header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
November 27
1941 - Funeral for "our" Remi Nadeau, whose Canyon Country deer park became North Oaks [story]
Remi Nadeau


Commentary by Greg Dill
| Wednesday, Feb 15, 2017

One recent Sunday morning, I woke up to a text message from a coworker saying she’d been up all night with her mother in the emergency room.

Her mom had fallen, broken her hip, and was getting admitted to the hospital for surgery. As you can imagine, my colleague was exhausted, worried, and facing some important decisions. Even as her mom was being prepped for surgery, the hospital’s care coordinator was asking which rehabilitation facility she should be sent to afterwards.

As a fellow official of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), my associate has a better-than-average understanding of the healthcare system. But she’d never had to find a rehabilitation facility for a loved one. So she turned to an online tool CMS developed to help people find a suitable nursing home when they need one.

The tool is called Nursing Home Compare and you can find it on our www.Medicare.gov website. Just click on the button that says “Find nursing homes.” Enter your zip code or city and you can begin your search.

Nursing Home Compare assigns from one to five stars to every nursing facility that participates in Medicare or Medicaid, with five stars being the highest rating. These star ratings give you and your family an easy-to-understand summary of three important dimensions of nursing home quality: health inspection results, staffing information, and quality-of-care.

The goal of our Five-Star Quality Rating System is to help people distinguish between higher- and lower-performing nursing homes. CMS also wants to help nursing homes identify problem areas and to improve their quality.

Nursing facilities receive an overall star rating based on three types of performance indicators, each of which has its own star rating:

* Health inspections: Nursing homes that participate in Medicare or Medicaid undergo unannounced, comprehensive inspections about once a year. CMS bases health inspection ratings on the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies found during the three most recent inspections, as well as on results of complaint investigations during the most recent 36 months.

* Staffing levels: CMS bases staffing ratings on two components: 1) Registered nurse hours per resident day; and 2) total staffing hours (registered nurse plus licensed practical nurse plus nurse aide hours) per resident day. The staffing measures are adjusted for different levels of resident care needs.

* Quality measures: These ratings are based on how a nursing home performs on 16 of the 24 quality-of-care measures currently posted on Nursing Home Compare. The measures reflect whether residents got flu shots, are in pain, or are losing weight. We also look at how well the facility controls pressure ulcers (bed sores), whether it overuses antipsychotic medications, and other indicators of how residents are treated.

A facility’s overall star rating is a composite of the ratings on the measures above. The core of the overall rating is the health inspection rating, which is adjusted up if the facility receives high staffing or quality-of-care ratings, or down if those ratings are low.

You can compare multiple facilities on Nursing Home Compare, as my colleague did when looking for the best spot for her mother. But keep in mind that star ratings are intended to be combined with other sources of information (such as a doctor’s recommendation) and shouldn’t substitute for visiting the nursing home in person. Indeed, after my coworker identified two possible facilities, she visited the one that had an available room and was pleased to learn it had high ratings for food service, something very important to her mother.

At www.Medicare.gov, you’ll also find “compare” websites for hospitals, home health services, dialysis facilities, medical equipment suppliers, and Medicare-approved health and prescription drug plans.

Choosing a nursing home for yourself or a loved one is a complex, personal, and often emotionally draining decision. With that in mind, we developed a detailed brochure, “Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home or Other Long-Term Care,” which you can find online at https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/02174.pdf.

Among other things, the brochure provides a checklist of questions to ask nursing home managers, alternatives to nursing home care, and the legal rights and protections of nursing home residents.

I’m glad to report my colleague’s mother is on the mend.
Greg Dill is Medicare’s new regional administrator for Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and the Pacific Territories. You can always get answers to your Medicare questions by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Monday, Nov 25, 2024
The Thanksgiving holiday is all about gratitude. Being thankful for what we have and all the blessings we have in our lives.
Thursday, Nov 21, 2024
The holiday season is just around the corner and it’s one of the most magical times of the year.
Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024
Supervisor Kathryn Barger commented on Attorney General Rob Bonta’s announcement that he is pursuing additional monitoring and strengthened protections for youth in Los Angeles County’s juvenile halls.
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024
I think we’re all glad that the extreme heat of the past few months here in southern California has passed, and we are now enjoying some beautiful fall days.
Monday, Nov 11, 2024
This week, I took my Oath of Office for my third and final term as Fifth District Supervisor.
Monday, Nov 11, 2024
As we conclude the 2024 Fall season, I would like to thank all the athletic directors, school administrators, athletic trainers and anyone else responsible for helping implement and navigate our new Health and Safety Bylaws.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is advising people to avoid consuming raw milk the has been voluntarily recalled by Raw Farm, LLC due to a detection of H5 bird flu virus in a sample of milk sold in retail stores in Los Angeles County.
UPDATED: Recalled Raw Milk – H5 Bird Flu Detected in Raw Milk Sold in Santa Clarita
Princess Cruises, famously known as “The Love Boat,” celebrated the highly anticipated arrival of Caribbean Princess in Port Canaveral today, marking the launch of a new season of Caribbean cruises from this convenient Central Florida homeport.
Caribbean Princess Arrives in Port Canaveral for First-Ever Season of Cruises
The city of Santa Clarita is encouraging interested and qualified residents to apply for several positions serving on multiple commissions.  
Applications Now Being Accepted for City of Santa Clarita Commission Vacancies
Officers from the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control will be conducting field pet licensing efforts in the unincorporated area of Castaic beginning on Jan. 2, 2025.
DACC to Conduct Pet Licensing Efforts in Unincorporated L.A. County
Miriam Udel, associate professor of German studies, and London Evans, director of the Tam Institute of Jewish Studies at Emory University, will discuss how to “build good kids” on Monday, Dec. 2, as part of the 12th annual Maurice Amado Foundation Lecture in Jewish Ethics.
Amado Lecture to Explore Twentieth-Century Jewish Children’s Literature
 Get ready for a sweet day of fun at the 17th annual Family Literacy Festival at the Santa Clarita Public Library, Old Town Newhall Branch, on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
Dec. 7: Sweet Adventures Await at the Santa Clarita Public Library’s 17th Annual Family Literacy Festival
Music can transform lives, help people deal with stress and overcome trauma. At its most basic level, it can temporarily transport a listener from the mundane circumstances of their lives to a world filled with joy and beauty.
CSUN’s Wind Ensemble to Perform Holiday Concert for State Prisoners
Senator Scott Wilk presented a $5,000 Barona Education Grant to Excelsior Charter Schools to fund a new lending closet at the School of Business and Innovation, which will provide essential clothing, hygiene products, and supplies for foster and homeless youth.
Wilk Awards $5,000 Grant to Excelsior Charter Schools
Robert Morgan Fisher will present A Night of Narrative: Holiday Story Songs on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 8-10 p.m. at The Main, 24266 Main St., Newhall.
Dec. 5: A Night of Narrative, Holiday Story Songs
Registration is still open for the next session of Nest Healing Art Studio, to be held on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 at ARTree Community Arts Center, 22508 6th St., Santa Clarita, CA 91321. Session runs from 2-3 p.m.
Jan. 5: Nest Healing Art Studio
Residential customers in Santa Clarita can properly dispose of their unwanted mattresses and box springs at no additional cost. These items, not to exceed two pieces per visit per day, may be dropped off at the Burrtec facility located at 26000 Springbrook Road, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the third Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Free Mattress Recycling for Santa Clarita Residents
1941 - Funeral for "our" Remi Nadeau, whose Canyon Country deer park became North Oaks [story]
Remi Nadeau
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 on Tuesday, Nov. 26, to supporting a motion to evaluate the feasibility of instituting a new department to spearhead the county’s efforts to tackle homelessness.
Supes Vote to Explore Creation of New L.A. County Homelessness Department
The California Institute of the Arts boasts two artists with CalArts connections earning spots on the Recording Academy list of nominees for the 67th annual Grammy Awards.
Two CalArtians Nominated for 2025 Grammys
The Performing Arts Center will host America's Got Talent top 12 finalist comedian Don McMillan's show, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
Dec. 21: PAC Presents America’s Got Talent’s Don McMillan Show
The California Department of Transportation advises motorists to be extra cautious as a record number of Southern California residents are expected to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Caltrans Warns of Delays Due to Record Thanksgiving Holiday Travel
The Sierra Hillbillies Square and Round Dance club invites all to a Ugly Sweater themed Square Dance, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2-5 p.m. at Valencia United Methodist Church, 25718 McBean Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA.
Dec. 8: Sierra Hillbillies Present ‘Ugly Sweater Square Dance’
The Santa Clarita Volunteer Hub is a one-stop shop for promoting volunteerism in the community. It connects local non-profits and volunteers who want to offer their time, skills and talents to a good cause.
Volunteer Hub: Connecting Volunteers with Local Causes
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is warning residents to avoid consuming voluntarily recalled raw milk due to a detection of H5 bird flu virus in a retail sample. Many retailers in Los Angeles may have sold recalled raw milk that may be contaminated with H5 bird flu virus.
Recalled Raw Milk Was Sold in L.A. County
In a three-set sweep, The Master's University women's volleyball team advanced out of the opening round of the NAIA Women's Volleyball National Championship Tournament over the Benedictine (KS) Ravens Saturday night, Nov. 23 in The MacArthur Center.
TMU Women’s Volleyball Wins NAIA Opening Round Match
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will join in marking the 36th annual World AIDS Day on Dec. 1.
Dec. 1: County Landmarks Light Up in Red for World AIDS Day
Deputies and investigators with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station are currently investigating a series of burglaries reported in the Stevenson Ranch community over the span of one week.
SCV Sheriff’s Station Investigating Stevenson Ranch Burglaries
Join the city of Santa Clarita for the Fourth annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at The Cube – Ice and Entertainment Center, powered by FivePoint | Valencia, 27745 Smyth Drive, Valencia, CA 91355 on Friday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.
Dec.6: Skate Into the Holidays at Fourth Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
As official Neighborhood Champions for the 6th year, the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce encourages everyone to embrace the spirit of the holiday season by supporting local small businesses on Small Business Saturday, an annual event founded by American Express, now celebrating its 15th anniversary. This year, the event takes place on Saturday, Nov. 30 (all day).
Nov. 30: Small Business Saturday Promotes ‘Shop Local’
SCVNews.com