February 24, 2006
RE-EXTENDING FAMILIES:
Fewer seniors going to nursing homes; stays shorter (Susan Jaffe, February 24, 2006, Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Despite the growing number of older people in Ohio, fewer are ending up in nursing homes, and when they do, they recover quicker - and go back home.Posted by Orrin Judd at February 24, 2006 9:00 AMResearchers at the Scripps Gerontology Center of Miami University found that nursing homes are becoming a respite - a place to recuperate from a stroke or bad fall, rather than a permanent destination.
For example, only 9 percent of those admitted to a nursing home were still there two years later, said Shahla Mehdizadeh, the lead author of the Scripps study, which compared Medicare and Medicaid payment information for 2001 through 2004 to an earlier period.
That rate was nearly three times lower than in 1994 to 1996, when 24 percent of those admitted were still there two years later.
Very timely. In an hour or so, we'll be making decisions about an elderly relative. Not a pleasant prospect. To those bros who pray, I could sure use some divine strength and guidance right now.
Posted by: erp at February 24, 2006 9:51 AMerp:
You have the prayers.
As for advice I offer this based on work I did on nursing home care quality:
When evaluating a facility you must visit it. Walk through and observe the residents. Are they clean? Is the facility immaculate? Are the ones who are able up and about? Does the staff look calm and alert or frantic and lethargic? What is the daily schedule? Do outside groups come by for events, i.e., school groups singing, animal clubs with pets, etc. In short - is it interesting.
Do not hesitate to ask the facility director about the program (the daily schedule) that would be used for your relative. This will vary depending on your relative's condition. But the criteria you can use will be "Will this make my relative happy?"
References.
Finally, the facility is regularly evaluated for quality of care by your state. These evaluations are public documents and can be had through either the state Dept. of Health or HCFA, the federal agency.
Hope this helps.
God Bless.
Posted by: Luciferous at February 24, 2006 10:43 AMPerhaps fewer seniors are going into nursing homes because the not-frightening ones are prohibitively expensive. Also, there is home health nurses and sitters one can use these days, so nursing home care can be put off.
Posted by: sharon at February 24, 2006 12:03 PMTo the above comment from the Israeli Prime Minister:
Prayers for your rapid recovery, so that no nursing home will be required for your recuperation.
Posted by: obc at February 24, 2006 2:17 PMThanks Luc. Nothing decided yet. You're right about the expense. At a mediocre facility, independent living costs $3,000/mo. plus $10,00 per day extra for managing the medication. Next step up is assisted living, add on another $1,000/mo plus more $$$$ for extras like hygiene services (healthcare speak for a weekly bath).
The mind boggles.
I'm not sure I understand obc's comment.
Thanks Luc. Nothing decided yet. You're right about the expense. At a mediocre facility, independent living costs $3,000/mo. plus $10,00 per day extra for managing the medication. Next step up is assisted living, add on another $1,000/mo plus more $$$$ for extras like hygiene services (healthcare speak for a weekly bath).
The mind boggles.
I'm not sure I understand obc's comment.
obc was making a joke(?) about the name Sharon. My wife (not the most politically aware of persons) asked me, when the PM had his stroke if I had heard about Shar-on? I said, smiling, "that's Sha-ron, as in Barone" (she does know who Michael Barone is).
Posted by: Dave W at February 24, 2006 4:58 PMThanks Dave. I fear I'm seriously loosing it.
Posted by: erp at February 24, 2006 5:15 PM