Health and Disability

From McKnight's:

A handful of states are now spending more of their Medicaid funding on home- and community-based services than on nursing home care, according to a new report from AARP. The study also found that nursing home occupancy rates have remained static over the last five years, while HCBS funding has soared...

For More...

From McKnight's:

The Senate Special Committee on Aging will convene tomorrow to discuss the inclusion of improvements to long-term care as part of overarching national healthcare reform.

Representatives from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and various state healthcare agencies will talk about possible changes to the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Panelists also will consider ways to better organize the country's scattered system of long-term care services, according to a statement from Sen. Herb Kohl  (D-WI), chairman of the Special Committee on Aging. Thomas Hamilton, director of CMS's survey and certification group, and Karen Timberlake, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, are among the hearing's scheduled witnesses....

For More...

From McKnight's:

After heavier than expected losses in the fourth quarter of 2008, Sunrise Senior Living has hinted that it could be forced to file for bankruptcy by the end of the month....

For More....

From McKnight's:

Nursing home operators are praising President Obama's proposed 2010 budget for provisions that would help educate and train nurses. But they fear that other parts, including those that call for “bundling” of some Medicare funding for post-acute care, will be harmful. Obama said the goal of bundled payments is to lower hospital readmission rates....

For More...

From PHI:

On March 4, 2009 the Senate Aging Committee will take up health care reform and the needs of an aging America. PHI Washington liaison Henry Claypool will address the committee concerning the reforms disability advocates have brought to long-term care policy and the applicability of these reforms for older Americans. Mr. Claypool will call on Congress to support a skilled, stable direct-care workforce, which he concludes is essential to supporting elders and people with disabilities to live meaningful lives in the community....

For More...

from bloglongtermcare.com:

Spray'n Swallow® a 100% all-natural way to help people swallow pills is announced by Marlenk Innovations, Inc. Spray'n Swallow's proprietary formulation lubricates pills so they can glide down the throat, and masks the after taste of many medications. With the ever growing use of prescription medications, vitamins and supplements, Spray'n Swallow® offers a much needed solution for many Americans both young and old who struggle with this problem....

For More...

From PHI:

The Center for Personal Assistance Services (PASC) has issued a report titled Home and Community-Based Services: Public Policies to Improve Access, Cost, and Quality that offers suggestions for improving policy at both the state and federal levels...

For More...

From PHI:

The Pioneer Network is offering a webinar series for those interested in learning more about attached and detached small houses and smaller environments as ways to create home for those needing long-term care.

The three-part webinar series starts March 5 and is sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Topics include:

• The Essential Elements of Small Houses
• Lessons Learned from Small House Models
• Policy, Regulatory and Reimbursement Issues

Visit the Pioneer Network website for more details and registration information.

For More....

From NY Times:

The New York Times on Monday examined the increased number of U.S. children "providing care for sick parents or grandparents," and how schools, social service agencies and health care providers often are "unaware of those responsibilities because family members may be too embarrassed, or stoic." According to a 2005 survey, about 3% of households with children ages eight to 18 include children who serve as caregivers....

For More....

From McKnight's:

...McKnight's' readers can learn more about payment and policy issues during the McKnight's Online Expo March 25-26.

"The nation's long term care financing system requires a complete restructure in order to ensure continued access and quality care for our nation's most vulnerable populations," said Bruce Yarwood, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association Monday. He released a statement on the day of the Fiscal Responsibility Summit at the White House.

McKnight's will delve into financing issues during its third annual virtual trade show. Attendees will be able to hear webcasts, including "Medicare, Medicaid and the year ahead" and "MDS 3.0 is coming-are you ready?" Three other webcasts will concentrate on technology ("Tech tools that help drive quality improvement"), wound care ("Providers are under more pressure") and capital ("Sizing up new marketplace realities"). This year, for the first time, administrators will be able to receive a continuing education credit for each of the five webcasts.....

For More...