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Don’t accept depression as the norm for elderly; ask the right questions

Your patient is sleeping more, seems less energetic when awake, has lost interest in a favorite hobby, or has trouble following conversations. For home health patients, these symptoms can be the result of myriad conditions from diabetes to neurological problems. The symptoms also can indicate depression, a problem found in many older adults.

This fall, all states in home health compare measures

The Home Health Compare web site, sponsored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, makes home health quality measures available to consumers to help them choose a home health agency. Home Health Quality Measures currently are available for home health agencies in eight states.

Assess cognitive problems to treat illnesses early

Family members often make promises that may not be in the best interest of the patient. While environmental, safety, and even clinical issues can be addressed in most cases, what about cognitive problems?

Home health and adult care programs team up

In 2001, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services changed its definition of homebound to allow Medicare home health patients to attend adult day care without jeopardizing the patients home health coverage. Sylvia Nissenboim, director of adult care and enrichment programs at the St. Louis Red Cross and president of the Missouri Adult Day Care Association, thought she would see more referrals between her adult day program and local home health agencies, but nothing happened. After surveying home health agencies, she discovered a need for education of both industries.

Educational initiatives create valuable staff

This is the second of a two-part series that looks at home health aide retention issues such as training, supervision, and benefits. This month, innovative programs that enhance aide education and tips on improving retention are described.

Look for same values to predict who will stay

There is no such thing as a crystal ball that will tell you which employees will be with you after a year, but there are ways a manager can tell if an employee is likely to stay with you, says Patricia Jump, RN, president of Acorns End Training and Consulting in Stewartsville, MN.

Legal Ease: Document carefully to prove your actions

Staff members frequently do the right thing in the course of patient care, but fail to document the quality of care that was rendered to patients. Then, when care is questioned, practitioners are in a much more vulnerable position than they would have been in if the treatment was properly documented.

News briefs

Providers gear up for new HIPAA regulations; JCAHO revises areas for random surveys in 2004; Free HIV information available for patients

Hospital Home Health Archives – September 1, 2003

September 1, 2003