By John R Kormanik on Posted in Choosing a Nursing HomeA few weeks ago I wrote about a New York Times article by Katie Thomas, which addressed the problems with the Medicare 5-star rating system for nursing homes. Because I subscribe to the NYT, I am able to follow the reader’s comments on this article, and I have. One "Letter to the Editor" of the… Continue Reading
By John R Kormanik on Posted in Choosing a Nursing HomeAn excellent article by Katie Thomas in today’s New York Times caught my attention. In the past, I’ve written about Medicare’s 5-star rating system and how it can be a tool to help you select a nursing home. "Not so fast" says Ms. Thomas. Ms. Thomas writes: "top-ranked nursing homes have been given a seal of approval… Continue Reading
By John R Kormanik on Posted in Choosing a Nursing HomeAt one of my previous employers, we had a saying: "It is important to do some ‘ground-truthing’ before drawing any conclusions." Ground-truthing is, of course, going out into the field and seeing the place with your own eyes because you cannot take as gospel what you are told by others. A recent article from Reuters… Continue Reading
By John R Kormanik on Posted in Choosing a Nursing HomeAn article in today’s Idaho Statesman, "Nursing Homes Across the Treasure Valley Rehab Their Image," caught my eye. The article, written by Kristin Rodine, begins with the following paragraph: "Flat-screen televisions, Wi-Fi access and a state-of-the-art therapy gym are just a few of the ways Life Care Center at Valley View has upgraded its long-term care unit… Continue Reading
By John R Kormanik on Posted in Choosing a Nursing Home,Family Resources,Health Care ReformIn an article in today’s New York Times, reporter John Leland, describes the cuts states are making to close budget gaps and the effect those changes are having on the elderly. Some of the cuts described by Mr. Leland include meal deliveries, housekeeping assistance and aid for family caregivers. As Mr. Leland correctly points out… Continue Reading
By John R Kormanik on Posted in Choosing a Nursing HomeLast week, I made the argument that Idaho nursing homes should voluntarily post their Medicare "Five Star" ratings. California has enacted a law requiring facilities to post these ratings, it was my hope that Idaho facilities would voluntarily do so. Since making my argument, I have done some research on Medicare’s ratings for Idaho facilities. All I… Continue Reading
By John R Kormanik on Posted in Choosing a Nursing HomeIn a previous post entitled "Reliable Internet Resources For Choosing A Nursing Home," I linked to Medicare’s "Nursing Home Compare" website. Through the Nursing Home Compare website, you can access and view a facility’s "Five Star" rating. According the Medicare: "The Five-Star Quality Rating System was created to help consumers, their families, and caregivers compare nursing homes more easily and… Continue Reading
By John R Kormanik on Posted in Choosing a Nursing Home,Nursing Home Resident Safety,Resident and Family ResourcesThe Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Bureau of Facility Standards is the state agency that conducts "surveys" of Idaho’s nursing homes to make sure they are in compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations. It may surprise you that in the most recent survey available, for the period of January through June 2009, there… Continue Reading
