Care varies widely, so diligence needed, experts say
By Lee Bowman and Thomas Hargrove
Scripps Howard News Service
A statistical analysis of the federal government’s first ratings of nearly 16,000 nursing homes reveals an uneven level of quality across the nation and shows how complicated it is to find a good nursing home. The Scripps Howard analysis of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Nursing Home Compare system shows that:
• Institutions run by for-profit corporations, which account for about two-thirds of all nursing facilities, generally get lower scores than those run by nonprofits.
• Homes with more nursing staff members per patient, which also tend to be run by nonprofits, generally do better in the ratings.
• Homes with more than 100 beds tend to get lower scores in all categories, including health of residents and levels of nursing care.
• Ratings are lowest in Southern states, particularly for nursing care and registered-nurse staffing, and highest for homes in the Northeast.
• Slightly more than 20 percent of nursing homes nationwide have been regularly given the lowest ratings, and 12 percent to 13 percent have received the top rating.
• While more than 500,000 Americans die in nursing homes each year, more than 2 million return home after a nursing home stay of less than three months.
• The bad news for families trying to find a good nursing home for a loved one is that behind the ratings — a five-star scale — are many complicated issues that make it difficult to assess which institutions offer the best care.
“Everyone wants to have an easy way to look up homes,” said Larry Minnix, chief executive of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, which represents more than 5,000 mostly nonprofit nursing homes and other long-term-care providers. “The concept is a good idea, but they’re not really measuring the most meaningful things, like patient- and staff-satisfaction surveys, nor do the stars take into account the patient caseload.” Read More Here – Printer Friendly
I have reprinted this story from the Star showing how important it is to compare nursing homes and find the best match for yourself or a loved one. The Long Term Care Services of Ventura County offer comprehensive information about long term care facilities through its Pre-placement Counseling Program. – Sylvia Taylor-Stein
Posted in Articles, Budget Proposals, Federal Government, Letters of Support, Medicare and Medicaid, Nursing Home, Ventura County.
By eldercar
– December 1, 2009
DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET
Effects of Budget Cuts to Senior and Aging Programs (318)
Attached is a fact sheet on what we know today about the impact of the State’s budget cuts on aging services. Details are limited at this point on how the cuts will play out. State contacts are saying it will be awhile until specifics are known. We will update you and the fact sheet as additional details become available. Trying to decipher the CA budget is sketchy so the stats in red on the fact sheet are on the conservative side. For example, different sources are saying there will be a third cut to SSI/SSP that will take an individual maximum down to $803 (maximum used to be $907) per month. (Imagine trying to live on $803 per month!)
NOTE: Federally funded grantees (Title III B, C, D, E, V and VII) are not impacted by the State’s budget cuts. However, the demand for these services may increase as a result of the reductions to or elimination of State funded programs.
RECEIVED FROM:
Ventura County Area Agency on Aging
“To Serve. To Guide. To Envision.”
646 County Square Drive, Suite 100
Ventura, CA 93003-9086
Phone: 805-477-7305 – Fax: 805-477-7312
E-mail: Christine.Voth@ventura.org
Website: http://aaa.countyofventura.org
Posted in Articles, Budget Proposals, California, Legislation, Letters of Support, Sacramento, VCAAA, Ventura County.
By eldercar
– July 31, 2009
View the handout re AB 392 that was distributed at the Senior Center Directors Forum. Congress Of Caliornia Seniors (222)
Posted in California, Legislation, Letters of Support, Sacramento.
By eldercar
– July 27, 2009
The Star deserves special praise for their April 26th editorial, “Elderly need a watchdog,” advocating on behalf of an important segment of our Ventura County community – frail and vulnerable elderly persons. The Star’s support of AB935, and their recognition of the untiring humanitarian work of Long Term Care Ombudsman Services of Ventura and their volunteers under the untiring leadership of Sylvia Stein Taylor is an example of the role the press in community service. It is also an urgent call – to - action for our elected officials to serve the critical needs of their electorate, yes, ‘deeds speak louder than words.’
The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA), directed by Victoria Jump and her able staff, and it’s volunteer, 30+ member Advisory Council, continues to proudly support the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program through one of its many Grant Programs for the elderly. During one of the VCAAA’s annual visits to our grantees to assess program effectiveness, I was privileged to review the ombudsman program with Sylvia Taylor. During this visit I was especially impressed with the outstanding management and cost-effectiveness of the program. Much of this success is a result of the highly-leveraged efforts of 50 dedicated volunteers, Ms. Taylor, and her devoted staff.
Mahatma Gandhi once said “A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.”
This also applies to our cities, counties, and states, and it is also one of those times.
Thanks again to the Star for your support of programs for the elderly.
Ventura County Area Agency on Aging
Posted in Letters of Support, Ventura County.
By eldercar
– June 27, 2009
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