“It Begins with Education”: Five Questions for a Fellow with Jillian Heck and Melissa Warriner

 A Great Q&A with some medical students from the Philly area talking about the after school HIV/AIDS prevention program they founded.

A 2008 article in the Philadelphia Inquirer stated that HIV/AIDS infection rates are “more than five times the national average” in the Greater Philadelphia area. Furthermore, another study states that 34% of adolescents have had sex by the time they are in 9th grade. These two facts astounded us and served as the main motivation for our project, which targets middle-school aged adolescents and provides them with HIV/AIDS education through the use of physical activity.

New Medicare rules tighten screening for home health care services

This month a new Medicare rule takes effect regarding screenings home healthcare workings. The goal of this new rule, part of last years healthcare reform bill, is the reduce fraud and increase the safety and working conditions of health care workers.

Research shows that patients who are seen in the weeks after being hospitalized are less likely to be back in the hospital," said Ratner, also an associate professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota. "The idea that a patient needs skilled services, nursing or physical therapy but doesn't need a physician visit isn't even logical.

This rule is a positive thing for nurses or physical therapy. This reduces not only the stress levels of home health care workers, but their liability. By requiring patients to have regular visits with a physician, prescriptions remain up-to-date and health issues are monitored. An at home nurse or physical therapist's job is assist in the day-to-day life not diagnosis and outline treatment.

Communicating with a loved one with Dementia

I came across this post today with great information about communicating with a loved with with dementia:

If your father is asking the same question over and over - "Where are we going?" Answer his question, but also write it down on a notepad and give it to him. When he asks again, tell him the answer is on the notepad. This will help him retain the answer and keep him from asking again.

For more information about memory supported living, visit CMSSChicago.org