Tribune-Review: Part of Rendell budget calls for PA to merge long-term living services
The provision would put the Office of Long-Term Living solely under the Department of Aging.
Two major changes coming to Medicare
Seniors covered by “Medicare Advantage” plans will see changes to those plans. Medicare will also begin using competitive bidding to purchase medical equipment for seniors.
States slashing social programs to save money now, but will pay for it later
For example, by slashing aid for elderly people who need homecare aid, states are setting those elderly people up for problems that will place them in nursing homes, which cost more per person than homecare aid.
Panel to discuss the upcoming senior care “tsunami”
As baby boomers age, the senior care system will be overwhelmed, predict some health officials.
Patients with multiple chronic conditions pose a big problem
Research and treatment options for patients with multiple chronic diseases, a condition called multimorbidity, are largely overlooked by the healthcare industry, reports the New York Times.
Pittsburgh company’s healthcare product is beating the recession
Sales of AccuNurse, a voice-activated portable system that provides nursing home aides with information on their residents as they work, among other things, are growing.
PANPHA: Use federal stimulus money to create a better long-term living system for seniors
The organization represents home-based care services, long-term-care nursing facilities, personal care homes, housing providers and continuing care retirement communities.
AARP: PA is lagging on efforts to expand community based services for seniors; preventing them from entering nursing homes
Pennsylvania still lags behind most other states in keeping seniors out of nursing facilities, despite an ongoing push to help them stay in their homes, reports the Morning Call.
Montour County’s Grandview Health Homes use dog therapy
The homes’ owners say the dogs have a wonderful effect on residents.
A new state agency may control elder care
With the number of seniors in PA expected to increase by 1 million in just over a decade, Gov. Rendell is talking about moving responsibilities for senior care over to a new Department of Aging and Long-Term Living.
Behind the governor’s proposal are demographic trends in Pennsylvania: The number of Pennsylvanians age 65 and over is expected to increase by 1 million by 2020. This group will account for 22 percent of the state’s population by then, compared to 15 percent today. By 2020, the percentage of Pennsylvanians over age 65 will equal the percentage under age 15.
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If state lawmakers approve the proposal, the Department of Public Welfare will cede oversight over long-term care programs.
Read more at the Times-Tribune.