Month: December 2011

Healthcare Reform

Jennifer

Accountable Care Organization (ACOs) networks (developed through Obama’s Affordable Care Act) are set to have a huge effect on the health care sector and senior housing.  The ACOs comprise: hospitals, long-term care facilities, doctor’s offices and healthcare providers, which, together, have a responsibility toward the quality and care budget of their patients.  The aim is to ultimately save money on Medicare.

Obama’s Healthcare Reforms

Given that 2012 is election year, a lot of people are talking about how Obama’s healthcare reform plans are going to work in practice.  According to Chief Business Development Officer for Pathway Senior Living, Aaron D’Costa, “the overall impact of healthcare reform will affect the [senior care] industry as a whole.”

ACOs focuses on those individuals who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid and how best to meet their needs.  If services are provided in a coordinated setting then this could lead to a reduction in costs across the entire system.

Baylor Health Care Gets Capital Injection

Jennifer

The Baylor Health Care System Foundation just received a pledge of close to $12.5m from the Deerbook Charitable Trust, to be received over the next three years.  It is to use this money to improve the quality of care for geriatric patients.  According to the CEO and President of the foundation, Joel Allison, the need to provide care for the elderly is particularly important now as the baby boomers turn 65 this year.  The grant will enable the foundation to “develop best practices that will leave a lasting mark on geriatric healthcare for years to come,” he said.

Executive Director of the Trust, Arthur Sundstorm said that this Foundation was chosen to receive the money so that it could develop programs to advance the entire geriatric care field.  He pointed out that, “Baylor has a unique set of resources that perfectly position them for a project of this magnitude and scope.  Their magnet designation for nursing excellence, visionary leadership, national prestige and innovative culture secured the confidence of the Deerbrook trustees and reinforced that Baylor was the natural choice to lead this ambitious project.”

 

Eldercare Facilities Receive Large Capital Injection

Jennifer

Sentara Healthcare just donated $10m to the Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) towards funding for two geriatric care programs.  These are the EVMS Glennan Center for Geriatric and Gerontology and the Sentara Center for Simulation and Immersive Learning.  According to co-chair David L. Bernd, this donation “represents a legacy commitment to a cornerstone of the medical community in Virginia and the nation [and] will assist in providing world-class simulation training to clinicians, ensur[ing] a continued focus on the needs of the aging population in our community. We are glad to be part of the history and growth of EVMS as a well-respected medical institution.”

America has very few simulation centers.  Receiving a donation of this magnitude will enable it to advance its important work.  The facility is also used to train physicians and clinical staff in “simulated team-based care models, advancing patient safety and care delivery.”

The other center will use the capital injection to develop a patient safety program for its seniors.  As well, it will help with patient transportation from the hospital to their homes.

Seniors Lunch on Winter Safety

Jennifer

In Plainsboro tomorrow, there will be a luncheon for the elderly community to glean tips and take advice on how to best prepare for the winter to stay safe and healthy.  This is being organized by Princeton HomeCare Services in conjunction with Merwick Care & Rehabilitation Center.  A discussion will be led by geriatric care professionals, such as Dr. Harpreet Sidhu, Medical Director for Merwick Care. She has worked in this field for a decade.  In addition, each guest will receive a “survival kit” donated by Princeton HomeCare Services, comprising food, water, flashlights and first-aid materials, should poor weather conditions prevent them from venturing out for a while.

Simple Steps

The event will focus on giving out simple steps for geriatric care and preparation during the winter months.  She wants the seniors to become aware of the increased risks of health issues in their group due to the extreme cold weather and snow but that getting prepared for this, is very easy, such as getting a flu shot and not spending too much time outdoors, especially when it’s slippery, to avoid a fall.