by Nicole Lofholm Clause
Medication non-adherence is a major problem in the United States, which is causing many unnecessary deaths and demanding care. The estimated annual cost of patients not taking their medications as prescribed was $290 billion in 2010. About 125,000 Americans die annually (342 people every day) due to poor medication adherence. In addition, 10-25% of hospital and nursing home admissions are caused by the inability of patients to take their medications, as directed. About 40% of patients are non-adherent to prescription medications, which has been the same for the past 30 years. In addition, up to 20% of all new prescriptions are not filled. Moreover, almost 1 in 5 Medicare patients who are discharged from the hospital come back within 30 days. The US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) puts the annual cost of avoidable re-admissions at more than $17 billion in 2008, and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPac) reported that expenditures for potentially preventable were as high as $12 billion in 2005 alone. Read the statistics
Medication Adherence and Some Re-admission Statistics
February 13th, 2012 by Doris BersingCosts for Adapting a Home for Senior Living, Disabilities or an Illness
January 9th, 2012 by Doris BersingBy Marc Mendelsohn, Sageing in Place
Statistics show that most people would do almost anything reasonable to avoid moving from the comfort of their home yet in many cases their homes are not adapted to accommodate their current and changing needs. The question arises as to what is necessary and the associated costs to make the modifications to enable an individual to continue living safely and as independently as possible in their homes. Read more
Bringing Health Care Home
December 5th, 2011 by Doris Bersing
Jesse Lefkowitz, NY Times
An article on the New York Time state that “…patients who are treated at home by a doctor and nursing staff who know them intimately and can be available 24/7 are happier and healthier. This kind of care decreases the infections, mistakes and delirium, which, especially among the elderly, are the attendants of hospital care. And it is far more efficient. According to a 2002 study, for the patients treated by the Veterans Affairs’ Home Based Primary Care program, the number of days spent in hospitals and nursing homes was cut by 62 percent and 88 percent, respectively, and total health care costs dropped 24 percent… The fact that this care is possible at home means that the role of hospitals must change. Acutely ill patients who need operating rooms or intensive care will still be brought to hospitals. But they should be quickly discharged to the care of the doctors and nurses who know them best”
Read the article
Signs of Alzheimer’s may become evident during the holidays
November 28th, 2011 by Doris Bersing
Holidays such as Thanksgiving are a time when family and friends come together to spend time together and to share memories. However, the holiday season is also a time that can raise questions about whether aging family members are experiencing signs of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s important to know what is normal aging and what isn’t. The Alzheimer’s association emphasizes the difference between normal aging and early signs of Alzheimer’s. Read more.
A Shoe for Wanderers: technology for people with Dementia
October 21st, 2011 by Doris Bersing
The New York Times published an article Friday October 14th 2011 about “an ideal technology for people with dementia who wander.” The article was written by Paula Span, author of “When the Time Comes: Families With Aging Parents Share Their Struggles and Solutions.” This technology was developed by GTX Corp, Los Angeles, CA.
Please click on the following link to read the New York Times article: A Shoe for Wanderers
Dangers of Common Painkillers: There’s mounting evidence that regular use is risky for older people
October 17th, 2011 by Doris Bersing
A recent article on AARP states that “…Most of us don’t think twice about taking a nonprescription pain reliever to ease a headache or soreness that might follow a game of tennis, but there is growing evidence that commonly used painkillers such as Advil can trigger heart attacks or strokes in some people.” Read the article and read about some drug free alternatives to pain management.
Alzheimer’s Behavior Management: Tips for Managing Common Symptoms and Problems
October 17th, 2011 by Doris Bersing
Problem behavior is often a way the Alzheimer’s patient tries to communicate with others. As a caregiver for a loved one with dementia, it can be extremely worrying and upsetting to experience the behavior problems associated with mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Patients may exhibit a wide variety of behavioral problems that can threaten their own or other people’s safety, including wandering, aggressiveness, hallucinations, or sleeping and eating. Learn some tips.
