Senior Housing and Assisted Living

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the Communities Putting Prevention to Work  Chronic Disease Self-management Program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, will be distributing $27 million in grants to almost 40 states.  The funds will allow states to provide self-management programs to older adults with chronic diseases and will help to build statewide delivery systems and develop the workforce that delivers these programs.  

"The number of older adults with chronic conditions will increase dramatically in the coming years as our aging population grows," said Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee, whose agency, the Administration on Aging (AoA), will administer the grants.  "This opportunity will allow states to build the foundation for an infrastructure that embeds health prevention programs into the nation’s health and long term care system and expands a system of care that addresses the growing prevalence of chronic conditions."

The Stanford University Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, which serves as a model for this initiative, emphasizes the patients’ role in managing their illness and building their self-confidence so they can be successful in adopting healthy behaviors.

To see the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program State Funding Table

Snapfon™, a division of VisiKey® LLC, recently announced the release of its new mobile/cellular telephone aimed at the senior citizen marketplace.  Dubbed the “Snapfon™ ez ONE”, the device has large text and large keys with an easy to read display this phone simply makes all aspects of calling easier, and is still a small, attractive, and convenient device.  The phone is priced at $99.99 and is an unlocked phone that can be moved between service providers if the user decides to change plans. It is currently being sold without service but can be used on the AT&T and T-Mobile GSM networks as well as all other GSM cellular networks in the USA and Canada. The company does not have an estimated time frame for other carriers or CDMA network compatibility.

“We feel there is a growing group of cell phone users that want a phone to just be a phone, not a music player, camera, or mini-computer. We have incorporated a few unique features into our Snapfon™ product such as an SOS button that calls up to 4 emergency contacts and keeps calling in rotation until you get an answer, a high intensity LED flashlight, and even an FM radio. All of which are present for safety and convenience reasons. We are seeing a greater focus on safety as our population ages, and a growing desire for emergency response devices," says company founder and President, Phil Sieg.

Classic Residence by Hyatt in Teaneck, an independent living community for seniors that recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, has completed an expansion of the facility that includes a newly licensed assisted living center.  The addition of the assisted living center provides residents who move to Classic Residence by Hyatt at Teaneck another level of services in the event support and care is needed in the future.

"Having assisted living services at Classic Residence by Hyatt at Teaneck gives our residents added peace of mind to know they may reside in this supportive community where they have many friends and a wellness routine in a comfortable environment rather than going through the emotional upheaval that relocating outside of the community can cause," says Robin Granat, executive director, Classic Residence by Hyatt.

AdCare Health Systems, Inc. (NYSE Amex: ADK), an Ohio-based long-term care, home care and management company, reported record results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 that showed revenue in 2009 increased 8% to a record $26.7 million from $24.8 million in 2008. The improvement was primarily due to a 3.3% average occupancy increase in skilled nursing centers for the year.  For fiscal 2009, net income was a record $440,000 or $0.10 per diluted share, versus a net loss of $1.1 million or $(0.28) per basic and diluted share in 2008.

"2009 was a milestone for AdCare, as our fifth consecutive year of revenue growth resulted in our first profitable year as a public company," said David A. Tenwick, AdCare’s chairman. "The record results were the outcome of the solid foundation we laid in 2008, which allowed us to increase our occupancy while controlling our expenses. We accomplished this while maintaining the best quality of care and sustaining our position as the provider of choice in the areas we serve.”