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September 2007 - Healthy Aging Month, National Assisted Living Week, Unlicensed Activity

Healthy Aging Month

Healthy Aging Month is an annual observance month designed to focus national attention on the positive aspects of growing older. This is an opportunity to put the spotlight on the remarkable longevity of our population and on the challenges and opportunities which will accompany population aging in the next millennium. Effective public health strategies and advancements in medical treatment have resulted in a 30-year increase in life expectancy during the 20th century. As Americans are living longer, their expectations for quality of life are ever-increasing.

As a senior citizen, what issues are important to you? Health? Finances? Family? Protecting your consumer rights?

The Department of Consumer Affairs houses many boards and bureaus which regulate issues of special importance to older consumers, such as the Respiratory Care Board, the Board of Acupuncture, the Board of Pharmacy, the Medical Board of California, the Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine, the Physical Therapy Board, the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau and the Hearing Aid Dispensers Bureau. Click here to see a full listing of boards, bureaus and commissions within DCA.

Keeping your body in good condition is a vital part of healthy aging, and that all begins with regular visits to your physician. The Department of Consumer affairs constantly stresses the importance of only working with licensed practitioners. To find out if your health practitioner is licensed with the State of California, click here. If you have received substandard medical treatment or if you feel your health practitioner is operating without a license, you can file a consumer complaint through DCA's on-line complaint process.

Unfortunately, senior citizens are often the target of scam artists and identity thieves. To help defend older consumers, the DCA offers the Senior Scam Buster kit, which is filled with useful information on identity theft and protecting yourself from scammers. The kit can be viewed online or can be ordered by calling the Policy and Publications Development office at (866) 320-8652, or by faxing or mailing in this publications request form.

DCA has assembled a list of financial and privacy resources for consumers of all ages. This link will also provide you with information on how to get in touch with the Senior Legal Hotline, a free legal referral service for California residents over 60.

One in three community-dwelling persons over the age of 65 falls each year, and this number increases to one in two by the age of 80. Fall-related injuries are often serious enough to result in hospitalization and even premature death. The Center for Healthy Aging has put together this list of fall prevention resources.

Here are some hot tips from the Governor's Office of Emergency Services on how to beat the summer heat and to help protect seniors from heat-related illnesses.

It is estimated that as many as 200,000 Californians are the victims of elder abuse every year. It is one of the most disturbing, and rapidly growing areas of crime in the new millennium. Preventing elder abuse is everyone's responsibility. If you are a victim, or if you know someone who you believe to be the victim of elder abuse, this link will help you report the crime.

At the DCA, we constantly strive to make our services more accessible to consumers. If you are a member or leader of a senior group, and would like to request a speaker for a presentation, follow this link to the Outreach Ambassador Request Form. An Outreach representative, or a representative from a specific Board or Bureau can give a free presentation on topics that are important to your group.

The DCA Outreach Unit has developed a number of presentations geared specifically towards senior citizens. During the month of September, the Outreach Unit will be hosting and attending several events throughout California which may be of particular interest, including a series of presentations to the Renaissance Society of California State University, Sacramento and the Community Health and Safety Expo in Montebello. Click here to see the Outreach calendar of events, which is updated weekly.

The States Department of Health Care Services provides invaluable information about health service programs. Understanding the nuances of Medi-Cal can be a daunting task, but for those seniors over the age of 65, it's important to be aware of the process, so that you can receive all the benefits you are entitled to.

Looking towards the future, a whole new age is dawning. Baby boomers are coming into retirement, and the number of adults over the age of 65 is at an all time high. Today almost 500 million people are age 65 and over, accounting for 8 percent of the world's population. Along with this incredible achievement will come many challenges. The Department of Consumer Affairs is dedicated to meeting these challenges head on, and ensuring that the future of healthy aging and consumer protection is a bright one.

September 9-16, 2007 National Assisted Living Week

National Assisted Living Week always begins on Grandparents Day, the first Sunday after Labor Day. It provides a fabulous opportunity to bring together the residents, families, employees, and the volunteers within the assisted living community, in order to celebrate our elders and the services they are provided.

This year's theme, "Legacies of Love", focuses on the privilege and responsibility of passing on the legacies of our elders. The memories and heritage of senior citizens are priceless and extremely important to preserve. If we are willing to listen, there is much we can learn from their experiences that can be used to enrich our own lives, as well as future lives and generations to come.

There are approximately 36,000 facilities providing services and care for about 1 million residents of assisted living throughout the United States. Click here to view the assisted living fact sheet from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Administration on Aging has assembled some valuable tips on how to choose the right facility for you or your loved one.

Sometimes, a friendly face and a person to talk to can make all the difference in the world. Seniors who wish to help bring the gift of companionship to other seniors can volunteer their time with the Senior Companion Program.

The Department of Consumer Affairs stresses the importance of using licensed health care professionals. Medical providers that enter assisted living facilities, your home or the home of a family member should be properly screened to determine who they are, and whether the services they provide require licensure. Unlicensed health care givers should be utilized only to be assistive to licensed nursing personnel. To check if your health care provider is licensed, click here. If you have received substandard medical treatment or if you feel your health practitioner is operating without a license, you can file a consumer complaint through DCA's on-line complaint process.

If you have a concern about assistive living, the California State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program investigates and attempts to resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, individual residents in long-term care facilities.

Unlicensed Activity

DCA's initiative to crack down on unlicensed activity within the professions and businesses we license continues this month.

Consumers who use unlicensed professionals may think they're getting a good deal. In fact, using unlicensed professionals can lead to serious problems.

DCA would like to remind consumers to always check the licenses of the professionals they are considering hiring. You can do that at our License Lookup Page. You can also see what types of businesses and professions we license.