Industry News

Check back here frequently to keep up to date with any changes in the field of geriatrics.


Comforting Alzheimer's Patients

A recent article in The New York Times reviewed new techniques being implemented in nursing homes to help comfort residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia. These measures include giving people their favorite foods, like chocolate, and allowing residents to eat and sleep on their own schedule. These new methods have led to a decrease in medications and overall cost, as well as an increase in the residents’ moods.

Giving Alzheimer’s Patients Their Way, Even Chocolate
By PAM BELLUCK
Friday, December 31, 2010
  
   Margaret Nance was, to put it mildly, a difficult case. Agitated, combative, often reluctant to eat, she would hit staff members and fellow residents at nursing homes, several of which kicked her out. But when Beatitudes nursing home agreed to an urgent plea to accept her, all that changed.Disregarding typical nursing-home rules, Beatitudes allowed Ms. Nance, 96 and afflicted with Alzheimer’s, to sleep, be bathed and dine whenever she wanted, even at 2 a.m. She could eat anything, too, no matter how unhealthy, including unlimited chocolate.And she was given a baby doll, a move that seemed so jarring that a supervisor initially objected until she saw how calm Ms. Nance became when she rocked, caressed and fed her “baby,” often agreeing to eat herself after the doll “ate” several spoonfuls. (Read More...)
 

Call to defeat Alzheimer's in 10 years

In a recent article in The Washington Post Sandra Day O’Connor, retired associate of the Supreme Court, and Maria Shriver, first lady of California, examine the importance of finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease within the next decade.

Our new national goal: Defeating Alzheimer's in 10 years
By Sandra Day O'Connor and Maria Shriver
Friday, December 17, 2010

   Every American president must take on a defining challenge to mobilize the American spirit and advance the American story. The too-brief presidency of John F. Kennedy is remembered for a commitment to land a man on the moon within a decade. And this we did. Ronald Reagan declared that a resolute America would "transcend" communism. Less than a year after he left office, the Berlin Wall fell without a shot being fired.
Alzheimer's disease is our generation's defining challenge. It is quickly becoming one of the greatest public and financial health issues of our time. The House's passage Wednesday of the National Alzheimer's Project Act sends this critical legislation to the White House for President Obama's signature. Passage was a first step toward development of a strategic national plan to fight this disease. (Read More...)

   

IOM Reports on the Future of Nursing

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) and The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) released a report in October examining the nursing profession over a two year period. The report looked at nurses in different settings as well as nurses with different education levels in an effort to see where the profession is headed. The report focused on four messages:

  • Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education and training.
  • Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression.
  • Nurses should be full partners, with physicians and other health care professionals, in redesigning healthcare in the United States.
  • Effective workforce planning and policy making require better data collection and an improved information infrastructure.

Read the full brief here.

   

Kaiser Reports on High Medicare Spending

According to a new report released by the Kaiser Family Foundation, residents in long-term care facilities make up a large portion of preventable Medicare spending.


Studies Highlight High Medicare Costs For People In Nursing Homes
By Aimee Miles, KHN Staff Writer
October 12, 2010

   Medicare beneficiaries who reside in long-term care facilities account for an excessive and preventable portion of Medicare spending because of high rates of hospitalization, emergency room visits and skilled nursing care, according to reports released Tuesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). (Read More...)

   

The Role of the PHQ-9 in Facilities

On October 1, 2010 the MDS 3.0 will go into effect at your facility. This "new and improved" MDS has been designed to have superior accuracy, reliability, and usefulness. One major change involves how depression is assessed and monitored. This change involves using the PHQ-9, which is a screening tool for depression. As your behavioral health partner, we are committed to helping you implement this new requirement and reduce the risk of deficiencies associated with F-Tag 329 (use of unnecessary medications) and Quality Indicators (QIs) related to depression. (Read More...)

 

 

Copyright © 2010 MedOptions. All Rights Reserved.