Pure Home Care Services

WASHINGTON D.C. – Val J. Halamandaris, president of The National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC), issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s decision to exclude proposals that would impact seniors’ access to critical home care services:

“As Congress and the Administration focus their collective efforts on a long-term, sustainable approach to Medicare reform, we commend the President for acknowledging that proposals should not shift health care costs onto seniors and their families. Preserving and improving home care for seniors must be a cornerstone given the role it plays in treating and managing costly chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension. Home care is a national solution that is both preferred by seniors and is far less expensive than institutional settings. Economically-speaking, it’s the best means of health-care cost containment at our nation’s disposal today.

“Across America, millions of seniors and disabled persons depend on Medicare-provided home care. With an additional 10,000 Americans reaching Medicare eligibility age every day, improving our commitment to high-quality care must remain a top priority. Through a coordinated approach in partnership with physicians and caregivers, seniors are receiving personalized treatments while maintaining their independence within the comfort and privacy of their own home.

“Again, we commend the President for excluding from his proposal elements of the Deficit Commission report which would have severely impacted seniors’ access to high-quality, low-cost home care services.  After the home care community agreed to a $39 billion cut in funding under the Affordable Care Act, we hope this is a clear sign that the administration recognizes that now is the time to establish a stable and consistent level of funding for home care. The President’s decision touches and is appreciated by home care patients, family members and caregivers in every state, district and community. It is also the right decision to help ensure high quality care while also reducing our nation’s deficit.

“Going forward, we must have a focused and national conversation on what’s necessary to preserve high-quality care for seniors while also addressing our long-term deficit. As HHS pointed out this morning in their “partnership for patients” initiative, the effective transition of patients from hospitalizations would save billions of dollars by reducing readmissions and home care will remain a key tool in this effort. Nowhere is there a better solution in America today than providing home care to the millions of Americans who would otherwise seek treatment in costly institutional settings. We look forward to working with Congress and the administration to strengthen America’s home care system for the millions who rely on it, now and in the future.”

Soure: nahc.org

An older individual who cares for a spouse with dementia may be at an increased risk of developing cognitive problems because of the lifestyle that was shared with the spouse and because of the stress of caring for a loved one who is ill. These findings, which are published today in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, indicate that efforts are needed to help caregivers maintain their cognitive and functional health and their ability to care for those who need them.

Research indicates that, compared with non-caregivers, caregivers often have trouble with cognition, which involves attention and memory. To examine the issue more thoroughly, investigators reviewed the medical literature for studies that looked at the cognitive health of older adults caring for a family member (primarily a spouse) with dementia. The review revealed that spouses who are caregivers may have a higher risk of cognitive impairment or dementia than spouses who are not caregivers. Their cognitive decline may be due to psychosocial factors such as depression, loneliness, social isolation, and sleep problems; behavioral factors such as exercise and diet; and physiological factors such as obesity, chronically elevated insulin and inflammation.

“Persons who are caring for a spouse with dementia may themselves be at risk for cognitive problems which, in turn, will not only negatively influence their quality of life, but may reduce their ability to provide the necessary care for their spouse,” said principal investigator Dr. Peter Vitaliano of the University of Washington School of Medicine. “Spouse caregivers are extremely important because most care-recipients prefer to be cared for in their homes, and, by remaining in their homes, health care costs are reduced greatly.”

The review argues for interventions that integrate strategies to reduce psychological distress in caregivers while promoting healthy behaviors, such as good diet and exercise. The authors note that community-level approaches may increase awareness and motivation. They point to Strength for Caring, an online resource for family caregivers that provides information, support, and ways to connect with other caregivers.

Source:
“Does Caring for a Spouse with Dementia Promote Cognitive Decline? A Hypothesis and Proposed Mechanisms.” Peter P. Vitaliano, Michael Murphy, Heather M. Young, Diana Echeverria and Soo Borson
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2011; DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03368.x

If you have any questions about home care services in Grosse Pointe, MI and surrounding areas, please contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457