Undetected, unmet mobility needs can create expensive home health care costs.
BELLEVUE, Wash., Aug. 12 - Undetected, unmet mobility needs can create expensive home health care costs. Poorly designed mobility aids or improper use creates injury risks. Frequently, when someone has a mobility issue only part of the need is addressed which creates mobility gaps. All increases in health care costs could be reduced or alleviated if mobility issues were detected and properly addressed.
Independence is based on the ability to perform activities of daily living like getting out of bed and toileting. If we are unable to perform those tasks we need assistance. This either ends up being expensive home care or additional assisted living costs that drain financial resources. It can also be a burden on caregivers. It is cheaper and more effective to properly address mobility needs upfront.
What's missing: incentives to do it right, lack of knowledge or both?
A recent study by the CDC found that on average 129 older adults are treated in emergency department's everyday for fall injuries related to walkers and canes. Both have been incorrectly used as the solution while other mobility needs are undetected and unmet. A walker is an important walking aid but it's not a stand-up aid to help you get out of bed which is often an undetected unmet mobility issue.
A different problem is a lack of knowledge healthcare professionals have when it comes to knowing and understanding the intended use and use limitations of the products they recommend. Often price determines what is recommended over product knowledge, safety and effectiveness. We all pay the price when someone needlessly ends up in the emergency room with permanent more severe mobility issues and greater healthcare needs.
Misleading marketing is getting some attention. The United Kingdom may be an indicator of what's to come since complaints for mobility aids are up 8% according to a June 3, 2009 article in the Guardian. Marketing materials show extensive uses while the instructions detail more warnings than intended uses. For example: the weight limit says 300lbs then says "not intended to carry full weight."
Unnoticed is the need for multiple mobility aids for a single mobility issue. We need to do a better job detecting mobility gaps.
Invisible CareGiver mobility products address unmet mobility needs for activities of daily living. Visit: www.invisiblecaregiver.com or call 800-718-1322.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
World Championship of Public Speaking Comes to Connecticut!
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif., Aug. 12 - It's the Olympics of oratory, the World Cup title of talk -- and the final bout for the heavyweight title of World Champion of Public Speaking! On Saturday morning, August 15, 10 articulate Toastmasters will vie for the World Championship trophy at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods, in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The speech contest is a highlight of Toastmasters' annual International Convention (Aug. 12-15), expected to draw nearly 1,500 silver-tongued members from all over the world.
Each year more than 10,000 members of Toastmasters International enter this speech competition. The contest begins at the club level with winners advancing to area and regional contests, and it culminates each August during the International Convention, where 10 finalists contend for the top honor.
The contest speeches are five to seven minutes long, with no restrictions on topic selection. Contestants will be judged on content, speech organization, voice quality, gestures and delivery. Last year's championship title went to Dallas resident LaShunda Rundles, whose speech, titled "Speak!" encouraged people to use their voices to change the world. Rundles is the first African-American woman -- and only the fourth woman ever -- to win this prestigious competition.
Through its worldwide network of clubs, Toastmasters International has helped more than 4 million people give presentations with poise and confidence. Since the organization's humble beginning in Santa Ana, California, it has grown to include more than 250,000 members in 106 countries. Despite the worldwide economic downturn, the organization is thriving and celebrates its 85th anniversary this October. Connecticut alone has 93 Toastmasters clubs; Rhode Island has 18 and the city of Boston has 23.
For information about local Toastmasters meetings, Convention events or the World Championship of Public Speaking, visit www.toastmasters.org or e-mail pr@toastmasters.org. The public is invited to register onsite at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods and attend.
Source: Toastmasters International
CONTACT: Suzanne Frey of Toastmasters International, +1-949-858-8255,
sfrey@toastmasters.org
Each year more than 10,000 members of Toastmasters International enter this speech competition. The contest begins at the club level with winners advancing to area and regional contests, and it culminates each August during the International Convention, where 10 finalists contend for the top honor.
The contest speeches are five to seven minutes long, with no restrictions on topic selection. Contestants will be judged on content, speech organization, voice quality, gestures and delivery. Last year's championship title went to Dallas resident LaShunda Rundles, whose speech, titled "Speak!" encouraged people to use their voices to change the world. Rundles is the first African-American woman -- and only the fourth woman ever -- to win this prestigious competition.
Through its worldwide network of clubs, Toastmasters International has helped more than 4 million people give presentations with poise and confidence. Since the organization's humble beginning in Santa Ana, California, it has grown to include more than 250,000 members in 106 countries. Despite the worldwide economic downturn, the organization is thriving and celebrates its 85th anniversary this October. Connecticut alone has 93 Toastmasters clubs; Rhode Island has 18 and the city of Boston has 23.
For information about local Toastmasters meetings, Convention events or the World Championship of Public Speaking, visit www.toastmasters.org or e-mail pr@toastmasters.org. The public is invited to register onsite at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods and attend.
Source: Toastmasters International
CONTACT: Suzanne Frey of Toastmasters International, +1-949-858-8255,
sfrey@toastmasters.org
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Securities Fraud Action Against Citigroup
Complaint alleges fraud and misrepresentation in sale of risky derivative securities to small towns and villages in Norway
OSLO, Aug. 11 - The Bankruptcy Estate of Terra Securities ASA and seven Norwegian municipalities commenced an action yesterday in New York seeking over $200 million from Citigroup for violations of the United States securities laws. The lawsuit contends that Citigroup misled Terra and the municipalities in 2007 and thereby induced the municipalities into purchasing notes linked to a "tender option bond," or TOB, fund purportedly managed by Citigroup. TOB funds involve leveraged investments in United States municipal bonds. Ultimately, the municipalities lost approximately $90 million to Citigroup, and Terra, a Norwegian securities firm, suffered additional losses when it was forced into bankruptcy.
The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and names as defendants Citigroup, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. and Citigroup Alternative Investments LLC. Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP represents Terra and the Norwegian municipalities of Bremanger, Hattfjelldal, Hemnes, Kvinesdal, Narvik, Rana and Vik.
"Citigroup's marketing materials contained misleading statistics that concealed from both Terra and the municipalities the significant risk inherent in the fund-linked notes," said Jon Skjorshammer, the court-appointed administrator of Terra from the Norwegian law firm Selmer & Co. "Moreover, Citigroup specifically directed Terra to present these deceptive materials to the municipalities. We believe we have substantial claims against these defendants, and we intend to pursue them fully."
According to the lawsuit, Citigroup, through Terra, marketed and sold to the municipalities over $115 million in notes linked to the TOB fund in May and June 2007. In deciding to purchase the notes, the municipalities contend they relied on Citigroup's solicitation materials, which allegedly contained statistical data that falsely represented the TOB fund was properly hedged against volatility when in fact it was not. By August 2007, the value of the TOB fund was falling, and in September 2007, the municipalities were required to post additional collateral. As a result of Citigroup's misrepresentations, the municipalities lost most of their original investment by May 2008, and Terra filed for bankruptcy in November 2007.
The lawsuit contends that the deceptive materials provided to Terra for presentation to the municipalities were prepared in New York by Citigroup Global Markets and Citigroup Alternative Investments. The materials and their general disclaimers made no adequate reference to the significant credit risk underlying the fund's strategy, presenting it instead as a low-risk arbitrage opportunity, according to the lawsuit.
OSLO, Aug. 11 - The Bankruptcy Estate of Terra Securities ASA and seven Norwegian municipalities commenced an action yesterday in New York seeking over $200 million from Citigroup for violations of the United States securities laws. The lawsuit contends that Citigroup misled Terra and the municipalities in 2007 and thereby induced the municipalities into purchasing notes linked to a "tender option bond," or TOB, fund purportedly managed by Citigroup. TOB funds involve leveraged investments in United States municipal bonds. Ultimately, the municipalities lost approximately $90 million to Citigroup, and Terra, a Norwegian securities firm, suffered additional losses when it was forced into bankruptcy.
The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and names as defendants Citigroup, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. and Citigroup Alternative Investments LLC. Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP represents Terra and the Norwegian municipalities of Bremanger, Hattfjelldal, Hemnes, Kvinesdal, Narvik, Rana and Vik.
"Citigroup's marketing materials contained misleading statistics that concealed from both Terra and the municipalities the significant risk inherent in the fund-linked notes," said Jon Skjorshammer, the court-appointed administrator of Terra from the Norwegian law firm Selmer & Co. "Moreover, Citigroup specifically directed Terra to present these deceptive materials to the municipalities. We believe we have substantial claims against these defendants, and we intend to pursue them fully."
According to the lawsuit, Citigroup, through Terra, marketed and sold to the municipalities over $115 million in notes linked to the TOB fund in May and June 2007. In deciding to purchase the notes, the municipalities contend they relied on Citigroup's solicitation materials, which allegedly contained statistical data that falsely represented the TOB fund was properly hedged against volatility when in fact it was not. By August 2007, the value of the TOB fund was falling, and in September 2007, the municipalities were required to post additional collateral. As a result of Citigroup's misrepresentations, the municipalities lost most of their original investment by May 2008, and Terra filed for bankruptcy in November 2007.
The lawsuit contends that the deceptive materials provided to Terra for presentation to the municipalities were prepared in New York by Citigroup Global Markets and Citigroup Alternative Investments. The materials and their general disclaimers made no adequate reference to the significant credit risk underlying the fund's strategy, presenting it instead as a low-risk arbitrage opportunity, according to the lawsuit.
Nationwide Building Society Offers Lower Rate Loans
Nationwide Building Society has reduced its loan rate for existing FlexAccount customers to 7.7 percent
NEW YORK, Aug. 11 - Nationwide Building Society has now reduced its personal loan rate to offer a market leading rate of 7.7 percent typical APR for loans of between 5,000 pounds Sterling and 14,999 pounds* for its current account customers.
With this typical rate, Nationwide becomes the lender with the lowest personal loan rate in the UK, beating the supermarkets and all the high street banks -- the same low rate loan applies whether the loan is taken out through branch, telephone or internet.
Chris Rhodes, product and marketing director, said: "Nationwide continues to be competitive in the personal loans (http://www.nationwide.co.uk/loans/default.htm) market with the introduction of this market leading headline rate of 7.7 percent typical APR, beating what's being offered by supermarkets and high street banks.
"This great rate is now available for loans between 5,000 pounds and 14,999 pounds, so whatever the purpose of your loan whether it be for a new car, to pay for a wedding, carry out home improvements or consolidate other debts, our rate is hard to beat.
"We are rewarding our current account customers with the lowest personal loan rate in the UK which underlines further the benefits of taking out and using a Nationwide FlexAccount. This will be the first of many offers for Nationwide current account customers over the coming months."
NEW YORK, Aug. 11 - Nationwide Building Society has now reduced its personal loan rate to offer a market leading rate of 7.7 percent typical APR for loans of between 5,000 pounds Sterling and 14,999 pounds* for its current account customers.
With this typical rate, Nationwide becomes the lender with the lowest personal loan rate in the UK, beating the supermarkets and all the high street banks -- the same low rate loan applies whether the loan is taken out through branch, telephone or internet.
Chris Rhodes, product and marketing director, said: "Nationwide continues to be competitive in the personal loans (http://www.nationwide.co.uk/loans/default.htm) market with the introduction of this market leading headline rate of 7.7 percent typical APR, beating what's being offered by supermarkets and high street banks.
"This great rate is now available for loans between 5,000 pounds and 14,999 pounds, so whatever the purpose of your loan whether it be for a new car, to pay for a wedding, carry out home improvements or consolidate other debts, our rate is hard to beat.
"We are rewarding our current account customers with the lowest personal loan rate in the UK which underlines further the benefits of taking out and using a Nationwide FlexAccount. This will be the first of many offers for Nationwide current account customers over the coming months."
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Danny Glover Walks Picket Line With Striking Terre Haute Factory Workers
With negotiations set for Monday, workers and allies rally against employer's invasive medical testing, efforts to use temporary workers, and the company's disregard of its workers rights
TERRE HAUTE - Earlier today, striking Bemis factory workers in Terre Haute, Indiana were joined by actor and activist Danny Glover, as well as community allies, in a picket line and worker rally. Workers discussed fears of losing their health care and their job security. They also called on Bemis, a manufacturer of flexible packaging materials, to reach an agreement that maintains the standards that workers have won through years of commitment to the success of their factory.
"The workers are fighting for what is right and fighting for what is just," said Glover. "I'm proud to be a part of that."
"I've worked at this plant for five years and I work alongside many people who have been here for twenty years or more," said striking Bemis worker Chris Scott. "None of us are about to surrender our basic rights or be intimidated by this company."
Last year, without negotiating with its workers, who are members of Workers United Local 1426, Bemis announced that it was going to require all employees, and their spouses, to submit to invasive Health Risk Assessments (HRAs), including blood tests, in order to remain eligible for their health insurance. The way in which this decision was made, without bargaining with worker representatives as the law requires, was not only illegal, but was insulting to workers and their families.
Charges were filed by the union with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) over the company's action, the government issued a complaint against Bemis, and the NLRB eventually approved a settlement of the case to resolve this dispute.
But in negotiations this year, the company again insisted that the testing of employees and their spouses would be reintroduced in the new contract as a condition of eligibility for insurance. Failure to submit would cost workers and spouses their health coverage starting in 2010.
The company also proposed that workers accept temporary employees, who work for low wages and receive no benefits. Workers asked Bemis for protections so that these low wage employees would not eventually replace the middle class jobs they have fought to preserve.
When bargaining was unsuccessful, the union committee extended the contract scheduled to expire on July 1st, by 21 days to try to work out their differences and avoid a strike. In the end, Bemis sought to take advantage of a bad economy by pushing poor conditions on its workers.
Based primarily on these two issues of health insurance and temporary workers, the membership of Local 1426 overwhelmingly voted to turn down the company's final offer. The union committee, in an effort to avoid a strike, made an alternative offer to continue bargaining while employees worked without a contract. Bemis refused this offer. More than 700 workers began their strike on July 21st. Within hours, Bemis lowered its final offer without negotiating with the workers and cut off insurance benefits for which workers had paid.
Bemis' profits remain extremely strong even during the current economic crisis. In the first three months of 2009, the company reported profits exceeding $91 million, up more than 16% compared with the same period last year.
The company continues its efforts to hire strike-breaking employees.
Workers United, SEIU is a union of 150,000 workers in the US and Canada who work in the manufacturing, distribution, laundry, food service, hospitality, gaming, apparel and textile industries. www.workersunitedunion.org
TERRE HAUTE - Earlier today, striking Bemis factory workers in Terre Haute, Indiana were joined by actor and activist Danny Glover, as well as community allies, in a picket line and worker rally. Workers discussed fears of losing their health care and their job security. They also called on Bemis, a manufacturer of flexible packaging materials, to reach an agreement that maintains the standards that workers have won through years of commitment to the success of their factory.
"The workers are fighting for what is right and fighting for what is just," said Glover. "I'm proud to be a part of that."
"I've worked at this plant for five years and I work alongside many people who have been here for twenty years or more," said striking Bemis worker Chris Scott. "None of us are about to surrender our basic rights or be intimidated by this company."
Last year, without negotiating with its workers, who are members of Workers United Local 1426, Bemis announced that it was going to require all employees, and their spouses, to submit to invasive Health Risk Assessments (HRAs), including blood tests, in order to remain eligible for their health insurance. The way in which this decision was made, without bargaining with worker representatives as the law requires, was not only illegal, but was insulting to workers and their families.
Charges were filed by the union with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) over the company's action, the government issued a complaint against Bemis, and the NLRB eventually approved a settlement of the case to resolve this dispute.
But in negotiations this year, the company again insisted that the testing of employees and their spouses would be reintroduced in the new contract as a condition of eligibility for insurance. Failure to submit would cost workers and spouses their health coverage starting in 2010.
The company also proposed that workers accept temporary employees, who work for low wages and receive no benefits. Workers asked Bemis for protections so that these low wage employees would not eventually replace the middle class jobs they have fought to preserve.
When bargaining was unsuccessful, the union committee extended the contract scheduled to expire on July 1st, by 21 days to try to work out their differences and avoid a strike. In the end, Bemis sought to take advantage of a bad economy by pushing poor conditions on its workers.
Based primarily on these two issues of health insurance and temporary workers, the membership of Local 1426 overwhelmingly voted to turn down the company's final offer. The union committee, in an effort to avoid a strike, made an alternative offer to continue bargaining while employees worked without a contract. Bemis refused this offer. More than 700 workers began their strike on July 21st. Within hours, Bemis lowered its final offer without negotiating with the workers and cut off insurance benefits for which workers had paid.
Bemis' profits remain extremely strong even during the current economic crisis. In the first three months of 2009, the company reported profits exceeding $91 million, up more than 16% compared with the same period last year.
The company continues its efforts to hire strike-breaking employees.
Workers United, SEIU is a union of 150,000 workers in the US and Canada who work in the manufacturing, distribution, laundry, food service, hospitality, gaming, apparel and textile industries. www.workersunitedunion.org
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)