Mark Crandall, CIO of Consulate Health Care, Florida's largest senior health provider, tells Long-Term Living how his organization approached the challenges and benefits of implementing information technology. Read More »
AMDA–The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine has announced the 2015 guidelines for the Choosing Wisely campaign, which highlights medical tests and procedures that may be unnecessary and even harmful to older adults. Read More »
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released the proposed rule for Stage 3 of meaningful use under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act. Read More »
Changes to Medicare proposed in President Barack Obama’s 2016 budget would decrease federal spending by $240 billion over the 10-year projection period, according to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office. Read More »
The Medicare program could have saved $4.1 billion over 6 years if it had reimbursed for swing-bed services at critical access hospital using the lower skilled nursing facility prospective payment system rates paid for similar services at alternative facilities, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Read More »
Senate and House leaders have introduced legislation to replace the Medicare sustainable growth rate formula tied to physician compensation, but organizations representing aging services providers are expressing concerns related to Medicare therapy caps and payment cuts to providers of post-acute care. Read More »
By educating staff, experienced nurse leaders are instrumental in the transformation of memory care communities into life-affirming homes for residents with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. Read More »
A new policy brief from the SCAN Foundation details several ways in which the implementation of the Affordable Care Act has affected healthcare delivery and long-term services and supports for older adults, and it recommends four actions for the future. Read More »
Overall turnover in assisted living is decreasing, according to a new survey released by the National Center for Assisted Living. Among nursing staff positions, keeping non-certified residential caregivers remain a challenge. Read More »
Drugs prescribed to address behavioral issues in older adults with dementia may hasten their deaths more than previously realized, according to a new study. Read More »
Each year, Long-Term Living’s OPTIMA Award seeks out the brightest and best projects and programs that enhance resident quality of life and embody the true spirit of person-centered care. Read More »
As the White House Conference on Aging prepares for its next regional event March 31, ALFA President and CEO James Balda tells the Senate Special Committee that preventing the financial exploitation of older adults should be a top priority. Read More »
Advanced practice registered nurses, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives and physician assistants would be allowed to order home health services under Medicare in accordance with state law under legislation being considered by Congress. Read More »
One way to help seniors stay trim and avoid metabolic syndrome is to ditch the diet soda, says a new study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Read More »
A new online initiative launched by the American Medical Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention aims at curbing diabetes rates. Read More »
The Assisted Living Federation of America responsed to a benefits eligibility rule proposed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. If you’d like to do so, you have until March 24. Read More »
Two groups representing rehabilitation providers are expressing disappointment in MedPAC’s recent report to Congress, which recommends providing comparable reimbursement for rehabilitation provided at inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and nursing homes. Read More »
Are opioid painkillers safer and more effective than over-the-counter medications in the senior population? A National Safety Council white paper looks at both sides of the question. Read More »
April will be the next opportunity for Florida nursing homes to submit certificate of need applications to the state, which in February ended a 2001–2014 moratorium that had been created by the Florida legislature. Read More »
A bill approved by the House would require hospitals to notify Medicare beneficiaries of their outpatient status within 36 hours after the time of their classification or, if sooner, on discharge. Read More »
Brookdale Senior Living and HCP will acquire a portfolio of 35 private-pay senior housing communities for $849 million under the terms of an agreement announced today. Read More »
In this final installment of the three-part series, we will look at the future of health information technology and its impact on senior care.It is estimated that one-fifth of the U.S. population will be 65 or older by 2030, and new residents most often present with a higher level of acuity than they did ten years ago, requiring different experts on the care team to manage the needs of one person. In this capacity, technology becomes a critical ingredient for success.Read on to gain an understanding of where to start in the technology implementation process, what questions you should be asking, and just how supportive technology is in the quality and operational objectives of senior care.Click here to read more. Read More »
Government officials and others from around the world have gathered in Switzerland to discuss the global problems posed by dementia at a World Health Organization meeting. Read More »
