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Is home care in jeopardy?5/20/2025 You can help protect access to home-based care.  There are major threats to the home care we all need Home care is documented as being one of the best and most economical forms of health care. Home care is not just compassionate; it’s cost-effective. Cuts will ultimately increase healthcare spending by forcing more people into costly hospital or nursing home care. The challenges that home care is facing include: 1. Proposed Medicaid Cuts House Republicans have introduced legislation to reduce Medicaid spending by up to $880 billion over the next decade. This includes implementing work requirements and limiting federal support for certain populations. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that these changes could result in 8.6 million people losing health coverage by 2034. 2. Medicare Payment Reductions The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a permanent 9.36% payment cut to the Medicare Home Health Program and additional "clawback" cuts totaling at least $4 billion for services already provided during the pandemic. These reductions threaten the financial viability of home health agencies, like Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNANNJ). 3. Labor Shortages The home care industry is experiencing a significant labor shortage, particularly among caregivers and nurses. Factors contributing to this include low wages and high turnover rates due to the demanding nature of caregiving work. This shortage has led to longer wait times for services and, in some cases, the inability to meet patient needs. 4. Work Permit Challenges Home health agencies rely heavily on documented immigrants working in licensed home health agencies. Immigration policy changes (including restrictions on work visas or changes to Temporary Protected Status) can directly impact the availability of home health workers. 5. Funding Cuts to Senior Services Federal funding cuts have impacted programs that provide essential services to seniors, such as meals, transportation, and caregiver support. How you can help Use this link to contact the Senate Special Committee on Aging. Send the convenient form or call. Did you know that Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey? So we know a thing or two about healthy aging and how to successfully “age in place” while avoiding hospitalization and nursing homes. We suggest that you learn more about our home health care services and make a plan to age at home before you have a health emergency. Medicare and supplemental insurance often do not cover all the care our patients and caregivers need. If you would like to help, please visit vnannj.org/donate or call VNA Foundation at 973-451-4148.  Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care and hospice services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Passaic, and Somerset Counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call to VNA opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence. © All content on The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey's website, including blog posts, may be reproduced only if attributed to our organization with a link to vnannj.org.
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Is it physical or is it anxiety?5/13/2025  Anxiety may not be diagnosed in seniors. Research shows that anxiety disorders are less commonly diagnosed in adults over 65 compared to younger adults. Why? Anxiety is often attributed to many other health issues common in older adults, such as:
Talk to your doctor if you need help managing anxiety as a senior or caregiver of a senior. While anxiety is mentally rooted, the body often manifests the stress response physically. That’s why effective treatments frequently combine psychological strategies (like therapy) and physical approaches (like breathing techniques, exercise, or medication). Did you know that Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey? So we know a thing or two about healthy aging and how to successfully “age in place” while avoiding hospitalization and nursing homes. We suggest that you learn more about our home health care services and make a plan to age at home before you have a health emergency. Medicare and supplemental insurance often do not cover all the care our patients and caregivers need. If you would like to help, please visit vnannj.org/donate or call VNA Foundation at 973-451-4148.  Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care and hospice services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Passaic, and Somerset Counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call to VNA opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence. © All content on The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey's website, including blog posts, may be reproduced only if attributed to our organization with a link to vnannj.org. |
