ELF News Archives

October 2005

- Nursing staff turnover presents challenge for nursing homes -

The report shows that in 2004, the turnover rate for nursing homes was about 45 percent for registered nurses (RNs), 38 percent for LPNs and 58 percent for nursing assistants.

Clayton News-Star 10/31

- More immigrants tending to residents of nursing homes -

Foreign nannies long have helped to raise American children. Now immigrants are moving into another aspect of caregiving in increasing numbers: tending to the needs of nursing home residents..."The quality of the long-term care received by older persons in developed countries will depend increasingly on the quality of engagement with the less developed countries that are likely to supply more of the workers in the future

Houston Chronicle 10/31

- Funding bind imperils nursing home patients -

New York's nursing homes are financially fragile because of several threats to their viability. In just the past two years, 21 nursing homes have closed, eliminating nearly 2,500 beds from the system. More will undoubtedly follow....One primary reason is that Medicaid supports 78 percent of the nursing home residents in our state. Nursing homes lose an average of $21 each day for each Medicaid resident they serve. Medicaid does not pay nursing homes what it actually costs the facilities to provide care.

Democrat and Chronicle 10/31

- How much money does a centenarian need for retirement? -

What would be a reasonable amount for a comfortable retirement which would include a cruise once a year and account for taxes, home insurance, a car, gasoline, food, and inflation? Would $1 million cover all that?

Christian Science Monitor 10/31

- Are Your Company Retirement Benefits In Jeopardy? -

In years gone by, when someone retired from a large company they didn’t have to worry about losing their retirement benefits. That’s no longer the case. Being faced with ever increasing competition, many large companies are changing their benefit programs...To survive, companies have to cut costs everywhere they can, including cutting or eliminating some retiree benefits. Retirees are understandably nervous.

E Media Wire 10/31

- For a Retainer, Lavish Care by 'Boutique Doctors' -

...a regular internist might earn about $200 a year from Medicare for caring for the average older patient with high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol but no other major health problems....A concierge doctor charging the $1,650 MDVIP fee, though, makes at least $1,150 a year per patient (MDVIP retains $500 for its services). This huge increase in per-patient reimbursement allows the patient loads to be kept low.

NY TIMES 10/31

- Lessons From Earth's Elders -

There is a pattern to longevity that we can control, to some extent. Quite simply, it means taking better care of ourselves — plus staying active, curious, and confident that things will work out.

CBS News 10/30

- Elder Abuse Project -

Elder abuse continues to be a growing concern in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In 2004 alone, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs received approximately 7, 100 reports of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.

Mass. Attorney Gen. 10/30

- Tough line for nursing homes -

An investigation stretching over four years costing millions of dollars and a permanent court injunction were not enough to get one large nursing home chain to clean up its act, state investigators say.

SacBee 10/19

- How the Communists Rule Germany -

In the decades since World War II, Germany has turned into a welfare state of incredible dimensions: six weeks of paid vacation per year for every employee (guaranteed by law), myriad possibilities to shorten the working life (only a handful of German citizens over 60 still work), a working week of only 35 hours in many industries, and extensive social security and health insurance... A free society means the chance to be successful for those who are creative, innovative, and ready to take a risk: if you succeed, you get the benefit and you are free to choose what to do with it.

Mises 10/19

- Now for the reckoning -

Retirement benefits promised to employees are becoming a crippling burden for a growing number of firms, especially in America

Economist 10/17

- Letter: Sen. Joyce supports senior center -

Isolation, poor nutrition, and depression all contribute to elders' frailty; but, with good nutrition, exercise, and socialization our older citizens will age with dignity.

TownOnline 10/17

- State Investigates Elder Abuse Cases -

About 5,000 elder abuse cases are being investigated in Oklahoma, most regarding financial exploitation, Department of Human Services officials said.

KOCO 10/17

- Social Security still needs fixing -

''Social Security, for me, is never off; it's a long-term problem that's going to need to be addressed. . . . I just want to remind people, it's not going away. It's not one of these issues -- 'Well, if we don't deal with it now, maybe it will fix itself.' It gets worse over time, not better."

Boston Globe 10/12

- ALL BUSINESS: Pitfalls of pension reform -

It is looking more unlikely that Congress will pass any corporate pension reform legislation this year, but maybe that isn't a bad thing - especially for the nation's taxpayers and many retirees, too... That's because some of the provisions being considered would do little to prevent companies from defaulting on their retirement promises, and could even prompt some pension program terminations. Should that happen, the public could get stuck with much of the bill.

Mercury News 10/12

- Envy and Equality: Poor Do It To Themselves -

...as sad as it is to say it, some people are poor because they are stupid and/or lazy. These you can't help. They will either squander or let somebody gyp them out of whatever you give them. Lots of families have one or more of these kinds of people, and in better days, they were just taken care of by their families.

Charley Reese 10/12

- Should Minnesota Taxpayers Bailout the Minneapolis Teachers Pension Again? -

Facing a shortfall of over $851 million, the Minneapolis teachers pension fund needs help to get out of a mess created by bad investment decisions and generous benefits.

TCV Commonvoice 10/12

- Central Planning and Loss of Quality of Life -

Authoritarian regimes from the beginning of time have attempted to defy the laws of economics, step on the interests of the merchant class, control and redirect the wishes of consumers and entrepreneurs, bend and kick prices and wages this way and that, and inhibit trade in every way. But they cannot finally overpower the driving desire on the part of people to control their own fate and not be subject to the slavery that is collectivism of all colors, whether red or brown....Someday, the US managers of crises will have to realize this same point. But for now, they are like Soviet bureaucrats scrambling to make an unworkable system function, and creating a scene that is as farcical as it is tragic.

Lew Rockwell 10/10

- Bankers to help prevent elder abuse -

The bankers all nodded knowingly at the stories of elderly customers -- and sometimes younger people -- being sucked in by scams offering money or prizes collectible with just a fee to cover "expenses."

Patriot News 10/10

- Fast-Growth CEOs Would Index Social Security Benefits to Consumer Price Index as Immediate Step Toward Long-Term Fiscal Solution -

The majority of fast-growth CEOs describes the Social Security program as "in a crisis state," requiring an immediate, long-term fiscal solution. And, one-third says their business has been adversely affected by higher Social Security taxes over the past two years. But, like Congress, they see only a few options, most accompanied by heavy baggage.

Prnewswire 10/05

- Sexual Abuse Reported at Nursing Homes -

Authorities are dealing with three recent reports of sexual abuse at two Central Ohio nursing homes.

WBNS-10TV 10/05

- Nursing homes need attention -

Politicians who let campaign contributions from the nursing home industry color their thinking should remember that nursing home residents are their constituents.

Ashland City Times 10/05

- Dying on their terms -

Once upon a time, people who were dying didn't have much to say about how it would all play out. Today, patients are taking charge of their care at the end of life, allowing them to live it to their fullest. Here's how they're doing it.

Detroit News 10/03

- Bill would stop raid on Social Security fund -

But while Americans who are collecting Social Security or who are near retirement age will receive every penny of benefits promised to them, today’s younger workers are not so fortunate. When those younger workers retire, Social Security will not be able to pay promised benefits.

StarGazette 10/03

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