Ken Covinsky, Geripal.org
Eliminating Waste in US Health Care: Wise Words from Don Berwick
The United States spends more on health care than any other country. By far. Yet life expectancy in the United States is about the lowest among Western industrialized countries. While I can’t prove it, I am coming to believe these is at least a p…
Many Disabled Seniors Have a Good Quality of LIfe
A dominant focus of research in Geriatric Medicine has been on the prevention of the types of disability that are common in older persons. This research is important, because if it is successful it will lead to more years of independent living in which seniors do not need the help of caregivers or care in nursing homes.
But in our zeal to prevent disability in older persons, we sometimes paint an overly bleak picture of disability.
A dominant focus of research in Geriatric Medicine has been on the prevention of the types of disability that are common in older persons. This research is important, because if it is successful it will lead to more years of independent living…
Rights and Dignity of Seniors in Assisted Living: A Victory
An unfortunate practice has been tolerated for too long at some continuing care retirement communities (CCRs). CCRs provide housing and services for seniors, often with a wide range of needs. Residents who are fully independent may be in one part of the CCR, while residents who are disabled and need assistance may live in the assisted living wing. Often over time, a resident will transfer from the independent to the assisted living wing.
Helpful Advice for Insurance Company Executives: How To Make More Money
Dear Insurance Company Executives:
Our hearts go out to you. Many in the public simply do not understand how hard your jobs are. And no where is your job as hard as when it comes to your Medicare Advantage product.
Most Medicare patients are i…
Excellent Review of Palliative Medicine
Palliative Medicine specialists do much to improve quality of life in persons with serious illness. But ultimately, providing better care to persons with serious illness demands that we improve the Palliative Medicine skills and competencies of thos…
The Aging Homeless: Geriatrics on the Streets
The demographic picture of the homeless has shifted markedly over the last 20 years, with a marked increase in the average age of homeless persons. Currently, nearly 1/3 of the homeless are over the age 0f 50.
A remarkable study paints a c…
Prognostic Indices In Patient Care: Useful or Waste of Time?
Many clinical decisions in older persons are dependent on life expectancy. For example, as life expectancy declines, cancer screening is likely to do more harm than good. Also, persons who have limited life expectancy may want to plan, discuss their …
Quality Indicators Can Cause Harm in Older Patients: An Inconvenient Truth
Quality indicators are used to measure the quality of health care delivered to patients. Quality indicators are used extensively in the VA health system, and efforts are underway in Medicare to tie reimbursement levels to performance on quality indic…
