MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'homes'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:55:32 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5182361&cid=t_115783_158_f&fid=38949&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAgingWithGraceCareconnection%2F%7E3%2FBK8O3tQ88rY%2Fdepressed-housing-market-puts-pressure.html After four years of depressed home values, experts say thousands of seniors remain unable to move into senior housing because they can’t sell their homes quickly enough or for the price they need reports Kaiser Health News. This has lead to greater pressure on families to pay for parent’s and grandparents’ placements, or to care for them themselves. “We see people coming in much older and frailer because they’re taking a longer time to make the decision,” says Donna Taylor, executive vice president for the nonprofit Arizona Baptist Retirement Centers in Phoenix. “They don’t know how long it will take to sell their house, and in some cases they’re reluctant to sell because of the lower price.” Arizona Baptist, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), offers a spe... Aging with Grace CareConnection blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5182361 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:16:00 +0100 5182361 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5158859&cid=t_115783_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F23%2Fhow-to-guide-improving-transitions-from-the-hospital-to-a-skilled-nursing-facility-to-reduce-avoidable-rehospitalizations%2F Scan or click to download 'How-to Guide: Improving Transitions from the Hospital to a Skilled Nursing Facility to Reduce Avoidable Rehospitalizations ' Title: How-to Guide: Improving Transitions from the Hospital to a Skilled Nursing Facility to Reduce Avoidable Rehospitalizations The Skinny: Guide from Institute for Health Improvement on avoiding avoidable rehospitalisations as a result of poor co-ordination of care settings. Avoiding this is a key step toward achieving broader delivery system transformation. Based on the healthcare system of the USA this guide is of use to those looking to aviod rehospitalisation from a residentia care/nursing home and rehabilitation setting.   Publisher: Institute for Health Improvement Published: August 2011 Size: 60p. Filed under: Ooops... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5158859 Tue, 23 Aug 2011 07:35:32 +0100 5158859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952740&cid=t_115783_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F06%2F17%2Fnursing-times-2011-vol-107-no-22%2F This article describes the findings from a national survey to establish the prevalence of malnutrition in the UK. Data was collected from care homes, hospitals and mental health units. Contact the Library for a copy of this article. Filed under: Current Awareness, Journals Tagged: Acute Hospitals, Care Homes, Hospitals, Malnutrition, Mental Health Units, Nutrition, Nutritional Screening Tools (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952740 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:19:02 +0100 4952740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803525&cid=t_115783_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Ff59stkxE_2w%2F The unnecessary use of antipsychotics in nursing homes has been controversial for several years. Now, a report from the US Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General finds that, in the six-month period from January through June 2007, 51 percent of Medicare claims for atypical antipsychotics were erroneous. This amounted to a $116 million series of mistakes. The OIG report was generated at the request of US Senator Chuck Grassley, who expressed concern that atypical antipsychotics - the newest generation of such meds - were being prescribed on an off-label basis, given that the side effects associated with the drugs include increased risk of death in elderly persons with dementia. Nursing homes are a big business for these drugs. But as the OIG notes, Medicare re... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803525 Mon, 09 May 2011 21:25:07 +0100 4803525 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4631446&cid=t_115783_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F24%2Fnursing-times-2011-vol-107-no-10%2F Fade Fave: Improving quality in care homes using an electronic tool Fade Skinny: Measuring the quality of healthcare in care homes and domiciliary care settings is vital for effective commissioning and the safety of residents. NHS Nottingham have developed an electronic tool to measure the quality of care home services giving managers immediate feedback  on standards. Contact the Library for a copy of this article. Filed under: Journals, Primary Care, Quality Tagged: Care Homes, Good Practice, Older People, Quality Monitoring (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4631446 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 12:07:52 +0100 4631446 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4436941&cid=t_115783_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FpgW5SMkd_Ws%2F The US Department of Justice has decided to intervene - or join - a whistleblower lawsuit that was filed in late 2008 by three former Abbott Laboratories sales reps, who accused the drugmaker of concocting an illegal scheme to promote its Depakote seizure med. The charges include paying kickbacks to docs to boost prescriptions and, subsequently, defrauding Medicare and Medicaid. The fact that the feds are interested is not a surprise. In late 2009, Abbott disclosed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filed that the Justice Department ws investigating Abbott’s sales and marketing activities of the pill, which is used to treat bipolar disorder, seizures and migraines. The probe centers on possible violations of the Federal False Claims Act, the Food and Drug Cosmetic Act and the Anti-K... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4436941 Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:35:45 +0100 4436941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4305110&cid=t_115783_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fthe-promises-of-acoa-recovery%2F Image via WikipediaAdult Children of Alcoholics is an anonymous Twelve Step, Twelve Tradition program of women and men who grew up in an environment of addictiveness (alcohol or other substances) or in other-wise dysfunctional homes. Our willingness and resiliency bring us together.We share our experience, strength, and hope to validate our experience as well as give some hope to the new member. We take positive action in our lives today. By practicing the Twelve Steps, focusing on “The Solution”, and accepting a loving Higher Power of our own understanding, we find freedom from the past and a way to improve our lives.These are The Promises of ACoA RecoveryWe will discover our real identities by loving and accepting ourselves.Our self-esteem will increase as we give ourselves approval ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4305110 Mon, 03 Jan 2011 03:46:55 +0100 4305110 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3648668&cid=t_115783_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F8XkYr0q_A94%2F Last November, talking with some Japanese colleagues at the World Economic Forum´s Council on the Aging Society, I discovered that it is common there to organize research-driven consortia/ learning labs among for-profit, non-profit and academic organizations interested in the development of “silver industries”, this is, where companies develop product and services specific to the needs of older adults. I just discovered -having been invited to speak there, together with Prof. Shlomo Breznitz- that my native Spain counts with a similar innovative platform. You can see below (in Spanish) the details of my tak in Barcelona on June 22nd, and here you have how the Fundacion Edad y Vida describes itself: The Edad&Vida Foundation is a platform where all the different agents inv... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3648668 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 05:38:46 +0100 3648668 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3645052&cid=t_115783_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FcnRcpiARtSU%2F Johnson & Johnson is denying claims in a whistleblower lawsuit, which was joined by the US government, and charges the healthcare giant with paying kickbacks - in the form of rebates and educational grants - to the Omnicare nursing home pharmacy so its Risperdal antipsychotic would be prescribed more often. The lawsuit also alleged J&J’s Janssen unit hid the payments from Medicaid to avoid reporting a ‘best price’ that would have triggered rebates to the agency (background). In a filing this week, J&J asked a judge to dismiss the January 15 lawsuit by saying the government is arguing that allowable rebates are actually illegal under the Anti-Kickback Statute. “This case is a remarkable attempt to attack common discounting arrangements that are expressly p... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3645052 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:08:11 +0100 3645052 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3420444&cid=t_115783_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fi7lTLQjYZf8%2F By Michael F. CannonAs the nation contemplates the new health care entitlements that Congress and President Obama just created, it is worth noting an article in today’s Washington Post, which reports on the performance of past efforts to eliminate fraud in another health care entitlement: More than a decade ago, Congress set out to squeeze the fraud out of Medicare billing at nursing homes, requiring more precise justifications for costs. It created new “ultra-high” billing categories intended to be used for only 5 percent of the patients needing highly specialized care and rehabilitation. But within a few years, nursing homes flooded the ultra-high categories with patients, contributing to $542 million a year in potential overpayments, federal analysts found. Since then,... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3420444 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:48:23 +0100 3420444 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3298598&cid=t_115783_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FF4bZz6Htiqo%2F Last month, the US government intervened, or joined, a whistleblower lawsuit filed against Johnson & Johnson and its Janssen unit over allegations the health care giant paid kickbacks - in the form of rebates and educational grants - to the Omnicare nursing home pharmacy so its Risperdal antipsychotic would be prescribed more often. The lawsuit also alleged J&J hid the payments from Medicaid to avoid reporting a ‘best price’ that would have triggered paying rebates to Medicaid (The US Department of Justice recently reached a settlement with Omnicare). One exhibited contained in the lawsuit appears to raise the issue of off-label promotion. A report prepared about Omnicare by J&J long-term care business managers includes this passage: “In June of 1999, Omnic... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3298598 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:30:40 +0100 3298598 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3178987&cid=t_115783_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fw_SupJ1yVMQ%2F The US Attorney in Boston says Johnson & Johnson paid tens of millions of dollars in kickbacks - in the form of special rebates and other payments - so Omnicare, the nation’s biggest provider of pharmacy services to nursing homes, would put more patients on its Risperdal schizophrenia med (the Justice Department statement). The US Department of Justice, which recently reached a settlement with Omnicare (see here), allege Omnicare pharmacists recommended that nursing home patients with signs of Alzheimer’s disease be given Risperdal. The charge was made in a whistle-blower case brought by a former Omnicare pharmacist (here is the complaint against J&J). By the way, The In Vivo Blog predicted this would happen (look here). The move comes amid ongoing reports that chron... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3178987 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:33:09 +0100 3178987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3018942&cid=t_115783_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F23%2Fjournal-of-medical-ethics-2009-vol-35-no-11%2F content page Fade Fave: Autonomy at the end of life: life-prolonging treatment in nursing homes—relatives’ role in the decision-making process Fade Skinny: The increasing number of elderly people in nursing homes with failing competence to give consent represents a great challenge to healthcare staff’s protection of patient autonomy in the issues of life-prolonging treatment, hydration, nutrition and hospitalisation. The lack of national guidelines and internal routines can threaten the protection of patient autonomy. (NHS Athens is required to access this article online) Posted in Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Journals, Journals Tagged: Athens Password, Autonomy, Current Awareness, Decision Making, E-Journals, End of Life, Nursing Homes (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3018942 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:02:56 +0100 3018942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2996009&cid=t_115783_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2F3sN4qCHjqnM%2Fwhen-death-comes-without-dignity.html Does anyone want to imagine being 90 years old, alone at night in a nursing home, struggling to get to the bathroom when no one is around to help...... Bob DeMarco Alzheimer's Reading Room Editor Earlier today I wrote -- Which Drugs Increase the Risk of Falling for the Elderly A few hours later an email with a link to an article popped into my box. The email was from Laurry Harmon (tip of the hat to Laurry). It turns out that the StarTribune.com is running a series on a troubling pattern in nursing homes -- deaths related to falling. The investigative reporter, Glenn Howatt, was startled when he learned that more than 1,000 deaths were related to falls in Minnesota nursing homes over the last six years. Howatt, along with reporter Pam Louwagie and their editor, Kate Parry, spent sever... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2996009 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:51:28 +0100 2996009 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2939559&cid=t_115783_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FolKsJTYHnyw%2F Nursing homes throughout Illinois are being dosed with powerful psychotropic drugs, leading to tremors, dangerous lethargy and a higher risk of harmful falls or even death, according to an investigation by The Chicago Tribune. Thousands of elderly and disabled people have been affected, many of them drugged without their consent or without a legitimate psychiatric diagnosis that would justify treatment, according to state and federal inspection reports reviewed by the paper. The Trib identified 1,200 violations at Illinois nursing homes involving psychotropic medications since 2001. Those infractions affected 2,900 patients, the paper writes, adding that the actual numbers are likely far higher because regulators inspect some facilities just once every 15 months, and even then they usually... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2939559 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:54:55 +0100 2939559 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2839011&cid=t_115783_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FYBmlLXmx2v4%2F When we hear about wellness we often think that means going to the doctor, but the health of your house can also cause troubles. USA Today reports that “one in three homes in U.S. metropolitan areas have at least one problem such as water leaks, peeling paint, holes or rodents that could harm residents’ health or safety.” If your house has these issues, it could lead to health problems, such allergies and asthma. As a result, the U.S. Surgeon General has been pushing for a “call to action” to get houses (and therefore, people) in better shape throughout the country. Image: sxc.hu. Post from: Blisstree Healthy Homes Equal Healthy People (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2839011 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:15:55 +0100 2839011 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2836186&cid=t_115783_101_f&fid=38975&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicblog999.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F27%2Fits-a-shame-its-so-rare%2F This post isn’t about a patient as such, but instead about a group of nurses and carers at one of my local nursing homes. I witnessed something the other day that I don’t see often, something that I am sure all pre-hospital care providers the world over would find rather remarkable even though it should be the most basic standard of care offered to our elderly population. That of a team of nurses and carers who truly ‘care’ for their residents in their nursing home. I, like many others have worried about the what ifs of if my parents or I will ever end up in a nursing home. I honestly hope that when it’s my time to go, I go quickly and don’t end up living for years in one of the many nursing homes whose care can sometimes be seen as ‘questionable&#... Medic999 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2836186 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 07:30:44 +0100 2836186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2626134&cid=t_115783_116_f&fid=34685&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hospiceblog.org%2F2009%2F07%2Fim-still-here-thanks-for-asking.html (Source: Hospice Blog) Hospice Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2626134 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:49:00 +0100 2626134 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2347985&cid=t_115783_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fsuffer-little-children-child-writes.html Dr Marenthiran PerinpanayagamIn "Suffer the little children..." a few days ago we looked at the Kendall House children's home scandal and, in particular, the role of the Church of England. Now a comment comes in from one of the children who was there. Yes, it's one side of the story only, but it has the ring of authenticity.In 1979 there was an outcry after an article that appeared in a care magazine regarding Kendall House. That was ignored by the church, the police, the government, Dr Perinpanayagam and the local authorities who knew of the concers as stated in a letter carried on placing girls in Kendall House. Then in 1980 the story broke in the media again after a documentry was aired where Kendall House was in the firing line.The namely Miss G--- in a very senior position within the ... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2347985 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:01:00 +0100 2347985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2258167&cid=t_115783_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F03%2F11%2Fspruce-up-your-mental-health-bring-the-green-indoors%2F Midweek Mental Greening I read an interesting article over at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer a few weeks ago about the mental health benefits of all things green (we’re talking actual living plants this time, folks – not recycling and cutting down on carbon footprints). In the article, Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz (or, the You Docs – the guys behind RealAge.com), outline some of the benefits of being surrounded by leafy green plant life and why city dwellers (or anyone who lives in a not-so-green area, really) should consider welcoming a new green addition or two to the family. Such benefits included lowered blood pressure, reduced stress, lung protection, and fewer sick days. I’ve never been big on houseplants. Don’t get me wrong – I love them and would have them in every room... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2258167 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:37:00 +0100 2258167 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2259904&cid=t_115783_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fhistory-gives-us-perspective-in-a-life-of-chronic-pain%2F I’ve always loved the lessons that can be learned from history. If we don’t learn from the past, they tell us, we are doomed to repeat history’s mistakes. In our own personal histories and families, there is much to be learned. Each of us who suffer chronic pain, especially if it is brought on by chronic illness, need to know what is in our gene pool by studying our families, reading and listening to the older family members. We need to also examine the progress which can be appreciated by looking toward the past. Since I live in a 120 year old house in a small town that is filled with 300 homes over 100 years old, I am confronted with a sense of history each day. I have found great comfort and company in that. It’s been awhile since I’ve shared one of my poems with you. I’d li... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2259904 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:56:42 +0100 2259904 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2200700&cid=t_115783_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2FuwgqeS9Q9js%2F Deciding to place a family member in a nursing home constitutes a big decision for families and for that person.  Then researching and choosing a place can be overwhelming, too. I knew, when I moved my mom from her home 275 miles to ours, that eventually I’d have to place her in a nursing home. Since I’d been through this with my aunt’s care, I realized that, at some point, caring for Mother would be more than I could manage. So I began researching before I moved her.  I located a nearby nursing home that, fortunately for Mother and me, had daycare facilities and would take her for weekends whenever I have to be away.  When Mother needed full time care, it was easy to move her here. However, that nursing home began to have financial difficulties and before long discon... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2200700 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:28:18 +0100 2200700 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2062076&cid=t_115783_136_f&fid=36469&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fespeciallyheather%2FEH%2F%7E3%2F492325954%2F Welcome to My Christmas Tour of Homes! My name is Heather, and you can read more about me by clicking my picture in the left sidebar. Don’t forget to read mine and my daughters story by clicking the navigation buttons at the top of my blog. I am so glad that [...] (Source: Especially Heather) Especially Heather blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2062076 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:10:18 +0100 2062076 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2033097&cid=t_115783_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F12%2F12%2Fhow-much-government-is-too-much%2F A pet peeve of mine is too much government. My wife tires of me babbling about how we have too much government in our lives — too many regulations, too many things needing “permits” (like we have to ask permission to do so many things on our own land), too much absurdity just for the sake of a nanny-nation. New England is infamous for this micro-management style of government (ironically so, given that this is where the nation was born to free its people of tyranny of the government). Think about it. For centuries, homes in Europe and the early U.S. were built using solid and stable foundations made only of stone and mortar. And while this keeps most of the historical homes stable and safe, every local government now has building codes that require a foundation made of c... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2033097 Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:39:46 +0100 2033097 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1870932&cid=t_115783_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2Fjy7DvkUA6S4%2F AlzheimersNotes.com In my Alzheimer’s Word of the Week post last week, I wrote about nursing homes and mentioned some people didn’t like to mention the word.  Alicia, blogger at Mental Health Notes, wrote a very enlightening comment, which I think gives insight into the varying reactions to this term. The term “nursing home” always strikes different emotions from different people, doesn’t it? I think it’s due to a variety of reasons (the poor reputations some nursing homes have, the idea that putting your loved ones in a nursing home is neglectful and selfish, the sad fact that some people actually do “dump” their loved ones in nursing homes and fail to visit them, etc.). It’s sad that, because of these things, those of us who’... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1870932 Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:33:05 +0100 1870932 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1868599&cid=t_115783_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2FUeGcr3_-6mo%2F AlzheimersNotes.com As I consider the activities used with Alzheimer’s patients of my mother’s era, as well as movies shown and music played, I realize these may change as a younger generation, essentially Baby Boomers, reach the Alzheimer’s stage.  They won’t recognize some of the movies and music, will enjoy some of the same activities, but many different ones, too. I recall visiting Mother and finding the residents entranced by World War II era and earlier movie stories.  They sang songs that Mother sang to us as children and from her earlier years.  Languages May Differ Also, languages spoken in nursing homes may vary, too.  There will be more residents from other countries, who have learned English here, but still recognize their native tongues which are di... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1868599 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:00:21 +0100 1868599 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1622225&cid=t_115783_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F335712275%2F “What Tim eventually said….was that he didn’t want to go to school because he thought the school was trying to kill him.” John Miller, a podiatrist in Allegany, N.Y, says this about his 12-year-old son, who has Asperger Syndrome, and who was, according to a July 15th New York Times article, held down prone on the floor by teachers (one time for 20 minutes) when he was “confrontational.” The NYT article discusses something that is too familiar to me—and to parents of special needs children—-and that is, one suspects, a bit more than shocking to many. Kids coming home with bruises on their wrists, arms, legs: That’s not supposed to happen in public school, and not at the hands of teachers. Well, it does. In our previous school district, the b... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1622225 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:50:42 +0100 1622225 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1593792&cid=t_115783_116_f&fid=34685&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hospiceblog.org%2F2008%2F07%2Fhow-to-choose-hospice-why-some-things.html (This post is part of a series of posts. To read from the begining of the series go here.)This is my final post in the How to choose a hospice series for now. As time goes on, I'll think of other suggestions, but nine is enough for now.In this post I'll tell you a few of the things that don't matter and some that do. Most of this post is in response to other websites that have lists of things that are important when choosing a hospice. Some have good suggestions, some are silly, and some are downright self serving. Here's my list of what is and is not important:What doesn't matter:The for profit/not-for-profit status of a hospice. You will hear non-profit hospices preach that for-profit hospice is the most evil thing in the history of civilization, but it just isn't true. There are bad non... Hospice Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1593792 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:02:00 +0100 1593792 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1556274&cid=t_115783_116_f&fid=34685&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hospiceblog.org%2F2008%2F06%2Fhow-to-choose-hospice-why.html (This post is part of a series of posts. To read from the begining of the series go here.)There is little better than the recommendation from someone who has experience with a specific hospice. If you have friends that have used hospice in the past, you should talk to them. Be warned though that hospice is overwhelmingly popular with families who have used it, so one glowing recommendation doesn't mean you have found the best hospice. Again, most hospices are good at caring for the average patient, so if your friend's loved one was an average patient, you should expect a positive review. Ask your friend the questions from the other posts and see what you learn.If your loved one lives in a nursing home, I'm going to assume that you have followed the instructions from part 2 that says that y... Hospice Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1556274 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:02:00 +0100 1556274 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1546780&cid=t_115783_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2F320350991%2F Second Wind Dreams, a national non-profit organization with a mission to change the perception of aging, one dream at a time, has a Virtual Dementia tour kit. It’s a training tool that provides people with the opportunity to experience how it might feel to have dementia. Sounds like something everyone who works with dementia patients should experience… Tags: Alzheimers-disease, caregivers, Caregiving, dementia, hospitals, rest homesShare This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1546780 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:20:55 +0100 1546780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1537893&cid=t_115783_116_f&fid=34685&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hospiceblog.org%2F2008%2F06%2Fhow-to-choose-hospice-why-staffing.html (This post is part of a series of posts. To read from the begining of the series go here.)In "Why Size Matters", I talked about how many patients each nurse has. This time I want to talk about how much attention you should expect and who you should expect to get it from.First, frequency of visits. Your nurse should visit at least twice a week. Any nurse that thinks they can keep up on a hospice patient's condition by visiting once a week is delusional. Find a hospice that promises a minimum of two nursing visits a week. It shouldn't be too hard.Second, find out who makes the visits. The question you should ask is if the same nurse will visit every time. There are two different theories on how to use nurses. As with everything in hospice one is best for the patient and one is best for the p... Hospice Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1537893 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:02:00 +0100 1537893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1500417&cid=t_115783_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fguest-posts-welcomed-at-caregivers.html Would you like to write a guest post for the Caregiver's Beacon? Caregiver stories, Alzheimer's and Dementia, caregiving, eldercare, related legal and financial issues, disability, and other related topics are welcome. Send your post by email to Kristi Marie Gott kgott@charter.net. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to send an email and I'll be glad to help. Best wishes to all and take care, Kristi (Source: The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News) The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1500417 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:25:00 +0100 1500417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1497854&cid=t_115783_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fhealth-insurance-and-medical-insurance.html A live news feed from the website Medical News Today for Health Insurance and Medical Insurance has been added to the Caregiver's Beacon. Other live news feeds currently include Alzheimers and Dementia, Caregivers and Home Care, Stroke and Hypertension, and Arthritis. There are also live video feeds for Alzheimer's Caregivers and for Stroke. A live newsreel also covers eldercare, nursing homes, home care and caregivers. (Source: The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News) The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1497854 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:02:00 +0100 1497854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1458507&cid=t_115783_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F05%2F21%2Fdiscrimination-prevalent-amongst-nursing-homes%2F If you’re an older person with a history of mental illness, you may be denied admission to a nursing home. That’s the chilling report of widespread discrimination from the Leader-Telegram (WI), in a story about how many local nursing homes don’t even both to pre-screen potential residents who have a history of mental illness. The article sadly reinforces the mental illness stigma, associating mental illness with “behavior problems.” Most people with a mental illness do not have accompanying “behavior problems” (unless someone is defining a behavior problem as being sad and depressed). What it comes down to is that people don’t want to be bothered with complicated cases, when they have their choice of paying customers with less complicated... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1458507 Wed, 21 May 2008 13:04:43 +0100 1458507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1451777&cid=t_115783_116_f&fid=34685&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hospiceblog.org%2F2008%2F05%2Fhow-to-choose-hospice-why-ownership.html (This post is part of a series of posts. To read from the begining of the series go here.)As I said in the previous post, the differences between hospice companies are often small and usually hard to find. This post deals with one thing that I feel is a huge difference; Ownership. Who owns the hospice is a very important question, because it gets to the very core of the reason the company exists. If a company is listed on the stock exchange, then the stockholders are the owners. Do you think they invested in the company because they wanted to own the stock of a company that takes good care of people? Do you think Charles Schwab advises their clients to invest in HCR Manor Care (the owner of the national chain Heartland Hospice) because they treat people right? No, investors buy stock becau... Hospice Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1451777 Mon, 19 May 2008 14:01:00 +0100 1451777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1414967&cid=t_115783_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Feye-is-door-of-soul.html I type swiftly for a few moments, as blogging is such cheap therapy:- 'Whatever your game, it is best to start with a straight cricket bat or baseball stick, so in the interests of full disclosure, I should explain that we do live in a lovely home. That said, there are many things that are wrong with it, all of which are extremely irritating. If I still lived in England I would ensure that I had a glass roof for maximum light but I live in California where there is already lots of light. In England people live in cottages with four foot thick brick walls and windows the size of dinner plates to keep the heat in and sacrifice light. Who needs light when you are frozen solid? In California, we enjoy the light through huge windows. What we do not enjoy is the heat. Why? Because there is simpl... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1414967 Thu, 01 May 2008 14:58:00 +0100 1414967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1393906&cid=t_115783_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F276091519%2F Nursing home patients who take antipsychotic drugs are 60 percent more likely to develop pneumonia in the short term than those who don’t take the drugs, according to a study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The risk is greatest during the first week after patients start taking the meds, but gradually decreases, HealthDay News reports. “The risk of developing pneumonia is not associated with long-term use, but is the highest shortly after starting the drug,” according to the study authors, Rob van Marum and Wilma Knol. They warned that “all antipsychotic drugs may be associated with pneumonia in elderly patients.” Up to 40 percent of nursing home residents may be prescribed antipsychotics, according to the study. They noted that, in more than... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1393906 Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:18:00 +0100 1393906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1385839&cid=t_115783_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2F273914662%2F AlzheimersNotes.com The use of restraints, to keep Alzheimer’s patients from wandering, getting into unsafe areas, escaping out-of-doors, raises much controversy, especially when connected with nursing home residents.  There’s a balance with a fine line that separates safety from abuse in most people’s eyes. More nursing homes and elder care agencies continually research ways to keep patients safe without severe restraints. *The use of alarms that go off when a patient tries to get out of a wheel chair. *Alarms that signal the opening of a door into an area where the patient may be unsafe. *The use of a tray across a chair that might latch in place but not deter normal movement. *The use of a half rail on the bed so the patient doesn’t roll out.  I was informed, t... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1385839 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 06:00:02 +0100 1385839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1382330&cid=t_115783_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F273007840%2F Southern Cross Healthcare operate 710 care homes in the UK. They’re keen to trumpet their commitment to eradicating abuse of the elderly. They’re key contributors to this campaign, launched by Action on Elder Abuse. John Murphy, Chief Operating Officer commented on behalf of Southern Cross Healthcare, ‘Our commitment has been unwavering to protect people and [...] (Source: Mental Nurse) Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1382330 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:43:43 +0100 1382330 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1364991&cid=t_115783_137_f&fid=35352&url=http%3A%2F%2Fyellowwallpaper.net%2Fblog1%2F2008%2F04%2F10%2Fhospice%2F My mother seems to have moved into a twilight place.  She is eating less and less, and sleeping almost all day.  The staff at Garden Manor are wonderful, as is Hospice.  She is always dressed (which must be an ordeal, since she can’t even stand up on her own) and someone has painted her nails and curled her hair.   She is usually sitting in one of the recliners in the common area, which makes me feel better.  I had once fantasized that I would take her home when this time came, but I would not be able to take care of her the way they do. I feel like I’m dreaming.  It’s such a cliché, but that’s the way it feels.  I have spells when I question our decision to call Hospice.  But I’ve come to the conclusion that NOT calling Hospice is a decision, too.  My mother left an advanc... The Yellow Wallpaper blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1364991 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:38:42 +0100 1364991 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1340920&cid=t_115783_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F261932598%2F As many as 60 percent of Alzheimer’s patients in nursing homes are given antipsychotics - both older neuroleptics and atypicals - to control behavior. But a study has found that the older meds provided no benefit for patients with mild behavioural problems and were associated with a marked deterioration in verbal skills. The research focused on 165 people with advanced Alzheimer’s who live in nursing homes in UK cities, The BBC reports. The researchers, from Kings College London and the Universities of Oxford and Newcastle, found the drugs offered no long-term benefit for most patients with mild symptoms of disturbed behavior. But just six months of treatment was enough for patients to show a marked deterioration in verbal fluency. Further preliminary analysis already under wa... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1340920 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:34:01 +0100 1340920 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1319329&cid=t_115783_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F03%2F21%2Fmassachusetts-settles-lawsuit-over-warehoused-disabled%2F Should you warehouse people who suffer from mental retardation or the developmentally disabled just because you can? Well, no, of course you shouldn’t. But Massachusetts, that supposed bastion of liberalism, was doing exactly that with its citizens most in need of its help and protection — throwing these special needs individuals into ill-equipped nursing homes, an inappropriate treatment facility for most of these people. The Boston Globe has the story today, State settles lawsuit over placement of disabled, but the effort is going to take 4 years to complete: More than 600 mentally retarded or developmentally disabled individuals will leave nursing homes in the next four years, to live more independently in an apartment, family home, or group setting, state officials annou... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1319329 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:30:30 +0100 1319329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1283633&cid=t_115783_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F246774074%2F The House Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support will hold a hearing on Wednesday in response to reports that the meds are disproportionately given to foster care children as a substitute for counseling. In announcing the hearing, Jim McDermott, a Democrat from Washington who chairs the subcommittee, also expressed concern that the drugs are increasingly prescribed for off-label treatments. Antipsychotics are approved for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but recent reports indicate the meds are often given to kids for ADHD. Moreover, until very recently, these weren’t approved for children at all and the issue has prompted anger from legislators in some states, such as New York and New Jersey, over the money paid by Medicaid for prescriptions. Similarly, nursing homes ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1283633 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:28:45 +0100 1283633 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1274974&cid=t_115783_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F244846273%2F Connecticut’s nursing homes dole out antipsychotic drugs to residents who do not have psychotic disorders at one of the highest rates in the country, raising questions about whether the medications are being used to subdue agitated patients because of a lack of staffing and attention to alternate treatments, The Hartford Courant reports. Federal data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services show that since 2005, Connecticut has consistently ranked in the top four states in the prevalence of antipsychotic drugs dispensed to nursing home residents who have no psychotic or related conditions. In the most recent quarterly report, through September 2007, only Louisiana had a higher prevalence rate than Connecticut, where more than 26 percent of residents who lacked an approp... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1274974 Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:26:37 +0100 1274974 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1271490&cid=t_115783_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2F244166706%2F AlzheimersNotes.com Golden oldies songs, movies with stars from the 40s and 50s, memories about churning butter, World War II photos…these contributed to the activities residents participated in while Mother lived in a nursing home.  These activities might bring back memories, make residents feel comfortable in a familiar era when all around them may seem strange, and calm them if they’re agitated. However, with people from a more recent era developing Alzheimer’s, the activities in nursing homes may need changing to reflect this.  They won’t have so much familiarity with the music, movies, and memories of their parents’ days. Cultural Differences Also, with more and more cultures (and languages)  represented in our country, the activities will have to ... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1271490 Sun, 02 Mar 2008 05:00:57 +0100 1271490 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1253277&cid=t_115783_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2F240642153%2F  AlzheimersNotes.com Once your Alzheimer’s family member has entered a nursing home, is it wise to take them on trips or visits to your home?  Will this confuse them more?  Or will it give them pleasure and a respite from nursing home life? This all depends on the Alzheimer’s patient’s condition, the family’s ability to take them for trips, and the situation that awaits them on their journey. After Mother began living in the nursing home, I didn’t take her away from the premises (except to move her to a second nursing home when the first one closed).  Before that, when Mother lived in her home and then ours, I did take her for rides and jaunts. However, once she entered the nursing home, Mother developed her own world.  She thought she was home.  That &... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1253277 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 03:09:04 +0100 1253277 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1181835&cid=t_115783_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2F224231733%2F AlzheimersNotes.com  I was fortunate because Auntie and Mother received very good care at the nursing homes where they resided.  Auntie, with no funds of her own, was a Medicaid patient.  Mother was a private pay patient, and all her funds were used up for her nursing home stay of nearly nine years. However, I have no complaints about either patient’s care.  They had become my responsibilities, so visiting them and monitoring their care fell to me.  Auntie resided in a home in New York State and Mother in two nursing homes in New Hampshire.  (Her change was necessitated because the first home ran out of funding and had to close.)  I also had cared for Auntie and Mother before they moved to nursing homes so I was aware of some of the challenges that caregiving involves.  When... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1181835 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 23:49:29 +0100 1181835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1108587&cid=t_115783_116_f&fid=34685&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hospiceblog.org%2F2007%2F12%2Foffice-of-inspector-general.html The OIG released the first of two reports today looking at the differences between hospice care provided in nursing homes and hospice care provided somewhere else. (Thanks to NHPCO for pointing this report out to its members.)The basic conclusion reads:In our comparison of Medicare hospice beneficiaries who reside in nursing facilities to hospice beneficiaries who reside in other settings, we found that beneficiaries in nursing facilities tended to be older and more likely to have ill-defined conditions. Also, their time in care was longer and more costly. A second study will assess the appropriateness of payments for hospice care for beneficiaries in nursing facilities.I hope "appropriateness of payments for hospice care" means they will assess the differences between the care provided to... Hospice Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1108587 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 22:52:00 +0100 1108587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1075147&cid=t_115783_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F196294019%2F The Republican from Iowa and ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee is turning his sights to nursing homes. After reading how antipsychotics are overprescribed and Medicaid picks up the tab, Chuck wants the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate patient safety, taxpayer liability and off-label usage. “Along with overall quality of care provided to a nursing home resident, it’s of tremendous concern that federal programs are paying for prescription drugs that could be unnecessary or potentially harmful for people living in nursing homes,” Grassley says in a statement. “Independent scrutiny needs to be given to the prescribing practices going on with this very vulnerable population and what’s motivating those practices.” Grassley ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1075147 Thu, 06 Dec 2007 20:52:31 +0100 1075147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1070204&cid=t_115783_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F12%2F04%2Fantipsychotic-abuse-in-nursing-homes%2F It’s a complicated story and one that I don’t think the Wall Street Journal really told all that well. Their premise is simple — that antipsychotic medications, especially newer ones, are being over-prescribed in nursing homes. It starts off noting how many people in a nursing home are being prescribed antipsychotics (30%, which is an amazing number), and then goes on to recount how antipsychotics are only approved by the FDA for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. All good points and good data. The most damning datapoint is this one — that 21% of nursing-home patients who don’t have a psychosis diagnosis are on antipsychotic drugs. (The article, however, fails to say what diagnosis these people carry, since a diagnosis is required before a physician can pres... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1070204 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:16:06 +0100 1070204 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1068801&cid=t_115783_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F194923639%2F Keeping them quiet down on the farm. That’s the tone of one story after another these days about how nursing homes increasingly give antipsychotics to patients, whether they need them or not. And of course, the tab is often picked up, unnecessarily by Medicaid, for instance. A couple of weeks ago, The St. Petersburg Times ran such a piece in which Barbara Hengstebeck, executive director of the Coalition to Protect America’s Elders in Tallahassee, Fla., offered an explanation: “A lot of people feel like the elderly in nursing homes are expendable.” The latest spend-a-gram comes from The Wall Street Journal, which notes that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services says nearly 21 percent of nursing-home patients who don’t have a psychosis diagnosis are on antip... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1068801 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:42:01 +0100 1068801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1052269&cid=t_115783_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F191160553%2F The Alzheimers Society has called for compulsory training in dementia care for all people working in care homes.  It found that residents were sedated, unstimulated and with basic hygiene needs, such as having their teeth brushed, left unmet. The society, which wants training in dementia care to be mandatory, argues that, under the current system, poorly-paid [...] (Source: Mental Nurse) Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1052269 Tue, 27 Nov 2007 10:47:00 +0100 1052269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1037064&cid=t_115783_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F187256001%2F Two years ago, federal regulators sounded a dire warning: Elderly people with dementia who take drugs like Seroquel, Risperdal and Zyprexa could suffer the ultimate side effect. They could die. Yet today, about one in four nursing home residents still take these antipsychotic drugs, The St. Petersburg Times reports. Sales to the elderly continue to rise, generating a total of $13-billion in revenues for their manufacturers this year. The disconnect between government warnings about the increased risk of death and physician prescribing practices led one FDA safety expert to make a stunning estimate. David Graham, who had blown the whistle on the dangers of Vioxx, testified before a congressional panel in February that Zyprexa and other antipsychotics kill about 15,000 nursing home resident... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1037064 Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:16:11 +0100 1037064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1034892&cid=t_115783_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2F186910398%2F 7 Tips for Care of Alzheimer’s Patients with Diabetes By Guest Blogger Mary Emma Allen It’s difficult enough when you family member has no health problems other than Alzheimer’s, but when there are other issues, such as diabetes, their care becomes more complex for family caregivers and for staff at nursing homes. Here are 7 tips which hopefully will make diabetes care for Alzheimer’s patients a bit easier: 1. Learn about diabetic diets, especially if you’re the one preparing the food. 2. Learn about your family member’s medical needs. 3. When your family member resides in a nursing home, make sure you note this on the forms you fill out. Diabetes should show up in their health records, but be sure you have it documented… every place possible. 4. C... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1034892 Mon, 19 Nov 2007 01:21:06 +0100 1034892 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=948823&cid=t_115783_111_f&fid=36538&url=http%3A%2F%2Fernursey.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Flocal-nursing-homes-alzheimers-unit.html The local nursing home's Alzheimer's unit sent in a patient on a 5150 hold for "threatening to harm others." (A 5150 is a 72-hour psych hold.)Ok, so first of all the patient has Alzheimer's and is on an Alzheimer's unit. And he s 94. And he weighs about 94 pounds. So, considering his advanced age and frail condition along with the fact that he is on an Alzheimer's unit where presumably there are not any unlocked, unloaded guns - how much of a threat can he be, really?So I call them. Put on my professional demeanor and ask, "what's the story here?" Although not in those exact terms. It seems that he has been increasingly agitated and striking out at the staff and threatening to "kill" them.Yeah? And? I'm confused, isn't this an Alzheimer's unit? Aren't you set up to take care of people with... ERnursey - An emergency room nurse blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=948823 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 03:14:00 +0100 948823 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=912314&cid=t_115783_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Ffewer-in-nursing-homes-home-health.html I read two articles showing trends that are related. "Fewer Seniors Live in Nursing Homes" at USA Today says that about 7.4% of seniors 75 years old and older lived in nursing homes in 2006, down from 8.1% in 2000 and 10.2% in 1990. The other article, titled "In Home Health Care Services Increasing" at Medical News Today discusses "a new kind of medical practice is flourishing nationwide that offers to go where the patients are...to treat ailments."In 2006 less than 16% of the population aged 85 years or more lived in nursing home facilities, according to the article in USA Today. These statistics refer to nursing homes, but do not include assisted care facilities. A nursing home, or skilled nursing facility, has licensed nurses while an assisted care facility does not require employees to... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=912314 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:51:00 +0100 912314 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=908816&cid=t_115783_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fnew-york-times-series-nursing-homes.html This article happens to appear during the same week when a front page article in my local paper, the San Luis Obispo Tribune asked "Is the Quality of Elder Care in Jeopardy". The San Luis Obispo Tribune also had articles on "Finding Quality in Long Term Care" and another titled "County's Worst Residential Homes Are Cited After Repeat Violations."The New York Times article describes the steps the investors took at one of the homes purchased to reduce costs The residents at the Habana Health Center, in Tampa, Florida saw changes that meant they were "worse off" according to the article.The article says the number of registered nurses was cut by one-half and budgets for supplies, resident activities and services fell. A series of incidents showed that the residents were suffering, according t... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=908816 Thu, 27 Sep 2007 19:56:00 +0100 908816 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=896009&cid=t_115783_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fweb-of-deception-ensnares-us-nursing.html The New York Times just published a report of some important investigative reporting about changes in how US nursing homes are currently managed, or mismanaged, leading to bad effects on patients' outcomes and safety. As an example, the report recounted the case of an elderly women who died in the Habana Health Center in Tampa, FL. The article made a series of key points,The homes were acquired by private equity companies not usually associated with health care. The companies drastically cut the costs of their acquisitions. These cost cuts decreased care, apparently leading to poor outcomes. The private equity companies set up complex corporate structures for their acquisitions, hiding their ownership, and thwarting lawsuits and regulation.I have summarized supporting quotes for each point... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=896009 Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:08:00 +0100 896009 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=894347&cid=t_115783_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Ftribune-article-finding-quality-long.html A third article relating to eldercare in today's San Luis Obispo Tribune is titled "How To Find a Quality Assisted Living Facility". To learn more about assisted living and long term care options for the elderly contacting your local ombudsman service is recommended. The article is relevant for people living outside of the area as well, because issues of finding quality care are universal.Additional resources for information about long term care options and quality are listed and costs are discussed.In San Luis Obispo County residential care homes are described as averaging $4,000 per month or more. A residential care home differs from a larger facility because the residential care home often has 10 beds or less and may be in an adapted house.The residential homes often offer a warm, frien... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=894347 Sun, 23 Sep 2007 19:44:00 +0100 894347 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=894349&cid=t_115783_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Ffront-page-todays-paper-is-quality-of.html The front page story today on the San Luis Obispo Tribune asks "Is the quality of elder care in jeopardy?" The article starts with the story of a woman at a local facility who died and had complications from a diabetic condition. State officials found the facility had "insufficient and unqualified staff" who failed to monitor a diabetic condition.The questions about the quality of elder care are being asked all over the world, as this topic grows in importance with the aging of populations and changes in society.The small facilities, like the one described above, are said in the article to be often less expensive and less restrictive. Many of them are wonderful, home style settings where a house has been adapted for use as a board and care facility.The less restrictive aspect of the small ... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=894349 Sun, 23 Sep 2007 18:42:00 +0100 894349 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=872580&cid=t_115783_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fboard-and-care-residential-facilities.html Seniorresource.com explains that one of the long term care options is a board and care facility, which often is a converted or adapted home that has 5 or 6 residents who receive care. A residential board and care home may specialize in the type of care provided, for instance, early stage Alzheimer's.The number of residents depends upon the zoning for the home. When a facility has room for a larger number of residents it is called an assisted care facility.The homelike family style atmosphere of a converted house and the small number of residents appeals to those who do not wish to move to a larger facility. Caregivers or aides provide assistance in a group home and many people enjoy the warm, friendly atmosphere and shared social interaction. Often everyone becomes like a part of the "fami... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=872580 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:18:00 +0100 872580 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=848618&cid=t_115783_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fwebsite-lists-nursing-home-ratings.html Memberofthefamily.net is a website that says on its homepage has information on 16,000 Medicare/Medicaid certified nursing homes in the United States, including the National Watch List of homes with violations and substantiated complaints.They also have a list of nursing homes that are "deficiency free" on an Honor Role.The website explains the reports are based on recent government surveys, and describes the reports on the website as easy to understand. I agree the information was presented so that the average person could easily read it, and it was in regular language, not medical terms or technical terms.The states are listed so you can search your own. There is a Nursing Home Annual Survey Rating System which includes four color codes. The codes include red for "Actual Harm or Immediat... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=848618 Fri, 07 Sep 2007 04:53:00 +0100 848618 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=779254&cid=t_115783_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Foscar-feline-grim-reaper.html (Source: Canadian Medicine) Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=779254 Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:03:00 +0100 779254 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=692423&cid=t_115783_137_f&fid=35352&url=http%3A%2F%2Fyellowwallpaper.net%2Fblog1%2F2007%2F06%2F23%2Fsix-months%2F My mother has now been living at Garden Manor for six months, and here is where we stand: On the Aid & Attendance front, I reapplied in late February–four months ago–and have not yet received a decision. I had originally sent the application to the Providence, RI, office of the VA, but received an acknowledgement from the Philadelphia office shortly thereafter so I imagine that’s where the application is sitting. I send them a printout of the cancelled check for my mother’s assisted living rent each month, just to remind them of my situation. My question for them at this point is: If you won’t allow folks to apply for the benefit before they commit themselves to a care situation–forcing them to OVER-commit themselves financially while crossing th... The Yellow Wallpaper blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=692423 Sat, 23 Jun 2007 16:54:58 +0100 692423 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=592735&cid=t_115783_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F114625369%2F Thinking ahead. Where will Charlie live one day when he is older? I read about a plan that New Jersey’s Human Services Department put out on May 2nd, to move more than half of the 3,000 disabled people living in instititutions in the state into group homes. As the May 3rd Star-Ledger notes, reactions are mixed: “I’m ready to go,” says 36-year-old Fredrena Thompson. Robin Sims’s 23-year-old daughter is autistic; says Sims: “‘There are some people who are so severely retarded and disabled that you can’t imagine them raising their hands and saying, ‘Let me be free.’ We are going to kill these folks’” if they are moved. Thinking about school and educational programs. An article in today’s Detroit Free Press mentions ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=592735 Sun, 06 May 2007 20:43:32 +0100 592735 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=576863&cid=t_115783_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F04%2F28%2Famerican-cancer-society-files-smoking-lawsuit%2F Filed under: Services, Smoking, Daily newsThe American Cancer Society (ACS) of Ohio has filed a lawsuit challenging the state's workplace smoking ban. The ban exempts some military veterans' halls and other private clubs -- and the ASC says this is not OK. The exemption waters down the law and exposes people to secondhand smoke, say ACS spokeswoman Wendy Simpkins.The smoking ban was approved by 58 percent of voters in November, took effect in December, and will result in fining beginning the first week in May. The law prohibits smoking in most public places, such as restaurants, bars, and office and excludes tobacco shops, designated hotel rooms, and enclosed areas of nursing homes. Halls and clubs can be excluded from the law only if there are no employees.Jay Carey, spokesman for the sta... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=576863 Sat, 28 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 576863 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=545450&cid=t_115783_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2F109349364%2F Liz mentions pet visitation at nursing homes, hospitals and other places in her post about Assiated-Animal Therapy.  When my mom lived at a nursing home during the last years of her Alzheimer’s journey, I often saw the pleasure pet visitation brought to patients there. Generally once a week, someone brought pets to visit the patients…for them to watch, to pet, and to hold.  Smiles appeared on the residents’ faces, their moods brightened, and often they began telling stories about pets they had owned at one time in their lives. Perhaps it was a pet they had as a child.  Or it could have been a pet their children played with.  Possibly it was one they and their spouse earned in the early days of marriage.  There also were some sad memories of the death of a pet.  B... Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=545450 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 01:45:41 +0100 545450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=530849&cid=t_115783_116_f&fid=34685&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hospiceblog.org%2F2007%2F02%2Fhospice-in-assisted-living-facility.html Assisted Living Facilities have been showing up on every corner over the past few years. They are a great alternative for people who can't keep up their own house but don't need to be in a nursing home. Most are very nice and allow their residents much more freedom and privacy than nursing homes. Hospice sees patients in both facilities.If you have read this blog much at all, you know that the relationship between hospices and nursing homes is, shall we say, strained. This is not true in Assisted Living Facilities, but that doesn't mean there isn't a problem.If you have been approached by your Assisted Living Facility about hospice care, the discussion probably included the phrase, "hospice can help you stay here longer." Which is often a thinly veiled threat that, if you don't accept this... Hospice Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=530849 Mon, 09 Apr 2007 21:32:00 +0100 530849 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=483283&cid=t_115783_116_f&fid=34685&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhospiceblog.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fhospice-continious-home-care.html I have not talked much, if any, about the different levels of hospice care provided for by the Medicare Hospice Benefit. I'll try to rectify that over the next few weeks.First, I want to deal with Continuous Home Care, because it is the most misunderstood, confusing, or abused portion of the Medicare Hospice Benefit. The confusion comes from a bit of a vague description of what qualifies a patient for continuous care and the fact that continuous care doesn't actually have to be continuous. Many hospices use CHC as a marketing tool to nursing homes, and that has only added to the problems within the hospice community. I'll deal with the marketing portion more later. First, let me try to define and explain what Continuous Home Care is supposed to be.In its most basic form, Continuous Home Ca... Hospice Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=483283 Mon, 19 Mar 2007 14:31:00 +0100 483283 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=464681&cid=t_115783_116_f&fid=34685&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhospiceblog.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Fhome-hospice-vs-nursing-home-hospice.html I recently wrote again that I believe hospices should be paid a different amount depending on if the patient lives at home or in a nursing home. I know some people disagree, and I understand that. I also understand their argument, so I wanted to take a moment here to explain my stance.It is true that hospices are required to provide the exact same care for nursing home patients as they provide for home patients. There is zero difference in the Medicare regulations for these two types of patients. In fact, Medicare regulations do not distinguish these two categories at all. This is, in large part, the argument that people use when defending the fact that there is no difference in pay between home and nursing home patients. If we are supposed to provide the exact same services to patients no... Hospice Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=464681 Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:05:00 +0100 464681 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=464686&cid=t_115783_116_f&fid=34685&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhospiceblog.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Fhospice-reduction-in-bush-budget.html Received an alert from NHPCO today indicating that part of President Bush's proposed budget is a 0.65% cut in the Medicare Hospice reimbursement rate starting next year and continuing every year thereafter. Let me be clear on what this means. If this passes, next year when it is time for Medicare to figure out how much of a raise I should get (usually it is around 3%), they will subtract 0.65 from whatever number they decide upon. Thus, I will get a 2.35% raise next year instead of 3%. Don't buy into the hype that we are getting our payment rates cut. We are not getting as big of a raise as we expected. That is never good news, but it is far from them actually cutting payment rates. This is an effort to slow the growth of Medicare.I have posted my thoughts on rate cuts before (here also). ... Hospice Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=464686 Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:38:00 +0100 464686 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=464691&cid=t_115783_116_f&fid=34685&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhospiceblog.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F01%2Fcnas-take-on-nursing-homes-and-hospice.html Patti at Nursing Assistants Net has a post up talking about the series of posts (here, here, here, here, here, here, here)we had last fall about nursing home residents receiving hospice care. It is a validation of many of my thoughts about a nursing home's lack of ability to rise to the occasion on its own.It's worth reading if you are still undecided about the need for hospice in the nursing home setting. (Source: Hospice Blog) Hospice Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=464691 Mon, 22 Jan 2007 22:49:00 +0100 464691 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=513071&cid=t_115783_137_f&fid=35352&url=http%3A%2F%2Fyellowwallpaper.net%2Fblog1%2F2006%2F12%2F26%2Fassisted-living-pt-4%2F My mother went to bed early tonight (about 7:30) but I can hear her up again, wandering into the kitchen, the living room. Today I told her that I’d arranged for her to move to assisted living, and I imagine that she’s unable to sleep because of that. She responded in no uncertain terms that she did NOT want to leave this house, where she has lived for almost 60 years. Every bit of advice I’d received counseled me to be firm. Don’t ask her, tell her. I had rehearsed my words for weeks, wanting to couch my firmness in love and not bossiness. She made a face and then seemed to sink into herself. In the end I couldn’t help myself wanting to discuss it all with her: “What other option is there?” I asked after she agreed that I should move back to my ho... The Yellow Wallpaper blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=513071 Wed, 27 Dec 2006 03:27:54 +0100 513071 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=464703&cid=t_115783_116_f&fid=34685&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhospiceblog.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F10%2Fnursing-home-skilled-nursing-hospice.html This is the third post in a series responding to a comment left on this post. The intro to this series is here. I am hoping this series helps start a discussion between Nursing Homes and Hospices. There is a lot of bad blood or misunderstanding between the two industries when there doesn't have to be.Joy S wrote:Most of the times in a NF, hospice is not even needed! Just because someone has a diagnosis that qualifies them for hospice does not mean they should go on hospice.I strongly disagree, but I also understand why a nursing facility employee would believe this. I have read and thought about Joy S.'s comments enough to guess that she is a very good dedicated employee of a nursing facility. I would also guess that she often goes above and beyond for her patients. The first thing I would... Hospice Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=464703 Tue, 03 Oct 2006 02:05:00 +0100 464703 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=464701&cid=t_115783_116_f&fid=34685&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhospiceblog.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F09%2Fnursing-home-skilled-nursing-hospice.html I received a comment on the post titled "Skilled Nursing & Hospice Care" that I want to reply to.It is clear that there is a lot of misunderstanding, mistrust, and downright confusion between hospices and nursing homes. I hope to clarify the hospice side of the discussion and really hope that some nursing home people will add to the discussion as I go along. This will be a multi-post conversation. I hope you'll join along.Below is the entire text of the comment that started it all. I'll disect it in the coming posts with my thoughts. JoyS, whoever you are, thanks. This is obviously a subject where I don't know as much as I should. I hope to give insight from the hospice side of the conversation and hope you and others will teach me from the facility side of the issue.Anonymous said...A... Hospice Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=464701 Wed, 20 Sep 2006 14:12:00 +0100 464701