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Sunrise Assisted Living, Inc. and Marriott International, Inc. have signed a definitive purchase agreement for Sunrise to acquire all of Marriott's outstanding stock in Marriott's subsidiary, Marriott Senior Living Services, Inc. Before the close of the purchase, however, CNL Retirement Properties, Inc., will acquire nine senior living properties owned by Marriott; CNL already acquired 12 other properties in December. Sunrise will assume management of 126 operating properties, which have a resident capacity of 23,157. In exchange for the properties, Sunrise will pay approximately $89 million in cash and will assume $38 million of working capital liabilities and other funding obligations, and $23 million of life care endowment obligations. The purchase is expected to close late in the first quarter of 2003. In keeping with the expanded number of facilities and services, Sunrise plans to change its name to Sunrise Senior Living. For more information, visit www.sunriseassistedliving.com. Abbott Laboratories Provides Drug Free of Charge In an extraordinary move, Abbott Laboratories announced that all Medicare-eligible seniors without prescription drug coverage could receive its newly-approved rheumatoid arthritis drug at no cost until a drug benefit is passed for Medicare. Humira (adalimumab) was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the reduction of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in adults who have had "insufficient response" to one or more traditional disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs); the drug was also approved for inhibiting structural damage associated with the disease. The Humira Medicare Assistance Program is the first of its kind and guarantees that Medicare-eligible seniors will have access to the drug even if they lack prescription drug coverage. Qualified seniors should speak to their physicians if they are interested; patients will receive Humira directly from their healthcare provider as long as they are eligible. Abbott is also offering reimbursement information support through its Humira Resource Center; here, people with rheumatoid arthritis can discover more about prescription coverage for Humira through private insurance, federal or state assistance programs, and through other Abbott programs. Patients who meet certain financial criteria are eligible for Abbott's Patient Assistance Program, which provides Humira at no cost. Humira is not without risks; patients using the medication have developed cases of tuberculosis (frequently disseminated or extra pulmonary at clinical presentation). Serious infections and sepsis (including fatalities) have been associated with Humira and other TNF-blocking agents. However, many of these infections arose in patients taking concomitant immunosuppressive therapy, which could make them more vulnerable to infections. TNF-blocking agents (including Humira) have also been associated with other invasive opportunistic fungal infections and demyelinating disease. The most common side effects observed in clinical trials included upper respiratory infection, injection site pain, headache, rash and sinusitis. For more information, call 1-866-4-HUMIRA. Catching Up with Capitol Hill: Sen Breaux Pushes Legislation By Kelli M. Donley Sen. John Breaux, (D-La.) is the ranking committee member of the Senate's Special Committee on Aging and is a known advocate for seniors in Washington, D.C. We last spoke with Breaux in June 2000 (www.alsuccess.com/articles/061Feat3.html) about how Congress was preparing for the "graying of America." Today, Breaux and chair Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) are pushing new legislation that will impact American seniors. Q: How do you think the Elder Justice Act will effect those living in senior communities? A: Thousands of crimes against seniors go unaddressed every day. The elder justice measures in our bill tackle these crimes, and provide seniors the protections they need to live safely and securely. This legislation is designed to create a national focus on elder abuse to increase detection, prevention, prosecution and victim assistance. With 84 percent of these crimes never reported, the plan would elevate crimes against seniors to the level of crimes against women and children. This proposal lays the cornerstone of federal leadership to ensure that states, communities, consumers and families will have access to the information and resources they need to confront this difficult issue. The Elder Justice Act would improve the quality of life for all seniors -- not just those living in nursing homes, assisted living and senior communities. The legislation is intended to elevate awareness about the problem of elder abuse, and provide support for increased research and data collection as well. It will also promote improved access at federal, state and local levels. For individuals living in long-term care facilities, the bill would also increase the utilization of criminal background checks for staff, while providing support for innovative staff recruitment measures and training programs. Q: Do you think the act will be signed into law in 2003? A: We already have significant bipartisan support, so I remain hopeful we can push this legislation forward this coming session. Protection of our nation's seniors is an issue that all members of Congress can -- and should -- stand behind. Q: What changes to the Medicare system do you see occurring in the next year? A: There seems to be a growing consensus that a prescription drug benefit can be added to Medicare in the 108th Congress. Although we didn't pass a prescription drug bill at the end of the last session, I believe we made progress in determining what changes to the Medicare system will be acceptable to republicans and democrats alike. The tripartisan bill I sponsored, along with Senators Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Jim Jeffords (I-Vt.) and several other members of the Senate Finance Committee had enough votes to pass the committee, but we unfortunately ran out of time in the congressional session to finalize that legislative path. I hope the finance committee will begin work this session with a proposal similar to the tripartisan plan we proposed. Addressing the structural reforms that are so obviously needed will improve Medicare services. Q: As a known advocate of seniors, what issues on Capitol Hill are you monitoring? A: I will remain vigilant in working to improve the programs important to our nation's seniors. For example, prescription drugs and Medicare reform will be significant parts of this nation's healthcare debate next year. In my capacity as chairman of the Senate Aging Committee this past year, I tried to raise awareness of the need for long-term care reform, and I will continue to work on this effort next year. Other issues such as addressing the needs of the nation's uninsured population, monitoring nursing home quality improvement, increasing support for our nation's geriatricians and for consumer protection and oversight of the government programs that provide services to seniors will also remain significant priorities. For more information about the Senate Special Committee on Aging, visit: http://aging.senate.gov/. Mad for Those Tap Hatters ALLENDALE, NJ -- Residents at the Allendale Community for Mature Living celebrated the holidays in exuberant style. Seniors from their community entertained residents with a show including a tapping dance group, a vocal performance and a senior comedian. The Tap Hatters formed more than 10 years ago as a senior dance team. Members ages range from late 60s to late 80s. The ladies met through a tap class offered at a community senior center. When their attempts to join a similar senior dance squad failed because of a full roster, they instead created their own team. Dancers Eleanor Antolino of Mahwah, Dorothy Klecka of Emerson, Rose Wynne of Wyckoff and Marge Paul of Midland Park tapped away to the songs "Why?," and "Rudolph." Soloist Nancy McGeady of Mahway and comedian Milli Tucci of Lodi helped complete the show. Paul, who said the group usually performs several times a month, was an original member of the team. "I saw an ad for a class at a senior center and my husband encouraged me to try it," she says. "I'm really glad I did." Mary Stampleman, therapeutic recreation director for the Allendale Community says the performance helps get residents motivated. "We have a great deal of musical and artistic talent represented among our residents, and the performance was very inspiring," she says. The Allendale Community for Mature Living provides three levels of care: residential living, assisted living and the Allendale Nursing Home. For more information, visit: www.allendalecommunity.com. Kudos! As a member of the media, we at Assisted Living Success receive countless press releases, book reviews and promotional products. Occasionally, an exceptional item grabs our attention and begs for coverage. One example is the 2003 Experience Works Senior Workforce Solutions calendar. Each month, a senior is highlighted, describing his or her work history and impact on his or her community. The result is a beautiful display of the power of senior employees in the marketplace. Experience Works is a nonprofit organization that provides training and employment guidance for senior Americans. Bravo Experience Works! For more information, visit: www.experienceworks.org.
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