Category: Disability

Governor Paterson Announces $150 Million Available for Long-Term Care Alternatives to Nursing Homes

The dreaded day when a family realizes that their loved one can no longer be cared for in their home, even with assistance, and must be confined to a nursing home will hopefully become less common and traumatic. Earlier this month Governor David A. Paterson announced that New York State will fund up to $150 million in projects to help communities develop alternatives to traditional nursing homes.

The primary goal of this procurement is to help communities organize, finance and develop care alternatives by coordinating a variety of licensed residential programs in the development of residential options. It is hoped … Read the rest

Use of Morphine Found to Prevent Development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common, important and well-documented mental health outcome among seriously injured civilian and military survivors of trauma such as those injured in car accidents, construction site accidents, or by electrocution. One risk factor for the later development of PTSD is physical injury from a traumatic event especially injury that is associated with severe pain.

A study published in this months New England Journal of Medicine found that giving morphine to troops injured in fighting in Iraq lowered their risk of post-traumatic stress disorder by half. These findings suggest a potential for prophylactic use of rapid … Read the rest

Walter Reed: After the Scandal, More Mistreatment of Veterans?

The recent scandal surrounding Walter Reed Army Medical Center–set off in February by a Washington Post investigative series documenting cases of alleged neglect–may not be the end of veterans’ grievances against the government. The Post’s disturbing account of building deterioration and patient neglect at the facility, which houses sick and wounded Iraq veterans, set off a political firestorm that resulted in the hospital’s highest official being relieved of command.

Now, Tresa Baldas at the National Law Journal reports that legal action may be close in tow, as Disabled American Veterans (DAV), a nonprofit group that assists veterans applying for disability

… Read the rest