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May Is National Better Hearing & Speech Month

Speech-Language Pathologists, also known as SLPs, provide evaluation and treatment for individuals that might be experiencing trouble with speech, language, cognitive function, and/or swallowing disorders.

Patients who suffer from a progressive, degenerative neurological disease such as Dementia or Parkinson’s Disease, may require an SLP screen or evaluation to assure the maximum quality of life and independence are achieved. SLPs are able to alter the environment, provide education to family and staff, and develop cueing strategies to facilitate an optimal setting in which the patient can comfortably complete their daily tasks and enjoy leisure activities.

How Can a Speech-Language Pathologist Help?

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below, talk with your doctor about the benefits of therapy with a Speech-Language Pathologist.

  • Difficulty swallowing (coughing, choking, excessive throat clearing)
  • Odynophagia (painful swallowing)
  • Trouble finding words to communicate your wants and needs
  • Difficulty understanding and/or expressing your thoughts
  • Memory problems or difficulty focusing
  • Soft, breathy voice making it difficult for people to hear and understand what you are saying
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April is National Occupational Therapy Month

Occupational Therapists help people of all ages to live more independent and productive lives.

 

How Can An Occupational Therapist Help?

Occupational therapists can help aging adults remain active and live well despite limitations. Some of the main benefits of participating in occupational therapy for older adults include:

  • Improved Quality of Life
  • Restored Function
  • Improved Activities of Daily Living
  • Reduced Risk for Falls
  • Improved Self-Confidence & Happiness
  • Increased Awareness of Safety Precautions in the Home
  • Continued Independence
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Outpatient Therapy for Healthy Aging

Outpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapists work together to help keep older adults living independently in their home as long as possible.  Our licensed, highly skilled therapists are specialists in treating a wide range of conditions in older adults including, but not limited to:

    • Arthritis
    • Back, Shoulder, and Neck Pain
    • Facial & Jaw Pain
    • Cognitive Decline
    • Balance Disorders
    • Inner Ear Problems
    • Hand Injuries & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
    • Knee & Leg Injuries or Pain
    • Neurological Disorders
    • Speech Disorders
    • Swallowing Disorders
    • Sports-related Injuries
    • Work-related Injuries

 

Could I Benefit from Outpatient Therapy? 

Is pain affecting the daily activities in your life?

Are you having problems with your balance?

Do you feel that you’ve lost some strength?

Are you having trouble getting dressed, reaching for a sock or bathing?

Are you having problems with comprehending and/or expressing your thoughts?

Do you have trouble swallowing or choke easily?

 

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, contact your doctor to discuss the benefits of physical, occupational, and speech therapy.  Proactively addressing challenges you may be facing will help ensure you are living a healthy and happy life.

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CMS Resource: PHQ-2 to 9 Cue Card

CMS is offering a cue card to assist providers in coding the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2 to 9) as referenced in the coding guidance for D0150. This resource is intended to be utilized during the Patient Mood Interview as a supplemental communication tool that provides a visual reference to assist patient selection of symptom frequency.

The cue card is offered in two sizes which can be viewed or printed and is available in the Downloads section of the HH QRP, IRF QRP, and LTCH QRP Training pages.

Click here to download the Cue Card.

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5-Star Preview Reports Available on 1/23/2023

CMS announced that the Five-Star Preview Reports are available on January 23, 2023.

To access these reports, select the CASPER Reporting link located on the CMS QIES Systems for Providers page. Once in the CASPER Reporting system, select the ‘Folders’ button, then select ‘My Inbox’ or the Inbox beginning with ‘LTC’ and the state abbreviation followed by a facility ID. The reports only remain in the QIES system for a short time, so please save and/or print these reports for your records.

Nursing Home Care Compare will update with the Five Star data on or around January 25, 2023.

Important Note: The 5-Star Help Line (800-839-9290) will be available from January 23 through January 27, 2023. Please direct your inquiries to BetterCare@cms.hhs.gov if the Help Line is not available.

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OIG to Audit Telehealth Services in 2023

CMS has a substantial influence on how telehealth services are delivered and paid. Specifically, CMS sets forth regulation for payment and coverage requirements.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG)’s 2023 Work Plan will provide significant oversight on telehealth services including the impact of PHE flexibilities. The OIG reviews will provide objective findings and recommendations that can further inform providers about telehealth. The oversight intent is to ensure that the potential benefits from telehealth are realized for beneficiaries.

We got you! Here are our top 5 takeaways:

  1. Due to the PHE, actions have been taken to allow practitioners to provide telehealth services.
  2. Telehealth may offer an alternative method for necessary care to be safely delivered to residents in appropriate situations. This flexibility has been extended through CY 2024 and is no longer tied to the end of the federal PHE.
  3. If a beneficiary denies the use of telehealth, services will not be performed via this delivery mode.
  4. Creating an environment for successful telehealth services can make a huge difference in the efficacy of treatment. More guidance can be found here.
  5. Document, document, and then document some more. Proper documentation of the validity of the use of telehealth is imperative. Review entities will be looking for documentation as proof that the “right” steps were taken when performing telehealth (and other) services. Document any interdisciplinary collaboration, beneficiary consent to the delivery mode, the clinical appropriateness of the delivery mode, and that other options for safely delivering services in the direct presence between the resident and staff have been exhausted.

 

Need a Powerful Therapy Partner? Contact Amanda Green, Executive Director of Strategic Development amanda@htstherapy.com for information about our contract therapy partnerships.

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Taking Care of Your Heart

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is largely preventable! There is so much you can do to take care of your aging heart and reduce your risk of developing heart disease.

Sleep Well
Poor sleep quality is associated with high blood pressure and cholesterol. Aim for at least 7– 8 hours of restful sleep each night to promote healing and improved brain function.

Manage Weight
Being overweight can cause damage to your heart and impact cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood glucose.

Eat Healthily
Eat a healthy, balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and whole grains. Limit foods high in saturated fat which can raise your cholesterol as well as foods high in sodium which can raise your blood pressure.

Stay Active
Daily exercise such as a 30-minute walk can help improve blood flow and lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Avoid inactivity! The more activity you can do the better.

Reduce Stress
Stress causes your heart rate to increase and blood vessels to narrow. Learn how to control stress through deep breathing and other healthy relaxation exercises.

How Can Therapy Help?

Physical and Occupational Therapists can help you develop a healthier lifestyle and reduce many risk factors that cause heart disease. Physical therapists can help teach you how to exercise appropriately for joint mobility, muscle strength, and fitness. Occupational therapists can help you safely do the things you want to do, stay active, and live well despite limitations. Talk to your doctor today about the benefits of physical and occupational therapy!

Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

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Benefits of Afternoon Naps

Daytime napping is common across many cultures and age groups. Did you know taking a short daily nap can boost your mood, energy, and memory? In fact, napping has many proven health benefits.

Benefits of Napping:

  • Reduce Stress
  • Improve Performance
  • Heighten Alertness
  • Improve Mood
  • Improve Memory
  • Reduced Risk of Heart Disease

Tips for Healthy Napping
The National Sleep Foundation recommends napping for about 20 minutes. This length of time will help you recharge but not leave you feeling sleepy. After approximately 30 minutes of sleep, your body may enter deep sleep. Waking during this cycle can be difficult and leave you feeling groggy.

Take your nap in the early afternoon before 3:00 pm. Napping too late in the day can disrupt your regular nighttime sleep. Some people like to nap shortly after eating lunch. To get into a healthy napping routine, try scheduling your nap at the same time every day.

How Can Therapy Help?
Physical and Occupational Therapists help address sleep issues and promote optimal sleep performance. Therapy helps by addressing conditions that may be causing poor sleep quality, managing pain and fatigue, overcoming common barriers, and also helping establish good bedtime routines. Talk with your doctor to see if therapy could benefit you!


Source: Sleep Foundation

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Breathe Better with Postural Drainage Therapy

Mucus in the lungs is a common symptom of many chronic lung diseases. Mucus plays an essential role by trapping irritants to protect your body from infection. However, for people living with chronic lung conditions such as COPD, asthma, and chronic bronchitis – the mucus can collect in your airway in excess.

Percussion and Postural Drainage Therapy can help treat breathing problems due to inflammation and mucus in the airways and lungs. Postural Drainage Therapy uses percussions, gravity, vibration, and deep breathing to loosen and drain mucus from the lungs and stimulate a productive cough to clear airways. Unclogging the airways is vital to keeping the lungs healthy.

Our therapists can provide treatment for respiratory conditions and help you remain physically active. Talk with your doctor about your condition and ask if Physical, Occupational, or Speech Therapy could benefit you.

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Tips to Prevent Low Back Pain

Low back pain is very common and can affect 4 out of 5 people at some time during their lives. As a person ages, lower back pain becomes even more prevalent. The lower back is involved in almost all activities of daily living like standing, walking, and lifting. Low back pain can limit many activities and reduce your quality of life. Although the causes can vary for each person; here are a few tips to prevent injury and pain.

How Therapy Can Help
If back pain is impacting your quality of life, talk with your doctor about physical therapy. A physical therapist will assess problems and recommend an individualized treatment plan with key exercises to improve your condition.


Sources: Sleepfoundation.org, Merck Manuals Online Medical Library

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