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…
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…
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…
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…
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!
Elder care advocates rallied in Washington Nov. 17, uniting to help ensure services are not cut for older Americans. Led by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, a long-time senior advocate, congressional advocates and others were asked to stand together at 10 a.m. in the Dirksen Senate Office Building. According to elderneglect.org,…
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…
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…
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…
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.…