Category Archives: Nutrition

The Benefits of Skilled Nursing Facilities

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Whether you need short-term assistance or ongoing medical care, Missouri’s skilled nursing facilities can provide a solution. However, you must be aware of what to expect.

Regular Medicaid, known as MO HealthNet, covers the cost of long-term care services in a nursing home, but there are financial eligibility rules that must be met. The state also operates HCBS waiver programs that offer long-term care assistance to higher-income people.

Photo by TopSphere Media on Unsplash

Personalized Care

Personalization is a key capability for healthcare organizations. It helps them sort data faster to deliver more relevant information and recommendations. In addition, it allows them to connect with their consumers more effectively.

Personalized healthcare is based on an in-depth understanding of the patient’s medical history, personal circumstances, and preferences. It also combines this with the latest medical research and advancements in diagnostic tests and treatment options.

Participants in the program include patients with various health conditions, such as hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Patients in the program participate in shared medical appointments led by a doctor, pharmacist, registered nurse, and health technician. They also use a tool to establish goals and plans to meet their needs. This care type can improve outcomes, reduce costs, and increase consumer satisfaction.

24-Hour Medical Care

A benefit of skilled nursing facility Missouri is that physicians, nurses, and other health professionals surround seniors day and night. It means if a senior has an emergency or an accident, they will be attended to immediately.

In addition, seniors who require round-the-clock medical care can live confidently knowing they’re under the direct supervision of skilled healthcare professionals and close to health services like physical, speech, and occupational therapy.

For seniors who cannot pay for skilled nursing home care privately, Medicaid might cover the cost of their stay. Missouri operates several Medicaid waiver programs, known as Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) that allow individuals who meet certain income and resource qualifications to receive nursing home levels of long-term care without having to move into a nursing home.

Socialization

When seniors require long-term care but don’t need a nursing home, several resources can help them live a comfortable life while they receive medical monitoring. These programs are typically partially paid for by Medicare and Medicaid, depending on a senior’s unique financial situation.

Skilled nursing facilities are usually housed on hospital grounds, and their residents typically transition from the hospital to an SNF when they have fully recovered. Medicare Part A covers the first 100 days of SNF care after a qualifying hospital stay, while Medicare Part B only pays 80 percent of skilled nursing fees.

Missouri also operates Medicaid waiver programs that can help pay for long-term care for those who qualify based on income and other requirements. These programs, known as Home and Community Based Service (HCBS) waivers, allow Missouri Medicaid recipients to continue living in their own homes or the homes of loved ones rather than in a nursing home.

Meals

In addition to providing room and board, nursing homes provide a comprehensive meal program. Most have a variety of dining rooms and cafeterias that offer meals at all times of the day. They also have kitchens that prepare nutritious, tasty meals for residents. Some have specialized units for people who require special care, such as those living with dementia or human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Private funds or supplemental long-term care insurance policies fund long-term care services in Missouri. Seniors who do not have either option can apply for Medicaid, which is called MO HealthNet in the state. This program pays the cost of long-term care in a nursing home for all eligible residents who meet the state’s functional criteria for a nursing facility level of care and choose to reside in one.

MO HealthNet also operates a Consumer Directed Services program, which allows qualifying ABD Medicaid recipients to hire personal care providers, including family members. The program helps to reduce confusion for seniors seeking long-term care and provides financial assistance with paying for long-term care services.

Pregnancy Nutrition – Foods You Need To Eat (And Avoid)

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While pregnancy is the most beautiful experience of a woman’s life, we can all agree that it comes with its own set of challenges. There are a number of pregnancy do’s and don’ts that you need to follow. You need to make several lifestyle changes; beginning with quitting excessive coffee & tea and smoking & alcohol. Most importantly, you need to start eating healthier food, as the food that a mother consumes is the primary source of nutrients for the baby, which helps in its growth and development.

Including the right food in your diet is easier said than done as the options are endless. Thus, one of the best ways to figure out what to eat and avoid during pregnancy is to consult your OB/GYN, or another simple way is to follow the below-mentioned pregnancy nutrition checklist.

This checklist provides you with a list of foods that are essential for a healthier pregnancy as well as a list of foods that you should completely avoid. To give you an overview;

List of Foods to Eat

  • Dark Leafy Vegetables: This includes spinach, broccoli, kale etc. Adding dark leafy veggies to your diet is important as it prevents iron-deficiency anaemia and provides you with essential nutrients such as folate, fibre, vitamin C, K and A.
  • Lean Meat and Fish: Lean meat such as lamb, chicken and beef provides minerals & vitamins that aids in the development of the baby’s muscles, nerve and brain. Fish, salmon and sardines, in particular, provides DHA (omega-3 fatty acids) and high-quality protein, which helps in the development of the baby’s brain as well as eyes.
  • Dairy Products and Eggs: Milk, yoghurt, cheese are calcium-rich foods that should be a part of your diet, while eggs are a wholesome food that provides proteins and amino acids as well as other vitamin & minerals that are important during pregnancy.

List of Foods to Avoid

  • Raw Sprouts and Unwashed Veggies and Fruits: Since raw/unwashed veggies, fruits and sprouts can be contaminated with bacteria, it is important to wash/rinse and cook them thoroughly before consuming.
  • Undercooked Meat and Eggs: Likewise, to prevent severe bacterial infections, it is essential to eat only cooked meat/eggs during pregnancy.
  • Processed Foods and Street Food: These are the other types of foods that you should avoid during pregnancy as they may lead to digestive problems and other birth complications.

Check out the infographic below to know more about pregnancy nutrition.