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The
National Council on the Aging (NCOA) conducted a survey to determine what effect
community-based programs had on the elderly. The National Survey of Health and
Supportive Services in the Aging Network, completed by 528 program leaders,
supports the importance of community-based organizations in the healthcare
continuum for seniors. According to survey results, the organizations improved
health and provided support for seniors to enhance their quality of life. The
survey also indicated the programs were reaching those in greatest need of its
services, including low-income elderly, minorities and seniors living in rural
areas. The NCOA report listed various factors that could prevent expanding
community-based activities: securing adequate funding, shortages of
staff/volunteers, and funding agency rules and regulations. The Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation funded the survey.
The
Alzheimer's Association's Los Angeles Chapter, in cooperation with the
California Department of Health Services, launched the Alzheimer's Disease
Health Education Initiative (ADHEI). This initiative is working on bridging the
communication gap between doctor and patient or caregiver through education. The
California Department of Health Services is funding the program with a
three-year $2.4 million grant. California is the first state to fund this type
of program. All California chapters of the Alzheimer's Association will
implement the initiative. The ADHEI's goal is to improve the quality of
healthcare for Alzheimer's patients.
Industry EventsInstitute for Healthcare Improvement's National Forum National Investment Center Conference |
Risk Factors for Pressure Ulcers Identified
The first National Pressure Ulcer Long-Term-Care Study released critical factors that make a resident more susceptible to pressure ulcers (lesions caused by unrelieved pressure on the skin that damages underlying tissues). The Ross Products Division of Abbott Laboratories conducted the study in 109 facilities, which included nearly 2,500 residents. The study identified nutrition factors, involuntary weight loss and dehydration as the primary risk factors. It also listed poor pressure relief, incontinence and dietary deficiencies as factors. Pressure ulcers are one of the top five issues facing long-term-care facilities and nearly 2 million people develop them each year.
For more information, visit www.ross.com.
Must See Sites
www.findavacancy.com
For seniors who want to find vacancies at residential-care facilities at the
click of a mouse, this site is the answer. Find-a-vacancy provides free
information on openings at communities, a directory of all other care facilities
in California and information on products and services for the elderly.
http://woundcaredirect.com
Dumex Medical launched this site to educate caregivers about the prevention and
treatment of chronic wounds. It offers various suggestions and products to
promote and expedite healing.
www.BriggsCorp.com
Briggs Corp. has revised its website to make product and regulatory information
accessible round the clock. It includes details about various healthcare
solutions.
Government Watch
Senior Legal Programs Given Assistance
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration on Aging (AoA) granted nearly $2 million to two critical programs: Legal Assistance and Elder Rights, and Statewide Legal Hotline for Older Americans. The money will fund legal services for low-income or at-risk seniors who are often unable to obtain vital legal information. The hotlines provide free or low-cost assistance. In a 1990 study, the lines proved to resolve approximately 80 percent of the legal questions proposed.
For more information, visit www.aoadhhs.gov.
Reform Act Expedites Appeals Process for Providers
The American Health Care Association (AHCA) praises the introduction of The Medicare Regulatory, Appeals, Contracting and Education Reform Act. The Act includes changes to regulation fairness and the nursing-home inspection appeals process. Long-term-care providers will now be able to have certain appeals heard, and the whole process will be expedited. Before the Act was initiated, nursing homes could lose their provider agreements while waiting for the time-consuming appeals process to take place, reports AHCA. The Act also speeds up the appeals process for providers to question the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services on issuing new policies.
For more information, visit www.ahca.org.
ADMA Voices Opinion on Caregiving
The American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) released its position statement on direct-care staffing in nursing homes after examining the quality, education and training of nursing-home staff. The AMDA is supporting continued research and projects that may expand training and standardize curriculum for certified nursing assistants to raise the quality of care for seniors. The association also supports mandated staffing levels and skill levels to adequately fulfill residents' needs. Studies have shown resident and family satisfaction with a particular nursing home is largely due to how well the nursing staff interacts with the resident.
For a full report of the AMDA position statement, visit www.amda.com.
People on the Move
 Simard |
 Marshall |
Joyce Simard, MSW, is opening her own private geriatric consulting firm. Simard has 20 years experience in the long-term-care industry and is a nationally recognized speaker on Alzheimer's disease.
Edward Clemons was named chief human-resources officer for NewCourtland, a subsidiary of the Presbyterian Foundation for Philadelphia.
Presbyterian Homes & Services hired Susan Wood as executive director of Monroe Village, a continuing-care retirement community in New Jersey. She will oversee operations and be involved in the expansion, which includes an assisted-living facility.
 Vogel |
 Acker |
The Sumner Foundation appointed Ted Pappas Jr. to the position of president and CEO. The foundation also named Lynne Van Nostran to the new position of development director.
Tel-Tron Systems Solutions announced the addition of Angela Marshall to its staff. She will be involved in direct sales to senior-housing communities in the Southeast.
Frank Sica was promoted to vice president of Cannon Design. He was project manager on a number of the firm's largest projects.
Fidelity TeleAlarm expanded its management team to include Donald Mink as general manager for all U.S. operations and Kevin Hickey as its new Eastern regional sales manager.
Brandywine Senior Care named Marjorie Jacoby as director of community relations. Jacoby will work at Dresher Estates, its newest assisted-living community.
Country Meadows Retirement Communities announced two new staff members. Linda Vogel is the director of marketing at Country Meadows of Frederick in Maryland, slated for opening in April 2002. And Janet Acker is director of marketing at Country Meadows of Lancester in Pennsylvania.
Study Reveals Positive Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy
In a study described in the Journal of the American Medical Association, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increased bone-mineral density by 4 percent in frail women 75 and older. This is the first clinical trial of its kind. Dr. Dennis Villareal and researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis conducted the study. The women in the trial took the HRT for nine months.
For more information, visit www.jama.com.
Pharmaceutical Giant Offers Discount to Seniors
GlaxoSmithKline announced its new Orange Card program that provides 30 percent average savings on prescriptions for qualifying seniors. Those who qualify for the discount include seniors age 65 and older, and the disabled enrolled in Medicare who have annual incomes at or below $26,000 ($35,000 for couples) and who do not currently have public or private insurance or other drug benefit programs. The pharmaceutical company estimates 11 million older Americans could be eligible for the discount program. Those who qualify can begin saving money at the start of the new year.
To apply for a free orange card, call (800) ORANGE6.
New Drug May Reduce Risk of Heart Disease for Seniors
It's called ALT-711 and researchers say it may decrease blood vessel stiffness, which, in turn, can reduce the risk of heart disease for older Americans. In a study to determine the drug's efficacy, the drug significantly decreased arterial-pulse pressure and improved artery-wall flexibility and blood-volume capacity by 15 percent. Nearly 100 people were used for the study and all participants had signs of vascular stiffness including high systolic blood pressure and an elevated pulse. Researchers said ALT-711 could be used to treat high blood pressure, heart disease and complications with diabetes. The National Institute on Aging, Johns Hopkins University and Alteon Inc conducted the study.
For more information, visit www.nih.gov/nia.
Not Enough Older Americans Are Getting Pneumonia Vaccine
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), everyone age 65 and older should get the pneumonia vaccine. In addition, the CDC said people with chronic disease or a weak immune system should also get the shot. Researchers report people age 65 and older are at the highest risk for pneumonia, a potentially deadly disease. The vaccine is covered by Medicare and most people have mild or no side effects from it.
For more information, visit www.nig.gov/nia.
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