Animal-Assisted Therapy Does the Trick

Therapists, both physical and occupational, have a well established bag of tricks for help seniors thrive during extended in home at care. More and more animal therapy is becoming standard practice.

Therapists report that seniors having trouble come to life with a pup walks through the door. Therapy dogs are not service dogs. They have not been trained to assist people with disabilities. Instead, they are well trained dogs comfortable in a range of social settings. In some communities, therapy dogs are approved by ad hoc volunteer groups tasked with screening dogs for behavior and personality.

Research has shown proximity to pets can reduce stress levels. Other studies have show that having dogs in the home can reduce panic attacks, and the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, or manic depression.

Competitive Bidding savings Money, but loses Experience

The ongonig debate about the United State's budget has continued deep into the summer. Much of the debate has centered around medicare and the government's role in health care funding. One compromise plan proposed has is called "Competitive Bidding." Simply put: 

All plans in a market (e.g., a county), fee-for-service included, offer bids for the cost above the standard Part B premium of provision of a standardized set of benefits (e.g., the current Medicare benefit) for an average beneficiary. The lowest bid in a market — whether from a private plan or from fee-for-service Medicare — establishes the subsidy (premium support) offered for enrollment into any plan in the market. This amount would then be risk-adjusted according to beneficiary health status. Beneficiaries opting for plans with higher costs (bids) or additional benefits would pay the additional cost. Means testing or a low-income subsidy program, as exists in today’s Medicare, could be incorporated to protect poorer beneficiaries from high residual out-of-pocket costs.

This sort of plan could satisfying both sides of the ideological debate. 


There is, however, a problem. By basing all pricing on a bid process, small, locally focused  home healthcare providers might be pushed out of the market by large national companies. According to one study, lowball bids from large providers could introduce inefficiencies and accounted expenses to the current system.


It also pushes more expenses providers out of the market. By undercutting smaller companies, large providers will be able to place inexperienced nurses and medical techs into homes without a free of medical backlash.  


Chicago Home Care

“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

New Essay on the Advantages of Electronic Medical Records

Yesterday, while doing some research on ways to increase patient safety, I came across this essay and I though you might it useful: Electronic Medical Records and Patient Safety.

How To Find a Physical Therapy Job in the United States

In previous posts we talked about the steps nurses must take in order to work in the United States. This post will look at some additional steps Physical therapists must take in order to be awarded work permits.

Physical therapists are required to take and pass the Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) exam. The TCCPT exam was designed to assist the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services verify the credentials of international candidates.  

The first step is to decide where in the United States you want to work. PT licensing is done at a state level. So once you have picked a location, you will then need to seek out the specific requires for that state. Each state has its own rules, they can be similar, but little differences can make a big difference. Once you have figured out where you want to work, it is time apply. Each state is going to require you ti fill out an application, and prove that you have met their educational requirements. Than you will receive authorization to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).

The next step is getting approval to immigrate to the US to work. You will need to get a H1B visa. This requires sponsor and an employer prior to show that you have a job and an in person interview.

You will also need a healthcare work Certificate. This will show that you have met the education al requirements and have the necessary English skills to work in the United States.

If this seems overwhelming, do not worry. There are physical therapy recruitment organizations throughout the US that will help you organize your information and work with you to obtain approval to work with in the united states. Once you get your visa they will help you find a place to live and organize transportation to get your too and from your new job while you adjust to living in the united states.