Omnibus Budget

[Анна Ф]

tax on beer, enacted in the Omnibus Budget

[Romeo]

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act is a law passed in 1987 that is being implemented in regards to a checklist for nursing home care facilities. Such issues are

1. Each resident must be fully evaluated upon admission and each year thereafter in regards to health, memory, hobbies, habits, etc. They must gauge the ability to walk, talk, eat, dress, bathe and understand other people and be able to communicate with them. Further, a plan must be drawn up to maintain and potentially improve their condition.

2. Patients have rights to a doctor and if they can't find one on their own, the home's medical director will help them find one. They have a right to be informed about treatment- and refuse if desired. They have a right to privacy (though that is suspect if one is in a ward) and a right to complain without reprisal. They can demand not to be restrained. In 1989 about 40% of patients were restrained- by the end of 1992, that had dropped to 22%.

Other changes are noted. Numerous patients were required to have catheters but they were hospitalized three times more than other patients and three times more likelier to die within a year. So now it appears that diapers and scheduled toileting could cut the use of catheters in half from the current 15%.

And as stated in other sections, exercise can lead to significant benefits- such as reduced falling. A Journal of the American Medical Association noted that in a small study, residents doubled their muscle strength (actually not that difficult since muscles atrophy from 3% to 5% per day if not used from 20% to 30% of maximum. Most of the elderly are sedentary.) and were able to walk 48% faster after eight weeks of weight training. But after saying all this and indicating the improvements made and to be made, just do everything in your power NOW to stay out of a home. Exercise, read, stay active. No matter how nice a nursing home, it's still a lousy place to die.

[Анна Ф]

Спасибо!