Home health agencies have been slacking a bit when it comes to filing cost reports.  According to Home Health Care Today, MedPAC, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission will have a great influence on what and how the new Administration reforms health care laws.

MedPAC advises congress on what to do based off of Medicare cost reports that are filed in the home health care industry.  It appears that as reimbursement gradually shifted from cost based to prospective payment, home health care agencies have become less worried about filing the cost reports correctly.  This could cause unforeseen consequences in the formation of new health laws, as this data is the only source the government has to view profits and costs in the home health industry.

Thankfully, there is a plan to help repair these mistakes: The National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) and the Home Care and Hospice Financial Managers Association (HHFMA) have announced a campaign to educate home health care leaders in filing the cost reports correctly. They also plan to develop a code of conduct for producing these cost reports.  More than 20 percent of home health leaders have been filing error-filled cost reports, and this is the data that MedPAC will be basing their advisory decisions on.

The HHFMA is working diligently to get this moving along, as they have created a task force consisting of consultants and providers to decide what needs to be changed and improved in the cost reporting process. Hopefully we will see better reporting in the coming year, giving the new Administration a better idea of the current state of the home health care industry.

Source: Issue #164 of Home Health Care Today, courtesy of Stephen Tweed and www.leadinghomecare.com

Aerobic activity may keep the brain young. A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine study found physically active elderly people showed healthier cerebral blood vessels.

Researchers used non-invasive magnetic resonance (MR) angiography to examine the number and shape of blood vessels in the brains of physically active elderly people, seven men and seven women, ages 60 to 80, MediLexicon reports.

The study subjects were equally divided into two groups. The high activity group reported participating in an aerobic activity for a minimum of 180 minutes per week for the past 10 consecutive years, and the low activity group told investigators they had no history of regular exercise and currently spent less than 90 minutes a week in any physical activity.
Aerobically active subjects exhibited more small-diameter vessels with less tortuosity, or twisting, than the less active group, exhibiting a vessel pattern similar to younger adults.
The authors identified significant differences in the left and right middle cerebral artery regions confirmed by more than one statistical analysis.

The brain’s blood vessels naturally narrow and become more tortuous with advancing age, but the study showed the cerebrovascular patterns of active patients appeared “younger” than those of relatively inactive subjects. The brains of these less active patients had increased tortuosity produced by vessel elongation and wider expansion curves.

Treatment with a cholesterol-lowering drug might protect against Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study from The Netherlands.

Researchers at the University of Groningen theorized that the cholesterol drug lovastatin, a first-generation member of the class of drugs called statins used for treatment of high cholesterol, might ward off cell death.

Scientists have long known that nerve cells in people with Alzheimer’s die prematurely because they are strongly overstimulated, a process called excitotoxicity, HealthScout reports.

Animal experiments were conducted in which lovastatin was administered to overstimulated nerve cells. It prevented cell death and also blocked the loss of memory that accompanies excitotoxicity, according to researchers.

The Senior Financial Empowerment Act of 2009 (H.R. 3040), introduced by Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Congressman Howard Coble (R-NC), seeks to stop abusive mail, telemarketing and Internet fraud targeting seniors.

“I became aware of the seriousness and scope of fraud targeting seniors when I helped my own grandmother in her later years,” said Baldwin. “These crimes can have severe financial and emotional consequences for older Americans and their families. Our bill will educate the public, seniors, their families, and their caregivers on how to identify and combat fraudulent activity.”

“My parents lived into their 90s, and there were times that I was aware that they were being targeted by less-than-honest telemarketers,” said Coble. “All of us must be vigilant to make sure that senior citizens do not fall prey to these unscrupulous operators. I am hopeful that the Baldwin-Coble bill will go a long way to providing the public with additional information to protect the elderly.”
The Senior Financial Empowerment Act of 2009 will promote efforts to increase public awareness of the enormous impact that mail, telemarketing and Internet fraud have on seniors.

An estimated 1.7 million seniors (35,000 in Wisconsin alone) will be the victims of financial exploitation in 2009, according to the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups.

Less frequent participation in social activities is associated with more rapid decline in motor function in older adults, according to a new study.

“It’s not just running around the track that is good for you,” said Dr. Aron Buchman, associate professor of neurological sciences at Rush University Medical Center. “Our findings suggest that engaging in social activities may also be protective against loss of motor abilities.”
Loss of muscle strength, speed and dexterity is a common consequence of aging, and a well-established risk factor for death, disability and dementia.

“Our data raises the possibility that we can slow motor decline and possibly delay its adverse health outcomes by supporting social engagement – a relatively low-cost solution to a very large public health problem,” Buchman said.

The study of 906 older adults found that motor decline was more rapid in those with less frequent participation in social activities, with each one-point decrease in a participant’s social activity associated with an approximate 33 percent more rapid rate of decline.

A one-point decrease on the social activity scale was equivalent to being approximately five years older at the start of the study, according to Buchman.

“Statistically, that amount of change translates into a more than 40 percent increased risk of death and a more than 65 percent increased risk of developing disability,” Buchman said.

To read more about the study, see the news release.

With the economy in its current state, working caregivers could use all the help they can get when it comes to health care payments for mom and dad.

A new health plan to give money back to patients through a warranty is being devised. This model is also addressed in the journal Health Affairs, by Francois de Brantes, that proposes a system called Prometheus Payment, will “cover all recommended services, treatments and procedures for specific conditions but are also ‘risk-adjusted’ for patients who may be older or frail.

The warranty is based on the costs incurred by avoidable complications. In current fee-for-service plans, all costs from these complications are covered by the third party payer, regardless. But in the Prometheus Payment model, half of the costs from avoidable complications must be paid for by the providers themselves. The result, Mr. de Brantes and his co-authors write, is a payment system that offers patients a health care warranty, since ‘providers win or lose financially based on their actual performance in reducing the incidence of avoidable complications” (Chen, 6/25).

This would either hurt or help you as a patient, depending on their state.  If a patient suffers from certain complications, they will face higher charges; if a patient does not suffer complications, they will see lower fees.

The most important factor: do caregivers receive benefits? Caregiver agreements have been talked about for years, and they have been gaining even more attention since the qualifying requirements for Medicaid have gotten tougher.  Although it is still a new idea, this may be the answer in order for family caregivers to see the savings. Of course, all caregivers are deserving of benefits for their hard work, but we will have to wait and see how this develops in the coming months.

Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155613.php

People over the age of 60 are more likely to take risks with “use by” dates than younger people, according to new research by the Food Standards Agency.

Eating food beyond its “use by” date increases the risk of food poisoning from the listeria food bug, which can be life-threatening for this age group, the agency notes.

The Food Standards Agency is an independent government department set up by an Act of Parliament in 2000 to protect the public’s health and consumer interests in relation to food.

According to a news release, the number of cases of people taken ill with listeria rose 20 percent in 2007 and has more than doubled since 2000,with the increase occurring predominantly among people over 60.

Research shows that less than half of this age group recognizes “use by” dates as an important indicator of whether food is safe or not, and they could be putting themselves at risk of serious illness.

Research found:

• Less than half (42 percent) of older people questioned in the survey correctly identified the “use by” date as an important indicator of whether a food is safe.
• Older respondents were more likely to eat food past its “use by” date. For example, 40 percent would eat dairy products up to three days past the“use by” date.
• Only a third of people (34 percent) over 65 would never eat dairy past its “use by” date.
• Less than half (39 percent) of people over 65 checked their fridge temperature at least every six months. Setting the right fridge temperature (between 0°C and 5°C) is important to control the growth of listeria in food.

Rachel is a perfect example of how, even at the age of 89, people can still handle the care of an automobile. She’s also managed to log over 500,000 miles of road time on Chariot, her 1964 mercury comet. Rachel proves that nothing can stop you from doing what you love, at any time in your life. Check out this video featuring Rachel and Chariot courtesy of Growingbolder.com.

Original link : http://growingbolder.com/media/technology/vehicles/romancing-the-road-259598.html

more about “Still Not Slowing Down: A Woman Shows…“, posted with vodpod

With today’s failing economy, seniors need all the help they can get to save on prescription drug costs. These savings might be coming very soon with a new agreement by the “nation’s pharmaceutical industry” stating that they plan to reduce drug costs by at least 50 percent for elderly Americans.

President Obama is greatly supporting this new agreement, stating that change in the health care system is a priority. This agreement is going to become part of an “$80 billion reduction in Medicare drug costs for senior citizens over the next 10 years”. This plan would hope to fill the hole that is in Medicare drug coverage, and get more seniors that are not covered by Medicare the drugs they require.

The main problem is determining how to most effectively reduce costs and better reach more of the 46 million Americans lacking health insurance. This returns to the ongoing fight between having a government funded health care system or staying with the private health care system that America currently follows.

As things stand now, this deal is a great win for Americans who want public health care, and may be signs of change in health care coverage in the near future. More importantly, it gives hope to present seniors who are not able to afford their prescribed medicine.

Source:

CNN(2009).Obama praises drug industry deal to cut costs for elderly [News bulletin]. www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/22/obama.health.care/index.html

Full Article: www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/22/obama.health.care/index.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE            

Contact: Bert Copple   Telephone: 248-203-2273

 

Who Will Care for Mom?

 

Reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that predict an increase in the personal and home care aides job category – forecasting that to be the second fastest-growing job group in the nation over the next decade – is welcome news in a recession.  But the rapid growth in this job group may not be fast enough.  One local senior-care provider – Home Instead Senior Care – says the company’s recent research indicates that demand for these jobs will outpace supply in a big way.

 

“This could become a national crisis issue,” said Tina Rowley, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office serving Birmingham and Southeast Oakland County.  “At our company alone – the largest of its kind, but one of many throughout our country – the number of CAREGivers nationally is about 60,000.  To keep pace with this projected demand, our company will have to double its care force in just three years, according to our research,” she noted.  “On a positive note, these projections will result in job opportunities for area workers hit hard by the economy, providing a flexible part-time option for additional income or a new career in a fulfilling job field – caring for older adults.”

 

In Michigan, the personal and home care aides job category is expected to increase from 17,050 jobs in 2006 to 20,130 positions in 2016 – a projected 18% increase.  The influx of state jobs to this occupation is mirroring what is happening throughout the country.  Nationwide, the personal and home care aides classification is expected to grow by more than 50 percent between 2006 and 2016, increasing from 767,000 to a projected 1.15 million jobs. ¹

 

The government identifies personal and home care aides as professionals who help the elderly, disabled, ill and mentally disabled live in their own homes or in residential care facilities instead of in health facilities.  The growing number of seniors in the U.S. as well as locally is expected to help fuel this job demand.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population age 65 and older is projected to double between 2000 and 2050.

 

“We’ve certainly seen the needs of seniors in our area drive the demand for our services, which in turn creates more caregiving jobs,” said Bert Copple, general manager of the franchise.  The local Home Instead Senior Care office is part of an international franchise company whose professional CAREGivers go into the homes of seniors to help them with their non-medical needs such as companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, errands and shopping.

 

National research conducted by the company reveals that 86 percent of seniors want to continue living in their homes as they age.  This surge in seniors at home will help fuel the demand for these new positions as well. 

 

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Economist Colleen Teixeira Moffat, who studies the occupation of personal and home care aides, said increasing health-care costs partly explain this growing demand.  “It’s a lot more cost-effective to leave a hospital sooner when all a senior might need is assistance with daily activities,” she said.  “A visiting nurse, home health aide, and personal and home care aide all will be cheaper than a stay in a residential care facility,” she said.

 

The job’s flexibility also is attractive, she noted.  “The education requirements are not high, so this job may be appealing to an individual who is new to this country or someone who wants to put off college for awhile.  A job such as this can give people an opportunity to get a feel for working with others.  It’s also a flexible job for those taking care of their own families or looking for a second job,” Teixeira Moffat added.  Home Instead Senior Care also has discovered that seniors themselves make great caregivers. 

 

The training process for the profession is comprehensive but not lengthy, industry experts note.  Caregivers typically complete a four-step training program, which provides the basic skills and, for some, advanced skills necessary to care for seniors. These include a

focus on safety, communications, emergency first aid, activities and routine meal preparation and light housekeeping. The more advanced training prepares caregivers to perform personal services such as toileting and bathing.

 

Caregiving companies are gearing up to meet this expected caregiving need by offering incentive recruiting programs and reaching out to groups that have proven to be attracted to this job category such as older adults.  “At Home Instead Senior Care, we have focused our efforts on retaining quality CAREGivers, who in turn can recruit other outstanding CAREGivers,” Rowley said. 

# # #

1. http://www.bls.gov/emp/emptab21.htm

 

Do You Have What it Takes?

A profession caring for seniors brings many benefits.  But it’s also not for everyone.  That’s why it’s important to ask yourself important questions before pursuing this job path.  If you love working with seniors, if you’re an understanding person and if you have served previously as a family caregiver to a loved one, or if you’re a senior yourself, you probably have some of the attributes needed to be a good professional caregiver.

 

In the meantime, why not complete the caregiver career self-assessment at www.heartofacaregiver.com to help you gauge whether caregiving would be a good career fit for you.

 

In addition to being the second fastest-growing job category nationally, CareerBuilder.com has listed personal and home care aides as one of the top 10 best part-time jobs² as well as part of one of the top five recession-proof industries: health care³.

 

2. http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/01/24/best.parttime.jobs/index.html

3. http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/03/24/cb.recession.proof/index.html