December 5th, 2008

Two teenage girls who worked at a nursing home have been charged with abuse, accused of taunting, spitting on and groping residents who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.According to the criminal complaint, filed Monday, 19-year-old Brianna Broitzman and 18-year-old Ashton Larson laughed earlier this year as they spit in residents’ mouths, poked and groped their breasts and genitals, and at times mocked them until they screamed.Broitzman and Larson, who worked as part-time aides at the home, have been charged as adults.

Four other teens who worked with them at the Good Samaritan Society were charged as juveniles for failing to report the incidents.
A total of eight teens were allegedly involved in the incidents, but there was no record of criminal charges being filed against two of them.

Broitzman and Larson are charged with assault, abuse of a vulnerable adult by a caregiver, abuse of a vulnerable adult with sexual contact, disorderly conduct and failing to report suspected maltreatment. All are gross misdemeanors.

The Minnesota Department of Health released a report in August showing that 15 residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia disorders were abused at the facility between Jan. 1 and May 1.

According to the complaint filed Monday, one of the aides said the group gathered at work or school to “talk and laugh about the incidents.”

Mark Anderson, administrator at the Good Samaritan Society in Albert Lea, told WCCO-TV that the past few months have been difficult for the staff, the home’s residents and their families.”We are just really thankful that the proceedings are moving forward and hopefully can see some closure to this whole process,” Anderson said.

December 4th, 2008

American Specialty Health (ASH), a leading national health improvement organization, announced that Inter Valley Health Plan, a non-profit, federally qualified Medicare Advantage program, has selected its Silver&Fit(r) senior fitness program for its 14,600 eligible members in California.
“Inter Valley Health Plan prides itself on providing our members with excellent health plans and knowledge to help them live a long and happy life,” said Ronald Bolding, Inter Valley Health Plan CEO and President. “Aligning with ASH fits our vision perfectly because the Silver&Fit senior fitness program is considered one of the best in the industry.”
Upon enrolling in Silver&Fit, Inter Valley Health Plan members will receive a no-cost membership at a local participating fitness club. Their Silver&Fit membership will include all of the standard amenities offered by that club’s basic membership, such as access to free weights, cardiovascular equipment, and where available, pools, saunas, and whirlpool facilities.
Seniors who are not able to participate at the fitness club-or that simply prefer to work out at home-may participate instead in the Silver&Fit Home Fitness Program. Upon enrollment, Silver&Fit members will receive an Exercise Kit and a Walking Kit, which include tools to help them perform exercises at home. Inter Valley Health Plan Home Fitness Program members may receive DVDs or Internet access to a variety of exercise classes, all of which are designed specifically for older adults.
All Silver&Fit members receive a quarterly newsletter, access to SilverandFit.com, and a toll-free hotline to provide information and answers to any questions about the program.
“Studies continue to show that regular physical activity can help seniors stay vital and healthy as they age,” said ASH chairman and chief executive officer George DeVries. “By providing the Silver&Fit program to its senior members, Inter Valley Health Plan is ensuring a better quality of life for those who participate.”
Silver&Fit was developed to assist older adults in beginning or continuing a regular exercise program. Regular exercise has shown to be an important element in preventing some medical conditions, including high blood pressure and heart and lung disease. Cardiovascular and strength training can also help seniors improve their balance and become more flexible, preventing common slips and falls and speeding up the recovery period from such injuries. Access to the network of exercise facilities is provided through ASH subsidiary American Specialty Health Networks, Inc.

November 24th, 2008

According to The Hospice Foundation of America, the word “hospice” stems from the Latin word “hospitium” meaning guesthouse. It was originally used to describe a place of shelter for weary and sick travelers returning from religious pilgrimages.

During the 1960s, Dr. Cicely Saunders, a British physician began the modern hospice movement by establishing St. Christopher’s Hospice near London. St. Christopher’s organized a team approach to professional caregiving, and was the first program to use modern pain management techniques to compassionately care for the dying. The first hospice in the United States was established in New Haven, Conn. in 1974.

Today there are more than 4,700 hospice programs in the United States. Hospice programs cared for 965,000 people enrolled in Medicare in 2006, and nearly 1.4 million people in the United States in 2007. In the Meridian area, the number of facilities has increased in recent years. The area is currently served by Community Hospices of America, Guardian Angel Hospice Inc., Harper’s Hospice Care Inc., Hometown Hospice, Hospice Care Group, Infinity Hospice, LLC, Queen City Nursing Center and Sta-Home Health & Hospice.

Hospice is not a place but a concept of care. Eighty percent of hospice care is provided in the patient’s home, family member’s home and in nursing homes. Inpatient hospice facilities are sometimes available to assist with caregiving.

Facts about Hospice:

• Hospice is a special concept of care designed to provide comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatments.
• Hospice care neither prolongs life nor hastens death.
• Hospice staff and volunteers offer a specialized knowledge of medical care, including pain management.
• The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of a patient’s last days by offering comfort and dignity.
• Hospice care is provided by a team-oriented group of specially trained professionals, volunteers and family members.
• Hospice addresses all symptoms of a disease, with a special emphasis on controlling a patient’s pain and discomfort.
• Hospice deals with the emotional, social and spiritual impact of the disease on the patient and the patient’s family and friends.
• Hospice offers a variety of bereavement and counseling services to families before and after a patient’s death.

Source: The Hospice Foundation

November 20th, 2008

Researchers are reporting that the largest and longest independent clinical trial to assess ginkgo biloba’s ability to prevent memory loss has found that the supplement does not prevent or delay dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

The study is the first trial large enough to accurately assess the plant extract’s effect on the incidence of dementia, experts said, and the results dashed hopes that it is an effective preventative. In fact, there were more cases of dementia among participants who were taking ginkgo biloba than among those who were taking a placebo, though the difference was not statistically significant.

For the trial, researchers from five academic medical centers in the United States recruited 3,069 community volunteers 75 and older. Most were cognitively normal, but 482 had mild cognitive impairment.

About half were given two doses of 120 milligrams of ginkgo biloba extract daily, while the other half were provided with placebo pills. Neither the participants nor the doctors knew who was receiving which pills. They were followed for a median of 6.1 years and assessed every six months for dementia.

During the study period, 523 cases of dementia were diagnosed. Of those, 246, or 16.1 percent, were in placebo users, and 277, or 17.9 percent, were in people taking ginkgo biloba.

 

 

Source:wallstreetjournal.com

November 17th, 2008

1. Daily Living Plan: Make sure the assisted living or senior living facility offers lots of activities that allow residents to be active. They should include great socializing events, exercise classes, educational seminars, religious services, and outings.
2. Medical Staff: Check to see who the resident geriatrician is and what credentials the nurses have. There should be an ambulance service and a quality hospital nearby with the patients’ medical charts. Also check to see that menus are approved by a nutritionist;
3. Talk to residents!!!!: Ask current residents for their opinion on the facility and services. You can get the best information for the residents! The will tell you the good and the bad of the place.
4. Room Accomidations and Facility Basics: Make sure the facility has showers with moveable showerheads, handrails, good lighting, emergency electricity generators, emergency help buttons and adequate personnel.

November 17th, 2008

I recently read an interesting article about PACE. Here is more information about the program.

PACE is an All-inclusive Care Program for the Elderly . The model is centered around the belief that it is better for the well-being of seniors with chronic care needs and their families to be served in the community whenever possible.

According to the National PACE Association, there are 16,000 participants in PACE nationwide. The average client is 80 and takes eight prescription medications. Participants have to be 55 or older, certified by their state to need nursing home care and be able to live safely in the community.

Each PACE program receives a fixed amount per person from a patient’s state Medicaid program — usually 85% to 90% of estimated nursing home costs. Medicare funds come through a risk-adjusted formula in which the program receives more for sicker enrollees. PACE becomes both the patient’s insurer and care provider and is obliged to pay for all of the patient’s medical care from the point of enrollment forward.

Services include:

Delivering all needed medical and supportive services, the program is able to provide the entire continuum of care and services to seniors with chronic care needs while maintaining their independence in their homes for as long as possible. 

Care and services include:

• Adult day care that offers nursing; physical, occupational and recreational therapies; meals; nutritional counseling; social work and personal care
• Medical care provided by a PACE physician familiar with the history, needs and preferences of each participant
• Home health care and personal care
• All necessary prescription drugs
• Social services
• Medical specialists such as audiology, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, and speech therapy
• Respite care
• Hospital and nursing home care when necessary

The benefits of PACE are that participants are supported by a coordinated medical team that the federal government hopes will cut costs and improve life for the elderly.

November 14th, 2008

Approximately 3.8 million seniors reside in some type of aging services facility, according to the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. They live in roughly 17,000 nursing homes, 39,500 assisted-living facilities, 2,250 continuing care retirement communities, and other senior housing units.

The distressed housing market, and a deepening recession threaten a huge decline in the senior housing indusrty . Across the spectrum of senior housing; life-care communities, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes people at all levels of income are dealing with financial challenges.

Primary residences are the greatest source of wealth for most retirees, and the sale of those homes is the most common way to generate retirement-community entrance fees, which range from $100,000 at the low end, upwards of $500,000 and much more at the highest-end communities.

Income from pensions and investments is a major source of monthly maintenance payments across the spectrum of senior housing. Financial support from children and other family members often enables retirement home occupants to make ends meet.

November 12th, 2008

Shares of Emeritus fell 15 percent today. The shares dropped from $1.56 to $8.82, their lowest level in four years. Emeritus is a nationwide provider of assisted senior housing also reported a third-quarter loss of $23.1 million.

The Seattle company, one of the largest in its field, wasn’t the only senior housing company battered by the market. Leading competitors Sunrise Senior Living and Brookdale Senior Living fell 21 percent and 18 percent, respectively.

Emeritus’ third-quarter revenue of $193 million was up from $187 million in the second quarter, while its net loss shrank from the second-quarter loss of $25.2 million.

November 12th, 2008

The Silver Alert system notifies law enforcement agencies and the general public when an adult has disappeared or has gone missing. Recent reports suggest that up to 14 million seniors will develop Alzheimer’s disease in the next few decades, and that up to half of them are likely to wander. The bill would allow for up to $5 million per year between 2009 and 2013 to be spent implementing the silver alert system.

The bill, the National Silver Alert Act (H.R. 6064), also would reauthorize Kristen’s Act, which was established to create a national database to track missing adults who are endangered due to age or diminished mental capacity. The Kristen’s Act re-authorization would provide an additional $4 million per year over the next decade to help families locate and recover missing adults.

November 12th, 2008

Brookdale Senior Living Inc. shares lost more than a third of their value Thursday, plunging for a second-straight day in the wake of weak third-quarter results.

Stock in the nation’s largest provider of senior-care facilities fell $3.43, or 36.5 percent, to close at $5.96, after sinking as low as $5.89, the lowest level in Brookdale’s three years as a publicly traded company.

On Wednesday, the stock lost 15.5 percent, to finish at $9.39.Analysts raised questions about the company’s balance sheet and cost pressures and suggested its difficulties are likely to continue into 2009.

source: associated press