This is a great article that I came across on Hospital Readmission issues. We know that Senior Helpers can help folks that come out of the hospital in many ways; such as taking medications regularly, doing exercises, going to doctor appointments, getting proper nutrition and hydration, keeping up with their hygiene, not falling in the shower, etc. Senior Helpers takes care of folks in St. Louis, Florissant, Hazelwood, Ferguson, St. Anns, O’Fallon, Lake Saint Louis, Wentzville, Troy, Warrenton, Washington, Union, Wildwood, Pacific and many other areas. I hope the article helps you think about using Senior Helpers to keep one’s you love from being readmitted.

About 1 in 6 Medicare patients was rehospitalized within 30 days in 2009 — a rate that must improve by October 2012 to avoid penalties.
By KEVIN B. O’REILLY, amednews staff. Posted Oct. 10, 2011.

Hospitals struggled to lower readmission rates among Medicare patients between 2003 and 2009, according to a September report from the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice. The report comes as hospitals prepare for Medicare penalties for high readmission rates that start in October 2012.
Researchers affiliated with the institute’s Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care examined the records of all 10.7 million Medicare patient hospital discharges from July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2009, and found little progress.
Patients hospitalized for congestive heart failure, pneumonia, surgery, hip fractures or other medical conditions had 2009 readmission rates either the same or slightly higher than in 2004.
Surgery patients were the least likely to be readmitted, with 12.7% being rehospitalized within 30 days — a rate that went unchanged from 2004 to 2009. Patients with congestive heart failure were the toughest to keep out of the hospital, with 20.9% returning within 30 days in 2004. By 2009, the rate rose to 21.2%.
“The report highlights widespread and systematic failures in coordinating care for patients after they leave the hospital,” said David C. Goodman, MD, lead author of the report. “Irrespective of the cause, unnecessary hospital readmissions lead to more tests and treatments, more time away from home and family, and higher health care costs.”
Medicare patients with congestive heart failure are the most likely to be rehospitalized.
There was one bright spot. In 2004, after one year of claims experience, 19.4% of patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction were rehospitalized within a month of discharge. By 2009, the rate had improved to 18.5%.
The vast majority of patients in the study were sent home after discharge, except for patients admitted for hip fractures, who usually were sent to facility-based rehabilitation. Nearly 60% of patients failed to see their primary care physicians within two weeks of discharge, though the rate varied by condition. Half of pneumonia patients saw their primary care doctors within 14 days, but only one in five surgery patients did. The report also found wide variation in rehospitalization rates by region and hospital.
“The need to develop more efficient systems of care that include discharge planning and care coordination is clear,” said Elliott S. Fisher, MD, MPH, who co-wrote the report. “The report shows the opportunity for improvement and the importance of aligning efforts to reduce readmissions with other policy and payment initiatives.”
Financial penalties coming
Beginning in October 2012, hospitals could see their Medicare pay cut by up to 1% if they have higher-than-expected 30-day readmission rates for patients with a heart attack, heart failure or pneumonia. The cut could be as much as 3% starting in October 2014.
An April 2, 2009, study in The New England Journal of Medicine estimated that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services paid $17.4 billion for unplanned rehospitalizations in 2004. The figures not only caught the attention of policymakers in Washington but of hospital administrators and quality improvement experts, said Nancy Foster, vice president for quality and patient safety policy at the American Hospital Assn.
Since the push to reduce readmissions picked up steam in 2009, it should come as no surprise that figures from the first half of that year show little progress, Foster said. She expects greater improvements to be found when the Dept. of Health and Human Services’ Hospital Compare website is updated next summer, although the effect will be muted because the agency reports three-year rolling averages for hospitals.
“We’re really at the leading edge of being able to see some of the impact of the changes that people have made in their discharge processes, and in their advice to patients about managing their medications and managing their own health so they don’t have to return to the hospital,” Foster said, pointing to efforts such as Boston University Medical Center’s Project Re-Engineered Discharge. “People looking at their own data believe these changes have had a substantial impact. We’ll be looking for confirmation of that in the Hospital Compare data next year.”
The Dartmouth report should come as a wake-up call to everyone concerned with the high readmission rate, said Joseph Ming Wah Li, MD, president of the Society of Hospital Medicine, which represents 10,000-plus practicing hospitalists. More than 100 hospitals nationwide are participating in the society’s Project BOOST, or Better Outcomes for Older adults through Safe Transitions.
“These findings underscore the need for the hospital, the patient, the outpatient and inpatient providers to work together in a coordinated fashion to make sure that the patient receives the quality of care that minimizes the risk of preventable hospital readmissions,” Dr. Ming Wah Li said.
Along with its report, Dartmouth released a tip sheet for patients when leaving the hospital. The guide advises patients to ask for postdischarge planning help while still in the hospital and write a plan that captures elements such as expected discharge date, scheduled follow-up appointments, medication list, needed medical equipment and how to respond to anticipated symptoms.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
“After Hospitalization: A Dartmouth Atlas Report on Post-Acute Care for Medicare Beneficiaries,” The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Sept. 28 (www.dartmouthatlas.org/downloads/reports/Post_discharge_events_092811.pdf)
“Rehospitalizations among patients in the Medicare fee-for-service program,” The New England Journal of Medicine, April 2, 2009 (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19339721)
Hospital Compare, Dept. of Health and Human Services (www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov)
Project Re-Engineered Discharge, Boston University Medical Center (www.bu.edu/fammed/projectred)
BOOSTing (Better Outcomes for Older adults through Safe Transitions) Care Transitions resource room, Society of Hospital Medicine (www.hospitalmedicine.org/boosttoolkit)
“Care About Your Care: Tips for Patients When They Leave the Hospital,” The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice (www.dartmouthatlas.org/downloads/reports/Atlas_CAYC_092811.pdf)
“Examining the Drivers of Readmissions and Reducing Unnecessary Readmissions for Better Care,” TrendWatch, American Hospital Assn., September (www.aha.org/research/reports/tw/11sep-tw-readmissions.pdf)

The surge of older adults living on their own has spurred a demand today for adult day care programs to assist them. Senior adult day care is ideal for those who have physical or cognitive challenges, but do not require 24-hour supervision. This might include those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, people who need help taking medicine or older adults who are isolated. The goal is to get the person out of the house and into a safe, supportive group setting.

Varied activities keep senior participants active, social and mentally alert. An adult day program may provide:

• Nutritious meals and snacks
• Health support services (e.g., blood pressure monitoring)
• Social events like holiday parties or sing-a-longs
• Personal care, such as help with toileting
• Recreation and games, including exercise
• Functional assistance and therapy
• Counseling and support groups for caregivers

These senior day care programs may be the best solution for caregivers who do not want to place a loved one in an assisted living facility. Beyond the benefits for the senior, caregivers can get a much-needed break or can care for a relative while holding a job.

To enable your loved one to keep an active lifestyle, call on Senior Helpers STL to assist with transportation for adult day care programs, doctor and salon appointments, shopping trips and more. Our caring home companions can come early or stay late when bringing your loved one to or from adult day care. In addition, we provide additional compassionate in-home care services, including preparing meals, house cleaning and even recreational activities, for the days or hours when your elderly loved one is not at the adult day care and you are not able to be at home with them.

To Arrange for Transportation for Yourself or Elderly Loved One to Adult Day Care Programs, Contact Senior Helpers STL

Call Senior Helpers Locally at: 636-695-3140

Senior Helpers STL

Today’s St. Louis seniors are remaining healthier and living longer, which has led to a view of independent living for Saint Louis seniors as merely a lifestyle change, not the end of everyday living. The goal of our independent living services at Senior Helpers STL is to help the frail senior remain at home as long as possible, foregoing the sedentary, mind-numbing lifestyle of the sterile, institutional environment of a long-term care facility.

Our assisted, independent living, non-medical companionship from bonded, trained in-home care assistants at Senior Helpers STL is perfect for seniors who need minor assistance with daily activities, but who want to stay active while remaining in their own home. Our compassionate helpers provide a personalized plan that can include meal preparation and cleanup, light housekeeping, laundry and ironing assistance, bathing and dressing assistance and much more for independent seniors.

Today’s seniors do more than play shuffleboard and bridge. To help maintain independent living for the elderly, our companions have their seniors engage in a variety of recreational activities—wellness programs, day trips, nature hikes, gardening, movies, etc. According to the American Council on Exercise, even moderate physical activity can help seniors live not only longer, but have a better quality of life.

If you, your parents or grandparents need daily living assistance, our in-home care services from Senior Helpers STL allows for independent living for St. Louis seniors where seniors can grow old in the comfort of their own home and retain as much independence as possible. We may come to your home as a “stranger,” but because we care so very much about seniors, we quickly become caring companions.

Contact Senior Helpers STL Today to Learn About Our Independent Living for St. Louis Seniors In-Home Assistance and Companion Services

Connect with Senior Helpers STL Locally at: 636-695-3140

By choosing affordable, private pay elder care services from Senior Helper STL, you will receive outstanding care from well-trained, upstanding and bonded home care providers, who meet state and local licensing and credentialing requirements. Our in-home care assistants have the option to become Senior Helpers Certified through Senior Helpers University to gain more expertise in their line of work as well. The extensive interview and background check process we conduct seeks out qualified, trustworthy individuals; and we only employ those applicants whom we feel fully confident in sending into the homes of our valued clients.

In our private pay home care program in the St. Louis metropolitan area, most of our clients are “private pay,” which means they or their families submit payment directly to us each pay period. We invoice for our services every two weeks for the prior 2-week period. We can also send the invoice directly to a trusted advisor, appointed guardian, banking operation or long-term care insurance company. Our facility invoices are detailed with the dates and times of service, along with the caregiver who provided care on each day.

Our Private Pay Payment Options Include:

• Check
• Credit Card
• Long-Term-Care (LTC) Insurance
• State and Local Programs
• US Veterans Administration (VA) Benefits
• Quality of Private Pay Eldercare

As part of our private care services, we also participate with Long-Term Care insurance companies, and various state and local programs. And if your loved one is a U.S. veteran, we may be able to help them get benefits for private paid home care from the U.S. Veterans Administration. We would be happy to speak with you about our private pay elder care services for you or your family member(s) from Senior Helpers STL.

Contact Senior Helpers Today to Learn About Our Outstanding Private Pay Elder Care Services

Connect with Senior Helpers STL Locally at: 636-695-3140

Are you a caregiver needing in-home, senior caregiver help in Saint Charles County? You are not alone. According to the National Alliance on Caregiving, nearly 10 million adult children over the age of 50 care for their aging parents. ‘What to do with Mother or Dad’ becomes an absorbing question for all adult children. The dilemma of how to cope when parents grow increasingly needful is one we at Senior Helpers STL hope to help shed some light on.

A recent study conducted by the non-profit National Alliance for Caregiving and profiled in USA Today says family caregivers often face a “downward spiral of health that worsens as a result of giving care.” The study also found that more than 2.5 million family caregivers isolated in homes across America suffer from depression, stress and rapidly declining health due to putting the needs of loved ones before their own. Caretaking Takes Its Toll – USA Today.

You do not have your own health decline while caring for your elderly loved ones; nor should you feel guilty if you need to ask for help. All senior caregivers seek senior caregiver assistance from Senior Helpers STL sooner or later. We specialize in offering in-home, senior caregiver help to adult children caregivers needing a break or needing to attend to errands or appointments themselves. Whether you want one hour, a day or a weekend off, our professionally trained in-home caregivers provide senior caregiver support and give you the time away you need while providing compassionate and safe care for your elderly loved ones.

Contact Senior Helpers STL Today to Learn About Our In-Home Senior Caregiver Help in Saint Charles County
Call Senior Helpers Locally at: 636-695-3140

Senior Helpers STL

The 85-and-older population is expected to more than triple between 2008, and 2050, in the United States alone.* This staggering statistic not only proves the growing need for Saint Louis in-home senior care, but also the fact that your elderly loved one(s) may be part of that statistic right now (if not now, definitely in the future), and you may not be prepared to address their needs. According to a survey conducted by Janice Long of USA Today Magazine, “most Baby Boomers lack a plan to care for parents.”

If you are looking for in-home care for the elderly loved one(s) in your life right now, you will find our at home senior care is compassionately provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by our professionally trained and bonded, in-home caregivers at Senior Helpers STL. We are an invaluable resource in helping families eliminate worry, reduce stress and reestablish personal freedom.

From Alzheimer’s and dementia support to respite care and companionship, our Saint Louis, in-home senior care providers are ready to help your senior through any difficult health-related times. In addition, we are there to assist with daily activities for the elderly who are healthy and want to remain independent while living out their days in the comfort of their own home.

If you have older parents, why not consider preparing a contingency plan for their future needs now. If you need us now or in the future, we will be here for you and your elderly loved ones. First incorporated in 2001, Senior Helpers was founded to provide dependable and affordable senior home care. Our motto is: Caring In-Home Companions.

*Source: US Census Bureau, August 14, 2008

Contact Senior Helpers STL Today to Learn about Our Trusted Saint Louis In-Home Senior Care Services

Call Senior Helpers Locally at: 636-695-3140
www.seniorcare-stl.com

Senior Helpers STL has trained in-home caregivers to help families with a loved one or those diagnosed with dementia. Our professionally trained caregivers in St. Louis can provide home care for seniors with dementia services and support for families in need 24/7.

Dementia describes a broad range of problems that include impairment in thinking and memory. It becomes dementia when the problems interfere with a person’s everyday life, and their ability to do things a person was once able to do without problem. Alzheimer’s disease is a specific form of dementia.

Our dementia home care services for seniors address even the basic needs of caring for someone with dementia, including:

• Health – Our caregivers are trained in providing specific activities for seniors with dementia that keeps them healthy and alert.
• Dressing – Dementia sufferers may find it difficult to dress themselves, so caregivers are trained to accommodate daily living needs.
• Nutrition – Caregivers can help with diet restrictions, so they get the proper nutrition they need through a balanced diet.
• Washing and Bathing – Family care giving can often times be difficult when faced with the intimate needs of bathing.

No matter how much each of us would love to focus our efforts in caring for a loved one with dementia, there will still be times that we will not be able to do so because of our own busy schedules, or lack of knowledge and skills. Care giving for people suffering from dementia can be a challenging and tedious task with round-the-clock requirements. Our trained professionals can alleviate the burdens and offer peace-of-mind to help give families and their loved ones have a greater relationship without the stresses of dementia home care.

Contact Senior Helpers STL Today to Learn About Our Senior Cares Services for Dementia
Call Senior Helpers Locally in St. Louis at: 636-695-3140

Senior Helpers STL

There are so many summer activities for St. Louis seniors; and many of the local summer activities for seniors are free. Take a quick look at some St. Louis senior summer activities; and then check out a more comprehensive list of fun activities to do in the summer in St. Louis for seniors:

Twilight Under the Train Shed
See a free movie the first Friday of the month by the Lake Stage at St. Louis Union Station. Movies begin at twilight.
July 1, August 5, & September 2

Citygarden
Citygarden is one of the newest attractions in Downtown St. Louis. It is a city park filled with fountains, wading pools, sculpture and more. It’s a great visit on a hot summer day. Citygarden is located along Market Street between 8th and 10th Streets.
Open Daily from Sunrise to 10 p.m. Free.

Riverboat Cruises: “Tom Sawyer,” “Becky Thatcher” or “Huck Finn”
Take in the sights of St. Louis and the landmarks of the beautiful Mississippi River on a one-hour steamboat cruise on replicas of 19th century paddle wheelers. More Info: Visit www.gatewayarch.com or Phone: 314-621-4040.
Hourly Cruises: Daily 10:30am-6pm. Hour Cruise Rates: Adult $14; Child (3-15) $8; Child (2 and under) Free.

And do not forget the old summer friends that you may not have seen in awhile that are still free or inexpensive…and still not showing their age: the Gateway Arch, the St. Louis Municipal Opera (The Muny), the St. Louis Zoo, the St. Louis Science Center, the St. Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum, with its popular free outdoor Twilight Tuesday Concerts, the Jewel Box and the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Festivals – Concerts – Theatre – Baseball. There is no better time for fun senior activities than the lazy days of summer. Sunshine…fresh air…it’s great to be alive in the good old summertime and to get out and enjoy the many leisurely activities for seniors in St. Louis.

Contact Senior Helpers STL Today to Learn About Our Activity Programs for Seniors

Call Senior Helpers St. Louis Locally at 636-695-3140
Senior Helpers STL

Here are some summer safety tips for seniors in St. Louis who are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of the summer sun and heat in our fair city and county. Aging generally results in a natural impairment of the body’s cooling mechanisms. Additionally, chronic illness, obesity, and medications can also contribute to a heightened sensitivity to summer heat and sun.

Our tips for summer safety of should put seniors “in the know” on what to do on those lazy, but scorching days of summer to keep cool as a cucumber.

Saint Louis Summer Safety Tips for Seniors

1. Wear sunscreen and lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. The skin’s ability to repair sun damage declines with aging and this can result in unsightly age marks and increased risk of skin cancer.
2. Wear wraparound sunglasses with at least 99% UV absorption. Aging can cause an increased sensitivity to light, wind, and changes in temperature, resulting in production of excess tears and irritation. Overexposure to sunlight can also increase your risk of developing cataracts.
3. Avoid going outside during the hottest times of the day. Plan your outings for mornings and evenings to avoid exposure to unnecessary risks from mid-day heat.
4. Seek air-conditioned environments. The risks of heat-related illness can be reduced drastically by spending just a few hours a day in air conditioning.
5. Take a cool shower or bath, or sponge off with some cool, damp towels.
6. Drink plenty of water. Be vigilant to the signs of dehydration:  dry mouth, dry eyes, lethargy, and dark yellow urine or infrequent urination.
7. Eat cool, healthy foods that energize and aid in hydration: salads, and fresh fruits and vegetables are ideal.
8. Wear weather-appropriate clothing – breathable, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing and a broad-brimmed hat. The skin’s ability to perspire and cool itself declines with age; compensate for this weakness by adapting your wardrobe with cooler clothing.

Watch for the signs of sunstroke and heat exhaustion: confusion or hallucinations, headache, weakness, profuse sweating or lack of sweating, fainting, rapid breathing or heart rate, and hot, dry skin. If you see any of these signs of heat-related illness, seek medical attention, and take immediate measures to cool off by removing excess clothing, sponging with cool towels, and sipping cool water.

By adopting these summer safety tips for seniors, you can have a great summer without worrying about its sun and heat-related effects.

Call Senior Helpers STL Locally at:  636-695-3140

www.seniorcare-stl.com

Summer activities for St. Charles seniors are always exciting and most of them are FREE. All of these festivities below are held in the Downtown Historic District, where there is plenty of free parking, specialty shops, and eating and drinking establishments. Here are some summer activities for seniors in St. Charles that you will want to mark on your calendar.

1. MUSIC ON MAIN – Third Wednesday of the month – Downtown Historic District, 100 & 200 blocks of North Main Street, St. Charles, MO, May – September, 2011, FREE

Join the fun every third Wednesday for food, drink and live music. It’s a party! Musical acts include Butch Wax and The Hollywoods in May, Serapis in June, Hillbilly Authority in July, Rogers, Nienhaus and Crawford in August, and The Arbogast Band in September. For more information call: 1-800-366-2427.

2. HOT SUMMER NIGHTS – Fourth Saturday of the month, Historic Downtown St. Charles District, St. Charles, MO, May – August, 2011, FREE

North Main Street is closed off for the evening for this fourth Saturday of the month event. Around a dozen restaurants on North Main Street place tables outside on the sidewalk so diners can enjoy eating outdoors as well as listening to the live music. The art galleries and specialty will remain open offering patrons a chance to browse while waiting for a table or walking off dinner – Begins at around 5 pm – SORRY, NO COOLERS ALLOWED. For more information call: 1-800-366-2427.

3. FREE CONCERTS – 8 PM every Thursday, Frontier Park, Riverside Drive, St. Charles, MO, June 2 – August 25, 2011, FREE

The 50 piece St. Charles Municipal Band presents free band concerts in Frontier Park on the Missouri River in Historic Downtown St. Charles  each Thursday evening June through August. The concerts feature all types of American band music including marches, Broadway shows, big band, Dixieland, overtures, and contemporary music. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. For more information email: info@stc-muny-band.com

There are many more summer activities for seniors in St. Charles County. Check out summer recreational activities for seniors at St. Charles Parks (Ph: 636-949-3372); or the St. Charles County Family YMCA (Ph: 636-928-1928).

We Have In-Home Care Assistants to Help with In-Home Recreational Activities for Seniors. Call Senior Helpers St. Charles Locally at:

636-695-3140
www.seniorcare-stl.com