Springhill Care Group | Gentle Exercises: Seniors’ Yoga

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Yoga is very much popular nowadays and we all know it benefits while others think that it is hard to do and much more to elderly.  The question is; can seniors, above 65, do yoga asanas?  And the answer is of course, it is actually can do good for them as much as it can do well for any age.  All ages and from all walks of life to utilize the techniques of yoga for creating a harmonious and joyful existence.Older people can do asanas.  Union of the various aspects of our existence like body, breath, mind etc is the basic premise in yoga.  The word yoga comes from a Sanskrit root 'Yuj meaning 'to unite'.  But they can only do so provided they keep some guidelines in mind.

The kind of asanas one should do as age progresses are the following:
• Substitute warm-ups with brisk walking and joint movements.
• Standing Yoga Poses Triangle Pose (konasana series) and Standing Spinal Twist (Kati chakrasanas)
• Sitting Yoga Poses Butterfly Pose, Cradling (if possible), body rotation, Cat stretch and Child pose (Shishu Asana).
• Yoga Poses lying on the back or stomach Focus on repetitions rather than holding any posture such as the Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana), the Locust Pose (Shalabhasana) or the Knee to Chin Press (Pawanmuktasana).
• Yoga nidra is by far the most essential part of any yoga practice, and as age progresses, it becomes even more essential to help assimilate the effect of the asana practice into our system.

There is also some easier exercise for seniors like, Sukshma Yoga.  This can be practiced independently or in a group to be a part of a larger yoga plan.  All ages can do the exercise and can receive its benefits for only within 20-30 minutes.  It consists of simple and gentle exercises for the eyes, tongue and jaws, neck, hands, feet, knees, ankles and hips.

Seniors should practice yoga asanas by following some guidelines.  The Patanjali Yoga Sutras identify asana as "sthira sukham asanam" that define as stable and comfortable is an asana.  Hence, whichever posture, held with awareness, in a stable and comfortable manner constitutes an asana.

To know if you are getting your yoga posture right you must check your inner gauge, your smile-o-meter.  Just smile, if you can do so then you are definitely doing it right.  As much as you can, always practice yoga with a smile.

The difference of senior’s yoga from the common yoga for the young is nothing much actually but the precautions alone.

The similar asanas executed by younger people could be more difficult regarding the exertion put into the posture, the period of holding the posture and essential sum of flexibility. Various cardio vascular movements and abdominals would be more suitable for a person with higher level of endurance and body fitness.

Yoga asanas augment the efficiency of immune system for the elderly.  To prove this, the Patanjali Yoga Sutras provide a clue - it says - "heyam dukham anaagatam", so that we can avoid the misery that has not yet come.  As we age, the effectiveness of our bodies and immune system appears to weaken, conveying on the leeway of a range of ailments. Habitual practice of yoga techniques, for instance asanas, pranayama and meditation can aid to keep away from these circumstances, take away the misery, and show the way to a happier and more rewarding life.

Overbilling Medicaid and Medicare by $2.5 Million: Orange Man Pleads Guilty - News - Springhill Group Florida Home Care

http://news.springhillcaregroup.net/2013/04/22/overbilling-medicaid-and-medicare-by-2-5-million-orange-man-pleads-guilty/

According to Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, a man who lives in Orange, Ohio admitted to overbilling Medicaid and Medicare by more than $2.5 million.

Thirty-nine year old, Divyesh “David” C. Patel, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to having been involved to health care fraud and four counts of health care fraud. Patel is anticipated to be sentenced later on this year.

Dettelbach said, “This defendant enriched himself and his company by flouting rules designed to protect the public.”

“Mr. Patel defrauded the tax payers by scamming Medicaid and Medicare,” said Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland Field Office.

“Waste, fraud, and abuse take critical resources out of our health care system and contribute to the rising cost of health care for all Americans.”

According to court documents, Patel was the owner and president of Alpine Nursing Care Inc., located at 4753 Northfield Road, Suite 5, North Randall, Ohio, and employed Belita Mable Bush as the office manager and director of provider services from June 1, 2006 through October 18, 2009.

An additional info according to court documents is Patel and Alpine employed Bush to prepare and submit the billings to Medicaid and Medicare for reimbursement for services provided by Alpine as a home health care provider, even though Patel knew that Bush had been previously convicted of a health care-related felony that excluded Bush from being involved in any way with Alpine’s Medicaid and Medicare billings.

In addition to the fact that Bush was excluded from handling Alpine’s medical billings, Patel was aware that Bush falsified documents related to health care services allegedly provided to home health patients where the services were never provided or were provided by home health aide that had previous criminal convictions that excluded them from providing health services in people’s houses, according to court documents.

As a result of the conspiracy, Medicaid and Medicare suffered a loss of approximately $2,564,392, according to court documents.

Scheduled to be sentenced May 28, Bush was convicted on related charges.

After review of factors unique to this case, including any prior criminal record, the defendants’ role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation then the defendants’ sentence will be determined by the court.  But in all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark S. Bennett and Special Assistant General Constance A. Nearhood, following an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services, Cleveland, Ohio; Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cleveland, Ohio.

A condemnation is only an accusation and is not proof of guilt.  A defendant is permitted to a just trial in which it will be the government’s responsibility to verify guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

SPRINGHILL CARE GROUP | Socialization: important for Seniors

Getting older could sometimes be a bit frustrating that is why socialization is very important to have socialization for seniors.  As much as it is important to everyone it is as important twofold for the elderly.  These may come a bit hard to do when we were younger as we were too busy bringing home the bacon and at the same time taking care of the family.  As we get older, as life is slowly taking paces as if everything is slowing down including time literally, seniors now has all the time to socialize but the thing now is there is no much of someone to socialize with.  As this point in time many friends may have been lost along the way and are no longer part of your long-term friendships. 

It will be great if you have friends from the past that you still have contact with and remained friends up to the golden age. It will be best for both sides to keep in touch, calling once in a while is a good idea and meeting at least once a month will do great on both parts too.  It will also help if you invite new people, it will be more exciting still having to meet new friends and don’t worry if you think that you have nothing to do.  There will always be lots to do, such as going to a museum, to a park, movies perhaps or stay home eat and talk about books you have read, share stories and experiences. Do not frustrate yourself because possibilities are endless and new relationships as well.

If unfortunately this cannot be done anymore, don’t worry, there are senior centers that offer socialization.  Bingo may sound old and actually a traditional game to play but still fun and popular up to this day.  Everyone can still enjoy it.  Like earlier there are endless of possibilities, everyone at any age can still enjoy shopping maybe do it once in a while.  To add excitement and feel like young again, maybe you can try to choose to make it a girls’ night out or a boys’ night out so you can plan an afternoon at your favorite restaurant, then shopping afterwards.

Maybe this one is a better idea; why not lead an organization group in your area.  Know your community first, then everyday plan an activity for certain groups, each group will be composed of people who has the same interest.  For instance, a day for people who are interested in sewing or quilting, fishing for fishing lovers, or golf, books, cooking and many more.  You may not realize this but this is very important to younger generations as well, they will be learning a lot too.  Being a counselor is a very important job for your generation.

but remember don’t tire yourself and overbook just because you want some fun, always remember the things you enjoy the most.  It is still healthy to think of yourself.  And make sure that you are not doing everything by yourself; you need some hand to help you with all the chores.  If you’d do thing all by yourself, you might get tired and wont be able to enjoy yourself.

Don’t forget to invite your family and still living life to the fullest, in that way you could show them that they need not to worry about you that much. Being alone is never healthy, go out have some fun. You will definitely enjoy it.
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South Jersey Doctor Admits Making Half-a-Million Dollars in Fraud Scheme Involving Home Health Care for Elderly Patients

http://news.springhillcaregroup.net/2013/04/04/south-jersey-doctor-admits-making-half-a-million-dollars-in-fraud-scheme-involving-home-health-care-for-elderly-patients/

The owner, founder and physician of Visiting Physicians of South Jersey—a Hammonton, New Jersey provider of home-based physician services for seniors—pleaded guilty today for charging lengthy visits to elderly patients that they did not receive, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

52 year-old Lori Reaves of Waterford Works, New Jersey, entered her guilty plea to information charging her with one count of health care fraud before U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson in Trenton federal court.  Reaves was led to her receiving at least $511,068 in criminal profits because at some stage in her guilty plea she confessed about lying in Medicare billings about the amount of face-to-face time she spent with patients.  According to court documents, the physician was the highest-billing home care provider among the more than 24,000 doctors in New Jersey from January 1, 2008 through October 14, 2011.

“Today, Lori Reaves, a South Jersey physician, admitted intentionally overbilling Medicare and pocketing more than half a million dollars she didn’t earn,” U.S. Attorney Fishman said. “The Medicare system depends on doctors and other medical professionals truthfully billing for services they actually provide. Here, Dr. Reaves chose to lie about the major service she was providing to her homebound, elderly patients: her time.”

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Visiting Physicians of South Jersey (VPA) made home-based physician health care for elderly and homebound patients in New Jersey available, tendering services throughout South Jersey.  Reaves was accountable for VPA’s Medicare billings as a Medicare-approved provider as part of her responsibilities at VPA.

A procedure code called a Current Procedural Technology (CPT) code is required together with a physician to state a diagnosis to be submitted by the health care provider to identify services rendered.  Medicare regulations necessitate that each provider attest that the services rendered were medically essential and were supplied by that provider.  A word of warning at the base of the form particularly says that any fake claims or declarations in accordance to the compliance of a claim for reimbursement are prosecutable under federal or state law.

Reaves presented forms that fallaciously claimed she had endowed with extended service visit to her patients just so she can to persuade Medicare to make payments to her that were extensively higher than the payments she only deserves in many occasions at some stage in the pertinent time phase.

Reaves habitually billed Medicare by means of codes that would have mandate her to spend between 60 and 150 minutes with a patient.  This practice is under Medicare regulations and depending on the corresponding service but many of the claims Reaves submitted would have required her to spend a minimum of two-and-a-half hours of face-to-face time with her elderly clients, when she actually spent far less.

Therefore, Medicare reimbursed Reaves more than $511,068 for the fraudulent prolonged service visits Reaves claimed to have made.  This is exactly why we cannot really trust anyone, watch out for scams and read and know fraud prevention tips.

Reaves is now facing  a maximum possible penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of the greatest amount of $250,000 or twofold the gross gain or loss caused by her offense.  It will also be a compulsory to forfeit the proceeds of her crime. Sentencing is at this time scheduled for July 13, 2013.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deborah J. Gannett and R. David Walk Jr. of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Health Care and Government Fraud Unit in Newark while U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI in Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge David Velazquez, and special agents of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tom F. O’Donnell of the New York Regional Office, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.

News - Springhill Care Group

Springhill Care Group: Why Laughter is the Best Medicine

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We all hear this often, laughter is the best medicine.  Despite the fact that this may be an old saying, it still holds as true up to present.  Laughter grants a lot of health benefits.  And what makes it a lot better, best of all, it is free and easy.

Laughter helps to unite people going through difficult times this is according to HelpGuide.org.  It can be able to also mend feelings of defeat and resentment, make anger softer, and generally help people become resilient or even losing someone.  The therapeutic effortlessness of a soft smile or a hearty belly laugh has more of benefits than what was mentioned.  It is much like of an exercise, there are many benefits plus the physical benefits of laughter can last for hours.

These helpful gains may aid to:

·         Brighten mental clarity
·         Reduce blood pressure
·         Spark the immune system
·         Relax muscles and ease digestion
·         Release endorphins to dampen pain
·         Boost oxygen levels to the brain and circulatory system

As a universal lingo, laughter is capable of also building social ties and dispersing anxiety.  It smooths the progress of relationship and permits attachments while dropping social fear factors.  Steve Wilson, Director of National Humor Month and Founder of The World Laughter Tour, started an international happiness epidemic in laughter clubs and outreach programs led by Certified Laughter Leaders. His methodology "utilizes a systematic activity approach that is based on a foundation of both ancient practices and modern medical science," and it supports primary treatment as an adjunctive therapeutic modality.

Group laughter can also save you away from pain and depression through natural release even though anger and crying has long been conventional vehicles for catharsis and release in psychotherapy.  Its consequence can be in impulsiveness of thinking and make the horrifying more reachable.  This constructs a height of consciousness where one can move a bit further and witness the better picture.  To summarize it all, happiness can get better perception.

Laughter from a joke dropped isn’t the laughter we are mentioning.  Someone can listen to recorded laughter and can eventually feel the real giggling fits within moments. Further methods to realize this status comprise watching children play, watching funny videos, reading comics, telling amusing stories, and drawing funny pictures.

Research demonstrates laughter is moreover a influential immunosuppressive device. Dr. Paul McGhee says laughter seems able to improve the body’s response to emotional distress, deflect certain infections and even multiply the number and power of cancer-killer cells. As President of The Laughter Remedy, he develops research-validated programs, tools and other practical applications to inject humor into everyday life. Dr. McGhee suggests anecdotal evidence consistent with research findings shows that, although not a cure for disease, laughter and optimism likely do extend survival.

But for other people, laughter has only some unenthusiastic side effects, but it can be disadvantageous when used as a psychological block or an alternate for conventional medicine.  While gallows humor, sarcasm, and cynicism have their place in healing, it is best to keep things light and easy.   At times, just conversing regarding humor can shine light on opportunities where prior was only dark difficulties were seen.  It can also help you brighten up your perspective in like that could also a a fraud prevention in any means.
Springhill Care Group

Springhill Korean Savvy Group: Another hit to follow Gangnam Style by no other than Psy himself

 

Fans of South Korean rapper Psy will wait no longer; this world famous rapper announces new song April 2013 and details of tour.  This is to follow his massive hit Gangnam Style.

He will release the highly-anticipated follow-up to his global hit Gangnam Style in April, and hold a large concert in Seoul to mark the occasion, announced by no other than South Korean rapper Psy himself.

No one can deny his fame, Psy, sporting his signature sunglasses, publicized the planned release in Korean and English in a video uploaded to YouTube, which featured subtitles in Chinese, Thai, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Indonesian.

“April 2013 is a new single, worldwide all at the same time. And I’m gonna do a concert . . . you can see it live, on YouTube. Just for you,” he said before launching into new dance moves for the remixed version of Gangnam Style.”

After concerts in Latin America, Psy is touring Australia.  He also released this week the four-song Gangnam Style remix album featuring US rappers 2 Chainz and Tyga.

Last 11 of March this year, tickets for the concert titled ‘Happening’ started to be available for the public.  His agency said, adding the event will feature the new song as well as his past hits.

According to Google, the song by 35-year-old star, whose real name is Park Jae-Sang, has made over £5 million in advertising through its YouTube plays.

With 1.2 billion views, the video, for a song by “K-pop” singer Psy is the most watched of all time on YouTube.  It became the first upload to be viewed a billion times on the video hosting website last December.

The video has been mimicked by several public figures like the Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei and the British sculptor Anish Kapoor.  United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon was convinced to copy the Gangnam Style dance when Psy visited the organization’s headquarters in New York last October.

Gangnam Style won the Song of the Year award at the Golden Disk Awards, the Korean equivalent of the Grammys in February.

The fame of this rapper and his song can never be denied, it has been written in history.  Fans all over the world anticipate for the next hit!

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Springhill Care Group: Cost and Coverage of Home Care

Cost and Coverage of Home Care

http://seniorhealth.about.com/od/eldercare/a/home_care_opt.htm

Nursing home is a home combined with skilled nursing care, rehabilitative care, medical services, personal care, and recreation in a supervised and environment.  letting your love ones stay in the nursing home may be hardest decision but choosing the right home will be next hardest.  Entering the nursing home doesn’t mean that the family involvement ends, instead it is their responsibility to make sure that the home care provides good care.

Remember the following when choosing the best home care:

• Have a discussion with the loved one who will be living there. This will aid in adjusting to the major life change about to occur.

• Work together with other family members and inquire for help in finding the best nursing home.

• Be in touch with doctors, nurses, or any other health professionals or social workers who care for your loved one.

• Chat with some nursing home employees, especially assistants since they give most of the care.

• Solicit a pastor or rabbi for guidance.

• Contact the long-term care ombudsman.

People often think that home care is expensive and yes nursing home care can be expensive.  It can differ widely depending on where you live but often the average cost is more than $50,000 a year and rising. Sadly, employee health insurance does not pay for nursing home care. A great number of nursing home residents, about a third of its population, pay all of their nursing home expenses from their own funds.  Long stay in a home care can consume all your or your loved one's savings fast.  There are many who exhaust their finances after just six months.  And about a five percent of them buys long-term care insurance, which covers the cost of a nursing home or other extended care.  

Medicare, the federal health insurance program for older persons and some younger ones with disabilities, pays for short-term nursing home stays but the rest, about two-thirds, are from the Medicaid.  The greatest share of the residents to pay for the care is money from Medicaid.  It is a federal and state health insurance program for people with low incomes.  They pick up the cost of nursing home care once people have used almost all of their savings—spouses are allowed to keep some assets including income, savings, and their home.

But the thing is Medicaid will only pay for nursing home care that is provided at a facility certified by the government.

Like many else, it is hard to apply for Medicaid so if you think a loved one may need care years from now, you should gather information as soon as possible.  And also, bear in mind that eligibility for Medicaid varies by state.  Knowing the requirements early ensures the care comes quickly when you or your loved one need it.

Age expectancy is getting higher and home care is getting more costly, so better deal with issues early to avoid further complications.