“Relevancy plus common sense plus content”- we like those words at LTCEP and we  are VERY glad that Google likes them to.

This information comes from Search Engine Journal’s Scott Krager:

1. Author Rank

Singhal mentioned that the author of a page influencing rankings. This may seem common knowledge, but it’s not something I had heard confirmed.

But keep in mind, Google looks at all signals in combination, not just one signal by itself.

2. Aberrations in Ranking Signals

The algorithm looks closely at aberrations in all signals. So buying that 1000 tweet package for $10 probably isn’t the best bet.

3. Search Plus Your World Redesign Holding Up International Releases

Singhal disclosed that Search Plus Your World was getting a bit of an overhaul in design and that until that was complete it would not be rolling out internationally.

4. Google uses human quality raters extensively in testing algorithm changes

Singhal discussed how Google tests new algorithm improvements, and one part I thought was interesting is that once an engineer writes an improvement, it first goes out for A/B testing to Google human quality raters before coming back to Google to potentially run live, real Google search traffic tests of the change.

5. Google’s new direct answers results in more searches

A webmaster in the audience asked a question “why even give Google our content if you’re just going to provide answers to users without sending them to our websites?” Amit replied that they found an increase in searches by users that get served a Google answer set (ie, what is the capital of Oregon?) and thus actually send out more traffic to websites because users have more time to dig deeper with more advanced queries once their initial basic query answer is found. (ie, why isn’t Portland the capital of Oregon?)

While this direct answer feature hasn’t been widely rolled out yet, it’s coming soon according to a recent WSJ article on the topic. And apparently this feature will actually result in more searches and more traffic to organic result sites. I’ll believe that this will really drive more traffic when I see it in analytics.

Regards,

See our client samples: http://MySeniorService.com
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GOV PAT QUINN Home Health Care Cuts

SPRINGFIELD — According to a new study by Chicago-based Health and Medicine Policy Research Group, the move to cut spending on Home Health Care could lead to higher costs in nursing homes and hospitals. Health and Medicine Policy Research Group is a health-care policy nonprofit organization.

Their study found that other states that cut funding for home health care services saw costs go up for nursing home care and hospitalizations. They found that in Michigan, for example, after home health care waivers were cut, spending on nursing homes and emergency hospitalizations increased for seniors.

“Home care stretches dollars,” said Lisa Hardcastle, president of the Illinois HomeCare and Hospice Council, an association of home-care providers, which commissioned the study. “It is a service that can help more people for less money.”

Right now, Gov. Pat Quinn is in the midst of trying to find $2.7 BILLION dollars to stop the bleeding of the State of Illinois Medicaid program. The study done by Health and Medicine Policy Research Group also highlights the fact that right now there are about 2.3 million retired seniors in Illinois- but within 10 years that number is expected to grow to 3 million.

This decision could have some serious unintended consequences for hospital systems in Illinois with regard to Medicare payments, as hospitals and physicians will now be graded in large part on hospital readmission rates. If no one is there to help at home- ….they’ll be back in the E.R. more quickly and more consistently.

NEWS RELEASE

Premier Homecare Services

Phone: 416-441-1088

Fax: 416-441-9088

PremierHomecareServices.com

Toronto, ON – May 11, 2012…Premier Homecare Services has launched  a groundbreaking new program,  Active Minds, aimed at helping people  that are suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia,  age related memory  loss or stroke victims.

Active Minds is a cognitive therapy program administered by Premier Homecare Services Certified Cognitive Coaches. The program consists of a series of sessions that provide cognitive stimulation through exercises and activities.  Active Minds is designed to gently challenge the individual to stretch his or her cognitive state.

Premier Homecare Services has partnered with Fit MindsTM to avail of their extensive research and development.

Premier Homecare Services in Kingston was the first to offer the Active Minds program.   David Cowan, franchise owner of Premier Homecare Services in Kingston says, “Families that have signed up for the program are already seeing some improvements in their loved ones.  One family member has told us that she has seen marked improvement in behavior and that her mother-in-law was able to converse more clearly on the telephone without having trouble finding the right words.”

Recent studies have shown that cognitive stimulation therapy with human interaction can lead to significant benefits in cognitive functioning.   In fact, a growing body of research suggests cognitive training or stimulation may play a significant role in slowing down the progress of these diseases, thereby maximizing an individual’s ability to function for an extended period of time.

David Watson, President of Premier Homecare Services, said “many of our clients and their families are dealing with the challenges that are inherent with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.   We wanted to provide a program that would help these families improve their day-to-day quality of life. Our Certified Cognitive Coaches help to guide our clients through a comprehensive cognitive interaction program.”

While science has yet to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease  and other forms of dementia,  programs  like Active Minds bring new  hope  to individuals and families effected.

About Premier Homecare Services

Premier Homecare Services has been a leader in providing in-home care to seniors since 2003. Premier Homecare Services has helped thousands of Canadian seniors remain independent in their own homes.   Today, Premier Homecare Services, with 10 franchise locations in Canada, is one of the most successful senior care service companies in all of the markets it serves.

AlzheimersCareToday.com contains articles and information specific to the care of family members suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, including Alzheimer’s Treatments, Dementia Care, and Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease, tips and articles.  All content is written by experts in the home care and assisted living industries.

“We have dozens of experts nationwide who are happy to share information and advice to families who have a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease. Many are home care agency owners who speak to family caregivers every single day. They know and understand the challenges of Alzheimer’s Disease and deal with these challenges full time. We are sharing their expertise on this new website,” states Valerie VanBooven RN BSN, Co-Owner of LTC Expert Publications, and author of three books on senior care, elder care, and caregiving.

AlzheimersCareToday.com will highlight and feature a different expert who will share tips and information on Alzheimer’s Disease Care each month.

“We are honored to have Tom Merlin, (www.NorthSuburbanHomeCare.com) as one of our official featured experts. Tom is co-owner of  Home Helpers in Des Plaines IL together with wife Lisa, and business partner Joy Schaefer, offering families the services of professional caregivers to assist them with activities of daily living and aging in place. He just submitted a new Alzheimer’s Care article, “Advances in Alzheimer’s Care: The Power of Storytelling” adds VanBooven.

Home Helpers of Northeastern Illinois has received the Home Services Agency license required by the Illinois Department of Public Health as of September 2008. We are proud members of the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce, the Skokie Chamber of Commerce and the DBR Chamber of Commerce Tom and Joy have both taken the course of study and passed the examination to become Certified Senior Advisors. We have also taken the “Best Friends Approach” train-the-trainer course offered by the Alzheimer’s Association.

Tom Merlin says: “The experience of owning and managing Home Helpers of Northeastern Illinois has been a richly rewarding experience. We strive to relieve the stress that can come with making a decision about who is going to fill in when a family caregiver can no longer provide the service their loved one needs and deserves. Through our free in-home consultation, we can evaluate the situation and match the client’s requirements with a customized care plan. We have become the source of caregiving we wish we knew about when we needed help with aging parents. We hope we can spare our future clients the anguish of not knowing who to turn to when they need help. Home Helpers of Northeastern Illinois is just a phone call away from helping out at home, wherever our clients call home, be it an independent or assisted living facility or that bungalow they have owned for decades.”

CALL (847) 780-7507 to speak with a Home Helpers Home Care expert in Des Plaines IL.

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LTC Expert Publications

www.LTCSocialMark.com

For Immediate Release

(ST. CHARLES, MO, May, 2012)  LTC Expert Publications is proud to announce the launch of a new authority website dedicated to Alzheimer’s Care.

AlzheimersCareToday.com contains articles and information specific to the caring for family members and individuals with Alzheimer ’s disease.  All articles are written by experts in the home care and assisted living industries.

“We have dozens of experts nationwide who are happy to share information and advice with families dealing with an Alzheimer’s disease care situation.  Many are home care agency owners who care for folks with Alzheimer’s disease every single day. They know and understand the challenges of this diagnosis and the types of care strategies that work best. We are sharing their expertise on this new website,” states Valerie VanBooven RN BSN, Co-Owner of LTC Expert Publications, and author of three books on senior care, elder care, and caregiving.

AlzheimersCareToday.com will highlight and feature a different expert who will share tips and information on caregiving each week.

For more information about how to submit your original articles or content to AlzheimersCareToday.com ,  please contact Valerie VanBooven RN BSN at Valerie@ltcep.com

LTC Expert Publications’s services make it possible for elder care and senior service providers to dominate the internet and generate leads. They are a full service internet marketing company specializing in the following:

• Lead generation
• Website development
• Online Marketing Programs that drive traffic and leads
• Search Engine Optimization
• Google Places Optimization
• Natural Search Engine Results
• Pay-Per-Click
• Video Production/ Video Marketing
• Social Media Marketing
• Full content management (blog posting, article marketing, press release marketing)