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Members of the Colorado Commission on Aging recently toured the beautiful new facility of Seniors’ Resource Center in Denver, CO. Teresa Johnson, Managing Director of NADSA, was also on site to meet with Adult Day Center Director Linda Johnston. Recent funding cuts have forced the reduction of some services, including closure of their Southwest site at 3000 S. Wadsworth Boulevard.
The requirement that adult day health care centers become not-for-profit operations has been delayed at least a year, according to Department of Health Care Services officials. This welcome news comes after a multi-year crisis among adult day health centers in California which used to operate under MediCal guidelines until its termination. Families and business operators/owners are now transitioning to a new program approved by CMS called Community Based Adult Services (CBAS). The reprieve is a welcome relief!
Read more: http://www.californiahealthline.org/capitol-desk/2013/1/state-delays-cbas-not-for-profit-rule.aspx#ixzz2HK6aQQkb
AT&T* recently gave the gift of technology to some of those who need it most. AT&T contributed funds and tablets to the Foundation for Senior Living‘s Adult Day Health Services to help launch its new “Therapeutic Tech” program. The program will use technology to provide much needed therapeutic services to adults of all ages with traumatic brain injuries, dementia and other disorders.
AT&T hosted a holiday-themed event at Phoenix Adult Day Health Services, located in the Monsignor Edward J. Ryle Life Center. At the event, AT&T presented more than $13,000 in technology and a grant to the organization, including 16 new Pantech Element tablets. The donation will help launch the “Therapeutic Tech” program, which will serve around 680 participants across FSL’s four Adult Day Health Services centers.
AT&T volunteers also led a workshop to show how staff and participants can use the tablets technology to access the Internet, play therapeutic games, listen to music, stay connected, and more.
“Technology is constantly evolving to benefit everyone,” said Vicki Martin, vice president and general manager of AT&T Arizona. “At AT&T, our goal is to help people utilize technology to improve their lives, and this program is an excellent example of that.”
The new “Therapeutic Tech” program will be used to help two groups: adults aged 18-55 with traumatic brain injuries, and seniors aged 55 and older who have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. The program will use the funds for technology-based cognitive therapies, physical therapies, communication services, and allow participants to grow important social support systems while maintaining or improving their own independence. The tablets are adaptable and portable, allowing for use and benefit by everyone in the adult day service centers.
“We’re very thankful that AT&T provided the resources needed to launch this important therapeutic program,” said Guy Mikkelsen, president and CEO of Foundation for Senior Living. “Their donation gives our participants the helpful tools they need to improve the quality of their lives.”
For more information on AT&T products and offerings, please visit www.att.com.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
Costs continue to rise for those requiring long-term care in the U.S. according to the newly released 2012 MetLife Market Survey of Nursing Home, Assisted Living, Adult Day Services, and Home Care Costs. The national average rates for a private nursing home room increased 3.8% from $239 daily in 2011 to $248 daily or $90,520 annually, in 2012. Assisted living base rates rose by 2.1% from $3,477 monthly in 2011 to $3,550 monthly or $42,600 annually. Adult day services remained at the 2011 rate of $70 per day. Home health aides rates were unchanged from 2011 at $21 per hour. Homemaker hourly rates increased by 5.3% from $19 per hour in 2011 to $20 per hour in 2012. Read the Key Findings.
Read the Essentials: Adult Day Services
Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (CA-39) has announced the introduction of the “Medicare Adult Day Care Services Act of 2012” (H.R. 6476) which would provide more cost-effective, skilled care options for seniors, people with disabilities, and families in the Medicare program.
H.R. 6476 would allow patients who qualify for home health services or nursing home care under the Medicare program to choose the option of adult day care services instead. By paying adult day care providers 98% of the home health rate, the “Medicare Adult Day Care Services Act of 2012” could also yield savings to Medicare.
“We owe it our seniors to provide them with quality health care, and they deserve to have the full range of care choices,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “Adult day care is an important option for seniors who need rehabilitative care or help with daily life tasks, but don’t need around-the-clock care. This legislation provides a cost-effective Medicare choice by paying adult day care providers 98% of the home health rate. This bill also provides crucial relief to family caregivers, who often struggle to balance work and caring for their loved ones fulltime.”
In addition to increasing choices for seniors and people with disabilities, the “Medicare Adult Day Care Services Act of 2012” bill would provide a vital service to family caregivers. While taking care of their loved ones, these caregivers lose an average of $659,139 in wages, pension benefits, and Social Security benefits over a lifetime, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance. By providing this adult care choice to Medicare beneficiaries, H.R. 6476 helps protect a family’s economic well-being, without adding to the cost of Medicare.
Congresswoman Sánchez also introduced Medicare Adult Day Care 2009 legislation in the 111th Congress.