PA nursing homes worry about Medicare cuts
In early October, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services adjusted its Medicare rates, cutting approximately $12 billion nationwide over the next ten years.
Medical experts say that many elderly nursing home residents get futile end-of-life care
Sometimes, care given actually worsens their pain and discomfort.
Home care programs for seniors to expand
PA’s senior population is growing, and it costs less to pay for seniors to receive care at home than paying for nursing home care.
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.
Senior citizens advocate groups says Pa Legislature needs to establish long-term living system
“…we must band together and demand lawmakers establish a fully funded long-term living system that meets the care and service needs of all Pennsylvanians with chronic care needs,” writes Ron Bartha, CEO of PANPHA.
Hospitals round-up for 1/9
Today’s round-up features news on Lycoming County, Scranton-area hospitals, and Clearfield Hospital.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editors welcome controversial new nursing home ratings system
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.