The last convicted in a large-scale multi-year home health fraud conspiracy has been ordered to federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
According to a Mercer study from 2021, the state had the lowest ranked workforce shortage nationwide. But since last year, efforts have been made to attract more aides, including several pay wage increases. Ruthann Barnes has been a nurse's aide for over 20 years, and says it's part of her DNA. “It's a natural mommy-care giving thing you know. I love this job," she adds. She's currently working as an aide for Morrie Wheeler, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease a year and a half ago. Wheeler’s granddaughter Elisabeth Dubois and family say finding an aide has been a challenge.
A shortage of nursing home staff is easing in some states. But in other states like Kansas, it's still critical. The state's aging population could continue to propel the industry into crisis. An alarming shortage of caregivers at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities is finally beginning to ease in some parts of the country. But in other regions, it's still critical. For example, in Kansas, over half of the state's nursing homes are experiencing a worker shortage, more than twice the national average. Rose Conlon of member station KMUW and the Kansas News Service reports.
Researchers from the School of Nursing have found that relatives of nursing homes patients during the COVID-19 crisis endured life-changing and fundamental family challenges because of restrictions enforced during the pandemic. The research team, led by principal investigator Yu-Ping Chang, professor and senior associate dean in the School of Nursing, grouped its research and subsequent conclusions into four themes:
Senior Helpers, the nation’s premier provider of personalized, in-home senior care, today announced the official opening of the Senior Helpers Center of Excellence in Caregiving at its Milwaukee, Wisconsin location. The Center of Excellence in Caregiving will open to the public on September 28 and serve as a comprehensive training facility where Senior Helpers-certified caregivers, family caregivers and members of the community who assist the elderly can expand their skills and knowledge of administering specialized care that is designed to meet the needs and requirements of senior citizens at various stages of aging.
The Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna/Tioga Area Agency on Aging recently held an in-service training session for Senior Companion volunteers from the Senior Companion Program. Two of the Senior Companions, Sharon English and Geraldine Learn, serve several seniors 60 or older in Tioga County helping them to remain independent. Senior Companions provide a friendly visit and companionship for lonely, isolated or disabled seniors. The Senior Companion Program is recruiting for Senior Companion volunteers age 55 and older who enjoy working with other seniors and are income eligible to serve as companions for those most vulnerable seniors in the region.