers. The book also contains national, state and county directories that list products, services and programs for adult care. -- Sherry Fleckenstein, Resources for Aging
This book teaches healthcare providers how to create individualized intervention plans for caregivers that cover everything from managing the symptoms of Alzheimer's to maintaining well-being. It includes information on support services for patients living at home, as well as guidance on deciding to place a patient in a residential facility. -- Barry Bowlus, AMA Press
Caring for People With Vision Loss at Home (Albany, N.Y.: The Jewish Guild for the Blind); VHS, 25 minutes; $34.95. Order from the Jewish Guild for the Blind at (800) 539-4845 or www.jgb.org (click on "Publications").
This video shows how to assist elders with vision loss in basic daily activities, such as eating, dressing and bathing. Care providers will learn tips to improve personal interactions with individuals with vision loss and ways to promote their independence and safety. -- Annemarie O'Hearn, The Jewish Guild for the Blind
Elder Parent Care teaches families caring for older parents how to develop a shared caring plan. Accompanied by a printed viewer's guide, this video takes an in-depth look at how one typical family comes together to assess the elder parent's needs. -- Ellen Browne
ElderWeb
ElderWeb offers thousands of reviewed links to long-term care information; a searchable database of organizations; and an expanding library of articles and reports, news and events. A personal project of consultant Karen Brown Stevenson, this award-winning independent site accepts no advertising or fees from listed agencies and firms. -- Diane Cooper
A website from Evercare Connections, Search for Care is an online eldercare resource that helps individuals, family members and family caregivers learn about the aging process and deal with the complexities associated with caring for elders. It also serves as a link to a database of approximately 90,000 providers nationwide. -- Melanie Bisson, Evercare Connections
Long-Term Care & Continuum of Care
This textbook details the continuum of long-term care, with client examples and extensive descriptive data. The accompanying instructor's guide offers sample syllabi, exams and classroom assignments. The 26 contributing authors -- many of them ASA members -- are recognized experts in the field. -- Connie Evashwick, Center for Health Care Innovation
Appropriate for the new charge nurse or the veteran supervisor, this short book covers topics such as leadership and team-building, secrets of successful supervision, teaching and mentoring, and dealing with conflict. -- Richard Hoffman, Frontline Publishing
Offering a comprehensive overview of the services and management functions of long-term care, this book is a useful reference for students of healthcare administration as well as professionals in nursing, social work and various clinical disciplines who deal with the management of long-term care. -- Connie Evashwick, Center for Health Care Innovation
Based on over a decade of original research, this book is full of practical tips for creating a stable and loyal frontline caregiving staff. It examines the complex industrywide problem of recruitment and retention, and shows you how to solve it in your facility. -- Richard Hoffman, Frontline Publishing
National Clearinghouse on the Direct Care Workforce, 349 E. 149th St., Suite 401, Bronx, N.Y. 10451; (718) 402-2788; Web: www.directcareclearinghouse.org.
Nonprofit advocacy organization for frontline caregivers to older adults with a strong focus on long-term care staff. The organization distributes a free e-mail update; its website offers useful links and policy publications. -- Molly Micelli, Lifestyle Options
Mrs. Dorothy Peterson: A Case Study (Terra Nova Films, 1994); VHS, 13 minutes; $159.00 (purchase); $45.00 (rental). Order from Terra Nova films at (800) 779-8491 or www.terranova.org.
This short documentary follows a 74-year-old woman over the course of a fatal two-month illness, focusing on the difficulties presented by her repeated admittance to various levels of care. The importance of integrated care and the need for elders to establish a durable power of attorney for healthcare are recurring themes. -- Connie Evashwick, Center for Health Care Innovation
Drug Therapy and the Elderly by Alvin K. Swonger & Patricia M. Burbank (Boston: Jones and Bartlett, 1995); paperback, 325 pages; $30.00.
This book is by far the best overview I have ever read on the physiological and psychosocial aspects of aging and on the fundamental issues of drug use and misuse among elders. Although the information provided on specific drugs is out of date, the discussion of these wider issues remains as timely as ever. -- Marcie Parker, Optum
This pocket-size reference book provides succinct guidance on the entire medication-administration process for nurses working in long-term care. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services interpretive guidelines on medication administration are included as an appendix. -- Janice Feinberg, ASCP Foundation
"A Closer Look" Series (Reston, Va.: National Pharmaceutical Council); brochures, 6 pages each; free. To order, call (703) 620-6390; also available as PDF at www.npcnow.org/resourcesproducts/productlist_title.asp.
"A Closer Look" is a series of brochures from the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC) discussing trends in healthcare spending on drug treatments. Of particular interest to those working with older adults are A Closer Look at Diabetes (2002), a collaborative effort of NPC and the American Diabetes Association, as well as A Closer Look at High Blood Pressure (2001) and A Closer Look at High Cholesterol (2001), both of which are joint projects of NPC and the American Heart Association. -- Deb Kline, National Pharmaceutical Council
A "one-drug-fits-all" approach does not work for older patients because, unlike younger patients, they vary widely in their health status and medication use. This report explains the pharmacological, physiological and epidemiological reasons why therapy for this population must be personalized. -- Jean Polatsek, National Pharmaceutical Council
Principles of Medication and Administration, developed by Models of Hope (Encino, Calif.: American Society of Consultant Pharmacists Foundation, 2001); VHS, 20 minutes, plus workbook; $59.00. Order from the distributor at (800) 355-2727 or www.ascp.com/store.
This in-service training video and workbook for long-term care nursing staff focuses on policy changes from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that expanded the definition of medication error to include problems with administration technique and similar issues. The program has been approved for one hour of continuing education credit. -- Janice Feinberg, ASCP Foundation
John A. Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, New York University, 246 Greene St., New York, NY 10003; (212) 998-5264; e-mail: ajb8@nyu.edu; Web: www.hartfordign.org.
The Hartford Institute works to infuse best practices in the care of older adults into the education and training of nurses -- and to inform the public about such practices. Among the resources it offers are the following:
This large-print medical self-care guide for people ages 50 and older covers more than 190 common health problems, and includes advice on prevention, home treatment, and when to call a health professional. -- Brenda Foster, Healthwise
Agewell
Sponsored by a nonprofit, this consumer site promotes healthy aging through education about healthcare and mental health issues. The site features a question-and-answer column written by Andrew Duxbury, M.D., who addresses such issues as rural care, medication management and alternative health practices. -- Margie Fincham, Agewell
Generations, ASA's quarterly journal, often focuses on healthcare and long-term care. To purchase relevant theme issues, visit ASA's online store at www.asaging.org/estore or contact ASA at (800) 537-9728 or customerservice@asaging.org. Each issue costs $10.20 for ASA members or $12.00 for nonmembers, plus shipping and handling.
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