Category: Elderly (Senior Citizen)

Antidepressant Use Tied to Double the Risk of Hip Fractures in Elderly

Antidepressant use is tied to nearly double the risk of sustaining a hip fracture among community-dwelling elderly people, particularly those with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study from the University of Eastern Finland. The increased risk was highest when the patients first began antidepressant treatment but remained elevated even 4 years later.

Judge Gives State, Medicaid Provider Chance To Settle Dispute Over Electronic Monitoring Of Workers

Six home care agencies are objecting to the state’s new electronic monitoring system for home care workers.Getty Images/iStockphoto Six home care agencies are objecting to the state’s new electronic monitoring system for home care workers.Getty Images/iStockphoto A judge has given the state and the largest provider of home-care services for elderly Medicaid clients time to try to come to an agreement over the company’s participation in a new fraud-busting monitoring system that measures the time a worker spends in the home, and the work caregivers do in the homes. Companions & Homemakers, Inc. has balked at using the new “electronic visit verification” technology and the state has kicked the company out of the Medicaid program.

Eighties plus

… change is clear, people live a lot longer today than they did fifty years ago. At this age the necessity of having a Health Care Power of Attorney, a Living Will and a Business Power of Attorney is paramount. Someone needs to be listed to provide …

Medicare Failed To Recover Up To $125 Million In Overpayments From Private Insurers

A Medicare Advantage plan run by Independence Blue Cross, headquartered in Philadelphia, was among those audited for overcharging by the federal government. Six years ago, federal health officials were confident they could save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually by auditing private Medicare Advantage insurance plans that allegedly overcharged the government for medical services.

Concern over key health rebate

… when GP clinics are open. “If home visits weren’t available, more families would go to emergency departments for health problems that are not emergencies but cannot wait for treatment until business hours. “For regional communities like many in the …

Says time is now to protect Medicaid

… coverage.” Gov. Branstad has taken up the national Republican campaign against Medicaid. A campaign that could deny health benefits to millions of children, seniors, working families and people with disabilities. According to the Center on Budget …

Aetna Fight for Humana Awaits Judge’s Ruling in U.S. Case

Aetna Inc.’s fight to complete its purchase of Humana Inc. is now with a federal judge who must decide whether the combination of the two health insurers should be blocked because it risks raising consumers’ costs. U.S. District Judge John D. Bates in Washington heard final arguments Friday from the companies and the Justice Department about the $37 billion deal, which the government says should be stopped.

New rules to limit Medi-Cal ‘death fees’

… estate recovery program collected close to $70 million, says Tony Cava, spokesman for the state Department of Health Care Services, which administers Medi-Cal. That’s up from roughly $53 million in 2011-2012. Sen. Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina, points …

Military health system to test U-M-developed V-BID approach

A health care reform idea originated by University of Michigan faculty will get a major test among members of the nation’s military and their families, thanks to a provision in the national defense spending bill signed by President Obama on Friday. Called Value-Based Insurance Design , the approach departs from the traditional “one size fits all” approach to health insurance out-of-pocket costs.

A listing of events for senior citizens in the South Hills

Westminster Recreation and Outreach Center at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Upper St. Clair, will offer the following fitness classes for seniors: • Strong Bodies-Strong Bones: Maintain and Build Bone Strength, 9 to 9:50 a.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 11-Feb. 22. • Gentle Yoga Morning & Evening Class, 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays and 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 9-Feb. 22. • Arthritis Foundation Exercise, 9:30 to 10:20 a.m. Mondays and 10 to 10:50 a.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 9-Feb. 22. Chair Exercises for Seniors takes place from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesdays at Scott Township Library. Space is limited for the DVD-directed program.