EP182: How Nursing Homes Put Profit Before Patients
This Is Getting Old Podcast with Melissa B PhD
Release Date: 07/17/2024
EP: 200 - Alzheimer’s Disease: Holiday Tips for a Positive Season | Dementia Caregiving
This Is Getting Old Podcast with Melissa B PhD
In this episode of This is Getting Old: Moving Towards an Age-Friendly World, I’m joined by Nancy (Dangle) and Kat (Dot), two incredible women with valuable insights into dementia care. Together, we explore the emotional challenges of caregiving, particularly how important non-verbal communication can be when building meaningful connections with loved ones living with dementia. Nancy shares her personal experience with Alzheimer’s disease, discussing the power of physical touch, eye contact, and simply being present. We also talk about the importance of inclusion and how small...
info_outline
EP : 199 - Dementia Caregiving: Preparing for Your Own Health Crisis
This Is Getting Old Podcast with Melissa B PhD
In "Dementia Caregiving: How to Prepare for Health Crisis (2024)," we provide essential strategies for caregivers managing the complexities of dementia care. Preparing for unexpected health crises can ease the burden on both the caregiver and the person with dementia. This episode covers vital aspects like maintaining caregiver health, emotional preparedness, and practical planning for financial, legal, and care arrangements. Together with Dr. Melissa Batchelor and guest Jacob Kendall, we dive into how caregiving impacts personal health and share insights on managing stress, building a...
info_outline
EP: 198 - Opioid Use Disorder | Impact on Families – Aging Parents to Grandkids | OpiAID
This Is Getting Old Podcast with Melissa B PhD
In this episode, we explore the critical risks of opioid use among seniors, including addiction, overdose, and the dangerous side effects that can worsen existing health conditions. We speak with David Reeser, CEO of OpiAID, to understand the impact of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) on aging parents and their families, highlighting why awareness is essential for everyone. OpiAID is revolutionizing OUD treatment with remote patient monitoring, biometric insights, and personalized care plans that go beyond the clinical setting. As the opioid crisis impacts families nationwide, this episode provides...
info_outline
EP: 197 - Dating After 50: 10 Must-Know Tips for Finding Love Over 50
This Is Getting Old Podcast with Melissa B PhD
Are you navigating the dating scene after 50? Whether you’re newly single or returning to the dating world after years, it can feel daunting, but also exciting! In this episode, I’m joined by Evan Marc Katz, a renowned dating coach with over 13,000 success stories, to explore how to find love and meaningful connections later in life. We discuss the challenges and joys of modern dating over 50, how to overcome fears, present yourself authentically, and stay safe both online and offline.
info_outline
EP: 196 - Role of Diet in Longevity
This Is Getting Old Podcast with Melissa B PhD
In today’s fast-paced world, numerous diet trends promise to enhance health and longevity, but true wellness stems from understanding the science behind our food choices. This episode examines three popular diets—intermittent fasting, the Mediterranean diet, and the ketogenic diet—and their impact on aging. Intermittent fasting, which alternates between eating and fasting periods, is praised for weight management and metabolic health benefits, though its long-term sustainability, especially for older adults, is debated. The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains,...
info_outline
EP: 195 - How to Choose the Best Home Care for an Older Adult
This Is Getting Old Podcast with Melissa B PhD
Caring for an aging loved one can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure where to start. Many older adults express a desire to "age in place," but it’s critical to assess whether staying at home is still a safe and realistic option for them. My "Care Options Checklist" offers a clear framework for evaluating important factors such as mobility, cognitive health, and their ability to manage daily living tasks like bathing, dressing, and meal preparation. Depending on their needs, solutions might range from simple home modifications to hiring a professional caregiver or even a home...
info_outline
EP: 194 - How to Choose a Quality Nursing Home
This Is Getting Old Podcast with Melissa B PhD
Choosing the right nursing home for a loved one requires careful attention to both care quality and financial considerations. When visiting a facility, be sure to observe how residents are treated, whether they’re well-cared for, and if the environment is clean and welcoming. Ask about staff-to-resident ratios, especially on different shifts, and the turnover rate of nursing assistants, which can indicate the facility’s culture. Additionally, check if the medical team is familiar with residents' needs and whether your loved one can keep their personal doctor. A surprise visit during...
info_outline
EP: 193 - Medication accessibility: SnapSlide
This Is Getting Old Podcast with Melissa B PhD
Prescription bottles can be tough to open, especially for those with dexterity challenges. Enter SnapSlide, an innovative solution designed for easy, one-handed medication access. CEO Rocky Batzel was inspired to create SnapSlide after watching his grandmother struggle with child-resistant bottles, common among older adults with conditions like arthritis. SnapSlide’s ergonomic, child-proof design ensures easy access without compromising safety. It improves medication adherence and reduces frustration for users with hand disabilities or caregivers. Rocky plans to bring SnapSlide to major...
info_outline
EP: 192 - Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults Living with Alzheimer’s: Vital Tips for Caregivers
This Is Getting Old Podcast with Melissa B PhD
Emergencies and natural disasters can be particularly dangerous for older adults and individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, making proper preparedness essential. Caregivers should focus on maintaining calm and offering reassurance during high-stress situations, sticking to familiar routines and providing comfort items to reduce confusion. Clear communication using simple language, avoiding sensory overload, and ensuring the individual has proper identification are key strategies for keeping those with cognitive impairments safe. It’s also crucial to develop and regularly review a...
info_outline
EP: 191 - The Future of Care: Care Yaya Matches Healthcare Students with Older Adults
This Is Getting Old Podcast with Melissa B PhD
In this episode, I sit down with Neal Shah, CEO of CareYaya, to explore how this innovative platform provides affordable, high-quality caregiving for aging adults. CareYaya connects families with healthcare students eager to gain real-world experience while supporting seniors with companionship and daily tasks. Learn how CareYaya, often dubbed "the Uber of caregiving," is revolutionizing the industry by offering trusted, accessible care to families nationwide. Tune in to discover how this tech startup is filling crucial gaps in caregiving, ensuring safety, affordability, and support for your...
info_outline"Many nursing homes are owned by private equity firms that modify operations to maximize profits."
—Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN
Nursing homes provide essential care for older adults who need more help than family and friends can give. During the COVID-19 pandemic, over 200,000 residents and staff died, exposing serious problems in these facilities.
Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced new rules to improve nurse staffing for the 1.2 million older adults who call nursing homes "home" who are both short-stay residents needing rehabilitation and long-stay residents. However, the nursing home industry are opposing these changes.
SUPPORT ADEQUATE NURSE STAFFING IN NURSING HOMES
Just as you would promise never to place a loved one in a poorly managed nursing home, supporting adequate nurse staffing can ensure higher quality care. Many tragedies in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic could have been mitigated with better staffing. Adequate nurse staffing ensures you and your loved one have a safer experience.
UNDERSTAND THE NEW CMS RULES
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a new rule on nurse staffing standards in nursing homes. The key requirement is that at least one registered nurse be on duty 24/7. This rule aims to improve the quality of care and reduce preventable safety events.
KNOW THE OPPOSITION
The nursing home industry has launched efforts to block these new staffing standards, citing financial constraints. Understanding these oppositions helps you advocate for better care and transparency in nursing home operations.
SUPPORT LEGISLATION FOR TRANSPARENCY
Financial transparency is crucial. Many nursing homes are privately owned and divert funds meant for resident care into their profits. The CMS rule also includes financial transparency requirements to track how funds are spent, ensuring they are used for direct care.
ADVOCATE FOR YOUR LOVED ONES
In 2024, two joint resolutions were introduced in Congress (H.J.Res.139/ S.J.Res.91) and two bills (H.R. 7513/ S. 3410 ) to not only overturn the rule but to prevent any administration from ever developing any staffing standards.
By writing to your representatives and opposing bills like H.R. 7513 and S.3410 and these Joint Resolutions, you can help protect the standards that ensure safe and quality care in nursing homes.
Your advocacy can prevent the nursing home industry from putting profits ahead of care.
By following these steps, you'll ensure a safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable environment for nursing home residents.
RESOURCES
Join AgeWiseU to find and get all of my handouts and related content on Alzheimer’s disease and more at MelissaBPhD.com/join
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About MelissaBPhD
Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN. I am a nurse, nurse practitioner with over 25 years of experience caring for older adults and their families.
Below are 4 ways to connect with me and support the podcast:
-
BECOME AN AGEWISEU: Visit my website at https://melissabphd.com/join/ and sign up for free as an Insider or upgrade to being a MVP. Updated weekly, AgeWiseU MVP is a digital hub of over 175 hours of curated content, resources, helpful links and courses designed for caregivers of people living with dementia; adult children caring for aging parents; and anyone wanting to learn more about brain health and healthy aging! MVPs are also invited to join me for a members-only monthly live webinar!
-
BECOME A YOUTUBE MEMBER: Get early access to my podcast episodes and join me for a members-only monthly live webinar!
-
SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, SHARE, AND LEAVE A REVIEW: SUBSCRIBE to this YouTube Channel; LIKE the podcast by giving this episode a thumbs up; SHARE this episode with others; and LEAVE A REVIEW. These things only take a minute of your time, but they really do help increase my rating and ranking; but more importantly, these actions help other people find the podcast.
JOIN THE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: If you are on Facebook, feel free to join my private community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thisisgettingold