Facility provides inpatient treatment for individuals managing mental health disorders

LifeCare Health Partners has announced the opening of LifeCare Behavioral Health Hospital, a freestanding, adult inpatient behavioral health facility located at 225 Penn Ave. in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh.

Certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Joint Commission and Department of Human Services, the hospital accepts voluntary and involuntary adult patients age 18 and older who are managing a broad range of diagnoses including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other psychotic disorders, behavior problems related to brain injury or intellectual disabilities, dementia and treatment resistant mental illnesses.

“We are proud to provide a vital service to those in need of mental health treatment in our community,” said LifeCare Behavioral Health Hospital Chief Executive Officer Catherine Kalas. “We strongly encourage involvement from families and loved ones, and look forward to partnering with community resources to maintain continuity of care for our patients during and after any necessary hospitalization.”  [Read more…]

The Cole Memorial Medical Group is pleased to announce the expansion of their cardiology services team.

Mike Wilt, PA-C, joined Cyril Gunawardane, MD, FACC, at Cole Memorial’s cardiology office located at 1001 East Second Street in Coudersport. In addition, Steven Herrmann, MD, PhD, a board certified cardiology specialist, will practice here part-time.

As a result, Cole Memorial plans to add office hours to increase access to cardiology care in the region. Services are also available at the Port Allegany Community Health Center at 45 Pine Street.

“We are thrilled that Mike and Dr. Herrmann joined us,” says Cole’s Regional Health Center Director Lori Gross. “Our collaboration with the nationally recognized UPMC Hamot Heart and Vascular Institute resulted in bringing more cardiology providers for the patients in our area.”

After receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science from Gannon University in Erie, Wilt completed his Masters in Physician Assistant studies. He received his board certification as a Physician Assistant in 2006 and now brings 10 years of experience in internal and emergency medicine. In 2015, he was awarded his Cardiovascular Board Certification through the American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine. [Read more…]

By Hope Bowman, Technical Specialist, Western Pest Services

When you suspect you have a pest problem, it’s most likely because you’ve noticed certain warning signs in your facility. Just as you can identify these warning signs, you should be able to identify the signs of a qualified pest specialist.

The specialized knowledge required to maintain a successful Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program means most healthcare facilities outsource their pest control. The necessity of success in this sensitive environment, paired with the costs that can be associated with a poorly managed pest control program, make choosing the right provider a must.

But do you know what qualities to look for? Here are some tips to keep in mind as you search for a qualified pest management provider:

Ask for recommendations

As you begin your initial search, keep in mind that your industry peers can be a great resource. Ask them who they currently partner with or have partnered with in the past. Ask them about their good experiences and their bad experiences, and find out if their current partnership is paying off. If you belong to a larger network of healthcare facilities, be on the lookout for resources and recommendations that may be available for you to access as part of your association with the network. Just make sure any source you talk to is a trusted one. Use the recommendations from your peers to create a list of potential providers to research.

[Read more…]

The National Retirement Risk Index at the Boston College Center For Retirement Research determined that 53 percent of American households are at risk of not having enough savings to maintain their standard of living after retirement. That’s up from only 31 percent in 1983—and, it represents the first time in modern history that younger generations will have it worse at retirement than their parents and grandparents. Workers approaching 60 need to take an honest look at their financial situation and make some important decisions to ensure the most relaxing, comfortable lifestyle after they retire.

Maximize Social Security

The average age of retirees today is 62, according to a Gallup poll released in April. This is also the age at which you first become eligible to start collecting Social Security payments. But just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should, and that couldn’t be more true as it pertains to Social Security.

Full retirement age for those born after 1960 is 67 years old. That means you are eligible to start collecting Social Security at age 62, but the monthly benefit will be reduced incrementally the earlier you start. For instance, the payments are decreased by 30 percent if you start at age 62, 25 percent at 63, 20 percent at 64, etc.

Able-bodied individuals should continue working for as long as possible, particularly if your job is fulfilling. The maximum Social Security benefit for those at full retirement age is $2,642 per month in 2014. That number would be $1,849 if you retired at 62.

Do the Math

Workers approaching retirement should use the three Es to assess their current financial situations: essentials, entertainment and emergencies. The first includes your mortgage payment, utility bills, food, etc. The second E is all the things you plan to do as a retiree, while the last one is your nest egg for financial challenges and what will ultimately be passed down to your children.

To maintain the same lifestyle after retirement, you need enough income to cover all the aforementioned minus Social Security and any 401(k) and IRA payments. You can estimate your Social Security benefit by signing up for an account on the SSA website to track your earnings and estimate how much you will get upon retirement. If there is a shortfall in the math, start making adjustments now.

Avoid taking on anymore unnecessary debt and pay off credit cards and auto loans as quickly as possible. Those currently receiving monthly payments from a structured settlement or annuity should consider selling their future payments for a lump sum of cash now. You could then use this money to help pay down your current debts, significantly reducing your financial obligations in the future.

Outside the Box

A group of retirees called NOMADS—an acronym for Nomads On a Mission Active in Divine Service—have no mortgage payments or any other debt to speak of. These individuals spend their retirements traveling the country in their RVs volunteering at national parks, nonprofits and for community projects. Barbara Traynor, a 72-year-old NOMAD, told CNN she gets free room and board volunteering for nonprofits from Florida to Alaska.

Living on the road is an option for anyone with a sense of adventure. Sell your house and buy a home on wheels you can take anywhere with pavement. Whether you decide to volunteer like the NOMADS or just travel from state to state is up to you. Either way, you can expect an almost-stress-free retirement complete with travel and entertainment.

What constitutes a successful, fulfilling retirement varies from person to person. It’s a long journey but once you get there, your years of preparation will pay off.

CEO Dave Stern is recognized as one of the top area executives as Paris Companies is honored as one of the fifty “smartest” companies.

Paris Companies and CEO, Dave Stern, were recently selected as members of the greater Pittsburgh area Smart 50 for 2014. Smart Business Magazine – a consortium of seventeen respected, regional business management journals – in conjunction with Chase, a leading U.S. consumer and commercial bank – annually present the Smart 50 awards in fifteen national regions.

[Read more…]

On Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at 10:30 am Brother’s Brother Foundation loaded another donated container of medical supplies and equipment for hospitals and clinics in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The shipment includes a large number of face masks, protective gowns and protective gloves as well as general medical supplies to support medical facilities in Sierra Leone that are coping with the Ebola outbreak

At least one more 40-foot container shipments will be sent by BBF/Pittsburgh with additional gowns, gloves, masks, soap and other requested supplies from locations in Virginia and Washington (state).  Five containers were sent in October from Pittsburgh, Texas and Virginia. Since 2011 BBF has sent 91 containers of supplies and simple medical equipment (500 tons) for use among 230 hospitals and clinics in Africa, including 73 medical facilities in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Since the Ebola outbreak BBF has provided 12 container shipments to both countries, delivering almost 100 tons of needed medical items.

While material gifts could satisfy the desires of a senior loved one, why not choose a present that is even more meaningful – a gift from the heart?  Family caregivers and senior care professionals won’t likely find these requests on a senior’s wish list:

TAKE A SENIOR SHOPPING.  Make it a special day by taking your older adult to a favorite store of create an online shopping experience he or she won’t forget.

LEND A HAND.  Carry on the holiday cooking traditions, asking the senior to help where he or she can. Or ask people to bring their favorite dish.

WRAP AND SEND PACKAGES.  Arthritis can make wrapping those holiday presents a challenge; so too can shipping gifts to loved ones afar.  Why not schedule a gift-wrapping afternoon, complete with a hot chocolate, cookies and plenty of family stories.

DECK THE HALLS.  Make decorating a multigenerational activity by sending over the grandkids or great-grandchildren.

[Read more…]

Dave Stern, president and CEO of Paris Companies, has a message for its customers. Check out his video below! Be sure to also check out their revamped website.