CATCH Healthy Habits Early

Guests: Christine Beatty, Executive Dir., Madison Senior Center

Pat Gilbert, Civic Engagement Dir., The OASIS Institute, St. Louis

The Madison Senior Center, in partnership with The OASIS Institute, has received support to implement the CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) Healthy Habits Program. This inter-generational program connects adult
volunteers age 50 and older with children, grades kindergarten through 5, to engage and educate them about nutrition and physical fitness.

As child obesity is rising in epidemic proportions, this program highlights this new and evidence-based approach to making fitness and healthy eating fun and a natural part of life. Learning becomes a two-way street for the young children and older adults who together tackle preparing healthy snacks, moving their bodies, and learning about Whoa, Slow and Go Foods.

To become a CATCH volunteer, call 267-2344.
For more information on the multitude of Senior Center activities, call 266-6581, or go to http://www.madisonseniorcenter.org/.

WOMEN CELEBRATE EQUALITY: A Day and A Journey

Guests: Eve Galanter, Chair, Wisconsin Women's Network

Judy Patrick, Pres. and CEO, Women's Foundation of Californa

91 years ago this month, one lone Tennessee legislator changed his vote (at the insistence of his mother), and that was enough to ratify passage of the 19th Amendment, giving American women the right to vote. Thursday, August 25th, the Wisconsin Women's Network is hosting a Women's Equality Day Celebration. (Details on www.wiwomensnetwork.org). Special guest at the event is Judy Patrick.

On this program Eve Galanter and Judy Patrick chronicle the continuing and sometimes bumpy journey women have embarked on since the equal rights amendment passed. You'll hear how 5 Wisconsin women who were one step ahead of the Amendment. Outraged at being denied the right to vote, they established the Madison Civics Club, now celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year. The criteria to join: being a brainy individual in your own right and having a civic conscience.

This year, Wisconsin was selected to receive a grant from the Women's Foundation of California to establish a Wisconsin Women's Policy Network. Details of the new Institute and how it will build more effective women advocates on issues important to Wisconsin communities are shared on this program.

For more information on any of the above, go to www.wiwomensnetwork.org and www.madisoncivicsclub.org.

HEALTH CARE AS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT

Guest: Gene Farley, M.D.

retired physician, emeritus faculty, UW Medical School

former Chair, UW Department of Family Medicine

Dr. Gene Farley, along with his wife Dr. Linda Farley who passed away in 2009, has been a longtime leading proponent of health care reform and a strong activist of the idea that quality medicine is a universal human right. On this program, Dr. Farley shares his vast experience as a family physician in rural and urban areas, on a Navajo reservation, to people of all ages and health conditions, the employed and unemployed, insured and uninsured, and before and after Medicare and Medicaid were enacted. "A lot more older people came for health care once we got Medicare," said Dr. Farley.

Dr. Farley shares his views that all people benefit from health care; families and individuals need health care as part of their ability to grow, develop and survive, and it is unethical for investor profit to be made by denying health care to those who often need it the most and are most unable to pay for it. "Those who don't think that health care is a basic human right must answer this question," says Gene Farley. "What would you do if you found a dying person on your doorstep? Would you leave that person to die."

With over 50,000 people uninsured in this country and about 50% of bankruptcies due to health-related crises, Dr. Farley believes the rational solution is a universal health program. He feels The Affordable Care Act signed by President Obama last year is an excellent beginning.

For more information on health care reform and benefits and plans available to you, go to www.healthcare.gov.

HOME HEALTH UNITED: CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY

Guests: Rick Bourne, President/CEO, Home Health United

Janet Bollig, Director of Social Work, Spiritual Services and Community Resource Program

With a growing clientele and shrinking dollars, Home Health United remains dedicated to helping people remain as safe, healthy and independent as possible in their own homes. To accomplish that goal in today's uncertain economy requires pinpointing what the major needs are and matching people with the services they need as efficiently and effectively as possible.

On this program, Rick Bourne and Janet Bollig tell us how healthcare reform will affect home health, hospice and home medical equipment services. They also introduce us to their new Community Resource Program where people can call 24-hours a day and will be referred to an appropriate community agency or service. Plus, learn about a new collaboration with United Way which Home Health United will launch this fall: the S.A.F.E. at Home - Safety Assessments for the Elderly program to prevent falls and adverse drug events in the senior population.

To learn more about Home Health United services, go to www.homehealthunited.org, or call 1-800-924-CARE (2273)

To reach the Community Resource Live Hotline, call 1-800-900-8040

AN INFLUENTIAL LEADER: DR. FRANK BYRNE

Guest: Dr. Frank Byrne, President, St. Mary's Hospital

Recently named one of the 50 Most Influential Physician Executives in Healthcare by Modern Physician and Modern Healthcare magazines, Dr. Frank Byrne shares his views on the challenges health care leaders face today, and how St. Mary's Hospital fits into our community health care environment. Acknowledging our current system is unsustainable, Dr. Byrne discusses how St. Mary's Hospital is moving forward with initiatives that support their patient-centered care philosophy in this era of health care reform.

Of particular pride to Frank Byrne and St. Mary's Hospital is the expected opening in 2012 of the first in Wisconsin in-hospital Ronald McDonald Family Room. Building up to the opening are community events and the need for volunteers. Hear the latest news on this project and more in this insightful conversation with Dr. Frank Byrne.

For more information, go to stmarysfoundation.org, or call 608-258-6640.