Their slogan is: “Quality Medical Care You Can Trust!”

Their specializations are

• home health aides,
• skilled nursing (nurses),
• occupational therapy,
• speech therapy,
• physical therapy, and
• medical social services.

They are medicare and medicaid certified, and they accept most health insurances. They were recipients of the CHAP Gold Seal, which should mean something to the community. CHAP stands for Community Healthcare Accreditation Program which utilizes the CHAP Standards of Excellence that are driven by considerations of management, quality, client outcomes, adequate resources, and long term viability.

The goal is to assist all types of community-based health care organizations to:

• Strengthen internal operations
• Promote continuous quality improvement techniques and systems
• Promote consumer safety, satisfaction and outcomes
• Affirm public trust
• Meet community health needs in a cost efficient and effective manner
• Maintain the viability of community health practice nationwide

(More on CHAP here).

And don’t forget to review them afterwards by clicking on the “review” or “rate it” button at

1. WFAA Channel 8
2. Super Pages/reviews
3. Yellow Pages
4. Yahoo! Local
5. Chamber of Commerce

Social Bookmarks -
6. Gogle+
7. Twitter
8. Yelp.com
9. Facebook

Florida’s home health care industry is warning an Obama administration proposal that mandates minimum wage and overtime pay for thousands of its workers will drive up costs and ultimately harm home-bound patients.

Workers’ advocates counter a fairer pay scale would mean less turnover and better care.

The issue is critical to one of the nation’s fastest-growing industries. Almost 12,000 firms nationwide — including about 2,100 in Florida — employ about 2 million home health care workers who help an aging population stay in their homes by providing care such as cooking, bathing, cleaning and companionship.

Such around-the-clock care can be expensive, which is why Congress in 1974 continued to exempt home health care employees from federal minimum wage and overtime laws, even as it guaranteed that benefit for other domestic workers.

President Barack Obama said the growth and transformation of the multibillion-dollar industry over the last four decades means workplace rules must change as well.

“They’re still lumped in the same category as teenage baby sitters when it comes to how much they make,” the president said in December when he announced the proposed rule. “That’s just wrong.”

The administration is taking public comments on the proposal through today before issuing a final rule. A congressional panel held hearings Tuesday to examine the proposed change. A Republican bill in the House would block the proposal.

Fifteen states mandate minimum wage and overtime pay for home health care workers. Another six, plus the District of Columbia, require only minimum wage. Florida is one of 29 states that essentially let companies decide what to pay these workers performing non-skilled jobs.

The trade group that represents scores of Florida’s home care providers says workers are treated fairly.

The industry pays workers $9.79 an hour on average in Florida, more than the $7.25-an-hour minimum wage, said Kyle Simon, government affairs director for the Home Care Association of Florida.

The industry’s concern is the overtime rule, which Simon said would force providers to compensate workers, such as live-ins, whether they’re actively working or sleeping.

“When they’re actually working, they’re getting paid a minimum of $9.79 per hour,” Simon said. “But whenever you stretch it out over the 24-hour period that they’re in someone’s home, that’s when it looks like they’re getting paid less.”

Trisha McPherson, owner of Accessible Home Health Care of Naples, said some of her caregivers work as many as 60 hours a week. She said if the administration’s rule becomes final, she will have to reduce their hours to cut costs.

“A lot of the elderly struggle to be able to afford the care in the first place,” she said. “There’s a great need for caregivers in our community, especially in South Florida, … and I think this law is going to have a tremendous impact.”

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On any given day, about 150,000 Floridians receive subsidized home health care, usually funded by Medicaid through the state, according to Simon.

AARP, with 2.6 million members in Florida, supports the proposed rule.

Advocates for workers say the industry can afford to pay workers wages they deserve.

Many of the more than 420 new home health care agencies that started operating in 2011 are for-profit and concentrated in a handful of states, including Florida, according to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the independent board that oversees Medicaid.

The industry’s average profit margin was so high — 19.4 percent in 2010 — MedPAC is recommending Congress reduce reimbursement rates to home health care companies.

Advocates for home health care workers say the industry distorts the often arduous tasks employees face when they care for someone struggling with dementia or physical limitations.

Joan Leah, a home health aide from Davenport near Orlando, said the work is often nonstop.

“You’re not some simple companion,” said Leah, president of the Florida Professional Association of Care Givers. “You’re pretty much everything to them when you walk in the door. You are helping people go to the toilet. You’re bending. You’re lifting. You’re driving them. They count on you to make sure all of their medications are there and that they understand what they’re taking.”

A medical directive
Also known as a living will or advance health care directive, this document sets out what kind of care your parents want to receive if and when they become ill or incapacitated.

A durable power of attorney for healthcare and HIPAA release
A durable power of attorney for healthcare allows you to make healthcare decisions for your parents. A HIPAA release gives you access to your parents’ health records and physicians.

A durable power of attorney for finances
A durable power of attorney for finances allows you to manage your parents’ financial affairs, pay bills, sell property, and so on.

A revocable living trust
It allows your parents to retain control over their estate while making transfers of assets to beneficiaries. Your parents designate what property (home, investments, jewelry, and so on) goes into the trust and to whom it will be granted. During their lifetimes, your parents act as executors of their own living trust. A revocable living trust has an important advantage: it allows their estate to avoid probate at the time of their deaths.

A will
A will makes clear who will receive your parents’ assets and personal property. A properly written will helps to avoid disagreements over your parents’ estate after their deaths.

- By Susan Kostal, Caring.com

News / Latest Updates

73 ( ) – Accessible Home Health Care Announces East Dallas Texas Franchise Of The Second Quarter 2010

Coral Springs, FL (July 13, 2010) — Accessible Home Health Care today announced East Dallas, TX as its Franchise of the Quarter for the second quarter of 2010.

Mirella Salem, President of Accessible, said, ““Selecting the East Dallas team for this prestigious award was a difficult decision indeed, as there are many very deserving franchises in our system. Through their team of Caregivers, they consistently provide their patients Compassionate Care from the Heart, a core value of our organization that sets us apart. By properly executing the Accessible Home Health Care business model, they provide all types of care throughout their East Dallas territory. We are honored to have this dedicated group as part of our organization.”

Accessible Home Health Care of Dallas – 214.987.2100
http://www.accessibledallas.com
http://www.facebook.com/accessibledallas

“Alzheimer’s is continuing to be on the rise,” says Maria Carrillo, PhD, the Alzheimer’s Association’s senior director of medical and scientific relations. “So many people are affected by it across the country, but we are rallying to highlight the disparities that exist in populations.”

Much of Alzheimer’s escalation is attributed to increasing high blood pressure and diabetes among older adults, which raise the odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease in all populations. “African Americans and Hispanics are particularly vulnerable, because the proportion of these two risk factors is higher even still,” Carrillo says. “We can actually do something about this increased risk with better management of the conditions.”

Not only are there more cases of Alzheimer’s, but more families are shouldering the burden of the disease, Carrillo says. This is particularly true for minority families who may have less access to outside care. “There are 5.3 million Americans with Alzheimer’s,” notes Robert J. Egge, the association’s vice president of public policy and advocacy. “And for each of those people there are many others whose lives are consumed with caring for those Alzheimer’s patients.” That totals some 11 million Americans, he adds.

In 2009, these unpaid caregivers provided 12.5 billion hours of care “valued at $144 billion, more than the federal government spends on Medicare and Medicaid combined for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias,” according to the report.

Part of the problem is that Alzheimer’s isn’t recognized until it is in a late stage, Egge says. “So there isn’t adequate care planning and other kinds of support structures, especially in communities with socioeconomic disadvantages,” he says.

Another reason behind Alzheimer’s grim surge is that people are living longer, escaping illnesses such as heart disease and cancer that might have killed them before developing Alzheimer’s. “We are managing many diseases that do allow us to live longer,” Carrillo says. “With age being the greatest risk factor, we are just skewing our population towards the Alzheimer’s arena.”

“We have some pretty effective solutions for a lifetime of cardiovascular disease risk, but your bypass and stent may just give you time to dement,” says Greg M. Cole, PhD, a neuroscientist at the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System and associate director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.

Often it all adds up to many years of needed care. And since it often takes a long time to die from Alzheimer’s, “you may have lost touch with your loved ones for 10 years, sometimes even 20,” Carrillo says.

Research dollars remain key to turning the numbers around, she says. “We really need to focus on Alzheimer’s. We need more of an investment in Alzheimer’s disease.”

The report found that payments for health and long-term care services for people with Alzheimer’s will total $172 billion this year. In addition, Medicare costs for Alzheimer’s patients are almost three times higher than for other older people, and Medicaid costs are almost nine times higher. Many people with Alzheimer’s also have one or more other medical conditions, such as diabetes or coronary heart disease, making their care even more expensive.

Yet far less is spent on Alzheimer’s research than on other diseases. “For every $25,000 the government spends on care for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia, it spends only $100 for Alzheimer research,” the report says. According to Cole, “This new report details how the long-predicted ‘epidemic’ rise in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia is already upon us.”

The report also sounds the alarm that the situation may get worse before it gets better. “We hope to have better treatments, but cures are unlikely,” Cole says. “The only cost-effective answer we can realistically try to achieve is an effective prevention program.”

— Source: Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Here are several options that you can explore.

1. Private Pay

2. Long Term Care Insurance

3. Reverse Mortgage

4. State Funded Medicaid Programs (Home & Community Based Waiver Programs)

5. Veterans Aid (VA Pensions including VA Aid & Attendance)

6. Charity Care

The most common misconception is that Medicare & Health Insurance will pay for Long Term Care.  Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65and older, certain people with disabilities, and ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease). It pays for much of your health care, but not all of it. There are some costs you will have to pay yourself.

There are other kinds of health insurance that may help pay the costs that Medicare does not. Medicare Supplements (Medi-gap Policies) and Long-Term Care Insurance will pick up some of the costs that Medicare will not pay for.Medicare was implemented in 1965. How many times has Medicare been over-hauled since 1965?NEVER. It was not designed to pay for care related to diseases or conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, or MS.

The average life expectancy was much lower in 1965 because medical technology was not as advanced. Medicare was designed for SHORT-TERM acute care, and short-term rehabilitative stays in a rehab or long-term care facility. Although Medicare Part D was added in 2004/2005 to help with the costs of prescription drugs, Medicare still does not pay for long-term care. (www.medicare.gov)

 By Accessible Home Health Care of East Dallas

Tel: 214.987.2100

• Gammaglobulin Alzheimer’s Partnership (GAP) Study – The Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study has begun recruiting participants for a passive immunization trial of intravenous immunoglobulin (IGIv) for reducing brain amyloid. IGIv is a well-known treatment with an established safety record, approved for use for other indications for more than 25 years. Forty sites are expected to participate through a partnership with Baxter Pharmaceuticals, recruiting 360 individuals between the ages of 50 to 89 with probable AD. Most sites will use home-health nurses to administer the IGIv bi-weekly for 72 weeks. Sign up for the IGIV Email Alert to receive updates on this study and the addition of new sites.

• RI (RAGE Inhibitor) Study — The Alzhiemer’s Disease Cooperative Study and Pfizer are now recruiting participants for a trial of a new drug developed as an inhibitor of the Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endpoints (RAGE) protein. The study will recruit nearly 400 volunteers at 40 U.S. Research sites. Click here for more information on the trial.

• Home-Based Assessment for Alzheimer Disease Prevention (HBA) is now recruiting participants.

• Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Study seeks families with 2 or more siblings with AD.

AD Genetics Study Brochure (PDF, 196K) 

Source: NIH Website

For home care services for your loved one in Dallas, TX contact – Accessible Home Health Care at 214.987.2100

www.accessibleeastdallas.com

MASON CITY—Providing care for loved ones especially during the holidays whether it is full-time or occasionally, can expend a caregiver’s energy and well-being.

It is estimated that more than 60 percent of the adult population will serve as a caregiver during their lifetime. The overwhelming majority of caregivers are concerned spouses and adult children, who often must juggle the demands of home, work and caring for others.

“Caregivers make valuable contributions in caring for their loved ones every day throughout Iowa and the entire country,” says Lahoma Counts, executive director of Elderbridge Agency on Aging. According to a 2008 report by AARP, family caregivers represent $375 billion annually in economic value in the United States.

“Caregiving involves sacrifice and a significant investment of a person’s time and energy,” said Counts. “Because of the long-term and constant nature of care, family caregivers must take steps to care for themselves in addition to the devoted care they give to others, particularly during the busy holiday season.”

Because extended caregiving can cause emotional burn-out, Elderbridge provides caregiver assistance and support with federal funding through the National Family Caregiver Support Program.

Some dedicated family caregivers devote 24 hours a day, seven days a week to care for and improve the lives of those who are frail, chronically ill or disabled. Others give care on an intermittent, part-time basis. Family caregivers assist their loved ones and others with daily living activities such as bathing, banking, shopping, food preparation and health care to help meet their social, emotional, financial, homemaking and health needs.

Iowa Family Caregiver Program Executive Director Mark Hanson said, “One of the most important attributes of being an advocate for your loved one during the holiday season is the willingness to seek assistance from others while protecting not only the health and safety of your loved ones but of yourself as well.”

Caregivers should consider practicing the following tips:

Understand the caregiver’s energy level and the loved one’s limitations.

Identify significant others who can share responsibilities.

Slowing down to spend time one-on-one or in a small group with a loved one can prove particularly rewarding.

Travel, especially around the holidays, can be a lot harder for the loved one and for the caregiver. Remember to include important documents and any medication the person may need.

Try to stick to the normal routine. Even minor changes in routine can be stressful to everyone involved.

Involve your loved one in the holiday activities, but not so much to overwhelm them. Keep the guest list to a minimum and do familiar things your loved one will enjoy.

Have a potluck meal. Family and friends will probably be excited to contribute to the holiday meal, and it can reduce the caregiver’s stress.

Let gifts contribute to caregiving. If someone asks what kind of gift to bring, suggest something practical, such as frozen foods, gift certificates, or even “I owe you’s” for running errands or shopping.

Eat the right food for the right reasons. Keep a balanced diet during the holidays to improve energy and state of mind.

Most of all, look for humor and take a quiet moment to be thankful. Think about the blessings in life; find the place that brings great joy, and stay for a moment.

Caregiving can create stress and prevent caregivers from enjoying the holiday season. Hanson stated, “It is important to keep holiday traditions alive. Try to find a tradition you enjoy that will be memorable to you this holiday season.”

Accessible Home Health Care – Call 214.987.2100 (Dallas)

Source: http://www.globegazette.com/articles/2009/11/26/news/latest/doc4b0ed39988650096513294.txt#vmix_media_id=7555811

In 2005, the total cost worldwide of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause, was estimated at $315.4 billion. The burden to caregivers and health care costs can increase dramatically in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease, when patients cannot maintain independent function and are frequently bedridden.

As an individual whose family member has been diagnosed with this disease, i have personally witnessed the deterioration in cognitive abilities, memory loss, aggression, mood swings etc. Initially when we first started noticing changes in her behaviour, we thought it was because of her old age and did not think it was a matter of concern. In a short time, her behavior changed for the worse and conditions started deteriorating fast. Inspite of multiple doctor visits, she was not diagnosed. We were told that these are condition very common to old age. We believed the doctor.

Now, when i think back, had she been diagnosed earlier, we could have been more prudent, thoughtful & provided her with the right level of care. Morever, we could have educated ourselves & been better equipped.

On the flip side, on another blog, i read the story of a man named Jimmy Novells, who was told he had Parkinsons & then told he had Alzheimers. He was treated for both. It later turned out that he had neither.

As a conclusion, diagnosis and misdiagnosis, i think are very critical especially for a disease of this nature.

Article from Home Care Mag – Study finds Home Health Saves Medicare Billions

Patients with at least one chronic disease who used home health care after hospitalization saved Medicare $1.7 billion over a two-year period, according to a study released May 11.

The study, conducted by health care research company Avalere Health, found that Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes, COPD or congestive heart failure who used home health care within three months of being discharged from a hospital cost the program $1.71 billion less than similar patients who used other forms of post-acute care. In addition, they had 24,000 fewer rehospitalizations during the 2005-2006 study period.

The report concluded that if all of the chronic care patients had used home health services early during post-hospital care, Medicare could have saved an additional $1.77 billion over the two-year timeframe.

The study was funded by the Alliance for Home Health Quality and Innovation, but Avalere said it maintained sole discretion with regard to study methods and interpretation of findings.

Significantly, 86 percent of people who qualify for Medicare have at least one chronic condition and 40 percent have three or more, Avalere said. But only 8.9 percent of Medicare beneficiaries currently use home health services, a fact attributed in large part to the program’s requirement that an individual be “homebound” and unable to leave the home without significant assistance in order to receive the benefit.

“Given the size of the chronic care Medicare population, any serious effort to improve cost-effectiveness of Medicare benefits will have to grapple with these patients,” said Avalere Director Alexis Ahlstrom, adding that “additional research should be done to determine the impact of home health on non-chronic care patients.”

In a statement, AHHQI said it believes the unrealized savings identified in the study could allow Medicare to save $31.1 billion over the next 10 years by expanding access to home health for chronic disease patients.

Accessible HHC – 214.987.2100

Welcome! to my blog. As an introduction, I am the Administrator/Director of Client Relations at Accessible Home Health Care in Dallas, TX. Accessible provides Medical/Non-Medical Home Health Care services to all age groups, from Newborns to Seniors. Our company’s motto is to guarantee ‘Compassionate Care From the Heart’.

The purpose of this blog is to share articles, photos, events & news focussed towards the senior industry in the Dallas Metroplex.

-MB