Lois Bowers
Lois A. Bowers was senior editor of I Advance Senior Care / Long-Term Living from 2013-2015.
Observation status is focus of AARP report
A new report from the AARP’s Public Policy Institute details the effects on Medicare beneficiaries who stay in a hospital under observation status rather than being admitted, and it offers recommendations to address the issue. Read More » Cognitive health subject of new IOM report
Healthcare professionals must be prepared to provide guidance to older adults and their families as the population ages, according to a new report from the Institute of Medicine. Read More » The role of therapy in dementia care
Hear the words “dementia care” and you’re likely to think of nurses and nurses’ aides. Physical, occupational and speech-language therapists can play a role in caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, however, Carmen Vitton says. Read More » 2015 Leaders of Tomorrow: Dayne DuVall, LMT, CAEd, CRTS
Those who meet Dayne DuVall are immediately struck by his zeal for excellence in Alzheimer’s and dementia care. If you haven’t met him yet, chances are you will. Read More » Senate passes SGR repeal
The U.S. Senate voted last night to repeal permanently the sustainable growth rate formula under which physicians are reimbursed for care they provide through Medicare. Several organizations representing aging services providers share their perspectives. Read More » GAO report suggests Medicare, Medicaid improvements
Medicare postpayment claims reviews and state Medicaid sources of funds are two of 24 areas where fragmentation, overlap or duplication exists in the federal government, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office. Read More » Healthy aging is topic of first White House Conference on Aging policy brief
Healthy aging is the topic of the first policy brief released by the White House Conference on Aging. Additional briefs, on the other key topics being examined by the conference are expected in the future. Read More » AMDA honors three
AMDA–The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine and the AMDA Foundation honored three medical directors at AMDA’s recent annual meeting. Read More » Pharmacy group launches website
The Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition, launched in January, has announced its new website. Read More » 2015 Leaders of Tomorrow: Michael C. LaFerney, RN, PMHCNS-BC
This clinical nurse specialist provides quality care to the residents he serves, helps colleagues around the country and around the world with his research and other writings, and is priming another generation for long-term care as an adjunct professor at a nearby college. Read More » Seniors concerned about Medicare cost increases, service cuts
Providers and the professional associations advocating on their behalf may be focused on the sustainable growth rate and related issues, but a new survey finds that Medicare beneficiaries are more concerned about potential cost increases and service cuts. Read More » Home health focus of two bills
Increasing the scope of practice for ABRNs and PAs who work in home healthcare, and reimbursing for HCBS for low-income, Medicare-only beneficiaries who need help with two or more ADLs, are the goals of two bipartisan bills introduced in Congress. Read More » Physical therapy efforts may be thwarted by copay
Physical therapy is just as effective as surgery for treating an impairment common with aging, but some older adults may forego the less invasive option because of Medicare copayments, a recent study found. Read More » Study: Facility, home care costs have increased
Costs associated with facility-based care and home care have increased over the past five years, according to Genworth’s 12th annual Cost of Care Study. Read More » NIC MAP: Occupancy down, rent growth up
Overall senior housing occupancy declined in the first quarter of 2015 due to weak absorption and a moderate increase in inventory, according to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care’s MAP Data Service. Rent growth continued to accelerate for most independent living properties, according to the web-based source of research and analysis. Read More » ALFA announces credentialing body
The Assisted Living Federation of America has moved one step closer to its aim of quantifying the quality of those working in the industry by establishing an organization to offer certification. Professional standards and an accreditation process are expected to follow. Read More » CMS develops staffing, census system
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has developed an electronic system whereby long-term care facilities will submit staffing and census information as required under the Affordable Care Act. Read More » CMS to expand focused dementia care surveys
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will expand its use of a targeted dementia care survey in fiscal year 2015, the agency relayed in a recent memo to state survey agency directors. Read More » OIG identifies areas for cost, quality improvement
A recent report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General identifies more than 25 ways that government agencies and programs could save money or improve quality. Read More » Good news, bad news for jobs in long-term care
Several occupations utilized in long-term care settings offer excellent prospects for employment, although the opportunities for certain roles may be better outside of those settings, according to recently released government data. Wages are another matter. Read More » Documentation tops provider concerns in survey
Documentation was the biggest challenge facing skilled nursing centers and assisted living communities during 2014, according to those responding to a year-long survey by Harmony Healthcare International. Read More » Infection control is focus of workshops
The Advancing Excellence in Long-Term Care Collaborative will present the two-hour workshop “Disrupt Infections: Creating a Community of Prevention” in 29 cities as part of the Dr. Bill Thomas’ Age of Disruption Tour. Read More » Study links lung health, indoor air quality
The quality of indoor air in nursing homes seriously affects the lung health of elderly residents, according to the findings of a recent study. Read More » Aging2.0 Alliance connects providers, technology companies
A new global membership community for senior care stakeholders and technology companies is counting large corporations and advocacy organizations among its inaugural members. Read More » CMS clarifies actions on expiring provisions
As the U.S. Senate continues its spring recess, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has clarified what actions it will take until mid-April. Several provisions that may be addressed by passage of a “doc fix” bill expired today. Read More » AMDA names new officers, board members
AMDA—The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine has announced its 2015–2016 officers and board members. Read More » LeadingAge advocacy day brings 300 to Capitol Hill
More than 300 members of LeadingAge headed to Capitol Hill March 17 to talk with their representatives. The event coincided with the organization’s PEAK Summit, at which the group’s new Thrive initiative was discussed. Read More » New Senior acquires 17 properties in $435M deal
Real estate investment trust New Senior Investment Group has spent $435 million to acquire 17 independent living senior housing properties from affiliates of Hawthorn Retirement Group. Read More » Observation status would count toward three-day inpatient stay under act
Patients’ time under “observation status” would count toward the requisite three-day hospital stay for coverage of skilled nursing care under legislation introduced by four senators. Read More » 