In November 2009, AARP released a report, Federal and State Income Tax Incentives for Private Long-Term Care Insurance, which describes tax subsidies for long-term care insurance, their value to taxpayers, and where possible, their cost to federal and state governments.  The report finds that most policyholders did not receive federal tax subsidies, and that while many qualified for state tax incentives, these incentives are usually too small because of low tax rates.  For more information, visit:

On January 12, 2010, the American College of Physicians (ACP) issued a position paper to guide ethical relationships among patients, physicians and family caregivers.  The paper outlines four primary principles for physicians, who may face ethical challenges collaborating with patients and caregivers while preserving the primacy of the patient-physician relationship.  One of those principles is for physicians to recognize the valuable role caregivers play in providing continuity of care.  The paper was originally published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine (January 11, 2010). To read Family Caregivers, Patients and Physicians: Ethical Guidance to Optimize Relationships, visit:

An article in the December 2009 Supplement issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (Volume 57, Number S2) focused on geriatric oncology is called "Needs of Older Caregivers of Patients with Advance Cancer" by Dr. Barbara Daly and colleagues.  The researchers examined whether age or stage of cancer can be used to identify caregivers at high risk for excessive burden or distress.  They found that levels of social support varied between caregivers and had an effect on almost all measures of caregiver well-being. For more information, visit:

An article in the December 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (Volume 57, Number 12) focused on whether community care of people with dementia can be prolonged with a two-year multicomponent intervention program.  The authors, Dr. Ulla Eloniemi-Sulkava and colleagues, also wanted to analyze effects of the intervention on total usage and expenses of social and healthcare services.  They found that, while a larger portion of the control group was in a long-term care facility a year and a half into the intervention, there was no longer a statistical difference in placement after two years of the intervention.  The intervention did lead to a reduction in use of community services.  To read "Family Care as Collaboration: Effectiveness of a Multicomponent Support Program for Elderly Couples with Dementia," visit:

The annual California Working Families Policy Summit is now scheduled for Thursday, February 25, 2010 in Sacramento (previously scheduled for February 3).  The event will feature Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis as the keynote speaker and a special video message from First Lady Michelle Obama.  Hosted by the California Center for Research on Women and Families, in collaboration with the California Legislative Women's Caucus and the California Commission on the Status of Women, the summit will focus on California's budget crisis, as well as proposals and long-term agendas to preserve the safety net, build economic security for families and promote family-friendly workplaces.  To register for the Summit, visit:

The Department of Defense Center of Excellence (DCoE) for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury is hosting a webinar on support for family caregivers on January 28, 2010 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. (EST).  This webinar, open to family caregivers and professionals who work with them, is intended to provide perspective on the needs of family caregivers of service members and to discuss the systemic, policy and programmatic responses to help meet those needs.  For more information or to register for the webinar, visit:

The Center for Technology and Aging is soliciting letters of intent for its Remote Patient Monitoring Diffusion Grants Program from organizations that are interested in expanding the use of remote patient monitoring technologies that help improve the health and safety of older adults. Total funding available for this grant program is $500,000. Up to six grants will be awarded. Letters of Intent are due March 12, 2010. Funded projects are expected to commence in July 2010. For more information, visit: