Aging Practice Tools

Beginning January 1, 2006, prescription drug coverage will be available to all Americans with Medicare. Every person with Medicare, no matter how they get their health care today or whether they have existing drug coverage, will be eligible for drug coverage under a Medicare prescription drug plan. Insurance companies and other private companies will work with Medicare to offer these drug plans. Medicare prescription drug plans will be available throughout the country, and all plans will cover both brand names and generic drugs.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is set to launch the Medicare Modernization Act’s (MMA), new prescription drug benefit (Part D) for Medicare beneficiaries. October 1, 2005 marked the official beginning of the marketing and outreach phase, during which the various drug plans are permitted to distribute informational materials on their formularies and services. This includes plans that work with traditional Medicare coverage and plans that work with Medicare Advantage programs, which include prescription drug coverage and other services.

Implementation of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) is rapidly approaching. Here is a quick reference of resources that provide information about the implementation, benefits, and reforms of the MMA.

The social work profession has a long history of advocating for — and serving the needs of — older adults and their families. The rapid increase in the number of older adults in this country has led to a heightened interest in social work practice with this population.

The rapid increase in the number of older adults in this country has led to a heightened interest in social work practice with this population. Professional social work services address the important and varied needs of the our nation’s older population in ways unlike those of any other profession. Social workers in this burgeoning area of practice have become increasingly involved in a wider array of settings, including those in the public sector, and non-profit and for-profit organizations. Because there is great diversity among older adults — — and because of their increasing numbers—the settings where social workers practice and the roles they play in gerontology will continue to evolve and expand.

Given the choice, the majority of older Americans would prefer to age in their homes, rather than live in institutional settings(Administration on Aging [AoA], 1998). Although many older individuals are fortunate to live out their lives in their own homes, it is not always possible for them to do so. There are many reasons older people decide to reevaluate their housing situations and consider alternatives.