On Nov. 1, Public Health will be shuttering its home health care services for good amid increasing challenges in providing comprehensive care. One of the most critical pieces of Public Health’s Home Health Care program is providing homebound patients with access to physical, occupational and speech therapy services. Typically, Public Health connects clients to these therapeutic services through a contracted provider, but for nearly two years, the department has been unable to find a provider willing to service the county.
N.J.A.C. 8:42 establishes licensing standards for home health agencies, which provide preventive, rehabilitative, and therapeutic services to patients in their homes or residences. Noteworthy among other proposed revisions to the chapter are The addition of definitions of the terms, “advanced practice nurse” and “physician assistant,” and procedures by which these health care professionals can order home health care services for their patients, consistent with the CARES Act.
The Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium is closing its home health department in Sitka at the end of September. While the organization maintains that the closure is largely an administrative move, and that outpatient services — and in-home care — should be unaffected, some Sitkans are concerned that both the expense and quality of end-of-life care will change dramatically.
Granite VNA recently introduced a telemonitoring program for people who are receiving skilled nursing care and/or home therapy services from the agency. The program is available to patients who have unstable medical illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congested heart failure and hypertension. Participants must have access to the internet and are taught to operate the telemonitoring technology, including a tablet, pulse oximeter, blood pressure cuff and scale. The program and the equipment are provided at no cost to patients.
Union members and employees of the Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center plan to argue against a move to seek a new operator for the facility. Members of AFSCME New Jersey plan to rally at the Tuesday meeting of the Cape May County Board of Commissioners, starting 3 p.m. at 4 Moore Road. "We think the whole process is flawed," AFSCME NJ Executive Director Steve Tully said Monday. The union represents about 500 county workers, he said, including many of those at Crest Haven.
In her new role, Bailey will oversee all aspects of the 108-bed skilled nursing facility. Bailey, who was most recently an administrator for Helia Healthcare in Effingham, brings over a decade of experience in the health care field to her new position. important role as pillars of experience and can offer much insight into the future, which is why I believe in supporting them to live their best lives. I am passionate about preserving older patients’ dignity and autonomy in a respectful and loving environment.”