Mental health issues require more attention

By Kathleen Heren



May is Mental Health Month so I thought it would be beneficial to write about mental health issues in connection with seniors. At least health care providers and clinicians have finally recognized that mental illness in older adults is not part of the normal aging process.
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Committee tackling end of life issues

By Kathleen Heren



In February, U.S. Sen.  Sheldon Whitehouse convened a meeting of individuals who represented all areas of health care in Rhode Island. As different as we all are, we have a common thread -- improving advanced care planning for Rhode Islanders. 
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Group against proposal requiring granny cams

By Kathleen Heren



We are all familiar with surveillance devices that parents set up in homes to ensure their children are being properly cared for by the nanny or babysitter. Those devices are called nanny cams.  Unfortunately, the trend seems to be shifting to granny cams. Supporters of placing granny cams in long-term care facilities feel strongly that the devices could eliminate elder abuse by nursing home employees, and document poor care and neglect.
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Initiative could improve dementia patients’ care

By Kathleen Heren



Healthcentric Advisors, Rhode Island’s quality improvement organization is always involved in projects that are focused on the improvement of life for nursing home residents. Such initiatives have included ways to prevent bed sores and safe transitions. The group is involved in improving dementia care services for nursing home residents. I requested that Healthcentric Advisors write an explanation of that venture so families of long-term care residents and long-term care providers better understand the importance of the initiative.
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Kilmartin renews effort for attendant registration

By Kathleen Heren



First, I want to wish everyone a happy new year.
I am starting 2013, by writing about a bill that Attorney General Peter Kilmartin is again proposing. The legislation calls for the establishment of a personal care attendant program that would require individuals who provide personal assistance to consumers in their homes to register with the state.
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