According to a new report, satisfaction among nursing home consumers and staff has reached a record high.
The 2008 National Survey of Consumer and Workforce Satisfaction in Nursing Homes (pdf), released on May 27, draws on the responses of 223,449 employees; 54,711 residents; and 146,949 family members in 5,075 nursing facilities across the United States.
It shows that 85 percent of consumers and 66 percent of employees give “good” or “excellent” ratings to their nursing homes, with consumers rating their overall satisfaction and employees stating whether they would recommend their facility as a place to work.
Click here to read the full story on PHI's blog
Showing posts with label National Issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label National Issues. Show all posts
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
AoA Announces HHS-VA National Partnership to Support Older Americans and Veterans at House Veterans Committee Hearing on Family Caregivers
***The following is provided for informational purposes only. United Way of the GLV and the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Direct Care Workers Association does not endorse any particular piece of legislation or programs***
On June 4, 2009, Acting Assistant Secretary for Aging Edwin L. Walker testified before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health at a hearing on "Meeting the Needs of Family Caregivers." The hearing presented a unique opportunity for the Committee to gain a better understanding of current efforts that are underway to meet the needs of family caregivers of veterans and begin to identify the gaps in supportive services for family caregivers across the country. At the hearing, Mr. Walker discussed AoA's successful programs provided through AoA's national network of aging and community-based organizations that support older Americans and family caregivers. Among those programs is the National Family Caregiver Support Program which has provided significant support and assistance to families struggling to care for their loved ones for close to ten years. Mr. Walker also took the opportunity to announce the availability of $10 million in funding for an exciting collaboration between the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop a nationwide community-based long-term support program to help older Americans and Veterans of all ages with Disabilities remain in the community. This partnership builds on the similar missions of HHS and the VA with regard to caring for the populations they serve. For more information about this announcement, please visit http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/06/20090604a.html
He also announced the availability of $2.5 million in funding for the new Lifespan Respite Care Program Grants to provide family caregivers with more opportunities to receive much-needed short-term, temporary relief from providing care for their loved ones. These projects will enable states to establish, enhance or expand Lifespan Respite Care systems, including new and planned emergency respite services, training and recruitment of respite workers and volunteers and assist caregivers with gaining access to needed services in their communities. For more information about this funding availability , please visit http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Press_Room/for_the_press/pr/archive/2009/June/06_04_09.doc
To review the testimony and archived webcast from the June 4 hearing, please visit
http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hearing.aspx?newsid=412
On June 4, 2009, Acting Assistant Secretary for Aging Edwin L. Walker testified before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health at a hearing on "Meeting the Needs of Family Caregivers." The hearing presented a unique opportunity for the Committee to gain a better understanding of current efforts that are underway to meet the needs of family caregivers of veterans and begin to identify the gaps in supportive services for family caregivers across the country. At the hearing, Mr. Walker discussed AoA's successful programs provided through AoA's national network of aging and community-based organizations that support older Americans and family caregivers. Among those programs is the National Family Caregiver Support Program which has provided significant support and assistance to families struggling to care for their loved ones for close to ten years. Mr. Walker also took the opportunity to announce the availability of $10 million in funding for an exciting collaboration between the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop a nationwide community-based long-term support program to help older Americans and Veterans of all ages with Disabilities remain in the community. This partnership builds on the similar missions of HHS and the VA with regard to caring for the populations they serve. For more information about this announcement, please visit http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/06/20090604a.html
He also announced the availability of $2.5 million in funding for the new Lifespan Respite Care Program Grants to provide family caregivers with more opportunities to receive much-needed short-term, temporary relief from providing care for their loved ones. These projects will enable states to establish, enhance or expand Lifespan Respite Care systems, including new and planned emergency respite services, training and recruitment of respite workers and volunteers and assist caregivers with gaining access to needed services in their communities. For more information about this funding availability , please visit http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Press_Room/for_the_press/pr/archive/2009/June/06_04_09.doc
To review the testimony and archived webcast from the June 4 hearing, please visit
http://veterans.house.gov/hearings/hearing.aspx?newsid=412
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
National Nursing Assistant Survey and Other Reports
According to the Direct Care Alliance newsletter, the April issue of The Gerontologist reports on several important studies about direct care workers, starting with the long-anticipated National Nursing Assistant Survey.
A paper about the survey, which is based on data from 2004, says it "represents a major advance in the data available about CNAs in nursing homes and provides a rich resource for evidence-based policy, practice, and applied research initiatives to address the CNA workforce shortage and to improve recruitment and retention efforts." It also includes suggestions about how NNAS data can be used "to inform new policy directions." Read more and comment
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Marilyn Daniel's Reward
The Washington Post had a touching story about a direct care worker and her clients. Click here to read the full story.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Culture Change and Disaster Webinars!
Learn how culture change and person-centered care can transform your community!
Join Matherways for a free webinar on May 28th!
Long-term care (LTC) communities are in a state of transformation. The culture change movement is challenging LTCs to rethink the way they deliver care to their residents.
On Thursday, May 28, you are invited to learn about LEAP, a culture change program designed to reduce nursing staff turnover, improve job satisfaction, reduce health deficiencies and increase resident satisfaction in long-term care communities. This webinar will introduce you to LEAP and answer your questions on how to bring culture change and person-directed care to your community. Click here to register for this free webinar.
Questions?
Contact Cecilia Grefalda at 847-492-7444 or cgrefalda@matherlifeways.com
Discover the importance of a workforce that is effectively prepared for any type of emergency!
Join us for a free webinar on May 29!
Natural and man-made disasters directly impact senior residences and long-term care communities in a variety of ways. Little emphasis has been placed on age-appropriate care for elderly populations during such times.
On Friday, May 29, you are invited to learn about PREPARE, an award winning program designed to equip senior living and long-term care professionals with the core competencies to address the medical and psychosocial consequences and response concerns of senior living and long-term care residents. Click here to register for this free webinar.
Questions?
Contact Theresa Sangram at (847) 492-6790 or tsangram@matherlifeways.com
Join Matherways for a free webinar on May 28th!
Long-term care (LTC) communities are in a state of transformation. The culture change movement is challenging LTCs to rethink the way they deliver care to their residents.
On Thursday, May 28, you are invited to learn about LEAP, a culture change program designed to reduce nursing staff turnover, improve job satisfaction, reduce health deficiencies and increase resident satisfaction in long-term care communities. This webinar will introduce you to LEAP and answer your questions on how to bring culture change and person-directed care to your community. Click here to register for this free webinar.
Questions?
Contact Cecilia Grefalda at 847-492-7444 or cgrefalda@matherlifeways.com
Discover the importance of a workforce that is effectively prepared for any type of emergency!
Join us for a free webinar on May 29!
Natural and man-made disasters directly impact senior residences and long-term care communities in a variety of ways. Little emphasis has been placed on age-appropriate care for elderly populations during such times.
On Friday, May 29, you are invited to learn about PREPARE, an award winning program designed to equip senior living and long-term care professionals with the core competencies to address the medical and psychosocial consequences and response concerns of senior living and long-term care residents. Click here to register for this free webinar.
Questions?
Contact Theresa Sangram at (847) 492-6790 or tsangram@matherlifeways.com
Friday, May 22, 2009
Article Challenges Human, Economic Challenges of Direct Care Work
As reported by PHI, the Washington Post Magazine ran a major feature article recently that highlighted the disparity between the rising need for home-care workers and the poor wages and working conditions these jobs usually entail. Its author, Paula Span, referenced figures from PHI Director of Policy Research Dorie Seavey about the low wages paid to workers and the high turnover rates that undermine the quality of care.
“Marilyn Daniel’s Reward” (May 10) weaves the story of 91-year-old Rozzie Laney and her 63-year-old home-care aide Marilyn Daniel around a detailed explanation of the role of home health care workers and the generally poor quality of their jobs. In effect, it offers readers, within the context of a heart-warming story of compassion and care, a primer on the field of home health care and the human and policy-level issues that currently confront it.
Please take a moment to read the full article by clicking here.
“Marilyn Daniel’s Reward” (May 10) weaves the story of 91-year-old Rozzie Laney and her 63-year-old home-care aide Marilyn Daniel around a detailed explanation of the role of home health care workers and the generally poor quality of their jobs. In effect, it offers readers, within the context of a heart-warming story of compassion and care, a primer on the field of home health care and the human and policy-level issues that currently confront it.
Please take a moment to read the full article by clicking here.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Nursing Homes Serving Latinos Provide Poorer Quality of Care
New research published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association recently found that nursing homes that serve predominately Latino populations provide poorer quality of care compared to those serving mostly white older adults.
It should be noted that this research is preliminary, because it relies on the rate of bedsores developed at Latino nursing homes which researchers found to be significantly higher. However, this finding alone warrants more systematic examination and should not be discounted.
Click here to read the full story in the Aging in Action Newsletter!
It should be noted that this research is preliminary, because it relies on the rate of bedsores developed at Latino nursing homes which researchers found to be significantly higher. However, this finding alone warrants more systematic examination and should not be discounted.
Click here to read the full story in the Aging in Action Newsletter!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
What Does It Mean To Live United?
As part of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Direct Care Workers Association has been involved in United Way's year long "Live United" campaign.
Some members of the Association came in to the United Way offices to have their picture taken in the famous white t-shirt and talk about the ways that they live united.
Building off that idea, Rich Harwood wrote a blog post about the "10 Ways to Live United". He challenges each of us to think about the 10 ideas and what progress we have made over the past year. Click here to view his post.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Op-Ed in OUR local Morning Call Urges Investment in PA Direct Care Workforce
There are many organizations working on a national level to bring the needs of the direct care workforce to the forefront. Sometimes, as a local chapter of the Direct Care Worker Association, we may feel disengaged with these movements.
Recently, however, the national blogs began to discuss an April 23rd op-ed that appeared in Allentown’s The Morning Call, right here in the Lehigh Valley!
The op-ed was written by Robert S. Zimmerman. He formerly served as the state’s secretary of health and also its Medicaid director. More recently he was director of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Region 3 Office for the Mid-Atlantic States.
In the article, Zimmerman asks state leaders to take advantage of the infusion of $4 billion in additional Medicaid funding from the federal stimulus by “mak[ing] a significant investment in an important but under-recognized industry – publicly-funded home and community-based services (HCBS)” Read the full article by clicking here.
Recently, however, the national blogs began to discuss an April 23rd op-ed that appeared in Allentown’s The Morning Call, right here in the Lehigh Valley!
The op-ed was written by Robert S. Zimmerman. He formerly served as the state’s secretary of health and also its Medicaid director. More recently he was director of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Region 3 Office for the Mid-Atlantic States.
In the article, Zimmerman asks state leaders to take advantage of the infusion of $4 billion in additional Medicaid funding from the federal stimulus by “mak[ing] a significant investment in an important but under-recognized industry – publicly-funded home and community-based services (HCBS)” Read the full article by clicking here.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Manual for Nursing Homes Going Through Culture Change
For more than 20 years, America’s nursing homes have struggled to live up to the goals of the “culture change” movement, which would transform nursing homes from clinical institutions into home-like settings in accordance with person-centered federal standards established in the 1980s.
A new manual from the Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes campaign created with support from the Commonwealth Fund seeks to address this issue by offering nursing home staff an evidence-based guide to preparing, implementing, and sustaining clinical and cultural changes.
Read the full story on the PHI blog by clicking here.
A new manual from the Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes campaign created with support from the Commonwealth Fund seeks to address this issue by offering nursing home staff an evidence-based guide to preparing, implementing, and sustaining clinical and cultural changes.
Read the full story on the PHI blog by clicking here.
Friday, April 24, 2009
PHI Releases Survey for HealthCare Workers
What Does "Affordable" Coverage Mean to You?
As Congress addresses national health reform, PHI's HealthCare for Health Professional division is collecting research and would like YOUR definition of what affordable means - premiums, co-payments, deductible, and share of family income - however you define it.
Take the time to tell them what YOU think by taking this short survey NOW.
As Congress addresses national health reform, PHI's HealthCare for Health Professional division is collecting research and would like YOUR definition of what affordable means - premiums, co-payments, deductible, and share of family income - however you define it.
Take the time to tell them what YOU think by taking this short survey NOW.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Nursing's Hidden Blessings!
One in five Americans is currently taking care of another adult, voluntarily tending to an ill or frail loved one. And as the Baby-Boomer generation ages, that obligation is likely to increase. The burden takes a serious toll on caregivers, leading to poorer health and even an increased risk of death.
But what is it that actually takes the toll? Is it the physical wear-and-tear of feeding and bathing a needy relative? Is it simply that caregivers have too much work and too little time and energy? Or is it the emotional costs of watching a loved one deteriorate, or the anticipation of loss? Or all of this rolled together?
Click here to read the full story about a recently released study discussed on Wray Herbert's We're Only Human blog.
But what is it that actually takes the toll? Is it the physical wear-and-tear of feeding and bathing a needy relative? Is it simply that caregivers have too much work and too little time and energy? Or is it the emotional costs of watching a loved one deteriorate, or the anticipation of loss? Or all of this rolled together?
Click here to read the full story about a recently released study discussed on Wray Herbert's We're Only Human blog.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Support Direct Care Workers and Save Taxpayer Dollars!
Terry Lynch wrote a wonderful article about a presentation he made in the United Kingdom:
"I just gave a keynote speech at the annual conference of an organization that’s influencing the future of long-term care in the United Kingdom. It’s called In Control, and its mission is to enable people using long-term care services to determine what services they need and to control how they are provided. This approach to service provision is known, both there and in the United States, as Self-Directed Support (SDS)."
Read the rest of Terry's story on the Direct Care Alliance blog by clicking here.
"I just gave a keynote speech at the annual conference of an organization that’s influencing the future of long-term care in the United Kingdom. It’s called In Control, and its mission is to enable people using long-term care services to determine what services they need and to control how they are provided. This approach to service provision is known, both there and in the United States, as Self-Directed Support (SDS)."
Read the rest of Terry's story on the Direct Care Alliance blog by clicking here.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Direct Care Worker Speaks About Her Experiences!
Tracy Dudzinski, a direct care worker, was recently asked by the Direct Care Alliance to go to Washington, D.C. to tell the people at an Institute of Medicine symposium what it’s like to be a direct care worker. Click on the picture below to hear her statement.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
PCA Testifies Before Minnesota Health and Human Services Committee
Bridget Siljander, the president of the Direct Support Professional Association of Minnesota and one of the DCA’s Direct Care Worker Specialists, recently testified before the Minnesota Health and Human Services Committee. Although she was speaking about policies in a different state, many of her experiences as a Personal Care Assistant may seem familiar to our local Direct Care Workers.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Is Health Care Recession-Proof?
If the job numbers coming out of Long Island are any indication, then healthcare’s reputation as a “recession-proof” industry is well warranted.
As reported by Newsday on Feb. 2 ("Health care seen as recession-proof job sector"), figures from New York’s Department of Labor show Long Island adding 2,500 education and health service jobs in the 2008 calendar year, even as other sectors suffered serious losses, with trade, transportation and utilities shedding 6,700 jobs and professional and business services shedding 4,700 jobs.
Click here to read PHI's full story on the issue.
What do you think? Have you seen the recession impacting the direct care workforce jobs? Click below on the word "comments" to leave your opinion.
As reported by Newsday on Feb. 2 ("Health care seen as recession-proof job sector"), figures from New York’s Department of Labor show Long Island adding 2,500 education and health service jobs in the 2008 calendar year, even as other sectors suffered serious losses, with trade, transportation and utilities shedding 6,700 jobs and professional and business services shedding 4,700 jobs.
Click here to read PHI's full story on the issue.
What do you think? Have you seen the recession impacting the direct care workforce jobs? Click below on the word "comments" to leave your opinion.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Has Anti-Cancer Components!
According to the matherlifeways Aging in Action newsletter, Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Has Anti-Cancer Components!
A recent study by Javier Menendez and colleagues found that a chemical in extra-virgin olive oil reduced certain cancer genes. The study showed that good quality extra-virgin olive oil contains certain chemicals that can reduce the risk for breast cancer. Click here for the full story.
A recent study by Javier Menendez and colleagues found that a chemical in extra-virgin olive oil reduced certain cancer genes. The study showed that good quality extra-virgin olive oil contains certain chemicals that can reduce the risk for breast cancer. Click here for the full story.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Who Are Direct Care Workers?
PHI released a new fact sheet on direct care workers. Did you know?:
- 88 % Female
- 52 % Minority
- 21 % Foreign born
- Average age: 41
- Median Annual Earnings for direct-care workers: $17,000
- 42 % Some college or advanced degree
- 41 % Receive public benefits such as Medicaid or food stamps
- 27 % Have no health insurance
Click here to read PHI's full story and the report
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Today's NY Times Features an Article About Caregivers!
The lead article in today's New York Times calls on the federal government to improve wages and labor protections for home care workers. Click here to read the full article.
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