With summer upon us, many care givers will choose to take a vacation, leaving older parents on their own. Here are a few simple steps to make planning, and enjoying, vacation a little easier!
1. Arrange with a friend or neighbor to take your place and be the local emergency contact or someone to run errands if needed.
- Make sure your parents have their phone numbers.
- Make sure your friends have extra house keys, car keys etc. for your parents.
2. Stock up on the things your parents need you to run errands for. Even if they still drive, you can make sure they are not making too many trips.
- Make sure their prescriptions are filled.
- Groceries
3. If you normally help with chores such as yard work or heavy housekeeping, have that completed before you leave or hire someone to fill in. They might try to tackle jobs that are dangerous for them while you are gone. Make sure their car is in good repair, not going to have flat tires while you are out-of-town. Make sure they also have a list of numbers to call for any household problems, plumbers, a handyman, mechanic.
4. Leave your vacation itinerary, contact phone numbers, with your parents and the friend that is helping out. Their physician’s number, pharmacy, medical POA, and insurance information should also be available. Remember to take all of this information with you too in case you are case-managing on the road.
5. If your parents are frail and you normally make a daily visit, arrange for someone else to do this. If there is not family or friends nearby, hire a nursing agency to do this daily while you are away.
Most importantly…enjoy a well deserved break!
Governor Kasich recently released the proposed state budget for the next two years. Severe cuts are outlined in an effort to close the gap on an $8 billion deficit and everyone, from local government, to educators to healthcare providers, will be required to do more with less.
Over the last several weeks, I’ve encountered questions from residents, employees, and the very politicians that will be voting on these changes. Below is a Q&A.
What part of the Governor’s cuts will affect Maple Knoll Village?
In the proposed budget, the Governor plans to cut Medicaid funding for nursing homes by $427 million over the next two years.
Is the Governor targeting nursing homes?
No. The proposed Medicaid cuts will reduce spending by $4.3 billion over the biennium, affecting nursing homes, hospitals, pediatric hospitals and community based nursing services.
What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?
The biggest difference is that Medicare is a federal governed program and Medicaid is run by the state. Specifically to Maple Knoll, Medicaid is for patients requiring nursing home care that can no longer afford it.
Shouldn’t we all tighten our belts?
Absolutely and we want to play a role in balancing the state budget. What disconcerting is the method that the state plans to use to determine the distribution of Medicaid. The loss of $427 million averages out to a loss of approximately $500,000 per facility, but under the reimbursement formula, some will gain over $500,000 while others lose over $1,000,000.
How is it possible that some nursing homes will actually make money?
Without getting too complicated, the state assigns each facility a cost rate that is used for reimbursement. A “per bed” or “per patient day” cost that is based on the actual cost spent on a facility. For some it may be $130 per day and for others it may be $200. Usually the for-profit, independently owned, have a lower price cost and they stand to actually make money from this proposal.
Are there for profit and non-profit nursing homes in Ohio?
Yes. Non-profit, like Maple Knoll Village, take profits earned, and reinvest them in staff and facilities. We are mission driven to provide quality care and a quality life, not make money. For-profits are run like a private business, they can reinvest in their business or they can keep their profits. So those that spend money on their facilities and programs will have a higher cost rate and will lose more money than those that spend less on their business.
Is the state trying to push non-profit nursing homes out of business?
It’s a case of not understanding how the industry works. State regulations have us working under a double-edged sword where we are required to do more with less or a fine is imposed. The state tells us we can get by with one aide per 15 patients but we know that’s impossible and would only compromise the care of our residents. Our goal is to always do more, not to avoid a fine, but because it’s the right thing to do.
How is this going to impact Maple Knoll Communities?
Our organization stands to lose $4 million over the next 2 years. Although it is estimated that 7,000 jobs related to nursing home care will be lost in the state due to proposed cuts, that is the last place where we will look. Money will always be reinvested in to the care of our residents before anything else.
If these are lean times, why do I see renovations on campus?
Again, Maple Knoll is a non-profit and fund development is a key part of our organization. There are times when we receive generous financial gifts that are earmarked for a specific project and we are obligated to honor that request. If you see projects directly related to operations, it’s because we have found a more efficient approach that will save money in the long run.
Didn’t they already cut Medicaid payments a few years ago?
The state submits a new budget every two years and we continue to do our part in balancing that budget. In 2009 we did see a decrease in payments which resulted in job cuts here at Maple Knoll. We are currently working with a very lean Management staff where most folks are doing the job of 3 and our organization relies heavily on volunteers.
What is the likelihood of the proposed budget being passed?
The proposed budget is now in the House of Representatives and the likelihood of this going through is very high. The new budget takes effect in June, 2011.
What are you doing to prevent the changes?
We are visiting with Legislators in Columbus to share information and to create awareness about the disparities with which facilities are affected.
What can I do to help?
You can voice your concerns through letters, emails and phone calls to your Senators and State Representatives.
I’m available to address and questions or concerns that you may have.
Jim Formal
Terms used in the aging industry are often convoluted and very confusing. Use this list as well as a more comprehensive list found on www.seniorsguide.com to help understand more!
Adult Day Care: This consists of daily structured activities in a community setting. They offer health-related and occasionally rehabilitation services to senior citizens who are physically or emotionally disabled and con not be alone for long periods of time. Generally this service is provided only during the day and the individuals return home at night.
Aging in Place: This describes allowing a resident of a community to remain in their current living environment despite recent physical and or mental decline. As their needs change different services can be brought in to help them out. For example, independent living may offer services that provide you with assistance for daily activities so you do not have to move on to assisted living.
Alzheimer’s: Degenerative age-related disease that impairs an individual’s cognitive ability. An individual with Alzheimer’s often suffers from forgetfulness, wandering, and inability to recognize others.
Ambulatory: This means that you are able to move about and walk around on your own.
Assisted Living: Apartments offered at a retirement community with services that include meals, laundry, housekeeping, medication reminders, and assistance with activities of daily living.
Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC): These communities provide a continuum of accommodations and services for senior citizens. This often includes independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care. This way a resident can stay at his/her own community even as their needs change.
Continuum of Care: Full spectrum of care available at a particular community which includes Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Nursing Care. It may also include home health care.
Dementia: Progressive neurological, cognitive, or medical disorder that affects a person’s memory, judgment, and cognitive powers.
HMO: A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) provides complete health care in a specific area to individuals who choose to use it.
Home Health Care: This is where a licensed health care worker will provide you with medical and nursing services in your own home.
Hospice Care: Counseling, social services and medical care provided to individuals with a terminal illness and their families. This can take place in an individual’s home or in a specific hospice care facility.
Independent Living: Senior Housing that may provide services such as meals, housekeeping, social activities, and transportation. Residents are able to care for themselves but have often services available if they were to need them.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs): Day-to-day tasks such as cooking, shopping, managing money, taking medication, and housekeeping.
Life Care Community: A Continuing Care Retirement Community which offers an insurance type contract and provides all levels of care. It often includes payment for all medical care including physician’s visits. Little or no change is made in the monthly fee, regardless of the level of medical care required by the resident.
Long-Term Care: Care provided to any person who suffers from chronic health impairments.
Long-term Care Insurance: Privately issued insurance which covers the cost of nursing home care, assisted living, and home health care.
Managed Care: This is basically used to coordinate all health care services to maximize benefits and minimize costs. These plans often use their own network of health care providers and a system of prior approval from a primary care doctor. They will provide you with a list of specialists, hospitals, ect. which are suitable for you to go to.
Medicaid: This is a government-funded health insurance assistance program that offers benefits to individuals with limited financial resources, the disabled, and the elderly. You must have a financial need to qualify.
Medicare: This is a medical insurance program administered by the Social Security Administration for people 65 and older. There are two parts of Medicare: A and B. Part A covers hospital and nursing facility care while part B takes care of physician services, therapies, and home health care.
Medigap Insurance: Private health insurance that covers health care costs Medicare does not take care of.
Not-for-Profit: This categorizes the status of a company. It consists of volunteer board members that help monitor the organization and make sure its elderly residents’ needs are met. Not-for-profit homes and services turn any extra income back into improving the company.
Nurse Assistant: This individual provides the most personal care to residents. This would include bathing, dressing, and toileting. They must be trained, tested, and certified to work in the facility. Nurse assistants work under the supervision of an Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse.
Nursing Home: A nursing home provides 24-hour nursing care, room and board, and activities for individuals with chronic and/or long-term care illnesses. The individuals in these homes are unable to care for themselves and require a great deal of assistance.
Occupational Therapy: Helps individuals to relearn their daily living activities.
Physical Therapy: A treatment program to help individuals regain their strength and physical mobility after a stroke or accident. Each program is tailored to the individual and administered by a licensed physical therapist.
Registered Nurse (RN): This is a trained nurse who has both passed a state board examination and is licensed to practice nursing.
Rehabilitation: Therapeutic care for individuals who need physical, occupational, or speech therapy.
Respite Care: This is a short-term/temporary reprieve for caregivers which ranges from hours to days. This could take place in your home or at a facility. Retirement communities often offer this to residents who may need short-term assistance as well.
Senior Apartment: Age-restricted housing with individual living units for older adults. These individuals must be able to care for themselves and no additional services are offered.
In a recent meeting, the Marketing Department announced that The Knolls of Oxford will begin posting blog entries on our website. Their enthusiastic sales pitch had me thinking this was a great idea!
It wasn’t until I learned they would call upon me for the first entry, that I questioned whether this form of communication was necessary. I don’t tweet or write on pretend “walls” so what could I possibly contribute to a blog?
Not entirely sure what a blog is, I decided some information gathering was in order before writing anything. I Googled the word and up popped Wikipedia with their definition.
A blog is part of a website… with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material… also used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content…. interactive, allowing visitors to leave comments and message each other…share photos, podcasts….
The sharing aspect is intriguing. A Knolls of Oxford blog would allow various departments to chime in, contributing ideas, thoughts and keeping us up to date on what’s happening in their corner of our community.
As CEO of the organization, I’m interested in the interactive feature of a blog. Listening is essential to providing the best possible environment for our residents and employees. Receiving feedback allows us to fine tune what exists and consider what doesn’t.
Within our blog, we can provide links to various resources that our readers may find of interest. The idea of streamlining information on the Internet and making it easier to find is appealing.
Our electronic community will come closer together by sharing links to photos through Flickr, WMKV podcasts through iTunes and videos through YouTube. Plus you can visit our sister sites, like the Maple Knoll Village, with just a click.
A blog is a great idea!
We can argue, as the parent of two teenagers I often do, that new technology is driving us apart. The reality is, never before have we been closer.
The miles that keep families apart disappear when we use Skype. The years that come between old friends diminish by reconnecting on Facebook. Even I have learned to embrace texting as a form to communicate with my own children.
I hope you will join me as we continue on this technological journey. One that involves sharing information, ideas and thoughts. A journey that will continue to bring us closer together as a community.
An Afterthought….
Technology is changing rapidly and impacting our lives on a daily basis. After reading through this entry, I realized how much has changed since the birth of my children, a mere 15 years ago. Much of what is written wouldn’t have made sense in 1995.
Twelve items or words listed above did not exist in their current context. Can you find them? Email our communications director at bschulte@mkcommunities.org and we will treat you to lunch.
Sincerely,
Jim Formal
President and CEO
Maple Knoll Communities
