By Jim Long
Given that dogs experience some key features of dementia, the study authors say understanding the cognitive abilities of “man’s best friend” may help us understand what causes the disease in humans.
Read more:http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/306199.php?tw
By Jim Long
By Jim Long
People who need or who are receiving home health care can now look up star ratings for home health care agencies using the new Home Health Compare tool from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The new tool is part of a suite of tools to compare other aspects of health care, including hospitals, physicians, nursing homes, Medicare plans, and suppliers.
Just like other compare tools, Home Health Compare rates agencies using the standard scale of one star to five stars, with five being the best rating. Agencies are rated on a variety of areas, including care of patients, communication between providers and patients, specific care issues, and the overall rating of the care provided. The tool contains over 11,000 agencies. To date, about 6,000 agencies have ratings. CMS is still collecting data on the other agencies and will continue to update the tool with new ratings.
According to CMS, “[The] announcement on Home Health Compare is the latest example of how CMS is committed to transparency and helping patients and their family members make informed health care decisions through an initiative to simplify the quality of care information across all CMS Compare websites. It also supports the larger effort across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to build a health care system that delivers better care, spends health care dollars more wisely, and results in healthier people.”
From: Medicare Rights Center
By Jim Long
Medicare may help pay for your certain types of home care if you are considered homebound, meaning that all the following apply:
– You need the help of another person or special equipment to leave your home or your doctor believes that leaving your home would be harmful to your health; and
– It is difficult for you to leave your home and you typically cannot do so.
– You need skilled care. This includes skilled nursing care on an intermittent basis.
– Your doctor signs a home health certification stating that you qualify for Medicare home care because you are homebound and need intermittent skilled care. The certification must also say that a plan of care has been made for you, and that a doctor regularly reviews it.
– You receive your care from a Medicare-certified home health agency (HHA).
By Jim Long
Anxiety Disorders: What are They and do I have One? Can this affect my body, mind and spirit?
There are a number of stressful medical conditions affecting Americans, but one of the broadest topics is anxiety disorders. Millions suffer from anxiety disorders to some degree or another, and the specific disorders vary greatly from person to person. Anxiety orders grow progressively worse without treatment, so if you think you may be suffering from one of these illnesses, see your doctor immediately.
One of the most common kinds of anxiety disorders is panic disorder. This disorder is one in which the person have unexpected panic attacks repeatedly. These have a range of intensities and can be controlled with medical care and behavioral control. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is also very common. With this anxiety disorder, the sufferer had uncontrollable and unwanted urges to perform a certain task, such as brushing their hair a certain number of times.
There are also types of anxiety disorders that do not have to do with genetic conditions. The most readily available examples of this are from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) victims. These anxiety disorder patients have persistent frightening thoughts and memories of an event that was extremely stressful, such as a car wreck or a military battle.
Phobia also fall under the category of anxiety disorders. People can fear a number of things, including small spaces (claustrophobia), spiders (arachnophobia), or any number of other things. Phobias are usually irrational and very intense and proximately to the feared item or being placed in the feared situation will usually cause a panic attack.
Many people suffering from an anxiety disorder are simply diagnosed with GAD, or Generalize Anxiety Disorder. GAD is a condition in which the person is experiencing anxiety and worry in levels higher than typical, but they are not having panic attacks or experiencing other medical conditions.
Anxiety disorders can affect all people, regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, or gender. The good news is that the medical treatment for these disorders is getting more and more influential every day. The key is to catch the anxiety disorder problem before it begins to ruin your life. A doctor can than help you treat your condition in order to help you regain or maintain in control of your life. It is absolutely crucial to see a doctor. Each anxiety disorder is different, and each specific disorder is different within each person experiencing it. If you truly want to do what is best for your body, see a doctor about anxiety disorders at the slightest inclination that something is wrong.