Friday, September 28, 2007
Comparing Staffing Levels in the Online Survey Certification and Reporting (OSCAR) System With the Medicaid Cost Report Data: Are Differences Systemat
This study had two goals: (a) to assess the validity of the Online Survey Certification and Reporting (OSCAR) staffing data by comparing them to staffing measures from audited Medicaid Cost Reports and (b) to identify systematic differences between facilities that over-report or underreport staffing in the OSCAR. Design and Methods: We merged the 2002 Texas Nursing Facility Cost Report, the OSCAR for Texas facilities surveyed in 2002, and the 2003 Area Resource File. We eliminated outliers in the OSCAR using three decision rules, resulting in a final sample size of 941 of the total of 1,017 non-hospital-based facilities. We compared OSCAR and Medicaid Cost Report staffing measures for three staff types. We examined differences between facilities that over-reported or underreported staffing levels in the OSCAR by using logistic regression. Results: Average staffing levels were higher in the OSCAR than in the Medicaid Cost Report data. The two sets of measures exhibited correlations ranging between 0.5 and 0.6. For-profit and larger facilities consistently over-reported registered nurse staffing levels. Factors associated with increased odds of over-reporting licensed vocational nursing or certified nursing assistant staffing were lower Medicare or Medicaid censuses and less market competition. Facility characteristics associated with over-reporting were consistent across different levels of over-reporting. Underreporting was much less prevalent. Implications: Certain types of facilities consistently over-report staffing levels. These reporting errors will affect the validity of consumer information systems, regulatory activities, and health services research results, particularly research using OSCAR data to examine the relationship between staffing and quality. Results call for a more accurate reporting system.
Author Balances the Personal with the Public in Writing about Direct-Care Work
Dancing with Rose: Finding Life in the Land of Alzheimer's (York: Viking, 2007), a new book by Lauren Kessler, is the best book yet written on the lives of old people in residential care and the people who care for them. It is not the first book about working as a nurse's aide: Sallie Tisdale's 1987 classic, Harvest Moon: Portrait of a Nursing Home, was based on the author's work as an aide, and more recently, Thomas Edward Gass' Nobody's Home: Candid Reflections of a Nursing Home Aide (2004) gave a highly personalized and excessively candid report. Dancing with Rose, by contrast, balances the personal with the public, and Kessler tells her story with such skill and sensitivity that the reader will find it hard to put the book down.
Hundreds Of Thousands Of Americans To Lose Medicare Premium Assistance, Unless Congress Acts Immediately
A federal program that pays the Medicare Part B premium for low-income people with Medicare will end on September 30 unless Congress extends the program.
"Congress must not turn its back on older and disabled Americans with low incomes who depend on Medicare premium support to allow them to afford Medicare," said Robert M. Hayes, president of the Medicare Rights Center, a national consumer group. "Without premium assistance, some poor Americans with Medicare will drop their critical Medicare outpatient coverage altogether, or go without essentials to pay for it."
The standard monthly Medicare Part B premium is currently $93.50 but expected to rise in 2008. Medicare Part B covers services such as doctors' visits, laboratory tests, and outpatient care.
"Congress must not turn its back on older and disabled Americans with low incomes who depend on Medicare premium support to allow them to afford Medicare," said Robert M. Hayes, president of the Medicare Rights Center, a national consumer group. "Without premium assistance, some poor Americans with Medicare will drop their critical Medicare outpatient coverage altogether, or go without essentials to pay for it."
The standard monthly Medicare Part B premium is currently $93.50 but expected to rise in 2008. Medicare Part B covers services such as doctors' visits, laboratory tests, and outpatient care.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Fewer seniors live in nursing homes
Despite the graying of the nation, the percentage of elderly living in nursing homes has declined, according to Census data released today. The downturn reflects the improved health of seniors and more choices of care for the elderly.
About 7.4% of Americans aged 75 and older lived in nursing homes in 2006, compared with 8.1% in 2000 and 10.2% in 1990.
Tags:
Ignorance And Confusion About Cancer Amongst The Elderly Revealed By Survey
Elderly Spaniards have very poor knowledge about cancer, its causes, treatment and prevention according to research carried out amongst people living in and around Barcelona. Some even believe that cancer is a contagious disease and that it is a punishment for something bad that the patient has done.
In a poster discussion at the European Cancer Conference (ECCO 14) in Barcelona, Dr Tania Estapé said: "This reports shows how important it is to improve and increase the cancer education programmes that are targeted towards older people."
Dr Estapé, a psychosocial programme coordinator in the psychosocial oncology department at the Fundación para la Educación y la Formación en Cáncer (FEFOC), Barcelona, Spain, said that misconceptions about cancer could be very damaging. "Some attitudes and misconceptions about cancer may lead to the elderly avoiding or not participating fully in a healthy lifestyle. For instance, more than half of our respondents did not know that being overweight is a risk factor for cancer," she said.
She and her colleagues questioned 557 people aged 65 and over in one-to-one interviews. The average age was 74. When asked about prevention and early diagnosis, only 53.5% believed that cancer could be prevented and 94% did not know the European Code against Cancer, although they knew some of its recommendations; for instance, over 90% knew to avoid smoking, excessive alcohol and sunbathing. However, only 45.8% knew about the impact of diet on cancer and only 38.1% knew about avoiding being overweight. Three-quarters knew that cancer could be diagnosed early, but only 44% knew about the PSA test for prostate cancer and 34% knew about early detection of breast cancer. Men appeared to be better informed than women about early diagnosis, with more men believing in the possibility of early diagnosis for prostate, breast and colon cancer.
In a poster discussion at the European Cancer Conference (ECCO 14) in Barcelona, Dr Tania Estapé said: "This reports shows how important it is to improve and increase the cancer education programmes that are targeted towards older people."
Dr Estapé, a psychosocial programme coordinator in the psychosocial oncology department at the Fundación para la Educación y la Formación en Cáncer (FEFOC), Barcelona, Spain, said that misconceptions about cancer could be very damaging. "Some attitudes and misconceptions about cancer may lead to the elderly avoiding or not participating fully in a healthy lifestyle. For instance, more than half of our respondents did not know that being overweight is a risk factor for cancer," she said.
She and her colleagues questioned 557 people aged 65 and over in one-to-one interviews. The average age was 74. When asked about prevention and early diagnosis, only 53.5% believed that cancer could be prevented and 94% did not know the European Code against Cancer, although they knew some of its recommendations; for instance, over 90% knew to avoid smoking, excessive alcohol and sunbathing. However, only 45.8% knew about the impact of diet on cancer and only 38.1% knew about avoiding being overweight. Three-quarters knew that cancer could be diagnosed early, but only 44% knew about the PSA test for prostate cancer and 34% knew about early detection of breast cancer. Men appeared to be better informed than women about early diagnosis, with more men believing in the possibility of early diagnosis for prostate, breast and colon cancer.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Unintended Racism, Depression And Problem Gambling In Elderly Stem From Brain Atrophy
As we age, our brains slowly shrink in volume and weight. This includes significant atrophy within the frontal lobes, the seat of executive functioning. Executive functions include planning, controlling, and inhibiting thought and behavior. In the aging population, an inability to inhibit unwanted thoughts and behavior causes several social behaviors and cognitions to go awry.
In a study appearing in the October issue of Current Directions in Psychological Science, University of Queensland psychologist, Bill von Hippel, reports that decreased inhibitory ability in late adulthood can lead to unintended prejudice, social inappropriateness, depression, and gambling problems.
In a study appearing in the October issue of Current Directions in Psychological Science, University of Queensland psychologist, Bill von Hippel, reports that decreased inhibitory ability in late adulthood can lead to unintended prejudice, social inappropriateness, depression, and gambling problems.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Flu Vaccine Mortality Benefits For Elderly Vastly Overstated
The mortality benefits of giving elderly people the flu vaccine have been vastly overstated, according to a Review published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, October edition. Vaccinating people over 65 against influenza in developed countries is aimed at reducing the flu mortality burden.
Dr Lone Simonsen, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA and team say that vaccinating no-so-frail elderly people more frequently than their frail peers, plus the use of non-specific endpoints, such as all-cause mortality, are the reasons for this exaggeration.
"The remaining evidence base is currently insufficient to indicate the magnitude of the mortality benefit, if any, that elderly people derive from the vaccination program," say the authors.
Although placebo-controlled randomized trials have demonstrated that the flu vaccine is effective in younger adults, a small number of trials ever included the elderly, especially those aged over 70. About 75% of influenza related deaths occur among people aged 70 and over, point out the authors.
Dr Lone Simonsen, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA and team say that vaccinating no-so-frail elderly people more frequently than their frail peers, plus the use of non-specific endpoints, such as all-cause mortality, are the reasons for this exaggeration.
"The remaining evidence base is currently insufficient to indicate the magnitude of the mortality benefit, if any, that elderly people derive from the vaccination program," say the authors.
Although placebo-controlled randomized trials have demonstrated that the flu vaccine is effective in younger adults, a small number of trials ever included the elderly, especially those aged over 70. About 75% of influenza related deaths occur among people aged 70 and over, point out the authors.
Planning For 2020: Increasing Elderly Population Poses Huge Challenges In Cancer Care
Huge challenges face healthcare professionals and policy makers in planning for, and providing cancer care over the next decade or so. Chief amongst these will be ensuring that healthcare professionals have the skills and knowledge to treat a greater number of elderly people with cancer, that current inappropriate ageist attitudes towards the elderly cease, and that advances are made in ensuring that cancer patients are able to comply with their treatment.
In her keynote lecture to the European Cancer Conference (ECCO 14) in Barcelona on Monday, Kathy Redmond, who is editor of the magazine Cancer World and also a nurse, will say that these are "huge issues" that need to be addressed now.
"It is almost impossible to predict what the reality will be in 2020," she will say. "But one thing is certain: there will be many more elderly people living with cancer. There is still far too much complacency about this time bomb."
In her keynote lecture to the European Cancer Conference (ECCO 14) in Barcelona on Monday, Kathy Redmond, who is editor of the magazine Cancer World and also a nurse, will say that these are "huge issues" that need to be addressed now.
"It is almost impossible to predict what the reality will be in 2020," she will say. "But one thing is certain: there will be many more elderly people living with cancer. There is still far too much complacency about this time bomb."
Sunday, September 23, 2007
NYTimes.com: Aged, Frail and Denied Care by Their Insurers
Earlier article in NYTimes series
 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
NYTimes.com: More Profit and Less Nursing at Many Homes
| |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday, September 22, 2007
ADAPT Report from Chicago
by Scott Heinzman
On the Backs of Giants
The struggle continues and we’re winning. But a world where people have
real choices in where they receive long term care services has yet to
become reality. It’s up to us to roll up our sleeves, slog through the
crap, and create this reality.
Are you in?
The ADAPT fall national action ended last week. Eight members of
Michigan ADAPT took part. We learned about some of the issues
surrounding the lack of affordable, accessible housing. There was
testimony about the incredible demand for such housing. We heard
personal stories as to how a place to live is akin to being a free person.
HUD representatives were there. They tell us we’re preaching to the
choir. We know HUD can do more. It’s up to us to… motivate them.
Then we paid a visit to the American Medical Association (AMA)
headquarters. We demanded they formally support the Community Choice
Act. We demanded they create a public disclosure of conflict of interest
by members (doctors) who have money invested in any institution. And as
always, we demanded their leadership meet with ADAPT.
They refused and the local police, who were excellent professionals, had
to arrest many of us to vacate the premises.
Next we visited the high rise that contained Chicago office of the
Governor of Illinois, which happened to have a shopping mall and subway
access at ground level. We made ourselves inconvenient until the good
Governor agreed to meet with ADAPT with a meeting date and time in
writing. These types could always make it easier on all involved if
they’d simply honor our conventional request rather than ignoring us or
putting us off with empty promises. We secured this meeting the hard
way. So be it.
What really incites us is the good Governor committed to closing an
horrible institution and now is reneging by sanction funds to renovate
this hell hole.
Lastly we visited the Chicago AFSCME branch (American Federation of
State, County and Municipal Employees). These clowns took the cake! Our
demands were for this branch to send a fax to the national AFSCME saying
we were their and wanted him to uphold his commitment to support the
Community Choice Act. Instead, they stalled and presented us with a
letter for our leadership to sign stating ADAPT supports both community
long term care AND nursing homes. Can you believe this? Of course, our
leaders declined. From here on we were stonewalled. Police got the order
to… disperse us. Some 120 of us ended up arrested.
Now we work here at home.
For those of you wondering about the first line, let me elaborate. It’s
been over 4 1/2 years since I last attended an ADAPT national action. My
first was in 1994. There were plenty of old friends attending and many
new faces. I was reminded of what inspires and humbles me about this
conglomeration of amazing people. Perhaps I’m politically incorrect
here, but I am in awe when I see the extent of the disabling
characteristics out in the streets, day after day, doing grueling work.
These are people with trach tubes, oxygen, severe speech impairments,
flimsy manual wheelchairs mobile by pushing off one leg going backwards,
inability to chew food, significant mental or emotional impairments,
cancer, incredible pain… etc. – many with multiple characteristics.
Despite being the poorest of the poor, they find the resources to
attend. In fact, many apply their meager resources to attend ADAPT
actions to the extent it is their only major activity of the calendar
year. Yet there they are, blocking doors, chanting as they can,
cheering, smiling, determined. They know what they’re doing even if an
outside party would have no idea. ADAPT leaders have been accused of
exploiting these powerful people. We’re told they’re sheep just
following a flock. Bullshit! These are the greatest of our brethren.
Despite incalculable discomfort, they come. Despite the sacrifices to
their home life, they come. They ain’t no sissies, I’ll tell you! But
compared to them, I am.
Yes, I do feel I’m riding the backs of giants.
On the Backs of Giants
The struggle continues and we’re winning. But a world where people have
real choices in where they receive long term care services has yet to
become reality. It’s up to us to roll up our sleeves, slog through the
crap, and create this reality.
Are you in?
The ADAPT fall national action ended last week. Eight members of
Michigan ADAPT took part. We learned about some of the issues
surrounding the lack of affordable, accessible housing. There was
testimony about the incredible demand for such housing. We heard
personal stories as to how a place to live is akin to being a free person.
HUD representatives were there. They tell us we’re preaching to the
choir. We know HUD can do more. It’s up to us to… motivate them.
Then we paid a visit to the American Medical Association (AMA)
headquarters. We demanded they formally support the Community Choice
Act. We demanded they create a public disclosure of conflict of interest
by members (doctors) who have money invested in any institution. And as
always, we demanded their leadership meet with ADAPT.
They refused and the local police, who were excellent professionals, had
to arrest many of us to vacate the premises.
Next we visited the high rise that contained Chicago office of the
Governor of Illinois, which happened to have a shopping mall and subway
access at ground level. We made ourselves inconvenient until the good
Governor agreed to meet with ADAPT with a meeting date and time in
writing. These types could always make it easier on all involved if
they’d simply honor our conventional request rather than ignoring us or
putting us off with empty promises. We secured this meeting the hard
way. So be it.
What really incites us is the good Governor committed to closing an
horrible institution and now is reneging by sanction funds to renovate
this hell hole.
Lastly we visited the Chicago AFSCME branch (American Federation of
State, County and Municipal Employees). These clowns took the cake! Our
demands were for this branch to send a fax to the national AFSCME saying
we were their and wanted him to uphold his commitment to support the
Community Choice Act. Instead, they stalled and presented us with a
letter for our leadership to sign stating ADAPT supports both community
long term care AND nursing homes. Can you believe this? Of course, our
leaders declined. From here on we were stonewalled. Police got the order
to… disperse us. Some 120 of us ended up arrested.
Now we work here at home.
For those of you wondering about the first line, let me elaborate. It’s
been over 4 1/2 years since I last attended an ADAPT national action. My
first was in 1994. There were plenty of old friends attending and many
new faces. I was reminded of what inspires and humbles me about this
conglomeration of amazing people. Perhaps I’m politically incorrect
here, but I am in awe when I see the extent of the disabling
characteristics out in the streets, day after day, doing grueling work.
These are people with trach tubes, oxygen, severe speech impairments,
flimsy manual wheelchairs mobile by pushing off one leg going backwards,
inability to chew food, significant mental or emotional impairments,
cancer, incredible pain… etc. – many with multiple characteristics.
Despite being the poorest of the poor, they find the resources to
attend. In fact, many apply their meager resources to attend ADAPT
actions to the extent it is their only major activity of the calendar
year. Yet there they are, blocking doors, chanting as they can,
cheering, smiling, determined. They know what they’re doing even if an
outside party would have no idea. ADAPT leaders have been accused of
exploiting these powerful people. We’re told they’re sheep just
following a flock. Bullshit! These are the greatest of our brethren.
Despite incalculable discomfort, they come. Despite the sacrifices to
their home life, they come. They ain’t no sissies, I’ll tell you! But
compared to them, I am.
Yes, I do feel I’m riding the backs of giants.
Friday, September 21, 2007
SilverCensus.com, Inc. Launches Web Site To Educate Florida Seniors, Caregivers And Healthcare Professionals On Available Health And Living Options
SilverCensus.com, Inc .. founders Michael and Jessica Adams are proud to announce the launch of their senior health and living search engine http://www.silvercensus.com.
A recent fall of an ailing parent in Florida triggers waves of distress amongst the adult children in Michigan. Emotionally charged, the siblings are faced with healthcare and assisted-living decisions that need to be made in a distant and unfamiliar community. This was prior to the launch of SilverCensus.com, when caregivers had limited resources available to prepare and arrange for health care needs. At last, a web site designed to provide health and living options so care can be initiated from anywhere, regardless of the distance. SilverCensus.com was designed to educate and allow caregivers, healthcare professionals, and seniors to select information from a comprehensive online database of high-quality community-based healthcare resources and services.
The content rich web site includes a database of Florida-based specialized physicians, residential care facilities, skilled home health care and non-medical assistance agencies, medical equipment suppliers, free senior resources, transportation and meal delivery providers, as well as a calendar of senior activities and support groups throughout Florida: http://silvercensus.com/health_related_services.php.
A recent fall of an ailing parent in Florida triggers waves of distress amongst the adult children in Michigan. Emotionally charged, the siblings are faced with healthcare and assisted-living decisions that need to be made in a distant and unfamiliar community. This was prior to the launch of SilverCensus.com, when caregivers had limited resources available to prepare and arrange for health care needs. At last, a web site designed to provide health and living options so care can be initiated from anywhere, regardless of the distance. SilverCensus.com was designed to educate and allow caregivers, healthcare professionals, and seniors to select information from a comprehensive online database of high-quality community-based healthcare resources and services.
The content rich web site includes a database of Florida-based specialized physicians, residential care facilities, skilled home health care and non-medical assistance agencies, medical equipment suppliers, free senior resources, transportation and meal delivery providers, as well as a calendar of senior activities and support groups throughout Florida: http://silvercensus.com/health_related_services.php.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Stressed Caregivers Have Decreased Lifespan
The chronic stress that spouses and children develop while caring for Alzheimer's disease patients may shorten the caregivers' lives by as much as four to eight years, a new study suggests.
The research also provides concrete evidence that the effects of chronic stress can be seen both at the genetic and molecular level in chronic caregivers' bodies.
The findings, reported this month by researchers from Ohio State University and the federal National Institute of Aging, were published in the Journal of Immunology.
These are the latest results from a nearly three-decade-long program at Ohio State investigating the links between psychological stress and a weakened immune status. Previous studies have examined medical students, newlyweds, divorced spouses, widows, widowers and long-married couples, in each case, looking for physiological effects caused by psychological stress.
In their recent study, Ronald Glaser, a professor of molecular virology, immunology and medical genetics, and Jan Kiecolt-Glaser, a professor of psychology and psychiatry, teamed with Nan-ping Weng and his research group from the National Institute of Aging.
Earlier work by other researchers had shown that mothers caring for chronically ill children developed changes in their chromosomes that effectively amounted to several years of additional aging among those caregivers.
The research also provides concrete evidence that the effects of chronic stress can be seen both at the genetic and molecular level in chronic caregivers' bodies.
The findings, reported this month by researchers from Ohio State University and the federal National Institute of Aging, were published in the Journal of Immunology.
These are the latest results from a nearly three-decade-long program at Ohio State investigating the links between psychological stress and a weakened immune status. Previous studies have examined medical students, newlyweds, divorced spouses, widows, widowers and long-married couples, in each case, looking for physiological effects caused by psychological stress.
In their recent study, Ronald Glaser, a professor of molecular virology, immunology and medical genetics, and Jan Kiecolt-Glaser, a professor of psychology and psychiatry, teamed with Nan-ping Weng and his research group from the National Institute of Aging.
Earlier work by other researchers had shown that mothers caring for chronically ill children developed changes in their chromosomes that effectively amounted to several years of additional aging among those caregivers.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Medicaid drug rule may hurt recipients
WASHINGTON — An obscure provision slipped into a $120 billion Iraq spending bill in May threatens to leave some poor and disabled Medicaid recipients without prescription drugs in October.
In a case of unintended consequences, Congress inserted a rule cracking down on Medicaid fraud that requires that all non-electronic prescriptions for Medicaid patients be written on tamper-resistant paper.
The rule was devised as a way to raise nearly $150 million over five years for public hospitals, the amount that Medicaid fraud costs the federal government.
Monday, September 17, 2007
N. Orleans nursing homes slowly coming back
NEW ORLEANS – Larry Stansberry is looking forward to Oct. 1. That's when he thinks he will finally put Hurricane Katrina behind him.
Mr. Stansberry, chief executive officer of St. Margaret's Nursing Home, expects to welcome some former residents to the new home in the Ninth Ward that replaced one wiped out by the hurricane.
"It's been an incredibly hard two years coming back from the storm," Mr. Stansberry said.
That's true for many nursing homes that operated in the path of the Aug. 29, 2005, storm.
Nursing-home beds in New Orleans decreased 42 percent from 2,343 to 1,355 after the storm, according to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. The number of nursing homes and elderly-care centers also declined 42 percent, from 19 to 11.
Tags:
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Homebound Requirement A Catch-22
FAYETTEVILLE -- A decade ago, Pam Wolfenbarger led an active life. She attended school and sports events with her son, was active in her church and volunteered with organizations such as Habitat For Humanity, the Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission and MADD.
The fact that she is a quadriplegic -- confined to a wheelchair with limited use of her arms -- didn't stop her. The Fayetteville resident functions well once she is seated in her wheelchair. She cooks, cleans, surfs the Web and cares for her animals. She could even drive a converted van with hand controls, if allowed to.
But she isn't.
She relies on Medicare to pay her medical bills, and the system's rules essentially keep the vibrant, intelligent 49-year-old trapped in her home.
The fact that she is a quadriplegic -- confined to a wheelchair with limited use of her arms -- didn't stop her. The Fayetteville resident functions well once she is seated in her wheelchair. She cooks, cleans, surfs the Web and cares for her animals. She could even drive a converted van with hand controls, if allowed to.
But she isn't.
She relies on Medicare to pay her medical bills, and the system's rules essentially keep the vibrant, intelligent 49-year-old trapped in her home.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Simplify Your Search for Senior Housing
SNAP for Seniors
Search over 65,000 facilities
Free, unbiased and easy-to-use
View photos and availabili
Looking for Senior Housing?
You've found the right place!
Search over 65,000 facilities Free, unbiased and easy-to-use View photos and availabili
Friday, September 14, 2007
Some Seniors Quit Taking Key Medicines Due To Drug Spending Caps
Many seniors quit taking drugs for chronic illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure when they exceed their drug plan's yearly spending limits, according to a RAND Corporation study.
Even when drug benefits resume at the start of a new health plan year, a significant number of seniors do not resume their prescription medications, according to the findings published in the September/October edition of the journal Health Affairs.
The study, which examined the behavior of seniors enrolled in a national private health plan, provides insight into how seniors may act under provisions of Medicare's new drug benefit plan that will leave about one-third of enrollees without drug coverage for some part of each benefit year.
"Prescription use falls significantly as patients reach their benefit caps," said Geoffrey Joyce, the study's lead author and a senior economist at RAND, a nonprofit research organization. "Most of the drugs we studied help prevent long-term complications of chronic disease so there are likely to be adverse health consequences for seniors who hit their caps."
Even when drug benefits resume at the start of a new health plan year, a significant number of seniors do not resume their prescription medications, according to the findings published in the September/October edition of the journal Health Affairs.
The study, which examined the behavior of seniors enrolled in a national private health plan, provides insight into how seniors may act under provisions of Medicare's new drug benefit plan that will leave about one-third of enrollees without drug coverage for some part of each benefit year.
"Prescription use falls significantly as patients reach their benefit caps," said Geoffrey Joyce, the study's lead author and a senior economist at RAND, a nonprofit research organization. "Most of the drugs we studied help prevent long-term complications of chronic disease so there are likely to be adverse health consequences for seniors who hit their caps."
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Disabled protesters strike again
For the third day in a row, disabled activists blockaded a downtown office building.
On Wednesday, protesters in wheelchairs blocked elevators and doors at 29 N. Wacker, where Council 31 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is located.
Chicago Police issued 110 citations for failure to disperse, based on complaints from building managers, said Police Department spokeswoman Monique Bond.
ADAPT, which organized the protest, wants AFSCME to support a federal bill that would enable more disabled people to live in their own homes rather than in institutions.
ADAPT had organized similar protests at the Thompson Center on Tuesday and American Medical Association building on Monday.Sneak Preview of AGIS site for caregivers
Helping you provide the best care for
your loved one
Let Us Guide You
Don't know where to begin?
Get started by assessing your situation.
[ learn more ]
This is a mock up, s not everything works.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Older People In Pain Receive Relief From Drug-Free Treatments
Mind-body therapies, which focus on the interactions between the mind, body and behavior, and the ways in which emotional, mental, social and behavioral factors can affect health, may be of particular benefit to elderly chronic pain sufferers. A new study published in Pain Medicine provides a structured review of eight mind-body interventions for older people, including progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, hypnosis, tai chi and yoga.
All eight treatments were found to be feasible for older adults, and no adverse events or safety issues were reported. The article finds evidence that, in particular, progressive muscle relaxation may be effective for older people with osteoarthritis pain, while meditation and tai chi appear to improve function and coping with low back pain and osteoarthritis.
All eight treatments were found to be feasible for older adults, and no adverse events or safety issues were reported. The article finds evidence that, in particular, progressive muscle relaxation may be effective for older people with osteoarthritis pain, while meditation and tai chi appear to improve function and coping with low back pain and osteoarthritis.
Separate and Unequal: Racial Segregation and Disparities in Quality Across U.S. Nursing Homes
a new Commonwealth Fund-supported study shows that poorer quality of care in nursing homes is linked to racial segregation. Black residents, the authors say, are more likely than whites to live in poor-quality nursing homes marked by significant deficiencies on inspection reports, substantial staffing shortages, and financial vulnerability. The problem seems to be most acute in the Midwest.
Monday, September 10, 2007
U M Study Indicates Frail Elders Vulnerable To Mental Health Problems
Meals and personal care services are often brought to frail elders living at home, but a University of Michigan researcher says mental health care should be delivered, too.
In a study published in the August issue of The Gerontologist, researcher Lydia Li examined the mental health status of elders who remain in their homes in Michigan.
The sample composed of nearly 19,000 older adults (age 65 or older) who were admitted to two community based, long term care programs in Michigan Medicaid Waiver and Care Management between 1998 and 2003. These programs help individuals who are at risk of nursing home placement to remain in the community by providing them with supportive services, such as meal delivery, homemaking and personal emergency response systems.
In a study published in the August issue of The Gerontologist, researcher Lydia Li examined the mental health status of elders who remain in their homes in Michigan.
The sample composed of nearly 19,000 older adults (age 65 or older) who were admitted to two community based, long term care programs in Michigan Medicaid Waiver and Care Management between 1998 and 2003. These programs help individuals who are at risk of nursing home placement to remain in the community by providing them with supportive services, such as meal delivery, homemaking and personal emergency response systems.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
CMS Issues Final Rule On Medicare Reimbursement Rates For Home Health Agencies
CMS last week issued a final rule that will revise the Home Health Prospective Payment System, which determines Medicare reimbursement rates for home health agencies, CQ HealthBeat reports. According to CMS, the rule will increase Medicare reimbursements to home health agencies by $20 million in fiscal year 2008. In addition, the rule will reduce the national standardized 60-day episode Medicare reimbursement rate for home health agencies for four years to compensate for changes in the observed case mix not related to the actual conditions of beneficiaries.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Program Could Prolong Seniors' Ability To Live Independently
As the baby boomer generation faces retirement, there is heightened interest in the best ways to care for older adults and prolong their abilities to live independently. A new study looks at seniors' abilities to perform essential daily functions after entering the PACE program, a large scale managed-care initiative with 15,000 current U.S. participants.
"The objective of PACE is to enable individuals to live independently in the community and with a high quality of life," said Dana Mukamel, Ph.D., lead study author and a senior fellow at the Center for Health Policy Research, University of California. "Maintaining or improving function is important in enabling frail elderly individuals to do so."
The average program participant is 80 years old. Study data showed that at three months, 61 percent of enrollees reported no decline in functional skills and by 12 months, 43.3 percent still reported no decline.
Although these statistics might not seem like progress to a casual observer, study authors considered the slower rate of decline an important factor in the ability to prolong independent living.
"The objective of PACE is to enable individuals to live independently in the community and with a high quality of life," said Dana Mukamel, Ph.D., lead study author and a senior fellow at the Center for Health Policy Research, University of California. "Maintaining or improving function is important in enabling frail elderly individuals to do so."
The average program participant is 80 years old. Study data showed that at three months, 61 percent of enrollees reported no decline in functional skills and by 12 months, 43.3 percent still reported no decline.
Although these statistics might not seem like progress to a casual observer, study authors considered the slower rate of decline an important factor in the ability to prolong independent living.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)