Omaha, NE (Vocus) September 6, 2010

Judy Bergado of Roselle Park, N.J., is one example of the situations described in a recent “Caregiving in the U.S.” survey. She’s the primary family caregiver for her 88-year-old father. She also is a thousand miles away from her widowed and ailing dad, who lives alone in a single-family home in Florida.

A growing number of working mothers are also caring for the generation that raised them.

Bergado is part of a growing group of working mothers and grandmothers who are also caring for the generation that raised them. And they need help with caregiving. Nearly three-fourths (74 percent) of family caregivers have been employed while they were assisting another person, according to a November 2009 report from the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Most (68 percent) have had to make a workplace accommodation due to caregiving. The most common workplace accommodations are going in late, leaving early or taking time off during the day.

Bergardo spent three weeks in Florida with her father when her mother died in November 2008. “My mom did everything,” Bergado said. “And when she died, my father didn’t know how to cook or make out bills. He didn’t know where the checkbook was or how to fill it out.”

The stress continued when she returned home. “He was lonely and I didn’t know what to do about it.”

It’s not like she can just pick up and leave to help him. Bergado has her own family to care for and responsibilities outside the home. Her daughter and 13-year-old granddaughter, for whom she serves as a Girl Scout leader, live with her and her husband. She also has a demanding job working as a database administrator for a pharmaceutical company, where she’s been employed for 10 years. “This puts a lot of stress on me,” she noted.

So Bergardo found help from her employer, who hooked her up with an eldercare referral service that located a CAREGiver(SM) for her father from Home Instead Senior Care, the largest provider of non-medical in-home care services for seniors. Her company paid for at least 16 visits as part of a work-life benefit. “At first Dad put up a fuss even though he kept complaining how lonely he was, and he wasn’t cooking or eating,” Bergado said.

Now her dad looks forward to the weekly visits from his CAREGiver. “She does some light cooking and he was thrilled when she made him Passover cake. She changes his sheets and he loves the way she folds clothes. She looks around the house to see if something needs to be dusted and cleaned; he really appreciates her and enjoys her coming.” Even though the work-life benefit has run out, the Bergado family continues to pay for the service.

More and more companies like Bergado’s are offering elder care benefits to their sandwich-generation employees. Thirty-nine percent of employers today provide access to information about services for elderly family members compared with 23 percent in 1998, according to a 2008 report by the Families and Work Institute.

The senior care industry is expanding as well and as a direct result of this trend. “Today’s working family caregivers are stretched so thin,” said Tim Connelly, director of Franchise Development for Home Instead, Inc., the franchisor for the Home Instead Senior Care network.

“Forty-three percent of respondents to a survey conducted for Home Instead Senior Care revealed that they are spending more than 30 hours a week caregiving,” Connelly said. “For many, that’s the equivalent of a full-time job, often on top of a regular job,” he added.

“It’s the kind of demands that these families face that are driving much of the growth in this industry. Home Instead Senior Care experienced a 50 percent growth in the number of start-ups in North America in 2009 over 2008,” he noted.

Bergado said that extra support is especially good for her as a long-distance family caregiver. Her dad’s CAREGiver serves as an extra set of eyes and ears since she’s not there. “It’s great because once a week I find out if everything is O.K.”

Anyone thinking about starting a business can learn more about senior care business opportunities, by registering for the next one-hour Home Instead Senior Care Franchise Opportunities webinar, scheduled for September 15 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. Or they can register for the 6 p.m. webinar also on September 15

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Gilbert, AZ (Vocus) September 3, 2010

As the nation waits for the final word on healthcare reform, troops return from the war, and the economy slips out of the doldrums, many Americans wonder who to turn to for respite care. While most home care companies fully dedicate their services to senior citizens, Synergy HomeCare opens this valuable option to people of all ages in need of living assistance.

While developing the company, Peter Tourian, founder and CEO of Synergy HomeCare noticed that many referral companies could not partner with home care companies because they did not service all of their customers. Groups of people like expectant mothers, cancer patients and children with special needs don’t always need medical attention, but still need daily assistance. Synergy HomeCare tends to household duties, provides companionship services, and contributes to the overall well being of those whom they serve.

Fueled by baby boomers progressing into their senior years, and veterans of the war in Iraq, the need for home care perpetually increases. In 2002, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a 55 percent growth of the homecare industry. As this statistic comes into fruition, Tourian attributes Synergy HomeCare’s growth not only to the national climate, but mostly on the strong corporate infrastructure that trains and supports individual franchises and helps them succeed.

Currently, Synergy HomeCare has 111 franchises in 36 states. From the sale of the first franchise, this amount seemed to follow the biblical parable of the talents; doubling every year to result in home care coverage that spans the country. In conjunction with this, most franchise owners come from backgrounds in various industries; making a sharp turn in their career to join Synergy HomeCare.

The reason behind this choice lies in the company continually rising in the rating ranks. In 2010, Entrepeneur Magazine listed Synergy HomeCare as 406 of the franchise 500, 79 in the fastest growing franchises, and 13 in the Top New Ranking companies (was 33 in 2009). Compared to competitors of longer experience, Synergy HomeCare has met and surpassed their records.

Synergy HomeCare exhibits the vitality of a company of half its age, and the sophistication of a company that has been in business twice as long. Franchise owners and corporate staff alike share a desire to contribute to something that matters and a line of work where they can positively impact the well being of another’s life.

After five years, Synergy HomeCare knows well that when serving one person, they in fact serve an entire family.

Contact:
Kate Lathrop
klathrop(at)synergyhomecare(dot)com
(480) 659-7771

About Synergy HomeCare
Synergy HomeCare is a national franchise of non-medical home care dedicated to providing exceptional and affordable service to anyone of any age. Synergy HomeCare caregivers are available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, to those in need – including seniors, expectant moms, those suffering from sports injuries and debilitating illnesses, and more. Founded in 2002 in Gilbert, Ariz., Synergy HomeCare now has 105 franchises in more than 35 states. For additional information, please visit www.synergyhomecare.com.

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Skokie, IL (PRWEB) September 2, 2010

Senior Helpers selected Care Team Connect (CTC) to support their growth in a post health reform environment. Senior Helpers North Bay’s Care Managers use CTC to more efficiently assemble and instantly distribute patient-specific and risk-driven care plans that outline what care is needed, when it is needed, and who is responsible for monitoring the plan in an effort to avoid preventable readmission to acute care facilities.

“About a year ago, Laura Jones, our nurse care manager, developed a program to provide care management to patients post discharge. In doing so, we realized an immediate reduction in readmissions for those patients receiving the service. In fact, our readmission rate was less than 5% for the same diagnosis across all chronic conditions,” observed Kevin Carlson, CFO, for Senior Helpers North Bay. “We knew then that we wanted to grow the program beyond our small pilot, and selected Remcare to partner with us to scale our efforts.”

Providers in the Napa community have real-time access to their patient’s care plans as they change, allowing for the delivery of effective and efficient care. Patients are assisted with obtaining appropriate primary and specialist care follow-up within 48-72 hours of hospital discharge and receive specific symptom management guides to their illness. In addition, CTC facilitates reconciliation and active medication management at discharge and throughout the duration of the care plan for each patient. To date, Senior Helpers North Bay identified medication issues in over 85% of their patients that they resolved before an adverse drug event (ADE) occurred.

“Senior Helpers North Bay was built with a commitment to improving patient outcomes, and the team at Remcare has been an incredible partner on this new offering. Their expertise in readmissions, understanding of clinical workflow and knowledge of program development has been instrumental in helping us achieve success with this new service line,” said Robert Nations, CEO for Senior Helpers North Bay.

Ben Albert, Remcare CEO notes, “We are very excited to partner with Senior Helpers North Bay to greatly improve care transitions in Napa Valley. The Care Team Connect platform combined with their highly skilled care management team is poised to do just that. We are privileged to be a part of it.”

About Remcare
Utilizing evidence-based best practices, Remcare creates technology platforms in which hospitals, community providers, family members and patients collaborate to improve outcomes in ways that can also reduce healthcare costs. By localizing how information and tasks are shared among care team members, Remcare creates transparency and accountability while also leading the way toward a patient-specific model of care. Easy to use and backed by extensive education, training and follow-up
support, Remcare solutions are designed to optimize healthcare performance throughout the continuum of care. To learn more, visit www.remcareinc.com.

About Senior Helpers
Senior Helpers navigates the Art of Aging by providing: Geriatric Care Evaluation – Sometimes families don’t know what they should do with their loved one. Our staff RN can now complete a FULL Geriatric Care Evaluation. Care Coordination – We have found that families are often confused about the services available in the community to help their loved ones. Care Coordination provides one of our professional staff members to arrange services. Wellness Watch – This program provides a weekly call to their loved one and a monthly visit. It also includes a LifeLine personal response system. Transitional Care – Our professional staff can act as a Transition Coach, meeting with the discharge staff, understanding the discharge plan and following up to make sure the discharge instructions are followed. In-Home Non-Medical Care – We will provide the best caregivers to help their family member remain in their home for as long as possible. Relocation Services – We can help find the perfect new home for your loved one. We will personally accompany family members on each visit and we will be by their side every step of the way.

Senior Helpers North Bay has three offices:

1100 Trancas Street         575 West College Avenue            802 B Street
Suite 214                            Suite 105                                         San Rafael, CA 94109
Napa, CA 94558                Santa Rosa, CA 95401                 Office: 415.460.9967
Office: 707.251.1540     Office: 707.525.1540                     Fax: 415.454.0540
Fax: 707.251.1582            Fax: 707.251.1582

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Emeryville, CA (Vocus) September 1, 2010

BioSoteria, Inc., Drug Safety and Risk Management Specialists, present the Fourth Annual Pacific Drug Safety Summit, September 23-24 at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Hotel, Burlingame, CA.

BioSoteria's Pacific Drug Safety Summit - September 23-24, 2010

“This year’s PDSS will be the largest conference attended with two days of contemporary pharmacovigilance topics” says President and CEO of BioSoteria, Inc, Dr. Sally Van Doren. “With the increasing attention and complexity of pharmacovigilance practice, we have extended the conference by adding an additional day of tutorials on a variety of important safety topics. The response has been overwhelming and tutorials are filling quickly.” Interested parties are urged to register before the event sells out. The two day conference features six pre-conference tutorials on day one, while the second day features nine contemporary drug safety topics presented by national and international thought leaders from companies concerned with drug safety. The attendees will have the opportunity to participate in networking breaks and interact with a diverse gathering of US and EU drug safety and pharmacovigilance practitioners, service providers, and vendors from around the globe. The possibility of Continuing Education Credits for California Registered Nurses and Pharmacists is pending approval. Breakfast and lunch will be served. This event is conveniently close to the heart of biopharmaceutical companies in the Bay Area, the airport, and public transportation.

WHERE: San Francisco Airport Marriott Hotel, Burlingame, CA

WHEN: September 23-24, 2010

TO REGISTER: Visit www.pacificdrugsafetysummit.com

September 23, 2010 – Featured Tutorials

Hosted Application Solutions for Pharmacovigilance
Wade Weinzetl, Senior Director of Safety Systems, Sentrx

Good Pharmacovigilance Practices During Clinical Trials
James Buchanan, PharmD, Senior VP, Pharmacovigilance and Risk Management, BioSoteria, Inc.

Safety Monitoring and Reporting for Products Operating Under a REMS With ETASU
Wenda K. Brennan, R. Ph., Director Pharmacovigilance
Catherine Sigler DVM, MPH, PhD, Senior Epidemiologist, Safety, Epidemiology, Registries & Risk Management Group, United BioSource Corporation

Good Pharmacovigilance Practices Postmarketing
Sally Van Doren, PharmD, President and CEO, BioSoteria, Inc.

Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS)
An Overview of Current Regulations and Approach to Documentation and Preparation
Mark Loudon, Director of Regulatory Compliance, Aris Global
Dr. Jacinta Aniagolu-Johnson, Director, PV & Risk Management, Synowledge (an Aris Global affiliate)

Global PV Compliance Monitoring and CAPA Management
An Overview and Case Study on How to Efficiently Monitor, Improve and Sustain ICSR Compliance
Vladimir Laguerre, Partner, Foresight Group International
Brian Dinardo, Partner, Foresight Group International

September 24, 2010 – Featured Topics and Speakers

The Changing EU Pharmacovigilance Landscape
Valerie Simmons, MB BS FFPM
Lilly QPPV Executive, Global Patient Safety,
Eli Lilly & Co Ltd., UK

The Sentinel Initiative and Healthcare Database Outcomes Research
Moving Pharmacovigilance in a New Direction?
Mary Mease, RPH, MPH
Sr. Dir. Medical Affairs, Epidemiology & Outcomes Research
Quintiles

Signal Detection and Evaluation of Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity
Catherine Hardalo, MD
Vice President, Clinical Development
Cadence Pharmaceuticals

Coping with the Changing Demands on a Drug Safety Department
Tobias Peschel, MD, PhD, MBA
Vice President, Drug Safety & Public Health
Gilead Sciences

Successfully Navigating a Pre-Approval Inspection from a Drug Safety Perspective
Bethany Van Veen
Director, Safety Operations Drug Safety Risk Management
InterMune, Inc.

REMS Case Study: One Company’s Experience
Eleanor Segal, MD
Vice President, Medical Safety Officer
Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

REMS Assessments: A Description of a Busy First Year of Kab Surveys
Catherine Sigler DVM, MPH, PhD,
Senior Epidemiologist, Safety, Epidemiology, Registries & Risk Management Group
United BioSource Corporation

A Framework for Opioid REMS Assessment
Gregory M. Bogdan, PhD
Research Director – RADARS® System
Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Center – Denver Health
Forming a PV Regional Professional Network
Julie Acquafredda, MBA
Senior Project Manager PV
Takeda Global R&D

To expand your professional network and find out more about the largest annual drug safety conference in the Western U.S., visit www.pacificdrugsafetysummit.com and register today.

About BioSoteria
Founded in 2007 with a strong vision of a progressive drug safety and pharmacovigilance consulting services and education, BioSoteria serves the outsourcing needs of the pharmaceutical industry. From strategic risk management consulting services and full-service drug safety operational capabilities to world-class award winning pharmacovigilance training and education programs, BioSoteria provides unmatched experience, expertise, and leadership to support your company’s efforts to maximize your product’s benefit-risk profile. For more information, go to www.biosoteria.com.

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Customers Collaborate and Share Plans for Meeting the Needs of the Growing Volume of Consumers with Limited Budgets and Resources

Reston, VA (PRWEB) September 2, 2010

Harmony Information Systems Inc., the leader in integrated health and human services management, announced today that more than 180 aging services professionals from organizations throughout the country gathered in Burlington, Vermont from August 24-27 for the 2010 Harmony Users Conference titled, “Meeting Tomorrow’s Challenges Today”. The three-day event featured experts offering techniques and best practices to help state and local organizations leverage the power of technology to help meet the rising demand in aging, adult protective and intellectual disabilities services.

Harmony Information Systems

“The Harmony Users Conference is a one-of-a-kind conference which provides an invaluable opportunity for our customers to network with their peers while learning new ways to leverage Harmony software to help them fulfill their missions to serve more consumers with existing resources via home- and community-based approaches to care,” said Joseph Sander, president and Chief Executive Officer of Harmony. “This conference also allows Harmony to collaborate with our customers to ensure we evolve our corporate and product strategy to meet the emerging needs of our customers.”

This year’s conference included two keynote speakers: Bob Blancato, President of Matz, Blancato & Associates, who spoke on the importance of the passage of the Elder Justice Act and the impact it will have on aging and adult services organizations throughout the country; and Patricia Polansky, Assistant Commissioner, New Jersey Division of Aging and Community Services, who discussed how recent legislative and reform efforts have morphed human services into health care and New Jersey’s strategy for ensuring it is meeting the increase in service demand with limited resources.

Sessions throughout the conference included details on a suite of soon to-be-released Harmony solutions based upon next generation technology and hands-on training for making the most out of the software. The conference also included a track of customer speakers who shared their insights on how their organizations are meeting tomorrow’s challenges today with direct insight into how they’re making the most out of their Harmony implementations. Featured speakers included:

– Valerie Cook, Aging Specialist, Office of Evaluation, U.S. Administration on Aging
– Gary Parker, Project Manager – MR/SA, Alabama Department of Mental Health
– Joan O’Rourke, CIO, Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs
– Patricia Barton, CIO, New Mexico Department of Aging Services
– Dick Laverty, Senior Planner, Vermont Department of Aging and Independent Living
– Rita Pauley, Planning and Program Development Manager, Ohio Area Agency on Aging District 7

About Harmony
Harmony Information Systems Inc., (Harmony), the leader in integrated health and human services management, provides comprehensive solutions that enable organizations to manage growing consumer case loads with existing resources. The company’s end-to-end solutions manage the delivery of care for elders and intellectually disabled persons, enabling organizations to maximize outcomes while increasing service delivery efficiency, ensuring compliance with funding requirements, and automating Medicaid waiver processes. Harmony products are used by more than 450 state, local, and private provider human service organizations to manage both traditional and consumer-directed models of service. For more information on Harmony products and solutions, visit www.harmonyis.com or call us at 866.951.2219.

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White Plains, NY (Vocus) August 31, 2010

The Club at Briarcliff Manor, a new $350 million retirement community under development in the Village of Briarcliff Manor, is creating a new community before it’s even built.

Integrated Development Group, the developer of the Continuing Care Retirement Community, has launched a unique multi-faceted program to introduce its future residents – or Members — to the lifestyle they will be enjoying at The Club at Briarcliff Manor long before they move into their new residences three years from now.

The new program, called Ageless at The Club, provides Members with an opportunity to begin participating

The Club at Briarcliff Manor Main Entrance

immediately in a wide range of fitness, educational and cultural programming. Members receive a monthly calendar of activities such as yoga lessons, literature club discussions, computer classes, gardening and a walking club.

Members will also enjoy an active schedule of events where they can meet fellow Members and develop friendships with their future neighbors. Activities include luncheons, summer barbeques, holiday parties, culinary events and wine tastings. The program is being offered to Members who have selected their future residence at The Club.

The Club at Briarcliff Manor is partnering with local organizations and educational institutions such as Club Fit, the Jacob Burns Film Center and Westchester Community College as part of this program. Examples of programs for Members include a six-week Literature Series at Westchester Community College; complimentary tickets for special screenings at Jacob Burns Film Center with celebrity Q&As and receptions; and introductory classes for Tai Chi, Aquacise and Yoga at Club Fit.

“By engaging our Members in programs and activities before they move in, we are creating a sense of community at The Club that will continue to grow as we near occupancy in 2013. Whether it’s taking classes at Westchester Community College or attending a film series at the Jacob Burns Film Center, future Members of The Club will be engaged in their community, continuing their active and fulfilling lives,” said Matthew K. Phillips, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Integrated Development Group (IDG), which is developing The Club at Briarcliff Manor.

The Club at Briarcliff Manor is an entirely new concept in senior living that focuses on the health and wellness of the whole person, promotes intergenerational experiences and integrates the lifestyle of its Members into the surrounding community. The Ageless at The Club program supports Members’ pursuit of a balanced lifestyle and centers on the six dimensions of wellness: physical, vocational, social, intellectual, spiritual and emotional. This philosophy will be incorporated into the design elements of the project as well as within the development of the lifestyle programming. The Club at Briarcliff Manor will feature a Health and Wellness staff with licensed professionals to oversee the health and wellness of Members.

Located on a 59-acre wooded site overlooking the Hudson River where once stood the famed Briarcliff Lodge resort hotel and later the King’s College campus, The Club at Briarcliff Manor will feature 325 Independent Living residences in two “villages,” world-class amenities and services and a 60-unit Supportive Living Center where a licensed and professional staff will provide assisted living, memory support and skilled nursing care on-site 24 hours a day.
The project broke ground in January 2010 on the first townhome building which will serve as an on-site Information & Design Center, with three model residences. The Center and furnished models will open this fall. The community is schedule to open in 2013.

Amenities will include a full-service spa and salon; multiple dining venues; a state-of-the-art fitness center; Aquatics Center with heated indoor pool and whirlpool; Lodge Room with social space; outdoor tennis courts; private library; multi-media business center with wireless Internet; surround sound theater; 24-hour security; and extensive walking trails.

The Upper Village will feature Tudor-style buildings with 288 spacious one- and two-bedroom residences. A Clubhouse will include the Aquatics, Spa and Fitness Center. Also included is a complete Supportive Living Center that features wellness care, assisted living, memory support and skilled nursing services.

The Lower Village will consist of 24 townhomes and 13 free-standing villa homes designed for today’s active adult lifestyle with first-floor master suites, attached two-car garages and an optional elevator. The townhomes and villas will enjoy views of the pond and large meadows. Perkins Eastman and Sullivan Architecture are the architects for the community.

Services included in the monthly service fee are: concierge; interior and exterior maintenance, utilities, multiple dining venues; weekly housekeeping and flat linen services; valet parking; regularly scheduled transportation to shopping and medical appointments, and educational, social and cultural events. Entrance fees for residences, which are 90% refundable, will start at $599,900. Monthly fees for amenities and services are projected to start at approximately $3,190.

The Club at Briarcliff Manor is conveniently located a short 45-minute ride from Manhattan by Metro North Railroad.

IDG is developing The Club at Briarcliff Manor in partnership with the National Electrical Benefit Fund (NEBF), a Washington D.C. based pension fund with over $10 billion in assets. IDG, in partnership with the National Electrical Benefit Fund, is also developing 850 Lake Shore Drive, a $150 million senior living community, preserving this historic building along Chicago’s north Lake Shore Drive.

For more information about The Club at Briarcliff Manor, call (914) 923-4050 or visit http://www.TheClubBCM.com

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Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) August 31, 2010

The Senior Care Podcast by LivHOME has released Episode 21 — Advanced Directives.

In this episode, Darlene Mann, a LivHOME Care Manager in Southern California, discusses a number of important issues related to the proper use of advance directives, an often-misunderstood topic. They include:

• the difference between a living will and a durable power of attorney,
• how Caregivers and Care Managers can assure that advance directives reflect a senior’s wishes, and
• how to raise the issue of advance directives with an older adult.

“Creating advance directives involves having an open discussion so that everyone understands what the senior wants, while allowing him or her to maintain control — even during a medical emergency,” says Mann.

The episode can be found at the podcast’s homepage [link to: www.livhome.com/podcast . Listeners can subscribe via RSS feed, email or through the iTunes store. Episode 21 — Advanced Directives has a runtime of 12 minutes, 51 seconds.

About LivHOME
LivHOME is one of the nation’s largest providers of professionally led at-home care for seniors. The company is dedicated to finding solutions that enable older adults to remain in their homes as long as possible. Based in Los Angeles, LivHOME delivers high quality at-home care throughout California as well as Arlington, Va., Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, and Silver Spring, Md.

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Mount Laurel, NJ (PRWEB) August 31, 2010

The Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC) today praised the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ recommendation that case management be included in the medical loss ratio (MLR) formula, in recognition of the role these professionals play in directly benefiting patients.

With nearly 30,000 professionals currently holding the CCM® credential, CCMC is the largest nationally-accredited organization certifying case managers from across all disciplines. In July, CCMC submitted comments to the NAIC to advocate on behalf of the case management field. This letter states that case management services, as defined by CCMC and when practiced by qualified clinical professionals, should be recognized as medical or quality improvement activities, and thus be included in MLR-allowed expenses.

“The NAIC had a difficult task in formulating the MLR calculation. CCMC is pleased to see the calculation recognizes the importance of case management services,” said CCMC Board Chair Annette Watson. “Case management can contribute to improving quality of care, patient safety and health care outcomes, while controlling health care costs, when it is performed by qualified clinical professionals, in accordance with CCMC standards.”

In its recently-submitted comments to NAIC, CCMC outlined how case management is clearly a clinical activity essential to the attainment of desired outcomes. Case management must be practiced by clinical, licensed and certified health and human services professionals, such as those who meet qualifications by becoming Certified Case Managers (CCMs). CCMC further believes that, through certification, case managers are able to demonstrate their competency to practice independently, promote quality and safety and protect the public.

“Including case management in the MLR validates that these services improve quality. This is particularly important given the emphasis on care coordination in health care reform,” Watson added. “The competency of the individuals providing these services will directly impact the success and outcomes of care coordination. Certified case managers, through education, experience and examination, have demonstrated their ability to fulfill this role and can contribute to the attainment of health care reform goals by leading the care coordination effort.”

About CCMC
The Commission for Case Manager Certification established the standard for case management credentialing. The nationally accredited CCM® certification exam, which is continuously validated through evidence-based research, is a widely sought certification by employers. To learn more, visit http://www.ccmcertification.org/, connect with CCMC on Facebook and follow CCMC on Twitter @CCM_Cert.

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August 29, 2010 (PRWEB) August 29, 2010

Active Aging Week, the annual health promotion event of the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), is September 20 through 26, and this year’s theme is “Be Active Your Way.” All four of Parc Communities’ Atlanta retirement communities will be celebrating the event with ongoing exercise, brain fitness and wellness classes as well as a variety of other activities.

Residents will have the opportunity to participate in a local horse therapy program designed to improve balance, coordination, depression and overall strength of patients. Residents from each retirement community will visit local horse farms to experience this unique opportunity as well as benefit from its therapeutic qualities.

Residents will also visit Verizon Amphitheatre to participate in the “More to Life” senior adult wellness health fair sponsored by North Fulton Regional Hospital. The visit includes tours of the amphitheatre and backstage areas. In addition, Parc Communities is offering wellness classes at this community event. This is Parc’s second year to participate in this community-wide health fair that offers classes, wellness screenings, and important information for senior adults.

Also in conjunction with Active Aging Week, Parc at Duluth is hosting a wellness seminar featuring Connie Jeon, owner and operator of NOVO Total Wellness, that will focus on nutrition and weight loss. Parc at Piedmont is hosting a Concert in the Park event to promote Parc’s Families Matter program and Active Aging Week. The week’s activities culminate with the Elegance Ball at Parc at Buckhead, and all four Parc Communities participate in this annual gala event.

About Parc Communities
Parc Communities (Parc) is an Atlanta, GA based company that focuses on the development and operation of upscale housing for active retirement age seniors in the Southern United States.
Parc Communities currently operates Atlanta retirement communities in the Buckhead, East Cobb, Duluth and Alpharetta areas of metropolitan Atlanta, with plans to develop additional communities in other locations in the Southern United States.
Dedicated to the proposition of providing residents with the premier senior living option, Parc Communities has established itself as the leader in hospitality-oriented Atlanta retirement communities for active seniors. For more information on Parc Communities, please visit our website at parccommunities.com.

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Dayton, OH (PRWEB) August 26, 2010

VRI Telemonitoring, a leading provider of in-home health monitoring systems, has announced a contract with CareCentrix, the nation’s leading provider of home health benefits management services. VRI will provide CareCentrix with telemonitoring, medication adherence, and medical alert systems to support their efforts of providing people with comprehensive medical care at home.

“CareCentrix is dedicated to coordinating high-quality medical services and equipment on behalf of the millions of members we serve that supports their care and recovery in the comfort of their homes,” said William L. Kerr MD, Chief Medical Officer, CareCentrix. “With VRI, we gain access to leading-edge technologies that support our goal of leveraging home health care to reduce the rising number of hospital readmissions and ultimately improve patient outcomes.”

Andy Schoonover, President of VRI Telemonitoring, added, “We are excited to provide CareCentrix with on-demand, best-fit remote monitoring devices for its patients in their home environment. Given VRI’s monitoring and logistics expertise, CareCentrix and its partners will receive real time, actionable readings from multiple devices in home.”

“CareCentrix is at the forefront of home based care and has demonstrated ability to materially lower readmissions. We believe that VRI’s products will further enhance their capabilities and create an unparalleled offering in the marketplace,” added Schoonover.

About VRI Telemonitoring
VRI is a healthcare services company with over 20 years of experience and is one of the largest providers of telemonitoring, medication adherence and medical alert systems in the country. Located in Dayton, Ohio, VRI’s services enable seniors, the chronically ill, and those with disabilities to maintain their independence and avoid long term care facilities and hospitalization. The company’s service portfolio includes Telehealth and Vitals Monitoring, Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS), Electronic Medication Reminder Devices. The company currently serves approximately 50,000 active clients across the United States. For more information, please visit www.monitoringcare.com.

About CareCentrix

Founded in 1996, CareCentrix manages home nursing, infusion and medical equipment services for more than 10 million people across the country through a network of 5,000 credentialed home care providers. The company provides health care plans and providers with a one-stop solution that coordinates care for patients in the home including skilled nursing services, durable medical equipment and home infusion drug therapies. CareCentrix has developed a new program that will help payers and providers reduce the rising rate of hospital readmissions. CareCentrix is headquartered in East Hartford, Connecticut, and has operations in Melville, New York; Phoenix, Arizona; Tampa, Florida; and Albuquerque, New Mexico; and a new regional care center recently opened in Overland Park, Kansas. For more information about CareCentrix visit www.carecentrix.com.

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