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.
It seems nursing homes in only one PA county ranked well with the new rating system
The Daily American reports that most of the nursing homes in Somerset County received average or better ratings from the federal government.
New federal ranking system for nursing homes creating a frenzy
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.
Feds Unveil Rating System for Nursing Homes
Nearly half the nursing homes in the Harrisburg area are deemed below average under a rating system unveiled by the federal government Thursday, reports the Patriot News.
Eighteen of the 40 homes serving Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry and Lebanon counties received one or two stars on the five-star scale, with five being the highest rating.
York County may outsource nursing home services
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.
Seniors may be eligible for state waiver program for alternatives to nursing home care
The state Department of Aging Waiver Program uses funds originally earmarked to fund non-medical in-home health care through Medical Assistance as an alternative to nursing home placement.