I Advance Senior Care
I Advance Senior Care is the industry-leading source for practical, in-depth, business-building, and resident care information for owners, executives, administrators, and directors of nursing at assisted living communities, skilled nursing facilities, post-acute facilities, and continuing care retirement communities. The I Advance Senior Care editorial team and industry experts provide market analysis, strategic direction, policy commentary, clinical best-practices, business management, and technology breakthroughs.
I Advance Senior Care is part of the Institute for the Advancement of Senior Care and published by Plain-English Health Care.
I Advance Senior Care is part of the Institute for the Advancement of Senior Care and published by Plain-English Health Care.
Ohio program offers hefty incentives for nursing home quality
As reimbursement becomes increasingly tied to clinical quality and performance, Ohio joins the list of states that are trying a bigger carrot instead of the stick. Read More » 5 ways to improve your hiring process
Better interviewing leads to better short-lists, and ultimately to better new employees. Rebecca McNeil, educational content manager at HealthcareSource, a provider of healthcare HR software, shares some strategies for finding new employees that truly match the culture and quality of your facility. Read More » Survey reports boomers are upbeat about aging
As boomers reminisce about their skateboards while shopping for bed boards, the nation’s communities, healthcare systems, and long-term care are preparing to meet their expectations. A recent survey discovered how this generation views aging—their concerns and their outlook. Read More » AHCA supports CMS’ new program, new laws to fix observation-stay billing problem
The billing differences between inpatient and observation hospitalizations are causing plenty of headaches, but the American Health Care Association believes CMS’ new pilot program is a step in the right direction. Read More » Looking for healthier, different food
After eating in nursing homes for 16 years I know the menus by heart. At this facility the menus do not change much from winter to summer. Lighter foods would be nice in the summertime. A few months ago, while recovering at a major university hospital, I had different, healthier food. Read More » Seniors housing: Strategies for a successful transition amid a changing consumerism
Ryan Frederick, founder and principal of Point Forward Solutions, shares with Long-Term Living magazine his strategies for transitioning senior living facilities into the spaces consumers will want tomorrow. Read More » Hospitalization restriction could cost seniors a bundle for SNF care
A growing number of seniors who have observational hospital stays are getting stuck with the bill for their SNF care. CMS is launching a new pilot to try to iron out the wrinkles in the claims system. Read More » Today’s seniors see better than their parents
A recent study indicates that today’s seniors have better vision than the elderly of a generation ago. Better vision promotes more independence in performing daily activities. Read More » Seniors won’t kick the habit even after chronic disease diagnoses
A new statistical study shows that seniors may need more help when it comes to ditching unhealthy habits, especially after being diagnosed with a chronic disease. Read More » No EHR? No problem: New software could nix need for EHRs in LTC facilities
Pennsylvania's Keystone Beacon community helped develop a software program that can sort through MDS 3.0 and prepare resident care records for electronic submission Read More » Medicare mandates prior authorization for powered wheelchairs in 7 states
Seniors in seven states soon will need prior authorization for powerchairs under Medicare. The homecare industry voices its disappointment in the lack of physician documentation standards for authorization. Read More » Assisted living fundamentals continue to show improvement
The recovery in assisted living occupancy remains in place, as occupancy continues to improve, reports NIC MAP. Inventory growth also accelerated, growing by 0.6 percent in the second quarter, which is its highest pace since first quarter 2010. Read More » No increase planned for Medicare drug plan premium in 2013
Seniors who use Medicare Part D drug coverage can expect to pay about the same premiums in 2013 as last year, the Department of Health & Human Services says. Read More » Bed bugs: LTC’s unwelcome residents
Bed bugs have made a comeback. The public recently learned that these critters were checking into hotels and motels. It's not just a regional problem any more. Bed bugs have reportedly been spotted in long-term care facilities too. The good news is that there are ways to turn away these unwanted guests. Read More » Medicare pays $5 million in “questionable” home health claims, OIG study finds
Home healthcare agencies are the focus of $5 million in suspect Medicare claims, according to this week's report from the Office of Inspector General. Read More » California’s new LTC model for elderly and chronically ill inmates
In California, the aging prison population will soon be cared for in a newly constructed care-based facility in a security-conscious environment. However, design elements will improve quality of life. Read More » Pentecostal moments in long-term care: Part 2
What promotes brain health? Religion surely does, in ways direct and indirect, subtle and mysterious; religion alters brain activity among the elderly, it affects emotions and changes behavior. Early scientific research findings inspire awe, raise spiritual questions and offer practical advice. Read More » Dealing with the side effects of antidepressants
The antidepressant I take presently I have taken since 2009. During that time I have noticed behavioral changes. I told the nurses I wanted to get off the antidepressant. I said I hoped the psychiatrist would assist with a withdrawal plan. Read More » Penalties for readmissions could hit low-income regions below the belt
CMS penalties for readmissions will have disproportionate effects on healthcare facilities in lower-income communities. Read More » Joint replacements linked to post-op heart attacks, study shows
A massive study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows significantly higher risks of heart attacks during the two to six weeks following total joint replacement surgeries. Read More » Nursing home cutbacks could tally $65 billion over next decade
The unfortunate overlap of multiple payment-reduction laws and regulations could add up to $65 billion less for skilled nursing home budgets over the next 10 years, according to nationwide data released today. Read More » Protecting LTC providers from unearned deficiencies
What is a LTC provider to do when contracted service providers fail to follow through with certain responsibilities, resulting in denial of Medicare/Medicaid payments and civil penalties? LTC provider Daniel Farley shares the approach used by his organization to be proactive in resolving potential problems in advance. Read More » Nursing home employees see slight pay raises in 2012; turnover still a problem
Read about the regions and job titles that pay nursing home employees the most in the annual nursing home payscale survey, released this week. Read More » CMS set to begin hospital RAC audits in 11 states
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is finally set to begin a three-year project to reduce fraud and errors by using RACs to check Medicare claims before they move to the payment stage. Read More » Nurse burnout increases infection rates
Staff overload could cost your facility plenty, as one research center draws a direct relationship between burnout and healthcare-associated infections. Read More » How to make Medicare coverage decisions in light of audit risks
With increased government oversight and efforts to find inappropriately paid Medicare funds, facility staff may end a Medicare stay prematurely for fear of being audited and having their claim denied. What is the key to balancing provision of skilled care and avoiding auditor take-backs? Read More » Harvard study: Medicaid expansion could be good for states’ health
As states debate whether to adopt Medicaid expansion or not, the latest public health study from Harvard suggests expansion might be a healthy idea. Read More » SNFs to get 1.8 percent increase in payment rates
CMS will increase prospective payment system pay rates to skilled nursing facilities by almost 2 percent, based on its yearly rate adjustment report. Read More » New TN Medicaid program pays seniors to stay home
Tennessee is testing a radical new state Medicaid program: Paying seniors to stay out of nursing homes. Read More » 