Division of Aging Update

For the original publication, please click here. The following is a text version of the original publication.
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October 30, 2015

Age-associated financial vulnerability often overlooked

A recent Annals of Internal Medicine report says doctors and consumers both tend to overlook one of the most common and devastating problems of aging: a decline in ability to manage one’s financial affairs. Researchers hope that giving this problem a name—“age-associated financial vulnerability”—will get physicians to bring the subject up with their older adult patients in the same way they have begun asking about advanced directives and driving safety.

Indications that older adults may be financially vulnerable include taking longer to complete everyday financial tasks, reduced attention to details in financial documents, decline in everyday math skills, decreased understanding of math concepts and difficulty identifying risks in financial opportunities. 

The report concludes that since financial impairment is often one of the earliest clinical signs of emerging dementia and frequently goes unnoticed by clinicians, it makes sense for physicians to include financial vulnerability as part of a regular comprehensive assessment for common age-related problems including falls, mobility issues and trouble managing activities of daily living. 

Indiana’s Bicentennial Celebration 2016

Did you know October 30 is just one of many important dates in state history being recognized as part of Indiana’s Bicentennial Celebration? On that day in 1938, WIBC radio began broadcasting in Indianapolis at 1070 AM.

Indiana’s Bicentennial Celebration 2016 aims to honor our state’s 200 years of history in a way that engages Hoosiers—all 6.5 million of us—and leaves a lasting legacy for future generations at the same time. Community involvement is one of the key pillars of the celebration. Find out how to get the older adults in your community involved in local and regional bicentennial celebrations, projects and programs to help highlight the best of Indiana! Visit the Hoosier History Highlights page for more celebrated dates in Indiana’s history.

No Wrong Door Grant 

You already know that FSSA completed its one-year No Wrong Door (NWD) planning grant period by submitting a draft three-year plan to the Administration for Community Living (ACL) at the end of September. But wait, there's more!

The NWD Advisory group is continuing to meet, and sub-groups are already working on ideas to flesh out the draft plan. We are also continuing our work of engaging stakeholders—old and new—around the state to solicit input and feedback on what Indiana’s NWD plan should look like. If you know of organizations that should be a part of this, please spread the word. The draft plan is a work in progress, and we’ll continue to post updates on FSSA’s No Wrong Door web page. Once the draft is more fully developed, we’ll be taking it on the road again to meet with stakeholders during the spring of 2016. Questions? Comments? Contact us at NoWrongDoor@fssa.in.gov.