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Pioneering journalists to be honored
at Lawton award luncheon/conference

By Linda L. Riley
 

Claude Lewis (left) and Acel Moore will receive the M. Powell Lawton Award.

Pioneering Philadelphia journalists Claude A. Lewis and Acel Moore will be honored by Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) at its annual M. Powell Lawton Award Luncheon and Conference, Thursday, Nov. 6, at The Union League in Center City.

They are being honored for having fought institutionalized racism in the media, and ensuring that the black community’s voice is heard. They were founders of the Association of Black Journalists, later the National Association of Black Journalists.

“The Lawton award recognizes people who have made a significant contribution to the community, have demonstrated a commitment to the public welfare, and who continue to be active in their later years,” said David Nevison, PCA’s associate executive director for planning and development. “Claude Lewis and Acel Moore epitomize those achievements.”

Lewis broke into journalism as an editorial assistant at Newsweek, rising to reporter and then an editor over the course of 10 years. His award-winning print and broadcast career included stints at the New York Herald Tribune, The Philadelphia Bulletin and The Philadelphia Inquirer; KYW in Philadelphia; and The National Leader, which he founded and headed as editor-publisher.

He has taught at Villanova, Drexel, Temple and Columbia Universities.

Moore won Pulitzer
Moore began as a copy boy at The Philadelphia Inquirer and rose to reporter, associate editor, member of the editorial board, and, currently, associate editor emeritus. For 25 years, he wrote the “Urban Perspectives” column. He was co-producer of a nationally syndicated PBS news talk program, “Black Perspective on the News.”

His 1977 series on abuse of inmates at Farview State Hospital won a Pulitzer Prize, and the Heywood Broun, National Headliner and Robert F. Kennedy awards. He created two training programs at the Inquirer to encourage and support minority students pursuing journalism careers, and has taught at Temple and Florida A&M Universities.

Panels all day
The award luncheon is the centerpiece of a conference on urban aging, and the importance of connection to the community.

“Research shows that social capital — connection to community — has a significant and profound impact on health and well-being in general,” said Allen Glicksman, PCA’s director of research and evaluation. “Very little research deals specifically with social capital among the elderly, so we are focusing attention on that issue.”

Two morning sessions are dedicated to the role of local institutions in seniors’ lives. In the first session, leaders of local institutions will speak about challenges and opportunities they face in creating and strengthening bonds between community and elders. The second panel of the morning will review the impact of feelings of connectedness on older persons’ well-being, and suggest ways in which organizations can measure the effectiveness of their interventions.

The afternoon session looks at these  issues from a citywide perspective and how these organizations, institutions and agencies can assist local organizations and elders to make sure their neighborhoods are senior-friendly.

Benefit for Emergency Fund
Since 2003, PCA has sponsored conferences on aging in the urban environment, in memory of Dr. M. Powell Lawton, a pioneer in social gerontology.

Each conference has focused on a particular theme, such as the changing older population of the city, and the health of urban elders in the next decade.

Proceeds benefit low-income Philadelphians with critical needs through the Emergency Fund, which provides one-time emergency assistance, including home heating oil, food and medical supplies. PCA administers the Emergency Fund, which is guided by a coalition of 21 community-based organizations and service providers.

The M. Powell Lawton Conference and Award Luncheon is open to the public. Tickets to the entire event cost $95; for the conference alone, $55; for the luncheon alone, $65.

Advance reservation is required. For a reservation, you may phone 215-765-9000, ext. 5055, or e-mail events@pcaphl.org.

Many veterans aren’t taking advantage of health, pension benefits they’re entitled to

By Marcia Z. Siegal
Thousands of eligible veterans and their families have yet to take advantage of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health and pension benefits to which they may be entitled.

These benefits range from healthcare and disability benefits to monetary assistance for personal care and adult day services, respite services for family caregivers, and housing in VA retirement, assisted living and nursing home facilities.

Most veterans of the Vietnam War are 60 or over, most Korean War veterans are over 70 and most World War II veterans are 85-plus, well within the range where aging support services may be needed, Ronald Pennypacker points out. He is director of the Governor’s Veterans Outreach and Assistance Center (GVOAC) in Boyertown.

The center serves veterans in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Berks, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Of about 1.2 million veterans in Pennsylvania, Pennypacker notes, “only a small percentage ever seek help from the VA.”

Many put their service behind them after they leave the military, and don’t pay attention to what future benefits may be available, says Pennypacker, whose office makes outreach visits to provide information and counseling.

Pride is often an issue, he adds. “Many vets don’t want to take something from those who may need it more. I tell them that Congress provides VA benefits based on need. They should take advantage of this because the funding is there for them.”

The most underutilized benefit is also one of the most basic — the VA healthcare system. It offers medical care for free or at a modest co-payment to veterans who meet financial eligibility requirements. Veterans must be enrolled in order to access VA benefits for residential facilities, personal care, and other aging and disability support services.

Another often under-utilized benefit is the disability pension. Many low-income veterans are unaware they may qualify for a disability not related to their military service, Pennypacker says. Financially eligible applicants must have at least 90 days of military service, at least one day of which must be during what the VA defines as a period of war (this service need not be overseas).

Some veterans may have a disability that did result from military service, but never filed a claim for compensation. Often this includes “presumptive disabilities,” like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or Agent Orange-related problems not immediately recognized as diagnostic conditions.

“I had two vets in Philadelphia who  filed PTSD claims based on their World War II experiences,” Pennypacker says. “They helped liberate the death camps and now, more than 50 years later, they realized they were still suffering the psychological wounds of PTSD as a result of their experiences.”

To make an appointment for benefits counseling or applications or for more information, veterans and family members can call 1-800-247-2323.

GVOAC representatives periodically visit two Philadelphia satellite centers: Vet Center, 101 E. Olney Ave., Phila, PA 19120 (215-924-4670) and Veterans Resource Center, 801 Arch St., Phila. PA 19107 (215-627-0238).

In nursing home or other care facility?
You’re eligible for TV converter coupon

Residents of licensed nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, assisted living facilities and households that use a post office box for mail delivery are now eligible to request coupons from the TV Converter Box Coupon Program.

“Allowing nursing home residents and households who rely on a post office box for their mail to request coupons helps those most in need to make the switch to digital television,” Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez said in announcing the eligibility.

For more information: http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/TopNews/
For more information about the TV Converter Box Coupon Program: www.DTV2009.gov.

For questions about the digital TV transition: www.dtv.gov or 1-888-CALL-FCC (225-5322).