Resource Bank: A monthly compilation of news you can use
Resource Bank
Long-term care insurance: To buy or not to buy?
Revised guide outlines long-term care options
More than 65% of Americans say the cost of long-term care is a major threat to their standard of living. Yet, only 35% of Americans have planned for the potential need for long-term care. According to a survey by the National Council on the Aging in Washington, DC, more than 120 companies sell long-term care insurance policies, which may explain why so many Americans put off the complicated decision to buy long-term care insurance.
The 2001 edition of "Long-Term Care Planning: A Dollar and Sense Guide," published by the United Seniors Health Cooperative (USHC) in Washington, DC, provides a comprehensive overview of long-term care that removes much of the confusion surrounding the decision to buy long-term care insurance. The newly revised 100-page book covers financial and family issues related to home care, assisted living, nursing home care, private long-term care insurance, and other related topics.
The guide includes useful advice such as:
- Consumers should only buy long-term care insurance if they own assets of at least $75,000, excluding homes and automobiles.
- Consumers should only buy long-term care insurance if they have a retirement income of at least $25,000 annually.
- Consumers should only buy long-term care insurance if they can pay premiums without adversely affecting their lifestyle.
The large-format paperback sells for $19.50. To order by VISA or MasterCard, call (800) 637-2604, or send a check to: USHC, 409 Third St. SW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20024.
In addition, USHC recently published a report, "Private Long-Term Care Insurance: To Buy or Not to Buy?" The report does not sell or endorse any insurance products, but does provide consumers with the questions they must answer when considering an appropriate long-term care policy. The report costs $3.50. You may also send e-mail to USHC at [email protected].
See who made the grade
URAC releases accreditation directory
The American Accreditation Healthcare Commission/URAC in Washington, DC, recently released its 2001 edition of the Directory of Accredited Organizations, a 385-page overview of health care organizations that have met its accreditation standards. For each URAC-accredited organization, the directory provides the following information:
- product offerings;
- accreditation status;
- geographic service area;
- size of program;
- company contact information.
In addition, the directory provides background information on URAC, including a summary of each of its accreditation programs, an overview of the accreditation process, and profiles of each of URAC’s governing organizations. The directory sells for $39. To order, call (202) 216-9010, or visit the URAC Web site at www.urac.org.
Nursing home info from nation’s top watch dog
Consumer Reports provides free list
Consumers Union in Yonkers, NY, now provides free consumer information on nursing homes in Consumer Reports Online at www.ConsumerReports.org. The free on-line data, shopping tools, and recommendations can help the elderly and their families select the best possible nursing home care.
Posting information includes a state-by-state nursing home watch list, listing nursing homes in each state with the most questionable patterns of deficiencies on state inspection surveys. The watch list was based on four criteria:
- citations for failing to provide adequate access to the survey report;
- high numbers of repeat deficiencies;
- substandard quality of care deficiencies;
- high number of total deficiencies.
The free on-line service also provides shopping tips for choosing a nursing home. Key decision points discussed include:
- how to investigate nursing homes before you or a relative needs one;
- how to obtain state nursing home surveys and read them carefully;
- how to find out the cost of extra supplies, services, and medications;
- how to be involved with the initial care plan, attend monthly meetings, and consult with staff about on-going care;
- how to solicit involvement of the long-term care ombudsman, if there is a problem.
To access the nursing home information, visit www.consumerreports.org, and type "nursing homes" into the Search box.
Web site provides info on cancer pain
Here’s how to spell relief’
The Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR) in New York, NY, recently launched www.Cancer-pain.org to provide cancer patients with the education and support they need to obtain effective relief from pain.
Cancer-pain.org features sections on the causes of pain, breakthrough cancer pain, pain treatment options, and tools to help cancer patients communicate effectively with physicians about their pain. The site also has a complete list of medications available to treat pain, information about complementary and alternative methods of pain control, and a section devoted to the special needs and issues of caregivers.
The site’s news section provides patients with updates on developments in cancer pain treatments as well as links to other cancer sites. In addition, it provides updates on legislative issues affecting cancer research and treatment.
Site developers add that a "Healthcare Professionals Corner" is designed to help clinicians and other health care professionals exchange information on effective pain therapies, post relevant journal articles and new clinical research, and recruit patients for clinical trials. In addition, accredited continuing medical education courses on cancer pain treatment will be available soon on the site.
Good news: Stroke kit still available
If you logged on to the www.ncspausa.org recently to download the free stroke education resources mentioned in the December 2000 issue of Case Management Advisor, you may have been disappointed to find they were no longer available on-line. The good news is that the stroke education tools from the National Coalition for Stroke Prevention Awareness (NCSPA) in Lisle, IL, are still available for a minimal fee of $5 for NCSPA members and $10 for nonmembers. For more information, call (314) 664-5429.
Calendar
• June 5 - 9, Opryland Convention Center, Nashville, TN. "CMSA’s 11th Annual Conference and Expo: Creating the Connection." Sponsored by the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) in Little Rock, AR. The conference is an approved continuing education provider for CCM, CDMS, CRC, NASW, and nursing contact hours.
Attendance cost ranges from $429 to $649, depending on CMSA membership status, military service, and date of registration. One-day passes, special events, and pre-conference workshops are also available. For more information, contact: CMSA, 8201 Cantrell Road, Suite 230, Little Rock, AR 72227-2448. Telephone: (501) 225-2229. Fax: (501) 221-9068. Web site: www.cmsa.org. E-mail: [email protected].
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