Earlier this month, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an initiative to reduce the use of antipsychotic drugs on nursing home patients with dementia by 15 percent by the end of the year. It’s an effort that will put the focus on trying other methods to…
Next month a judge will determine whether property inside St. Catherine Medical Center Fountain Springs can be sold or if the business can be sold in its entirety. According to an article on the RepublicanHerald.com, the trustee would like to offer for pubic sale the personal property, which he says…
It’s estimated that nearly 27 million Americans live with osteoarthritis, a type of joint disorder due to aging and wear on a joint. Symptoms include aching, swollen, or stiff knees. For most sufferers, an ibuprofen may relieve the pain. For other patients, a more invasive treatment is necessary. Viscosupplementation involves…
According to a press release from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, the deadline for applying for Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for older adults and those with disabilities has been extended from June 30 to December 31. Those who are eligible include Pennsylvania residents who are age 65 and older;…
About 100 volunteers from Home Depot will build eight raised gardens at senior living centers and nursing homes in Allegheny, Butler and Washington counties to give residents in wheelchairs and walkers the opportunity to plant flower and vegetable gardens as they may have done at home. According to a recent…
The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced recently that Schuylkill Center along with three other nursing facilities received the state’s new “Award for Excellence in Health Care Compliance.” According to Department of Health Secretary Dr. Eli N. Avila the department believes it is important to inform the public of those facilities…
The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority focused its 2011 annual report of the programs and collaborations that focused on preventing wrong-site surgery and decreasing health-care associated infections. Stanton N. Smullens, M.D., acting chairman of the authority said in a news release that the authority broadened its scope of educational activities and…
According to the Erie Times News, the state board will hear a dispute over proposed changes to a pension plan of employees at Pleasant Ridge Manor, Fairview Township and Pleasant Ridge Manor-East, Millcreek Township, both owned by Erie County. AFSME, the union representing the employees has filed an injunction and…
The state Department of Public Welfare recently released the 2011 Adult Residential Care Licensing report. The report highlights the department’s efforts to keep personal care homes safe for Pennsylvania residents. According to a news release, DPW licensed 1,326 personal care homes, providing care to 47,000 adults with physical or mental…
A recent analysis by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General is reporting that many U.S. nursing homes do not have adequate plans in place in case of natural disasters. According to an article on McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, emergency plans for some long-term facilities…