New Cholesterol Guidelines Spark Debate Over Statins
The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology released new cholesterol guidelines for treating high cholesterol and risk factors of heart disease in adults. The updated recommendations have outraged some and prompted a public discussion about the safety of statins and the need for cholesterol drugs for those who are at risk of a cardiovascular event or stroke.
Who Should Take Statins?
The new cholesterol guidelines proposed by these organizations encourage the expanded use of statins, cholesterol lowering drugs, to prevent a heart disease or stroke. Previously, the existence of high LDL cholesterol was a precursor for any of the[…]
California Legislation Tightens Requirements for Home Care Workers
People receiving care at home often find health aides through home health agencies in their area. For some time, many of these agencies and workers have gone largely unregulated in most states. California passed a law this week to enact stricter regulations regarding licensing and employees of home health agencies.
New Regulations
Governor Jerry Brown signed the Home Care Services Consumer Protection Act of 2013 into law on Sunday. Home health agencies are now facing stricter regulations in terms of hiring and monitoring their employees. Once the law takes effect, agencies will be required to conduct background checks on all workers, provide[…]
Long Term Care Commission Proposed in Pennsylvania
A recent proposal put forth by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett includes the creation of a state appointed long term care commission to establish an integrated long term care system.
Healthy Pennsylvania
The plan, called “Healthy Pennsylvania”, was introduced by Governor Tom Corbett two weeks ago and has sparked controversy amidst already heated public debates about health care and long term care.
Brian Duke, the Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging, wrote an article in the Philly Burbs today in support of[…]
Long Term Care Commission Releases Recommendations Report
The Long Term Care Commission released their findings Friday in a brief summary of recommendations. The summary touches on the various issues plaguing the long term care industry and provides suggestions for reform and improvement. In the end, however, the commission was unable to fully agree on any suggestions for financing of the public’s long term care support and services.
Commission Background
As Americans worked to find ways to pay for their long term care services, the group commissioned by Congress to do the[…]
American Stroke Association Advocates Long Term Care Access for All Stroke Patients
A policy statement released by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association emphasized the importance of an integrated stroke system, which includes access to long term care services for all stroke patients.
Key Components
The 25 page policy recommendation was released last week and includes key concepts and components of a modern stroke system. The document emphasizes integration and coordination of the various phases of stroke care in order to create a better functioning stroke system.
Dr. Higashida, co-chair of the writing group, explained that the suggested concepts are meant[…]
National Alzheimer’s Plan Updated to Include Assisted Living in Long Term Care
The Department of Health and Human Services recently made adjustments to the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease. These adjustments are part of an effort to understand the importance of caregiving for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients within assisted living facilities and similar care settings.
Patients in Assisted Living Facilities
In the initial text of the plan, assisted living facilities were not included in the list of care settings. The recent update addresses this type of facility as a separate long term care setting and details a new[…]