February 27th, 2009
The homes’ owners say the dogs have a wonderful effect on residents.
February 23rd, 2009
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.
…
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.
February 19th, 2009
Only infants go to the emergency department at a higher rate than people 75 and older, according to a recent federal government survey. For years, many hospitals have set up separate emergency rooms just for kids. Now, Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Md., has set up an ER specifically for patients 65 and older, reports NPR.
February 11th, 2009
Doylestown’s Medicare-sponsored care management program Health Quality Partners has been successful at keeping patients out of the hospital while keeping down the cost of their care.
January 28th, 2009
State Rep. Ken Smith has again introduced legislation that would further protect patients in assisted living and long-term care facilities in Pennsylvania.
January 5th, 2009
The new ratings systems for nursing homes recently instituted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is drawing criticism from both the nursing home industry and other medical professional groups. But while the system does have its problems, say the editors of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, it is a giant step in the right direction.
December 22nd, 2008
As HealthPoint reported last week, the federal government recently implemented a rating system that ranks nursing homes across the country on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being “much below average” and 5 being “much above average.” However, the system is drawing a backlash from those who say that it is unfair and misleading.
December 9th, 2008
Some York County commissioners believe that up to $1 million can be generated by outsourcing the county nursing home’s rehabilitative treatment services, reports the York Daily Record.
November 10th, 2008
Legislators and healthcare professionals are worried that the state’s budget shortfall may mean cuts for Medicaid– at the same time, national studies show that when the economy is bad and people lose jobs, enrollment in Medicaid increases.
October 29th, 2008
A press release issued by the Pennsylvania Health Care Association states that the gap between the cost of caring for Pennsylvania’s frail and elderly in nursing homes and what the commonwealth reimburses for that care under the Medicaid program jumped from $11.91 in 2007 to $13.92 in 2008 – a nearly 17 percent hike.