In Washington D.C., one of the big engines pulling out of the Administration on Aging (AoA) station is the “nursing home diversion program.” I saw that Bill blogged on the NYT article about Elderspeak and find it interesting that the program designed to help elders to remain in their homes, and stay out of institutional long term care, borrows a term (Diversion Programs) more commonly associated with the criminal justice system.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced $36 million in new grant programs to 28 states to help older Americans and veterans remain independent and to support people with Alzheimer’s disease to remain in their homes and communities.
Sure it's a baby step, but it is step in the right direction.
The press release can be found
here.
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This isn't the first time I've seen language associated with the criminal justice system seep over into elder care.
ReplyDeleteA nursing home activities director recently told me that our cub scout den could visit all residents except those in the dementia wing - they'd be in LOCK DOWN at the time we'd scheduled our visit ("Sundowners, don't you know").
Scary.
The VA system can drive good policy, but often policy makers overlook the potential to spread the learnings to a larger population - for example, the electronic medical record system the VA has had could be replicated in the "private sector". I hope that the states that receive the grants, along with the VA, benefit from the evidence-based practice work that will be undertaken.
ReplyDeleteLynette