An article in the PoconoRecord.com, reminds seniors that the deadline for the 2010 Property Tax/Rent Rebate is quickly approaching. Renters and property owners have until Dec. 31 to apply for a rebate for taxes/rent paid in 2010. You qualify for this rebate if you owned and occupied your home as…
Articles Posted in Nursing Home Neglect
Study Shows Vaccines Are Most Effective Way to Prevent Flu in Older Citizens
According to the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute on Aging, an average of 226,000 people are hospitalized annually with flu-related symptoms and the rate is higher for the elderly with 560 hospitalizations per 100,000 people. The highest rate of death from flu related symptoms is in those seniors 85 years old…
Additional Medicare Cuts Hurt Nursing Homes
Skilled nursing facilities can expect another 2 percent cut in Medicare rates beginning January 2013 and this cut comes on the heels of an 11 percent cut to Medicare last month. The failure of the Super Committee to agree on a way to trim $1.2 trillion from the federal deficit…
Nursing Home Groups Support Marilyn Tavenner as Administrator of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
The appointment of Marilyn Tavenner to replace Donald Berwick, M.D. as administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) is getting strong support from nursing home groups, according to an article on McKnights.com. In the article, Alan G. Rosenbloom, president of the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care, said…
Common Medications That Cause Older Americans to Be Hospitalized
According to an article on USAToday.com, there are four common medications that are responsible for sending an estimated 100,000 seniors to the hospital from drug reactions. “Of the thousands of medications available to older patients, a small group of blood thinners and diabetes medications caused a high proportion of emergency…
Happy Thanksgiving from O’Connor Law!
The attorneys and staff of O’Connor Law wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving and safe journey to those who are travelling this holiday weekend!
Oregon Nursing Home Residents Use iPad to Vote
A small pilot program involving nursing homes in five Oregon counties made voting in last week’s elections a cinch for residents. Instead of heading out to the polls, they voted via iPad tablet notebooks. According to an article on McKnights Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, election officials brought iPads…
November is National Family Caregiver Month
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging recognizes November as National Family Caregiver Month. According to the state agency, Pennsylvania has about 1.2 million unpaid caregivers, making it the fourth largest caregiver population in the country. These caregivers contribute more than $13,000 of free service every year the agency estimates and as…
Dealing with Alzheimer’s Patients Who Wander
November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. According to an acticle on CNN.com, about 60% of the nation’s 5 million Alzheimer’s patients will wander – a huge risk to many Alzheimer’s patients and their loved ones. It may not be possible to keep an eye on your loved once 24…
State Personal Care Home Violations Discussed
According to a Pittsburgh television station investigating team, seven personal care homes across the state were shut down last year, while three others had their licenses revoked. Target 11 investigator Rick Earle and photographer Tim Holoman interviewed Ron Melusky, the state director of Adult Residential Licensing in Harrisburg last month.…