“Report identifies seven ways to prevent dementia,” Medical Xpress Quote: “Anstey has estimated that close to 50% of dementia cases can be attributed to seven key modifiable lifestyle factors; midlife hypertension, diabetes, low educational attainment, smoking, physical inactivity, midlife obesity, and depression.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform):  This does not mean those seven factors “cause” dementia, but it does show we suffer several parallel epidemics the resolutions of which are highly likely to have mutual benefits. Report identifies seven ways to prevent dementia #dementia #goldencareagent
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“Improper payments, bad data threaten access to long-term care, GAO health leader testifies,” by Kimberly Marselas, McKnight’s LTC News Quote: “Despite efforts to reduce improper payments in Medicaid, they continue to increase — rising to about $37 billion in fiscal year 2017,  the Government Accounting Office’s healthcare director told members of Congress Thursday. ‘The Medicaid program alone accounted for 26.1 percent of the fiscal year 2017 government-wide improper payment estimate,’ Carolyn L. Yocom testified before the House subcommittees on Government Operations and Intergovernmental Affairs. ‘It is critical to take appropriate measures to reduce improper payments, as dollars wasted detract from
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“Breakthrough: Researchers fix Alzheimer’s gene,” by Ana Sandoiu, Medical News Today Quote: “Groundbreaking research shows, for the first time, how the most well-known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease causes signs in human brain cells. Also, the scientists managed to correct the gene and erase its harmful effects.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform):  After so much heart-breaking news about Alzheimer’s research, it’s hard not to be dubious now. But hope springs eternal. Breakthrough: Researchers fix Alzheimer’s gene #alzheimer’s #goldencareagent
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“Is There Such A Thing As Normal Aging?,” by Bruce Horowitz, Kaiser Health News Quote: “Drawing on their decades of practice along with the latest medical data, Gill and three geriatric experts agreed to help identify examples of what are often — but not always – considered to be signposts of normal aging for folks who practice good health habits and get recommended preventive care.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform):  If you’re older, read this article to see how you’re doing in comparison to others. If you’re younger, find out what you have
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“Kaiser Study: Nursing homes have fewer residents, but those residents need more help,” by Kimberly Marselas, McKnight’s LTC News Quote: “Though occupancy rates fell between 2009 and 2016, the needs of nursing home residents have grown considerably — placing more demands on sometimes unprepared nursing staff, according to an in-depth analysis published by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. In 2016, nearly half of nursing home residents had a dementia diagnosis, and just under one-third had other psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, mood disorders or other diagnoses. … Medicaid is the primary payer source for most certified nursing facility residents,
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“Group Defends Stand-Alone Long-Term Care Insurance With Infographic,” by Allison Bell, ThinkAdvisor Quote: “The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance is using a new infographic about long-term care insurance (LTCI) claim payments to try to increase consumer confidence in stand-alone LTCI coverage. Jesse Slome, AALTCI’s director, says in a statement that he prepared the infographic in an effort to counter some consumers’ mistaken belief that LTCI issuers fail to pay claims. Slome used previously published data, from AALTCI’s own LTCI issuer survey, to show that issuers paid at least $9.2 billion claims in 2017, and that 295,000 people were using LTCI benefits
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“Older Pre-Retirees Worry a Lot About Social Security: Gallup,” by Michael Fischer, ThinkAdvisor Quote: “Fifty-one percent of pre-retirement American adults in the 50-to-64 age group are very concerned about the Social Security system, Gallup reported Friday. In contrast, only one-third of young adults expressed a great deal of concern about the system. … As for Americans in the 30-to-49 age bracket, the percentage expressing a lot of concern about Social Security has held steady in the range of 46% to 52% since 2005, according to Gallup. In the current poll, 49% said they worried a great deal. Unsurprisingly, majorities of
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