Copyright 2009 Medical News Today Latest Caregivers / Homecare News From Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/caregivers/ admin@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Admin) editors@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Editors) en-us Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171424.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171424.php Alzheimer's Society has today welcomed the recognition of people with dementia in the Queen's speech and called for dementia to be a priority for all political parties. Responding to proposals to give people with the highest needs free personal care, Alzheimer's Society called for more detail and warned that both money and improved quality of home care was needed to make proposals a success. Alzheimer's / Dementia Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171402.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171402.php Family caregivers can significantly reduce suffering in cancer patients at home through use of simple touch and massage techniques. These findings were recently reported at the 6th International Conference of the Society for Integrative Oncology. The study, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, evaluated outcomes of a 78 minute DVD instructional program and illustrated manual in a sample of 97 patients and their caregivers. Caregivers / Homecare Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170713.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170713.php The Washington Times reports that an "insurance plan championed by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy that would help elderly or disabled people avoid nursing homes ironically adds yet another sticking point to the comprehensive health care reform plans" in Congress. Caregivers / Homecare Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170720.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170720.php ProPublica/The Chicago Tribune examine the case of a controversial psychiatrist who delivered an anti-psychotic medication to thousands of Medicaid patients in Chicago's nursing homes. "Dr. Caregivers / Homecare Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169209.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169209.php Minister Brady welcomed the launch of a report of the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) entitled "Implementation of the Home Care Package Scheme". The Minister highlighted that "a main feature of Government policy in recent years has been to develop services to allow older people to remain living at home and in their communities for as long as possible". Where this is not feasible Older People should have access to quality, affordable long-term residential care. Caregivers / Homecare Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169124.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169124.php Illinois nursing home patients often receive psychotropic drugs without cause, which poses various health dangers and even death, the Chicago Tribune reports as part of its Compromised Care series. Seniors / Aging Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169123.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169123.php As Congress considers a proposed long-term care insurance program as part of health overhaul plans, nursing homes costs are going up. The Washington Post reports on the Community Living Services and Support (CLASS) Act, which would create a government insurance program for long-term care: "The idea has been around for years, and the late Sen. Edward M. Seniors / Aging Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168952.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168952.php The New York Times reports that Speaker Nancy Pelosi is scheduled to discuss the public option and health costs with other Democratic leaders. "Ms. Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168898.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168898.php The beginning of November marks the start of National Family Caregivers Month, which is sponsored by the National Family Caregivers Association. In support of this annual awareness effort, Health Net, Inc. (NYSE: HNT) is sharing tips to help caregivers take care of themselves so they better help the ones they love. Approximately 15 million Americans provide care for others. Caregivers / Homecare Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168567.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168567.php In the US, patients who die in hospital are almost five times more likely to have spent some time during their last hospital stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as equivalent patients in England, according to a new study by researchers from both countries. Public Health Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168379.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168379.php Right at Home, Inc., a leading provider of in-home companion and personal care assistance has begun its international expansion with the addition of its first Master Franchise in the United Kingdom, announced Allen Hager, founder and president of Right at Home. With more than 165 local franchises in 41 states, Right at Home will expand into the UK under a Master Franchise Agreement with Ken Deary who will open the initial location in Preston, England. Caregivers / Homecare Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168134.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168134.php Today's state news covers access to care issues in Florida and California, a new proposal to review premiums charged to small business, and the potential flaws of Ohio's nursing home payment plan. Health Insurance / Medical Insurance Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167639.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167639.php In excess of 15,000 charters signed by the community and aged care workers calling on the Federal Government to properly fund aged care were handed over to the Federal Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot MP today at Amaroo Aged Care Facility in Tweed Heads. Ged Kearney, Federal Secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) said thousands of concerned people had signed the ANF's "Charter for Quality Aged Care". Seniors / Aging Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167465.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167465.php A growing number of older adults are dying from dementia. In an editorial in the October 15, 2009 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, Greg Sachs, M.D. Alzheimer's / Dementia Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167374.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167374.php Eric A. Coleman, MD, MPH, of the University of Colorado Denver has been chosen by The Gerontological Society of America">Gerontological Society of America (GSA) - the nation's largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging - to receive the 2009 Maxwell A. Pollack Award for Productive Aging. Seniors / Aging Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167018.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/167018.php Families with mentally ill members have "mixed feelings" about a New York court decision on adult homes. Meanwhile, Illinois officials admit to errors in mixing mentally ill criminals with seniors in nursing homes. The Caregivers / Homecare Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166778.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166778.php The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has announced its selection of Frances Stout, a retired registered nurse and chairperson of the Tohono O'odham Nursing Care Authority (TONCA) in Sells, Ariz., to receive a Community Health Leaders Award. She is one of 10 extraordinary Americans who received the RWJF honor for 2009 at a ceremony at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. Seniors / Aging Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166738.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166738.php Patients continue to enter home healthcare ''sicker and quicker," often with complex health problems that may require extensive nursing care. This increases the risk of needlestick injuries in home healthcare nurses. While very few studies have focused on the risks of home healthcare, it is the fastest growing healthcare sector in the U.S. In a recent study, led by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, the rate of needlestick-type injuries was 7. Nursing / Midwifery Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166532.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166532.php The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has responded to today's study* on care homes' use of medicines. The study outlined that drug errors occurred in seven out of 10 care home residents. John Turk NPA Chief Executive said: "The safe management of medicines in care homes is vital as many residents will take complex regimes of medicines for a variety of long term conditions. These vulnerable patients deserve close attention from the NHS. Pharmacy / Pharmacist Wed, 07 Oct 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166515.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166515.php U.S. News & World Report examines government data from more than 15,500 nursing homes to determine which are the nation's best: "At the core of the rankings is the data and ratings found on Nursing Home Compare, a federal website created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Seniors / Aging Wed, 07 Oct 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166569.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166569.php Inadequate medical data, overworked staff, and poor teamwork are prompting the occurrence of drug errors in seven out of 10 care home residents, suggests research in Quality and Safety in Health Care. This is despite a government pledge in 2000 to cut the number of drug errors following the publication of a report on medical mistakes. Caregivers / Homecare Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166437.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166437.php Seven out of 10 care home residents have been subjected to medication errors according to research to be published in Quality and Safety in Health Care. The study of 256 residents in 55 care homes found residents took on average eight medicines each and that an average of just under two mistakes were made for each resident. Errors included prescription, dosage, unwarranted drugs and dispensing. Caregivers / Homecare Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166416.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166416.php As a growing number of the estimated 78 million Baby Boomers transition into their senior years, an increased focus is placed on the health of this important group of Americans. According to the United States Census Bureau, more than 12 percent of the total U.S. population is over age 65 and, of that segment, more than half will undergo at least one surgical procedure as senior citizens. Seniors / Aging Tue, 06 Oct 2009 06:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166344.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166344.php Ten years of case studies at a pediatric hospital and a thorough literature review have shown that it is not uncommon for children to ingest small "button" batteries, either through swallowing or inserting the batteries into their noses. Pediatrics / Children's Health Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166297.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/166297.php Industry leaders say the nursing home industry could be at a tipping point. "The nation's nursing homes are perilously close to laying off workers, cutting services - possibly even closing - because of a perfect storm wallop from the recession and deep federal and state government spending cuts, industry experts say," The Associated Press reports. Seniors / Aging