On July 18, the Washington Post had a wonderful article about the reunion of an 85 year old daughter with her 110 year old mother who lives in D.C. This reunion is the result of the “Medical House Call Program” at Washington Hospital Center.
The program’s staff, which includes physicians, nurse practitioners, and social workers, provides compassionate and skilled primary health care to elders in the comfort of their homes.
Dr. Eric De Jonge, a physician who works in the program, presented on the Independence at Home Act, which was included in this year’s health care reform law, at our Futures of Aging Services Conference this year.
The Independence at Home provision will help providers replicate this “medical house call” program model throughout the country. The program gives incentives for physicians to improve quality of care and reduce costs.
It also increases physician-patient interaction through regular assessments and patient/caregiver education on treating a chronic disease. It is obvious from the article that Dr. De Jonge has a special positive relationship with his 110 year old patient.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) are encouraging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement the Independence at Home (IAH) program.
Full Editorial and Source:
Independence at Home Provision Will Help Providers Replicate “Medical House Call Program”
5 comments:
How about this... The Federal Govt. could do something about the guardianship abuse and exploitation that is increasing rapidly in our country. It's legal abuse and theft due to no oversight by the courts. It's in everyone's "best interest" EXCEPT the aging, vulnerable persons. By "everyone" I mean all those getting paid by the victim; the attorneys, guardians, fiduciaries, socil workers, judges, those people!
Oh... maybe this is another way to get social workers in the door of the elderly so, they can suggest guardianship and... it's a done deal! Out with a rubber stamp and another vulnerable citizens estate stolen and family destroyed while the govt. does nothing!
This is my opinion... what's yours?
Home care appears to be a solution to many families to avoid guardianship abuse.
NASGA agrees that the federal government should intervene, due to the many civil rights and other violations the states are allowing, and the bloated "fee" billings which too many judges are rubberstamping. This "tapping of the till" winds up with the ward on Medicaid - ON YOUR BACK AS A TAXPAYER!
See AnOpenLetterToCongress.info
The future of aging should all be geared toward home care as much as possible. It's less expensive to everyone, including taxpayers, and the elderly are healthier and happier at home.
Right on, Lou
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