The Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, conducted a four-year study by evaluating post-acute care provided in skilled nursing facilities. An adverse event is an event that resulted in harm (prolonged nursing home stay, transfer to the hospital, permanent harm, or death). This study concluded that the majority of the adverse…
Read MoreNursing Home Chain Has Agreed to Settle for $38 Million with the DOJ Nursing Home Chain Has Agreed to Settle for $38 Million with the DOJ – One of the largest nursing home chains, Extendicare Health Services, has reached a settlement with the Department of Justice following an investigation that identified many disturbing instances of…
Read MoreLack of Leadership in Nursing Homes Affects Quality of Care A team of researchers from the University of Maryland and University Red Cross College of Nursing found that high turnover in leadership positions in Nursing Homes was more than twice as likely to be found to have survey deficiencies. Forty percent of nursing home administrators…
Read MoreThe Problem – Too Many Teens Are Dying Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of 14 – 18-year-olds in the United States. Almost 50% of teen drivers involved in crashes died. As parents, we are the biggest influence on our teen’s safety behind the wheel. We need to do more to take time…
Read MoreWhat is a Skilled Nursing Facility and Who Regulates Them? What is a Skilled Nursing Facility and Who Regulates Them? – Skilled Nursing Facility are suitable for residents that require 24 hour a day care and often are moderately or fully unable to care for themselves, either due to an acute condition (e.g., recovering from…
Read MoreWhat is Hospice and Should My Loved One Be Placed On Hospice? What is Hospice and Should My Loved One be placed on Hospice? – Hospice care is not considered a type of treatment for sick patients, but rather a plan of care for terminally ill or dying patients who are assessed as having six…
Read MoreSub-acute facilities are a relatively recent trend and are beginning to appear more and more. Why? It is simple: money. Recent reimbursement rates changes from Medicare make it such that a nursing home can get higher reimbursement rates for a resident that needs more specialized care (such as tracheotomy care, intravenous tube feeding and complex…
Read MoreWhat is an ALF/RCFE and Is It The Right Fit For Your Loved Ones? What is an ALF/RCFE and Is It The Right Fit For Your Loved Ones? – Assisted living facilities are another form of RCFE (Residential Care Facility for the Elderly). Typically the primary difference between an assisted living facility and a board…
Read MoreIs Board and Care Home Good For Elders Board and care homes are one type of RCFE (Residential Care Facility for Elderly). They are licensed by the Department of Social Services and must meet all applicable state regulations. Board and care homes typically care for no more than 10 patients at any given time. Typically…
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