Caring for the Ages RSS feed: Current Issue. http://www.caringfortheages.com/?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2010 American Medical Directors Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Caring for the Ages1526-4114118August 2010 © 2010 American Medical Directors Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410601953/abstract?rss=yesHow families communicate and interact when an elderly member needs long-term care depends on their history and current relationships. When physicians and facility staff understand these factors, they can make it easier for everyone to adjust to a new living situation. They also get a better picture of the resident—the good, the bad, and the ugly—so they can provide appropriate, individualized care.Piece Together Family Puzzles To Maximize Quality Care: Families hold keys to your residents' identities and needs.JOANNE KALDY10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60195-3Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News119http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410601965/abstract?rss=yesPhysicians once more find themselves staring at significantly lower Medicare fees for next year, based again on the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate formula. Yet a proposed offsetting bonus for primary care physicians could benefit those in long-term care.2011 Medicare Fees Are Mostly UncertainNASEEM S. MILLER10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60196-5Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News11http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410601977/abstract?rss=yesUpdated diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease will allow physicians to identify patients in the earliest possible stages of the disease, capitalizing on the treatments now available and enriching the research into new therapies.New Criteria May Identify Alzheimer's Earlier: Addition of biomarkers to signs of dementia should accelerate diagnosis of disease.MICHELE G. SULLIVAN10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60197-7Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News22http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410601989/abstract?rss=yesCaring for the Ages is the official newspaper of the American Medical Directors Association and provides long-term care professionals with timely and relevant news and commentary about clinical developments and about the impact of health care policy on long-term care. Content for Caring for the Ages is provided primarily by International Medical News Group and Elsevier Global Medical News. Other content is provided by the AMDA.Caring for the Ages10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60198-9Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News22http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410601990/abstract?rss=yes DR. NICHOLS is the vice president for medical services of the Cabrini Eldercare Consortium in New York City, which includes two skilled nursing facilities, three home care agencies, two adult day care programs, and a senior housing complex. He invites your questions for possible discussion in this column. Please submit them by e-mail to caring@elsevier.com.Dealing With the Risk of Elder AbuseJeffrey Nichols10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60199-0Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5Dear Dr. Jeff33http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410602004/abstract?rss=yesLONG BEACH, CALIF. — A panel of expert clinicians reviewed 200 hospitalizations of nursing home residents in Georgia and rated 68% of them as avoidable or probably avoidable. The experts combed records from 10 nursing homes with high rates of hospitalizations and 10 with low rates, as well as records from the hospitals and emergency departments. In the high-hospitalization nursing homes, 75% of admissions were deemed avoidable or probably avoidable, as were 59% of admissions from the low-hospitalization nursing homes, Dr. Joseph G. Ouslander said at the AMDA annual symposium this spring.Most Hospitalizations of Residents Seen as AvoidableSHERRY BOSCHERT10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60200-4Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News44http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410602016/abstract?rss=yesTime is running out for you to comment on the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulations governing controlled substances in long-term care facilities. Submissions are due by Aug. 30 on the Federal Register notice entitled “Dispensing of Controlled Substances to Residents at Long Term Care Facilities.” At issue is whether any further revisions to the DEA regulations are feasible and warranted toward the goal of making it easier for residents of long-term care facilities to receive controlled substances.Time to Speak Up on DEA's Enforcement in Nursing Homes10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60201-6Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News44http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410602028/abstract?rss=yesAMDA members join others in mourning the death of Robert N. Butler, MD, the author and psychiatrist who coined the term “ageism.” He passed away July 4 in New York. AMDA President Paul R. Katz, MD, CMD, said, “Dr. Butler was one of those rare individuals who always listened carefully to new ideas and never judged prematurely. … He was a consummate professional who truly understood the challenges of growing older and the need for societal reform to address injustices.”AMDA Remembers Dr. Robert Butler10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60202-8Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News44http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS152641141060203X/abstract?rss=yesLONG BEACH, CALIF. — Less than a third of clinicians in hospitals and nursing homes were aware of current guidelines for diagnosing, preventing, and managing pressure ulcers, a survey of doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, and nurses— aides found.Pressure Ulcer Awareness, Knowledge Differ by SettingSHERRY BOSCHERT10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60203-XCaring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News44http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410602041/abstract?rss=yes This column is not to be substituted for legal advice. The writer, JANET K. FELDKAMP, practices in various aspects of health care, including long-term care survey and certification, certificate of need, health care acquisitions, physician and nurse practice, managed care and nursing related issues, and fraud and abuse. She is affiliated with Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP of Columbus, Ohio.What to Consider When Addressing Resident Falls Within Your FacilityJanet K. Feldkamp10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60204-1Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5Legal Issues55http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410602053/abstract?rss=yes SUSAN M. PETTEY has directed health policy and advocacy programs for long-term care physicians, administrators, and other professionals, including AMDA, the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, and the Health Care Financing Administration (now the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services). She currently is a health policy consultant.A Pay Change Too Close for ComfortSusan M. Pettey10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60205-3Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5Public Policy67http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410602065/abstract?rss=yesOscar looked like your average cute, cuddly cat, with his tiger-stripes and furry white tummy. But, make no mistake, Oscar was no ordinary cat when he became world famous 3 years ago. That's when a New England Journal of Medicine perspective by David Dosa, MD, claimed that over 2 years Oscar had predicted 25 deaths at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Providence, R.I., where Dr. Dosa is medical director and Oscar still lives (N. Eng. J. Med. 2007;357:328-9).An Extraordinary Cat Is Still at WorkJOANNE KALDY10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60206-5Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News99http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410602077/abstract?rss=yesNonmotor symptoms of Parkinson's disease remain underdiagnosed—the impetus behind new treatment guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology. “Nonmotor symptoms are an integral part of this syndrome. These symptoms can be as troublesome as motor symptoms and impact activities of daily living, though they are often under-recognized by health care professionals,” wrote Theresa A. Zesiewicz, MD, lead author of the guidelines and professor of neurology at the University of South Florida, Tampa (Neurology 2010;74:924-31).New Guidelines Cover Parkinson's Symptoms: Treatment recommendations for erectile dysfunction, constipation, fatigue.KATE JOHNSON10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60207-7Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News1010http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410602089/abstract?rss=yesA little-noticed provision of the health reform law will let physicians use data collected and reported as part of the maintenance of certification process as an alternative to the Medicare Physician Quality Reporting Initiative. The details have yet to be worked out, but it would mean that physicians probably would have at least one fewer process to report quality data, said Dr. Christine Cassel, president and CEO of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).MOC Process May Be Used as Alternative to PQRIALICIA AULT10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60208-9Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News1010http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410602090/abstract?rss=yesAMDA met with officials from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) earlier this summer to discuss implementation of Section 3130 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, health care reform. The provision requires sponsors of prescription drug plans to utilize specific, uniform dispensing techniques to prevent wasteful dispensing of outpatient drugs in long-term care facilities.AMDA, CMS Meet on Law That's To Prevent Wasteful Dispensing10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60209-0Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News from the Association1616http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410602107/abstract?rss=yesTo enable more young physicians to participate in the popular AMDA Foundation Futures Program, which has propelled the careers of many physician leaders and AMDA members, the foundation is asking AMDA state chapters, other groups (such as residency programs), and individuals to sponsor participants— travel to the program.Help Young Doctors Find Their LTC Passion10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60210-7Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News from the Association1616http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410602119/abstract?rss=yesWhen the American Medical Directors Certification Program (AMDCP) board meets this month, Chair Steve Furr, MD, CMD, will turn over the position to Fred Feinsod, MD, CMD. “Serving on the AMDCP board has been a great opportunity to work with very caring and dedicated individuals committed to enhancing the education and status of our physicians,” said Dr. Furr. “Over the past year, we feel that we have enhanced that by offering the ability to earn small-group CMD credits.” Also, Frederick Rowland, MD, CMD, will be rotating off the AMDCP board after 4 years of service. Currently, he serves as secretary on the AMDA Board of Directors.AMDCP Board Chair Handed Off10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60211-9Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News from the Association1616http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410602120/abstract?rss=yesThere is still time to submit a poster for presentation at “Long Term Care Medicine—2011: Spring Training for a Winning Team,” AMDA's 2011 annual symposium. Proposals must be submitted online by Oct. 30, 2010. The following are required: title, introduction/objective, design/methodology, results, conclusions/discussion, financial disclosures for each author, category, contact information for each author. For more information, go to www.amda.com and click on the “Call for Poster Abstracts” button.Poster Deadline Approaches10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60212-0Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News from the Association1616http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410602132/abstract?rss=yesThe AMDCP board has approved a program to provide certified medical direction (CMD) credit hours for regional small group meetings as well as for annual state chapter meetings. The smaller groups may organize regionally within a chapter to meet monthly, bimonthly, or several times a year.Regional Group Meetings Now Can Offer Certification Credits10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60213-2Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News from the Association1616http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410602144/abstract?rss=yesAMDA member Paul Drinka, MD, CMD, joined other Wisconsin constituents on Capitol Hill earlier this summer to meet with Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Senator Herb Kohl (D-Wis.). Dr. Drinka attended as part of an Eldercare Workforce Alliance event that brought two geriatricians, a geriatric nurse practitioner, a geriatric social worker, a direct-care worker, and a caregiver in from Wisconsin.Advocates for LTC Workforce Funding Visit Capitol Hill10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60214-4Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News from the Association1717http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410602156/abstract?rss=yesNCPDP SCRIPT is a set of standards for electronic transfer of prescription data among pharmacies, prescribers, intermediaries, and payers. The federal government has announced an interim final rule regarding this standard, NCPDP SCRIPT 10.6, that is important to long- term care practitioners.Script-Transfer Standards Updated With LTC in Mind10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60215-6Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News from the Association1717http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410602168/abstract?rss=yesAMDA has developed the “Advanced Curriculum on Medical Direction in Long Term Care.” The first opportunity to participate in this program in 2010 is Oct. 1-3 in Arlington, Va.Advanced Course Is for Physicians in Long-Term Care10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60216-8Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News from the Association1717http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS152641141060217X/abstract?rss=yesAug. 19-21 19th Annual Meeting Missouri Association of LTC PhysiciansDon't Miss These Events10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60217-XCaring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News from the Association1717http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410602181/abstract?rss=yes BILL KUBAT is director, mission integration, the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society. He directs a staff whose activities encompass education, survey support and management, new-service development, quality assurance, and consulting services in a variety of areas. He has been active nationally in quality improvement and long-term care culture change.Community Services in LTC's FutureBill Kubat10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60218-1Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5Community LTC2021http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410602193/abstract?rss=yesDaniel Bluestein, MD, CMD, discusses how to talk openly with physicians and others about sensitive issues in a patient's best interest. Helping your family member/friend's physician and long-term care facility staff understand special issues relating to the person will help them provide the best possible care. It can be embarrassing or upsetting to talk about a family member/friend's history of violence or drinking or other problems. You also may feel you are “telling their secrets.”Easy Conversations About Tough Topics10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60219-3Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5Caring for Consumers2121http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS152641141060220X/abstract?rss=yes DR. EVANS is a full-time long-term care physician in Charlottesville, Va., and medical director of two skilled nursing facilities. He serves on AMDA's board of directors and the Caring for the Ages editorial advisory board.Advance Directives vs. Family DecisionsJonathan Evans10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60220-XCaring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5Medical Ethics2222http://www.caringfortheages.com/article/PIIS1526411410602211/abstract?rss=yesFar from protecting older women from falls and fractures, once-yearly oral vitamin D raised the risk of falls by 15% and that of fractures by 26%, according to researchers in Australia.High-Dose Vitamin D Raised Fracture RiskMARY ANN MOON10.1016/S1526-4114(10)60221-1Caring for the Ages 11, 8 (2010)2010-08-01Caring for the Ages2010-08-01118S1526-4114(10)X6008-5News2323