by Nancy Perlich, COTA, ATP on July 1, 2009
In support of the proclamation by President Obama on the “Year of Community Living” HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced June 22, 2009, a funding opportunity that will support and expand efforts of the ADRC’s across the country.
“The Aging and Disability Resource Center Grant Program, (ADRC) is a cooperative effort of the Administration on Aging (AoA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), it was developed to assist states in their efforts to create a single, coordinated system of information and access for all persons seeking long term support to minimize confusion, enhance individual choice, and support informed decision-making.”
The new funding will build on and expand the existing programs to ensure that every state can offer this program and its services to their residents.
The funding availability includes two opportunities:
- AoA -funding for ADRC development or expansion in up to 50 states over a three year period. With a maximum award of the ADRC of $600,000.
- CMS - award opportunity to programs in California, Hawaii, Maryland and North Carolina to strengthen ADRC partnerships with hospitals. That way more people who are being discharged who need post-acute care can receive that care at home rather than in a nursing home facility. The award amount per state is $1,167,000.
CMS believes these funding opportunities will make the correct services available in the appropriate settings, meeting individual needs.
Another resource currently available to help individuals locate appropriate technology assistance for at home are the State Assistive Technology (AT) Projects. State Assistive Technology Projects are funded in the U.S. under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-394). These projects can provide technical assistance on assistive technology, consultation, product demonstrations, equipment borrowing, and low-interest loans for individuals with disabilities.
Look beyond the basics when in need of funding for home care or medical equipment. Time put towards creative techniques and thorough research into available funding opportunities will pay off! Be persistent and patient, and stay abreast of the latest developments with programs such as the ADRC Grant Program and CMS, and AT Projects.
Have you utilized the state AT Projects, or opportunties from other grants to improve the quality of life for you or someone you care for? What advice would you give to others about funding opportunties?
by Erin Breedlove on June 29, 2009
This is the first post by Erin Breedlove, a new guest blogger on the EasyStand Blog. Read on to learn more.
As many individuals with disabilities find, it is often difficult to discover a niche in this modern society that labels people as if they are soup cans or some such material.
I’m Erin, a college student with cerebral palsy. Though my CP is mild, I feel the social effects of it almost daily. Everything from the stares by ignorant people in the aisle of the grocery store to the frustrations of being nineteen years old and unable to drive as of right now seems to get to me. However, it’s always easier to focus on the negative when angered by an issue that can’t be controlled. I know though, that I am blessed. I have walked since I was five-and-a-half years old, and despite the doctors telling my parents that I would never learn to walk, talk, read, write, or drive, I could spell my name by the age of two-and-a-half. I also was reading on a first grade level by the age of four.
My life has been spent with the mindset that I have to defy the so-called “standards” set by this cruelty of a modern society for individuals with extra challenges. So it takes me ten minutes to put both of my shoes on, my orthotics, and my socks. Are you going to tell me you’re sick of waiting on me to do something independently? I think not! [click to continue…]
by Bryanne Freitag on June 26, 2009
Dancing with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another. 
~Author Unknown
Meet Capri Eckonen, a happy nine year old girl who loves dancing and listening to music. She was born with Cerebral Palsy which limits her dancing physically…but Capri dances from the heart.
Capri lives with her grandparents Tom & Diana and does most of her dancing in her EasyStand at home. “When Capri stands we roll her close to the TV and she tries to dance to the country music that is playing,” Grandpa Tom says. Capri stands, or “dances”, at home three evenings a week for forty-five minutes each time.
“Capri stands, or ‘dances’, at home three evenings a week for forty-five minutes each time.”
Capri also uses a stander at school three times a week for thirty minutes each time. She spends part of her day in a regular class room and the rest of the day in the special education room.
Capri’s grandparents don’t let Cerebral Palsy keep her from having a full life. They keep her busy with activities that she enjoys like swimming, standing, and of course dancing! Tom adds, ”We really enjoy seeing her stand up and she seems to enjoy standing!” Read Capri’s Story “Stand, Dance & Splash!”
Does your child stand? Here are some more fun activities for kids to do while standing.
How do you focus on your child’s abilities rather than focus on their disability? Does your child have anything special that they like to do while standing?
by Ginny Paleg, PT on June 24, 2009
This is a guest post on the EasyStand Blog by Ginny Paleg, DScPT, MS, PT.
Sometimes I have to share not such great news. Here it is. There is very little research that supports using passive standing programs to improve bladder and or kidney function/health. It may - and we have lots of anecdotal (testimonial) information that standing does help the bladder empty and decreases urinary tract infections, but when you go to the literature, the information is just not there. Kinda makes me crazy because I often read articles that say that standing does improve bladder function and they often site a particular research study. Then I go to that study and see that there was no data - just someone’s opinion. UGH! Can someone please add that outcome next time they do a study…..
I found 5 studies on passive standing and bladder function. Four of the studies are based on answers given on 2 surveys sent to consumers who returned their user cards from two brands of standers. The surveys were not standardized or validated and the researchers designed it just for these series of studies. While each published study take s a different twist on the question, all four are based on the same type of data. Of the subjects with spinal cord injury, Dunn (1998) found 21% reported being able to empty their bladder more completely and decrease in bladder infections. Eng (2001) reported 16% improved bladder emptying. Huston (2001) reported 53% improved bladder function. Walter (1999) also reported fewer bladder infections. Gould (1955) looked at normal subjects and found that the bladder pressure increases at 60 degrees tilt from supine. Increased bladder pressure is thought to correspond to increased bladder emptying. This data could mean that if we are looking to improve bladder emptying and thus decrease bladder and urinary tract infections we may only need to stand as upright at 60 degrees.
Sorry I couldn’t give you better news, but stay tuned, I have better news in the next installment!
Read more blog posts from Ginny Paleg, PT
Can a Standing Program Improve Bowel Function?
Can a Standing Program Improve Bone Density?
Can a Standing Program Improve Hip Integrity?
Can a Standing Program Improve Motor Skills?
Watch Ginny Paleg’s Free Webinar on Supported Standing
Are you a clinician who would be interested in doing a research study on standing and bladder function? Do you have anecdotal evidence that standing helps improve bladder function?
by Jackie Kaufenberg on June 19, 2009
This article is reprinted with permission from the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.
The summer months are some of the busiest for spinal cord injuries, warn leading doctors at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a Center of Excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. As we head into summer, doctors and researchers say that safety precautions are the best measures to prevent spinal cord injury (SCI) during the high-risk months and year round.
According to the Spinal Cord Injury Information Network, there are more than 13,000 spinal cord injuries reported each year, with an increase in cases occurring during the summer months. Doctors at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis feel this timeframe has the largest numbers of spinal cord injury cases reported due to increased participation in recreational activities and trips in motor vehicles, which make up nearly 50 percent of SCI cases annually. [click to continue…]
