The Komen Madison Wisconsin affiliate started with a race called the Susan G. Komen Madison Race For The Cure in 1998. The Susan G. Komen Madison affiliate is part of a well organized global breast cancer movement. Susan G. Komen affiliates help educate the community, assure quality care is available, and support on going breast cancer research.
The Komen Madison Wisconsin affiliate is located on 8030 Excelsior Drive, Suite 306, Madison Wisconsin 53717. This organization is now known as the South Central Wisconsin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For The Cure. The name change includes an expansion to the seven counties surrounding Madison Wisconsin.
The South Central Wisconsin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For The Cure will expand to serve the counties of Rock, Sauk, Dodge, Iowa, Columbia, Green, and Jefferson . This will be a welcome participant in the care and treatment of families effected by the medical disease.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Study Reveals Medicare Part D Keeps Seniors Out Of Nursing Home
Medicare Part D is a federal program that came out of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage began January 1, 2006. Enrollment in Medicare Part D is voluntary.
J. Michael McWilliams, Alan M. Zaslavsky, and Haiden A. Huskamp conducted a study (Implementation of Medicare Part D and Nondrug Medical Spending for Elderly Adults With Limited Prior Drug Coverage) that reveals Medicare Part D has contributed to a decrease in spending for nursing home service.
Medicare Part D often called drug coverage reduces out of pocket expenses and encourages seniors to continue to take essential medications. Doctors have been better able to treat seniors on an outpatient basis for conditions that previously required an inpatient stay in order to be covered by Medicare.
Avoiding the nursing home can indicate seniors are healthier and enjoy a better quality of life. Access to needed medications can help seniors avoid a nursing home stay. The cost of having the senior receive medication in the home is far less than having a nursing facility administer the medication. This translates to saving a large sum of public money.
When assessing the value of the Medicare Part D program it will be important to factor in the reduced public money spent on hospitalization and nursing home stays. With the support of Medicare Part D seniors are able to manage serious health conditions through medication and prevent complications that could result in an extended nursing home stay.
Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ encourages seniors to follow the legislative process related to the Medicare Part D Program.
J. Michael McWilliams, Alan M. Zaslavsky, and Haiden A. Huskamp conducted a study (Implementation of Medicare Part D and Nondrug Medical Spending for Elderly Adults With Limited Prior Drug Coverage) that reveals Medicare Part D has contributed to a decrease in spending for nursing home service.
Medicare Part D often called drug coverage reduces out of pocket expenses and encourages seniors to continue to take essential medications. Doctors have been better able to treat seniors on an outpatient basis for conditions that previously required an inpatient stay in order to be covered by Medicare.
Avoiding the nursing home can indicate seniors are healthier and enjoy a better quality of life. Access to needed medications can help seniors avoid a nursing home stay. The cost of having the senior receive medication in the home is far less than having a nursing facility administer the medication. This translates to saving a large sum of public money.
When assessing the value of the Medicare Part D program it will be important to factor in the reduced public money spent on hospitalization and nursing home stays. With the support of Medicare Part D seniors are able to manage serious health conditions through medication and prevent complications that could result in an extended nursing home stay.
Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ encourages seniors to follow the legislative process related to the Medicare Part D Program.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Brand Name Drugs Go Generic Means Competition
Many brand name drugs are scheduled to go generic in the next year. Newly developed drugs apply for a patent that protects the company's product from competition for a set time. In the United States a patent filed on a drug lasts for 20 years.
Once the drug patent expires, other companies produce the drug using the same ingredients, and sell it at a much lower price. The population needing the drug now benefits from marketplace competition. Below is a list of brand names drugs about to get competition from generics.
October 2011 Zyprexa olanzapine
November 2011 Lipitor atorvastatin
March 2012 Lexapro excitalopram
March 2012 Seroquel quetiapine
March 2012 Avapro Avalide irbesartan
April 2012 Provigil modafinil
May 2012 Plavix clopidogrel
July 2012 Tricor fenofibrate
August 2012 Singulair montelukast
August 2012 Actos pioglitrazone
September 2012 Diovan valsartan
September 2012 Geodon ziprasidone
November 2012 Lidoderm lidocaine patch
December 2012 Atacand candesartan
March 2013 Lovaza omega 3
August 2013 Temodar temozolomide
Trying the generic version of the brand name drug typically saves the consumer out of pocket money. Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ in home staff assist seniors with medication reminders.
Once the drug patent expires, other companies produce the drug using the same ingredients, and sell it at a much lower price. The population needing the drug now benefits from marketplace competition. Below is a list of brand names drugs about to get competition from generics.
October 2011 Zyprexa olanzapine
November 2011 Lipitor atorvastatin
March 2012 Lexapro excitalopram
March 2012 Seroquel quetiapine
March 2012 Avapro Avalide irbesartan
April 2012 Provigil modafinil
May 2012 Plavix clopidogrel
July 2012 Tricor fenofibrate
August 2012 Singulair montelukast
August 2012 Actos pioglitrazone
September 2012 Diovan valsartan
September 2012 Geodon ziprasidone
November 2012 Lidoderm lidocaine patch
December 2012 Atacand candesartan
March 2013 Lovaza omega 3
August 2013 Temodar temozolomide
Trying the generic version of the brand name drug typically saves the consumer out of pocket money. Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ in home staff assist seniors with medication reminders.
Monday, July 25, 2011
By Passing Experts To Save The Household Money
Seniors can become frustrated and call in a trade professional to fix a house hold problem. Often the problem has a simple solution and an extra pair of hands will correct it. Reducing service calls to trade professionals can keep more money in the household.
The senior becomes frustrated with water backing up in to the kitchen sink. The drain has been slow for a few weeks. The senior would like to call a plumber in to correct this today. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com staff discuss the way liquid plumber gel can unclog a sink. The senior agrees to try the unclogging gel. Staff retrieve the liquid plumber from the store and apply to the clog. The drain flows and the kitchen sick does not collect water anymore.
The senior becomes frustrated because the over the kitchen table flourscent light is out despite getting new bulbs. The bulbs are about three feet long, and awkward to place in the connecting rings on the end. The senior would like to call and electrician right now, cause the light is inoperable. Staff place the flourscent tube near the bracket ends and gently turn until the flourscent tube lights up. The kitchen table area is now receiving light from the flourscent bulbs.
The phones do not have a dial tone. The senior would like to have the company send a service technician over right away. The Home Care Path staff open the phone box on the exterior of the house and plug in one of the phones and get a dial tone. This indicates the house is getting phone service and the problem is with one of the phones. The staff unplug all the phones in the home from thier wall jacks. The staff systematically plug the phones back in checking for dial tones. Once the phone that prevents all from having a dial tone is discovered, it is discarded as the broken phone. The rest of the phones are plugged back in to the wall jacks and the phone system works.
These three brief examples indicate how Home Care Path staff can help reduce the addition of unnecessary expense to the house hold.
The senior becomes frustrated with water backing up in to the kitchen sink. The drain has been slow for a few weeks. The senior would like to call a plumber in to correct this today. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com staff discuss the way liquid plumber gel can unclog a sink. The senior agrees to try the unclogging gel. Staff retrieve the liquid plumber from the store and apply to the clog. The drain flows and the kitchen sick does not collect water anymore.
The senior becomes frustrated because the over the kitchen table flourscent light is out despite getting new bulbs. The bulbs are about three feet long, and awkward to place in the connecting rings on the end. The senior would like to call and electrician right now, cause the light is inoperable. Staff place the flourscent tube near the bracket ends and gently turn until the flourscent tube lights up. The kitchen table area is now receiving light from the flourscent bulbs.
The phones do not have a dial tone. The senior would like to have the company send a service technician over right away. The Home Care Path staff open the phone box on the exterior of the house and plug in one of the phones and get a dial tone. This indicates the house is getting phone service and the problem is with one of the phones. The staff unplug all the phones in the home from thier wall jacks. The staff systematically plug the phones back in checking for dial tones. Once the phone that prevents all from having a dial tone is discovered, it is discarded as the broken phone. The rest of the phones are plugged back in to the wall jacks and the phone system works.
These three brief examples indicate how Home Care Path staff can help reduce the addition of unnecessary expense to the house hold.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Even Walter Reed Needs Support With Transition
Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) will transition to The National Navy Medical Center at Bethesda Md and a Community Army Hospital at Fort Belvoir Va in approximately 52 days. Walter Reed Army Medical Center was founded in 1909 and celebrated 100 years of serving military staff in 2009.
Moving a huge medical provider like the Walter Reed Army Medical Center requires outside support. Dynamics Research Corporation (DRC) headquartered in Andover Massachusetts will be helping with the move. Dynamics Research Corporation (DRC) specializes in management of information technology.
Families in Wisconsin often read newspaper stories of Generals and United States Presidents being treated in the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. This Army flagship hospital had a long history of caring for wounded active duty military employees. Once the move is completed The State Department and The District of Columbia will take possession of the vacated land.
Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ helps seniors in south central Wisconsin with transitions as their need for assistance changes.
Moving a huge medical provider like the Walter Reed Army Medical Center requires outside support. Dynamics Research Corporation (DRC) headquartered in Andover Massachusetts will be helping with the move. Dynamics Research Corporation (DRC) specializes in management of information technology.
Families in Wisconsin often read newspaper stories of Generals and United States Presidents being treated in the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. This Army flagship hospital had a long history of caring for wounded active duty military employees. Once the move is completed The State Department and The District of Columbia will take possession of the vacated land.
Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ helps seniors in south central Wisconsin with transitions as their need for assistance changes.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Express Scripts Plus Medco Equals Advanced Pharmacy Service
In a completely unexpected move, Express Scripts has agreed to buy Medco Health Solutions. The merger is being reviewed by the (FTC) Federal Trade Commission. Both companies believe they can successfully work through the regulatory approval process.
Both companies market specialized management strategies to enhance the ability of pharmaceutical providers to sell drugs to grouped individuals. Services include retail network pharmacy management, retail drug card programs, home delivered pharmaceuticals, specialty pharmacy service, patient care contact stations, benefit plan design and consultation, drug formulary management, electronic claims processing, and more.
The companies help individuals in groups formed by health management organizations, health insurers, third party administrators, employers, union sponsored benefit plans, workers compensation plans, and government health programs, to get their prescriptions filled.
Express Scripts is headquartered in St. Louis Missouri. Medco Health Solutions is located in Franklin Lakes New Jersey. Large scale in the pharmacy management industry translates to increased revenues. Both companies have a history of enhancing consumer access to medications and providing real choices.
Both companies market specialized management strategies to enhance the ability of pharmaceutical providers to sell drugs to grouped individuals. Services include retail network pharmacy management, retail drug card programs, home delivered pharmaceuticals, specialty pharmacy service, patient care contact stations, benefit plan design and consultation, drug formulary management, electronic claims processing, and more.
The companies help individuals in groups formed by health management organizations, health insurers, third party administrators, employers, union sponsored benefit plans, workers compensation plans, and government health programs, to get their prescriptions filled.
Express Scripts is headquartered in St. Louis Missouri. Medco Health Solutions is located in Franklin Lakes New Jersey. Large scale in the pharmacy management industry translates to increased revenues. Both companies have a history of enhancing consumer access to medications and providing real choices.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
DRA and Transfer Of Assets Penalty
DRA is the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, signed in to law by President Bush on February 8, 2006. This legislation effects the assets transfer provisions for seniors seeking to qualify for Medicaid coverage. This is written to give the reader a frame work for the transfer of assets penalty.
The transfer of assets penalty is a period of time during which the senior transferring the assets will be ineligible for medicaid. The formula is the amount transferred devided by the monthly nursing home cost. So if the senior transfers 50 thousand dollars and the average monthly private pay cost is 5 thousand dollars , 50k devided by 5k equals a period of 10 months in which the senior would be ineligible for Medicaid.
Secondly it is important to understand when the penalty created by the transfer begins. Under the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005 the 10 month penalty period will not begin until (A) the senior has moved to a nursing home (B) the senior has spent down to the asset limit for Medicaid eligibility (C) the senior has applied for medicaid coverage (D) the senior has been approved for Medicaid coverage, but for the transfer.
So if the senior transfers 50k on January 1, 2010, and then moves in to a nursing home on January 1, 2011, and spends down to Medicaid eligibility on January 1, 2012, that is when the 10 month penalty period will begin, and it will not end until December 1, 2012.
This is written to give readers a sense of the way the (DRA) Deficit Reduction Act effects the transfer of assets penalty. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages seniors to consult with an Elder Law Professional prior to transferring assets.
The transfer of assets penalty is a period of time during which the senior transferring the assets will be ineligible for medicaid. The formula is the amount transferred devided by the monthly nursing home cost. So if the senior transfers 50 thousand dollars and the average monthly private pay cost is 5 thousand dollars , 50k devided by 5k equals a period of 10 months in which the senior would be ineligible for Medicaid.
Secondly it is important to understand when the penalty created by the transfer begins. Under the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005 the 10 month penalty period will not begin until (A) the senior has moved to a nursing home (B) the senior has spent down to the asset limit for Medicaid eligibility (C) the senior has applied for medicaid coverage (D) the senior has been approved for Medicaid coverage, but for the transfer.
So if the senior transfers 50k on January 1, 2010, and then moves in to a nursing home on January 1, 2011, and spends down to Medicaid eligibility on January 1, 2012, that is when the 10 month penalty period will begin, and it will not end until December 1, 2012.
This is written to give readers a sense of the way the (DRA) Deficit Reduction Act effects the transfer of assets penalty. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages seniors to consult with an Elder Law Professional prior to transferring assets.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Sapphron Marc La Mere Trio Rock House Of Embers
On Saturday July 16, 2011 Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com staff enjoyed delicious food and live entertainment at the House Of Embers www.houseofembers.com 935 Wisconsin Dells Parkway. So much more than a great meal.
The busy outdoor patio over looks the excitement on the Wisconsin Dells parkway giving it a real Las Vegas feel. Famous saxaphone player (international) Sapphron joined the locals favorite Marc La Mere Trio for a rich spell casting evening of music and fun.
The outdoor bar hustles with an energetic atmosphere that facilitates networking in a productive informal setting. The active outdoor deck with night lit torches provide an attraction to behold for vehicles on the Wisconsin Dells Parkway.
Sapphron a versatile performer with an inspiring command of her saxaphone weaves playfully through the crowd. Family friendly as a child under the age of 5 dances among the band while playing music.
The House Of Embers is family operated since 1959, serves great food, has an attentive staff, and offers live entertainment. WOW!
The busy outdoor patio over looks the excitement on the Wisconsin Dells parkway giving it a real Las Vegas feel. Famous saxaphone player (international) Sapphron joined the locals favorite Marc La Mere Trio for a rich spell casting evening of music and fun.
The outdoor bar hustles with an energetic atmosphere that facilitates networking in a productive informal setting. The active outdoor deck with night lit torches provide an attraction to behold for vehicles on the Wisconsin Dells Parkway.
Sapphron a versatile performer with an inspiring command of her saxaphone weaves playfully through the crowd. Family friendly as a child under the age of 5 dances among the band while playing music.
The House Of Embers is family operated since 1959, serves great food, has an attentive staff, and offers live entertainment. WOW!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Wisconsin Health Secretary Dennis Smith Writes Letters Support Federal Grant Apps
On Thursday July 14, 2011 Wisconsin Department Of Health Services Secretary Dennis Smith agreed to write letters to support federal grants to prevent chronic disease. A letter of support insures consideration of the grant application by the United States Department Of Health And Human Services. Kathleen Sebelius is the 21st United States Health and Human Services Secretary.
Wisconsin Clearing House is a part of University Health Services located in 333 East Campus Mall, Madison Wisconsin. Wisconsin Clearing House has applied for 23 million dollars of the federal grant money made available though the Health Care Reform Law. The support provided by The Wisconsin Department of Health Services does not involve an administrative or financial obligation.
Home Care Path views prevention as an important strategy in helping to control rising health care costs.
Wisconsin Clearing House is a part of University Health Services located in 333 East Campus Mall, Madison Wisconsin. Wisconsin Clearing House has applied for 23 million dollars of the federal grant money made available though the Health Care Reform Law. The support provided by The Wisconsin Department of Health Services does not involve an administrative or financial obligation.
Home Care Path views prevention as an important strategy in helping to control rising health care costs.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Wisconsin Senate Election July 12, 2011 Tuesday
On Tuesday July 12, 2011 Wisconsin will conduct a primary election. The scheduled election is due to voter concern related to the manner in which policy is being legislated in the State of Wisconsin.
The focus of the election is State of Wisconsin Senate seats. Recall that the Senate is the upper house in the Legislature of the United States, and is apportioned according to population. A State Senators job is to represent the people at a higher level than a State Representative.
The election challenges the incumbent which is the person who currently holds the Senate seat. The risk to the Senator (incumbent) is the loss of a job. To help manage this risk an extra (fake) Democrat was listed on the ballot. The addition of the fake Democrat to the ballot is a strategy to add 30 days to the election process which gives the Senator (incumbent) prescious time to organize a voting population.
Adding an extra (fake) Democrat to the ballot results in a primary election on July 12, 2011 to determine the Democratic candidate to face the Senator (incumbent) on August 9, 2011. This strategy affords the Senator (incumbent) an extra 30 days to try to save their job.
Below is a list of participants in the Wisconsin primary election scheduled for July 12, 2011.
District 2
Robert Cowles Republican currently has Senate seat (incumbent)
Nancy Nussbaum Democrat
Otto Junkerman Fake democrat placed on ballot to add time to process
District 8
Alberta Darling Republican currently has Senate seat (incumbent)
Sandra Pasch Democrat
Gladys Huber Fake democrat placed on ballot to add time to process
District 10
Sheila Harsdorf Republican currently has Senate seat (incumbent)
Shelly Moore Democrat
Isaac Weix Fake democrat placed on ballot to add time to process
District 14
Luther Olson Republican currently has Senate seat (incumbent)
Fred Clark Democrat
Rol Church Fake democrat placed on ballot to add time to process
District 18
Randy Hopper Republican currently has Senate seat (incumbent)
Jessica King Democrat
John Buckstaff Fake democrat placed on ballot to add time to process
District 32
Dan Kapanke Republican currently has Senate seat (incumbent)
Jennifer Shilling Democrat
James Smith Fake democrat placed on ballot to add time to process
Besides adding time to the election process, the exta (FAKE) Democrat on the ballot may add some confusion. Hopefully this will help the reader better understand the choices being offerred in the Wisconsin July 12, 2011 primary election. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages all seniors to vote.
The focus of the election is State of Wisconsin Senate seats. Recall that the Senate is the upper house in the Legislature of the United States, and is apportioned according to population. A State Senators job is to represent the people at a higher level than a State Representative.
The election challenges the incumbent which is the person who currently holds the Senate seat. The risk to the Senator (incumbent) is the loss of a job. To help manage this risk an extra (fake) Democrat was listed on the ballot. The addition of the fake Democrat to the ballot is a strategy to add 30 days to the election process which gives the Senator (incumbent) prescious time to organize a voting population.
Adding an extra (fake) Democrat to the ballot results in a primary election on July 12, 2011 to determine the Democratic candidate to face the Senator (incumbent) on August 9, 2011. This strategy affords the Senator (incumbent) an extra 30 days to try to save their job.
Below is a list of participants in the Wisconsin primary election scheduled for July 12, 2011.
District 2
Robert Cowles Republican currently has Senate seat (incumbent)
Nancy Nussbaum Democrat
Otto Junkerman Fake democrat placed on ballot to add time to process
District 8
Alberta Darling Republican currently has Senate seat (incumbent)
Sandra Pasch Democrat
Gladys Huber Fake democrat placed on ballot to add time to process
District 10
Sheila Harsdorf Republican currently has Senate seat (incumbent)
Shelly Moore Democrat
Isaac Weix Fake democrat placed on ballot to add time to process
District 14
Luther Olson Republican currently has Senate seat (incumbent)
Fred Clark Democrat
Rol Church Fake democrat placed on ballot to add time to process
District 18
Randy Hopper Republican currently has Senate seat (incumbent)
Jessica King Democrat
John Buckstaff Fake democrat placed on ballot to add time to process
District 32
Dan Kapanke Republican currently has Senate seat (incumbent)
Jennifer Shilling Democrat
James Smith Fake democrat placed on ballot to add time to process
Besides adding time to the election process, the exta (FAKE) Democrat on the ballot may add some confusion. Hopefully this will help the reader better understand the choices being offerred in the Wisconsin July 12, 2011 primary election. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages all seniors to vote.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Estrogen Patch Helps Prevent Alzheimer's Madison Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin Madison has published the results of a study using an estradiol patch on post meno pausal women. After 90 days of wearing the patch, the women performed better in memory testing.
Estradiol is a hormone, the most potent naturally occurring estrogen. Estrogen is a group of hormones that promote the development and maintenance of the female characteristics of the human body. The patch containing estradiol is worn on the womans body and delivers the estradiol through the skin.
Lab results suggest estrodiol helps break down Alzheimer's disease related amyloid plaques in the brain. Reducing the Alzheimer's ability to form the changes in the body needed for the disease is a form of prevention. Because estradiol is naturally occurring in the body its use to change brain mechanisms is well received.
The women participating in the study were diagnosed with mild to moderate symptoms of the Alzheimer's disease process. Note the study report is for a 90 day period. This is a short time and would not reveal any long term effect.
Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ encourages readers to follow the estradiol patch as its use for treating Alzheimer's disease unfolds.
Estradiol is a hormone, the most potent naturally occurring estrogen. Estrogen is a group of hormones that promote the development and maintenance of the female characteristics of the human body. The patch containing estradiol is worn on the womans body and delivers the estradiol through the skin.
Lab results suggest estrodiol helps break down Alzheimer's disease related amyloid plaques in the brain. Reducing the Alzheimer's ability to form the changes in the body needed for the disease is a form of prevention. Because estradiol is naturally occurring in the body its use to change brain mechanisms is well received.
The women participating in the study were diagnosed with mild to moderate symptoms of the Alzheimer's disease process. Note the study report is for a 90 day period. This is a short time and would not reveal any long term effect.
Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ encourages readers to follow the estradiol patch as its use for treating Alzheimer's disease unfolds.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Home Health Budget Constraints and Conflict Of Interest
In challenging budgetary times, expect publicly (Medicare, Medicaid) funded home health services to be tightly constrained. Expect home health agencies to provide as evidence for being good stewards of public money company policies that closely adhere to tight service guidelines. To the community this may appear to be reduced time per household and a faster discharge from service.
Home health agencies typically serve the acute needs of a population. The home health visit is usually a defined period of time with the focus on a specific task. An example would be a nurse coming to do dressing changes till the open skin has closed and is intact. The home health agency will require some basic things to serve the senior.
1. An order from a medical doctor
2. A valid pay source (private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid)
3. The patient must be unable to leave the home (homebound status)
4. The medical need must be improving (demonstrate progress)
With budget constraints the need for the patient to be home bound can be followed completely. So, if the senior can get out for church or to go to the food pantry, they are not completely homebound. The home health agency could discharge the senior with instructions to have the needs met with clinic visits. Remember in times of budget constraints anticipate the home health agency may adhere tightly to the above guidelines.
The senior may have several needs that have been determined to be related to a chronic medical condition. Chronic conditions tend to be ongoing and not corrected in a few home health agency visits. Often the home health agency will instruct the family to have the seniors needs met by an organization that can provide a custodial type care, a personal care maintenance service. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com provides a service to meet the chronic needs of seniors who choose to live at home.
Home Care Path accepts private pay from the family (2011 rates are 20.00 per hour) for helping the senior with meals, bathing, dressing, shopping, medication reminders, scheduled toileting, pet care and more. Because Home Care Path is not reimbursed by Medicare or Medicaid funds, staff can serve the senior at the same time the home health agency is coming in. Having both the home health agency and Home Care Path help the senior is acceptable because only the home health agency is reimbursed through public funds. There is not a duplication of service.
Once the home health agency has met the acute need of the senior, discharge occurs. Because the case manager for the home health agency is telling the senior the needs have been met it could be a conflict of interest to encourage the family to start to privately pay for additional service. The home health agency has met the need, adhering to the guideline, the senior is discharged from service.
Yet the family may recognize the senior has needs that are not being met. Simple things like eating regular meals daily. Discarding expired food. Changing the cat litter box. Bathing and wearing freshly laundered clothes. Taking medication as provider ordered. Organizing and reading mail. Getting shoes on. Doing laundry. Getting grocery shopping and errands done. Home Care Path can come in to the seniors home and help with these needs.
As the budget constraints begin to change the service in the communities Home Care Path encourages seniors to explore strategies to meet ongoing needs.
Home health agencies typically serve the acute needs of a population. The home health visit is usually a defined period of time with the focus on a specific task. An example would be a nurse coming to do dressing changes till the open skin has closed and is intact. The home health agency will require some basic things to serve the senior.
1. An order from a medical doctor
2. A valid pay source (private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid)
3. The patient must be unable to leave the home (homebound status)
4. The medical need must be improving (demonstrate progress)
With budget constraints the need for the patient to be home bound can be followed completely. So, if the senior can get out for church or to go to the food pantry, they are not completely homebound. The home health agency could discharge the senior with instructions to have the needs met with clinic visits. Remember in times of budget constraints anticipate the home health agency may adhere tightly to the above guidelines.
The senior may have several needs that have been determined to be related to a chronic medical condition. Chronic conditions tend to be ongoing and not corrected in a few home health agency visits. Often the home health agency will instruct the family to have the seniors needs met by an organization that can provide a custodial type care, a personal care maintenance service. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com provides a service to meet the chronic needs of seniors who choose to live at home.
Home Care Path accepts private pay from the family (2011 rates are 20.00 per hour) for helping the senior with meals, bathing, dressing, shopping, medication reminders, scheduled toileting, pet care and more. Because Home Care Path is not reimbursed by Medicare or Medicaid funds, staff can serve the senior at the same time the home health agency is coming in. Having both the home health agency and Home Care Path help the senior is acceptable because only the home health agency is reimbursed through public funds. There is not a duplication of service.
Once the home health agency has met the acute need of the senior, discharge occurs. Because the case manager for the home health agency is telling the senior the needs have been met it could be a conflict of interest to encourage the family to start to privately pay for additional service. The home health agency has met the need, adhering to the guideline, the senior is discharged from service.
Yet the family may recognize the senior has needs that are not being met. Simple things like eating regular meals daily. Discarding expired food. Changing the cat litter box. Bathing and wearing freshly laundered clothes. Taking medication as provider ordered. Organizing and reading mail. Getting shoes on. Doing laundry. Getting grocery shopping and errands done. Home Care Path can come in to the seniors home and help with these needs.
As the budget constraints begin to change the service in the communities Home Care Path encourages seniors to explore strategies to meet ongoing needs.
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