With more Americans considering staying at home in their elder years instead of moving to a retirement community, many senior living providers are experimenting with alternative service models, including innovative programming and service partnerships. Read More »
Amid the cuts in payments and struggles with occupancy rates, the current long-term care business environment has opportunities for innovation in cost models, care delivery models and technology-driven value, notes the 28th annual Licensed Nursing Facility Cost Comparison. Read More »
Volunteers are key components to the success of many organizations, especially LTC organizations. However, without a good risk management plan, volunteer programs can expose your organization to additional risks of a loss, damage to your reputation or even imperil operations. Read More »
I have had my new computer for a few weeks. I would like to say that I have been having a wonderful time with it. But, in fact, at times it makes me feel stupid. Read More »
Incontinence management is a critical issue in skilled nursing facilities, especially as it relates to increased regulatory oversight, budgetary considerations, rehospitalization rates and quality of life for residents. The proper documentation of incontinence is essential in the clinical record and in the MDS database. Read More »
Several recent studies show varying levels of success for infection-reduction programs, including efforts to curb MRSA, CLABSI and CAUTI rates. But the jury is still out on whether healthcare-associated infection (HAI) programs are making progress because of Medicare's new policies—or in spite of them. Read More »
Planning for an emergency at your LTC facility must start at home so your organization can help protect one of its most valuable resources--employees and their families. Read More »
The centralized MDS department and decentralized MDS department each has its pros and each structure can put organizations at risk for survey deficiencies, lost revenue and poor satisfaction among residents and staff. Read More »
Most Medicare beneficiaries are spending more than they need to on Medicare drug plans and should find Plan B within Part D, according to a University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health study. Read More »
Seniors have been accused of overusing the Emergency Room, often as a substitute primary care provider. But new studies from a national emergency medicine association say that their ER visits are usually justified. Read More »
Combine supercomputing with super intelligence and an accurate personal health diagnostic dashboard--for around $100--and you have "disruptive innovation." Read More »
Most people view life insurance as financial protection in the event of their death. But seniors are buying life insurance in case they live too long, an interesting twist to seniors’ views on retirement planning. Read More »
Studies on the effectiveness of a new Alzheimer’s drug developed by Eli Lilly score a hit with data that showed it reduced memory decline in patients with mild cases of the disease. Read More »
Is long-term care the corporate “little engine that could”? Business strategy author Jim Collins, the keynote speaker at Monday’s opening of the AHCA/NCAL Annual Conference and Expo, offers inspiration to attendees on being successful in business amid the challenges that the LTC market presents. Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) skilled nursing facility 2012 Final Rule has had a huge impact on SNFs that were still adjusting to the transition to MDS 3.0 the previous year. Read More »
A few raindrops didn't dampen the spirits of more than 2,000 attendees and 350+ vendors who celebrated the resilience and discussed the challenges of long-term care on today's opening day of the AHCA/NCAL Conference and Expo in Tampa, Fla. Read More »
Last Tuesday when the computer tech came to set up my computer, I asked the receptionist to give him the three boxes I had ordered. She looked rather startled and said only two boxes had arrived. Read More »
The results are in. Two surveys measuring resident and staff satisfaction show that participating assisted living providers are focused on not only resident satisfaction, but staff satisfaction as well. Read More »
Bathing is a regular part of routine hygiene and good skin care, but for a person with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, it can be an upsetting, even terrifying, experience. Read More »
A federal strike force from the Department of health & Human Services and the U.S. Atorney General’s office have charged almost 100 people with a total of $430 million in fraudulent Medicare billing practices. Read More »
Sharon A. Nazarchuk and Timothy Legg studied a pool of skilled nursing facilities to uncover discrepancies in survey data, including why skilled nursing facilities can fail to employ qualified activity directors yet still escape citations during the survey process. Read More »
Consider creating a book experience in your setting where elders, employees and family members choose a book to read and share. This would be a wonderful developmentally rich way to spend time doing things with elders, not for them. Read More »
October brings many key healthcare conferences and a renewed focus on the stages of implementing healthcare information technology in the long-term care setting. Is your facility ready to implement HIT systems for longitudinal care quality and transitions of care? Read More »
CMS’ new program to make hospitals financially accountable for excessive readmissions stumbles at the starting gate, as CMS issues a document to correct errors in the final rule. Read More »
As the presidential debates begin this week, Medicare is predicted to be a hot-button topic. One private foundation released a report that explores the differences and similarities between the healthcare plans of both presidential candidates. Read More »
Engaging residents to learn more about their medical diagnoses can be a challenge, but seven simple approaches can bring information on illnesses and conditions to the community—for the benefit of both residents and caregivers—and keep the doorways to conversation open. Read More »
Caregivers know the importance of protecting seniors from the dangers of seasonal influenza. So why are long-term care workers in last place, when it comes to getting vaccinated themselves? Read More »
