“Chocolate consumption could improve cognitive function,” by Alyssa Salela, McKnight’s Senior Living “Daily intake of cocoa or chocolate could improve cognitive performance, especially in vulnerable populations such as the elderly, according to a recent review of literature on the topic. . . . In the studies examined in the review, flavanols were shown to improve attention, processing speed, working memory and verbal fluency when ingested daily anywhere from five days to three months. The effects were greatest when a person’s memory was beginning to decline or if the person had other mild cognitive impairments.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President,
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“New BPC Report Suggests Fixes to LTC Financing Challenge,” by Melanie Waddell, ThinkAdvisor “Financing of long-term care continues to plague lawmakers in Washington as people live longer and the rate of dementia and Alzheimer’s cases continues to skyrocket, driving the increased need for long-term care coverage. Just-released research by the Bipartisan Policy Center sets out recommendations for improving the financing and delivery of long-term care.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): I watched the presentation of this “new research” today. I’m sorry to say: “Don’t bother.” Old ideas sprinkled with a few new recommendations
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“Medicare, Medicare Advantage physician rates nearly equal,” by Emily Gersema, USC News “Medicare Advantage plans managed by private insurers pay physician prices that are similar to traditional Medicare rates, according to a new USC-led study. . . . For example, the mean rate for an office visit in Medicare Advantage was 97 percent of the traditional Medicare rate. Medicare Advantage’s mean reimbursement rate ranged from 91 percent of traditional Medicare’s rate for the physician fee for a cataract removal in an ambulatory surgery center to 102 percent of traditional Medicare for a complex emergency department visit. The researchers concluded that
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“Aging in America: Crisis in long-term care,” CBS News   “There are currently about 40 million Americans over the age of 65, and those over 80 are the fastest-growing segment of our population. Rita Braver reports on a group of seniors who have banded together and found a way to make their golden years not just affordable, but truly ‘golden.’” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): This moving story is a bit dated and certainly naïve to suggest the “Villages” movement will fix long-term care. It also shows how little progress has been made
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“Thinking Boomer: Understanding This Generation and What They Need From You,” by Olivia Mellan, and Sherry Christie, ThinkAdvisor “‘Leading boomers, born from 1946 to 1955, and trailing boomers, born from 1956 to 1964, have different outlooks on retirement and money in general,’ said Cam Marston, author, speaker, coach and founder of demographic profiling firm Generational Insights. Understanding these two echelons, and incorporating their differences into your approach, can be the key to connecting with a boomer client.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): A boomer is a boomer is a boomer? Well, no there
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