Posts in the ‘Home Care Resources’ Category
Live from the American Telemedicine Association Conference – A Participant’s Take
The American Telemedicine Association will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year. With the advances in broadband and usage of communication and internet technology since the ATA’s founding in 1993, I was curious as to why adoption of telehealth/telecare/telemedicine has not been universal. This morning, at the ATA conference in San Jose, some industry experts gave their take on that conundrum.
Basically the thought leaders agreed that telehealth is a market in transition, and that we are moving from connecting places to connecting people. Adoption, the experts say, is the biggest hurdle, since telehealth and telecare need to be embedded into the system, and not laid on top of it, or used next to it.
The goal is “anytime, anywhere healthcare” and the “patients” become consumers in an integrated, embedded model where wellness is the focus, and not sickness. Does that not sound wonderful?
The trends? This will not surprise folks who work in private duty/private pay, but the trend is for chronic disease management, and bringing it all home.
The biggest challenge? Institutional healthcare and the current fragmented system.
In the U.S., we are developing islands of expensive information, where in most of the rest of the world the focus is on cradle-to-grave care. We are stuck, in the U.S., on cost and measuring outcomes when we should be focused on results and innovation. Reimbursement is, of course, at the heart of why telehealth is not more widely used in the U.S. At the current time, it is estimated that there is a gap between current capacity and utilization that is 50 times wide. Meaning we have 50 times the capacity and are not utilizing it.
So, what do we need to do? Education and collaboration were suggested. Also, a realization that the drivers for health outcomes are many times related to genes, the environment and lifestyle. Focusing on the individual at the heart of making a change is one thing that may drive more usage of telehealth and telemedicine and telecare.
american telemedicine association conference, private duty, technology, telecare, telehealth, telemedicine
Deadline Extended – 2012 Private Duty Benchmarking Survey
If you have not participated in the 2012 Private Duty Benchmarking Survey yet, Home Care Pulse has extended the deadline for completing the survey to March 5th at 11:59 p.m.
Here’s how your agency will benefit by participating:
Self Evaluation – The survey is designed as a self evaluation tool. Simply by answering the questions, you will be gaining a competitive advantage over your competitors who do not participate. Also, rest assured, your answers are completely anonymous and confidential.
Participant Incentives – This year’s incentives for participants are greater than any other year. To learn more about these incentives, including the Personalized Benchmarking Report, watch the video at www.privatedutybenchmarking.com. This report in particular, will be among your greatest assets for your business to date.
Competitive Advantage - Those who take the survey and then purchase a discounted copy of the 2012 Private Duty Benchmarking Study, especially the personalized version, will have a significant competitive advantage over their competition.
To learn how to participate, go to www.privatedutybenchmarking.com and take the 3 steps outlined on the site. Thank you in advance!
When ordering the Personalized Benchmarking Study, be sure to use corecubed’s promo code at checkout for a total 40% discount off the pre-order price. Promo code is: CORE2012
2012 Private Duty Benchmarking Study
The 2012 Private Duty Benchmarking Study is now open on www.privatedutybenchmarking.com.
This study is the largest, most trusted study in private duty home care and we highly encourage all agencies to be a part of it. And, this year, the survey is less than half the length of previous years, making it faster and easier than ever to be a part of the study.
Plus, Home Care Pulse will be offering a complimentary Agency Performance Report for your business when you participate, based on the information you provide in the survey. Best of all, you are eligible for a 40% participation discount, when you pre-order the 2012 Edition and use this unique promotion code: CORE2012. This discount will be available only to participants, through March 31st.
The Agency Performance Report will feature the full 2012 Edition, plus your own agency data compared side-by-side with the latest industry benchmarks. This is a confidential report, provided by Home Care Pulse and designed just for you.
Exciting additions to the 2012 Study include:
- Fast and easy study survey (about 15 minutes when you complete the Prep Worksheet)
- Instant access to your complimentary Agency Performance Report based on your data
- 25% off when you pre-order the complete 2012 Edition ($75 value)
- A wealth of articles from major industry players
- In-depth comparisons to leading agencies in the industry
- Comprehensive data from several hundred agencies
We invite you to be a part of it today! Learn more at www.privatedutybenchmarking.com or join the Private Duty Benchmarking Group on LinkedIn.
Thank you for your participation.
Home Care Webinar: PDHCA with AGS Foundation for Health in Aging to discuss Fall Prevention
The Private Duty Homecare Association (PDHCA) is pleased to announce their first educational webinar of 2012! PDHCA’s “Help Choose Home” webinar series serves to educate and help families plan for the best home care suitable for their loved ones. January’s webinar, Fall Prevention, recognizes that falls in the home are not a normal part of aging and there are steps that can be taken to make the home a safer environment to age in place. Joining PDHCA in January as their partner is the AGS Foundation for Health in Aging.
Head to www.helpchoosehome.com for more information.
Attendees will learn about:
- How to address fall risks in the home
- Tips on proofing the home for falls
- How in-home care can help prevent falls
- Resources for fall prevention education
Webinar details:
- When: January 10, 2012 at 7pm Eastern
- How: Register here – https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/813847586
Department of Labor Issues Proposed Rule Changing Companionship Services Exemption under the Fair Labor Standards Act
The U.S. Department of Labor released yesterday a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) setting out significant changes in the companionship services exemption under the federal minimum wage and overtime law, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). If the proposal becomes a final rule after the public comment period, the changes will effectively require that all home care and hospice companies pay overtime compensation to personal care attendants, home care aides, and home health aides whenever such employees exceed the 40 hour weekly threshold for hours worked. Minimum wage requirements also will apply, but that impact in home care is only incidental as nearly all the employees are compensated at or greater than minimum wage levels already.
If you own or operate a home care agency, you can help by taking this survey:
http://homecarepulse.f67ee7dc5908.sgizmo.com/s3/
The proposed rule has been long expected as both President Obama and Labor Secretary Solis had voiced strong support for a change as early as the 2008 presidential campaign. The White House held a public unveiling of the proposed rule yesterday presenting it as part of the President’s efforts to take action outside of Congress. (more…)
