Health care reform

The White house has sent released a state by state guide on the effects of the Health Care Reform.  Here is the link http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform/downloads#states to look at your state.

Great article on the level of satisfaction residents find living in assisted living.
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/06/finding-happiness-at-the-new-home/?scp=11&sq=elderly&st=cse
This is a smaller study size but in some ways mirrors what Dr Wylde has been finding through her research over the past few years.  What residents look for when they live in assisted living versus what families look for are usually quite different.  Now I agree with the article that Quality of Care is first and foremost in both groups mind and should always be most important.  However that is where the similarity end.  It is also no surprise that people who live in assisted living are happier than other segments of senior housing.  Assisted living was developed on more of a residential wellness model then an institutional model.  When people are surrounded by their own furniture and photos that increases their satisfaction.  We must agree with the article.

Sunny forecast for Medicare hinges on cuts

Sunny forecast for Medicare hinges on cuts
This article was in the Arizona Republic last week discussing the viability of Medicare in the future. Interesting how it starts out saying that because of the recent Health Care reform Medicare will be able "stay afloat" for an additional 10 years. However deep in the article it reveals that the research was done using 2010 numbers while not factoring in the "boomers" that will begin to flow into the system in the late 2018. Now is the time to start the discussion on how to deal with the many issues that health care will face over the next 20 years. Most important is how to finance healthcare but there are other issues such as home care, home health, referral/placement agencies, plus a myriad issues that at this time are unknown.

We are excited to be fast approaching Arizona ALFA's 8th Annual Fall Leadership Conference! This one day fast-paced conference will provide assisted living and long-term care professionals with education, networking, and will put them in front of the businesses they rely on for day-to-day and long-term sustainability. This year we will be adding back the focused tracks offering specific education for Nurses and Executive Directors as well as Marketing/Sales Directors. For more information on the LAST ASSISTED LIVING EVENT OF 2010, go to www.azalfa.org and click on the side-bar tab labeled "2010 Fall Conference". We look forward to seeing YOU there!!

I have just returned from visiting my mother in Pittsburgh where she now lives. Each day my sister and I would pick her up and take her out to dinner. When we would return a few hours later, yes a trip to the bookstore or clothing store was a required after dinner activity, to drop her off however the same people would be sitting outside. I felt sad because as we would be pushing my mothers wheelchair back into the community I knew that for most of those people no one ever visited. Much less take them out to dinner, or shopping or just a relaxing day outside for a BBQ. I know my mother is lucky to have my sister visit her everyday but sadly many families do not for various reasons.
We are lucky in assisted living to have many activities and group outing however this will never replace a family visit. How can we work together to be families involved and visiting?