Independence Empowerment Center

Telemarketers will be given cell phone numbers on Friday, August 1, 2008.  Please call the number set up by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), 888-382-1222, to place your cell phone on the DO NOT Call Registry.

Virginia has 25 Area Agencies on Aging in every planning and services area of Virginia to serve with and on behalf of older citizens - to help older persons live with dignity and choices in their homes and communities for as long as possible.  For assistance call:  Virginia Association of Area on Aging 804-644-2804 or visit www.vaaaa.org.  Virginia Department for the Aging - Visit www.vda.virginia.gov or call 1-800-552-3402.

SeniorNavigator provides an online database of over 20,000 health and aging resources - both private and public - to seniors, their families and caregivers.  SeniorNavigator works with a volunteer network that brings the information on the website to those persons without computer or internet access.  Visit www.seniornavigator.com or call toll-free 1-800-393-0957.

Health care errors, fraud and abuse can take many forms and the Virginia SMP program can assist older persons and caregivers with questions about their bills and questionable tests, charges and health care services.  Virginia SMP can submit complaints about suspected fraud, waste and error on your behalf.  Visit www.vaaaa.org or call toll-free 1-800-938-8885.

State Ombudsman provides information about local Long-Term Ombudsman Programs that provide information about long-term care options and residents rights.  The Ombudsman Program in mandated to receive, investigate, and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of persons in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and in community-based long-term care services.  Visit www.vaaaa.org or call toll-free 1-800-552-3402.

The National Do Not Call Registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls at home.  For more information, visit https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx

With just over 300 days left before most TV stations must switch from analog to digital television broadcasting, consumers should start paying attention to any choices they must make.

After February 17, 2009 all full-power television stations will broadcast only in digital.  If you use rabbit ears or a rooftop antenna with your analog TV, you are going to need to take action to continue watching TV.

You have three options:

1. Buy a converter box that will plug into you analog TV;
2. Buy a TV with a digital tuner; or
3. Connect your analog TV to cable, satellite or other pay TV service.

If you decide to buy a converter box, the federal government will provide you with up to two $40 coupons to help pay for the cost of certified converter boxes.  These certified TV converter boxes are available at participating retailers and are expected to cost between $40 and $70.  They convert digital television signals back to analog so your analog TV will receive pictures and audio.

To request your coupons:
Toll free call 1-888-388-2009 or TTY 1-877-530-2634
Fax your request 1-877-388-4632
Go to the government website (or in Spanish)

Coupons are in limited supply, with 9 million already mailed out of the total 33 million available.  We encourage you to share this information with a friend who doesn’t know about this but who you know watches TV for free using rabbit ears.  AAPD has also launched a Consumer Alert website with all this information and more.

So sign up, apply, and buy!  Keep your old TV!

-Item provided by Jenifer Simpson, Telecommunications and Technology Policy Initiative, Justice For All

The Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority (ATLFA) has changed its name to NewWell Fund.  Check out their new look at www.atlfa.org.

As part of the continued focus on knowledge and prevention of secondary conditions associated with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Spinal Cord Injury (RRTC on SCI) has produced this educational brochure titled:

You and Your Doctor:  A Short Guide to Your Rights and Responsibilities

To access this publication on the web please visit:

http://ilru.org/html/publications/SCI/library/You_and_Your_Doctor.pdf

Virginia is one of 31 states participating in a five-year, $1.75 billion Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration project designed to create a system of long-term services and supports that assist individuals to transition from certain long-term care institutions into the community.  This project supports Virginia’s Olmstead initiative and complements the efforts of the recently awarded Systems Transformation Grant that aims to improve the infrastructure for community-based long-term supports.  Virginia’s MFP project, administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services (www.dmas.virginia.gov) , will make over $28 million in federal Medicaid funds available to support Virginia’s seniors and individuals with disabilities.  For more details and the most current information on the MFP project, please visit http://www.olmsteadva.com/mfp.