Florida is recruiting “certified nursing-assistants” to work in skilled-nursing centers. Kristen Knapp is with the “Florida Health-Care Association”—which supports the “Caregivers-F-L Career Program”…

“Working as a ‘certified nursing-assistant’—or ‘C-N-A’—is challenging, but also rewarding. Advantages include a steady, stable career, with both guaranteed hours and a flexible schedule—along with the potential to expand your skills and grow your career. Not only does it provide entry-level exposure to nursing, but it’s also an in-demand profession with unlimited potential. In fact, employers across Florida are hiring ‘C-N-A’s’ immediately. Being a ‘C-N-A’ takes compassion and understanding. And, those talents are exactly what make this career so rewarding and meaningful.”

To learn more, visit “florida”-dot-“care-for-the-aging”-dot-org.

June 12th through the 16th is this year’s “Protect Week”. And, both consumer-groups and government-agencies, statewide, are reminding Marylanders that seniors are vulnerable to financial abuse—by loved-ones and strangers, alike. Hank Greenberg is the state-director of “A-A-R-P Maryland”—which helps lead the coalition…

“The ‘Federal Trade Commission’ says that Maryland had more than 40-thousand fraud-reports, last year—up from about 25-thousand, just five years ago. What’s more, last year’s fraud-related losses within Maryland totaled over 130-million dollars. Now, the warning-signs of financial abuse can include things like a caregiver or family-member who suddenly requests access to your loved-one’s accounts or possessions. Or, it could be changes in their financial practices, such as a new credit-card or unopened bank-statements—and a financial agent who isn’t following their wishes.”

During “Protect Week”, the coalition will hold several free, online events for the public. To learn more, visit “a-a-r-p”-dot-org-slash-“m-d”.

Individuals with disabilities have had to face many challenges, when it comes to saving for their future. John Finch—director of “ABLE United”—is here to discuss the state of Florida’s disability-savings program, and how they are leveling the playing-field for this community…

“‘ABLE United’, managed by the ‘Florida Prepaid-College Board’, offers tax-free savings- and investment-accounts called ‘ABLE Accounts’; accounts can be used for everyday living-expenses, or for long-term savings-goals. Individuals with qualifying disabilities can take advantage of tax-free earnings—and can save more than two-thousand dollars, without impacting eligibility for ‘Medicaid’- and ‘Supplemental Security Income’-benefits. We want to empower the disability-community to join the more than 10-thousand Floridians who are building a strong financial-foundation for their lives. And, now until June 30th, all new accounts opened will receive a free 50-dollar account-contribution.”

Learn more—and enroll today—at “able-united”-dot-com.

-- :60 --

“As we age, we become more vulnerable to abuse, neglect, and financial-exploitation. Elder-abuse is indeed a serious issue that affects many older adults—throughout Pennsylvania. And, while it can happen to anyone—anywhere—it’s often hidden from view. That’s why we must all work together—to raise awareness, and protect our loved-ones from these dangerous situations. Here are three tips, to help you be proactive and vigilant: First, look out for physical signs—like neglect or unexplained injuries. Likewise, emotional signs—such as changes in behavior or mood—can be indicators of abuse. Finally, keep an eye out for unusual financial-activity—which itself can be a sign of exploitation. Visit ‘a-a-r-p’-dot-org-slash-‘p-a’, to learn more about how to prevent elder-abuse; that’s ‘a-a-r-p’-dot-org-slash-‘p-a’. Remember, protecting yourself—and your loved-ones—is crucial. A message from ‘A-A-R-P Pennsylvania’.”

When it comes to safe and affordable financial-services for “Main Street”, what’s the best option? It very well might be America’s credit-unions. Dan Berger is the “National Association of Federally-Insured Credit-Unions’” president and C-E-O…

“Credit-unions remain safe, secure, and reliable—even during tough economic-times: No-one has ever lost a penny of an insured deposit at a credit-union. And, almost twice as many credit-union deposits are insured—compared to banks.”

What else separates credit-unions from banks?

“Their cooperative, not-for-profit structure allows them to focus on members and their communities—not on chasing profits. Credit-unions have made financial-services more accessible—while banks close their doors. In fact, credit-unions are the only option that’s available in many underserved areas.”

Learn more about “The Credit-Union Difference” at “n-a-f-c-u”-dot-org; that’s “n-a-f-c-u”-dot-org. I’m Bob Tebo, for the “Consumer Radio Network”.

• Patient-concerns continue to grow over ever-increasing healthcare-costs. But, there are some solutions that the overwhelming majority of Americans agree on. That’s according to Reid Porter—the senior director of public affairs at the “Pharmaceutical Research and Manufactures of America”, or “PhRMA”…

“TOO MANY AMERICANS STRUGGLE TO ACCESS AND AFFORD HEALTHCARE. AND, OUR RECENT POLL FOUND THAT MOST AMERICANS—AT LEAST 86-PERCENT IN EVERY STATE—AGREE THAT LOWERING OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS SHOULD BE A TOP POLICY-PRIORITY. AMERICANS SUPPORT COMMON-SENSE SOLUTIONS TO HELP PEOPLE PAY LESS FOR THEIR MEDICINES, AND TO STRENGTHEN OVERSIGHT OF HEALTH-INSURERS AND THEIR MIDDLEMEN—ALSO KNOWN AS ‘P-B-M’S’, OR ‘PHARMACY-BENEFIT MANAGERS’. IT’S A SIMPLE QUESTION: IF THEY DON’T PAY FULL PRICE FOR MEDICINES, WHY SHOULD YOU?”

• Porter also explains what elected-officials at the state-level can do, to help people better afford their medicines…

“STATES LIKE WEST VIRGINIA, ARKANSAS, AND INDIANA ARE LEADING THE WAY IN HAVING HEALTH-INSURANCE COMPANIES, AND THEIR MIDDLEMEN, ‘SHARE THE SAVINGS’ WITH PATIENTS—BY REQUIRING THEM TO PASS REBATES AND DISCOUNTS DIRECTLY TO PATIENTS. THESE POLICY-CHANGES CAN BRING REAL IMPROVEMENTS, AND MORE ACCOUNTABILITY, TO THE HEALTHCARE-SYSTEM—WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE DESERVES.

“THERE ARE MORE REFORMS THAT STATE-POLICYMAKERS CAN MAKE, TO HELP PATIENTS PAY LESS AT THE PHARMACY-COUNTER. AND, WE DESCRIBE THEM AT ‘P-H-R-M-A’-DOT-ORG-SLASH-‘STATES’; THAT’S ‘PHRMA’-DOT-ORG-SLASH-‘STATES’.”

May is “National Asthma- and Allergy-Awareness Month”—a great time to evaluate whether your asthma is under control. Doctor Kathleen May is the president of the “American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology”…

“Many people don’t know that board-certified allergists specialize in asthma-care—and that they can help get symptoms under control. While asthma can’t be cured, it can be controlled. And, when it’s controlled, you can expect improvement in your overall health.”

Can climate-change affect asthma- and allergy-symptoms?

“New research shows that pollen-seasons now start 20 days earlier, last 10 days longer, and have about 20-percent more pollen than in 1990. This means [that] people who have pollen as a trigger for asthma- and nasal-symptoms should start medications sooner—because symptoms will start earlier. Board-certified allergists have other tools to help.”

Learn more at “a-c-a-a-i”-dot-org. I’m Bob Tebo, for the “Consumer Radio Network”.

“Mother’s Day” is May 14th—which means it’s time to start thinking about that perfect gift for all the mom-figures in your life. Amanda Gizzi, with “Jewelers of America”, talks about the latest trends in jewelry-gifts…

“Pearls are always in style—whether in necklaces, bracelets, rings, or earrings. But, they also happen to be on-trend. Personalized options—like initial-necklaces, birthstone-jewelry, or engraved pieces of jewelry—also make her feel extra-special.”

Any tips on where to find jewelry-gifts for “Mother’s Day”?

“Reputable jewelers—like ‘Jewelers of America’-members—are committed to upholding the highest social, environmental, and ethical business-practices. They’ve a wide range of gift-options in every budget. And, you can trust that they’ll be there to help take care of your jewelry, for years to come.”

Learn more at “jewelers”-dot-org; that’s “jewelers”-dot-org. I’m Bob Tebo, for the “Consumer Radio Network”.

The updated rankings for all states—plus D.C.—are available at https://www.hospitalsafetygrade.org/your-hospitals-safety-grade/state-rankings.

-- Soundbite about the top-ranked state (from Leah Binder [like “bind”, not “bin”], The Leapfrog Group’s president and CEO) --

New Jersey:

“‘The Leapfrog Group’ is pleased to announce that New Jersey now ranks first in the nation for hospital-safety grades; almost 52-percent of New Jersey hospitals earned an ‘A’. These hospitals are making it a priority to protect their patients from medical errors and infections; that saves lives, every day. Congratulations, New Jersey! Search grades for your local hospitals—and hospitals across the country—at ‘hospital-safety-grade’-dot-org.” (:28)

-- Soundbites about four other highlighted states (from Lauren Bailey, The Leapfrog Group’s senior communications advisor) --

Colorado:

“In our latest round of hospital-safety grades, Colorado ranks eighth in the nation; we gave roughly 41-percent of Colorado’s hospitals an ‘A’. These hospitals are making it a priority to protect their patients from both medical errors and infections—which saves lives, every day. All of the latest grades for local hospitals are available at ‘hospital-safety-grade’-dot-org.” (:22)

Florida:

“In our latest round of hospital-safety grades, Florida ranks 11th in the nation; we gave over 35-percent of Florida’s hospitals an ‘A’. These hospitals are making it a priority to protect their patients from both medical errors and infections—which saves lives, every day. All of the latest grades for local hospitals are available at ‘hospital-safety-grade’-dot-org.” (:20)

Pennsylvania:

“In our latest round of hospital-safety grades, Pennsylvania ranks fourth in the nation; we gave nearly 47-percent of Pennsylvania’s hospitals an ‘A’. These hospitals are making it a priority to protect their patients from both medical errors and infections—which saves lives, every day. All of the latest grades for local hospitals are available at ‘hospital-safety-grade’-dot-org.” (:20)

Utah:

“In our latest round of hospital-safety grades, Utah ranks third in the nation; we gave about 48-percent of Utah’s hospitals an ‘A’. These hospitals are making it a priority to protect their patients from both medical errors and infections—which saves lives, every day. All of the latest grades for local hospitals are available at ‘hospital-safety-grade’-dot-org.” (:19)

The average risk of three healthcare-associated infections spiked to a five-year high in America’s hospitals, during the pandemic. That’s according to “The Leapfrog Group’s” latest round of hospital-safety grades: the “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, or “F” grades given to every general hospital, twice a year. Leah Binder [like “bind”, not “bin”] is “Leapfrog’s” president and C-E-O…

“‘The Leapfrog Group’ is alerting the public to a dramatic spike in hospital-acquired infections that began during the pandemic. These infections kill tens-of-thousands of Americans; cause major pain and suffering; increase the length of hospital-stays; and add huge costs. We recognize the strain put on hospitals during the pandemic. But, everyone in the healthcare-system must work together, to keep patients safe—whether there’s a public-health emergency or not. Some health-systems did a better job of this than others. And, you can see for yourself—in our latest round of hospital-safety grades.”

The new hospital-safety grades for spring 2023—as well as state-rankings and resources for patients—are available at “hospital-safety-grade”-dot-org.