Lois Bowers
Lois A. Bowers was senior editor of I Advance Senior Care / Long-Term Living from 2013-2015.
Health, housing focus of new task force
Two former senators and two former Housing and Urban Development secretaries are leading a one-year Bipartisan Policy Center effort to address issues at the intersection of senior housing and health. Read More » Fraud prevention, enforcement efforts recover $3.3B in FY 2014
The government’s healthcare fraud prevention and enforcement efforts recovered $3.3 billion in fiscal year 2014 from individuals and companies that attempted to defraud federal health programs serving seniors and others, according to a new report. Read More » Study may cause employers to ensure nurse pay equity, authors say
Employers of registered nurses have another reason to look at their pay structures to ensure that they don’t contain inequities, say the authors of a new study. Read More » Knowledge of Alzheimer’s diagnosis empowers people, association says
Disclosing a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease permits people to plan for the future and maximum the benefits of therapy, yet a new report finds that such diagnoses are revealed in only 45 percent of cases. Read More » Senate kicks SGR vote to April
Healthcare professionals now will have to wait until April 13 for any action related to the sustainable growth rate formula. Read More » Hospice, home care providers march on Washington
Defining the work week and expanding caregiver duties were two of the issues on the table as the National Association for Home Care & Hospice March on Washington took place March 22 to 25. Read More » CBO: President’s budget would reduce Medicare spending
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 » OIG proposes SNF PPS rates for critical access hospitals
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 » Concerns remain after introduction of SGR replacement bill
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 » 9 ways the ACA has transformed senior care
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 » C. diff control requires soap-and-water hand-washing: study
Think that alcohol rub or pair of gloves will prevent passing C. diff to others? Think again, say researchers. Read More » Cholesterol’s role in brain health pondered as statin guidelines come under fire
Keeping cholesterol levels healthy can be good for the brain as well as the heart, according to a newly published study. The results come at a time when some experts are questioning new recommendations for the prescription of statins to address cholesterol levels to prevent cardiovascular disease. Read More » CMS issues final rule about home- and community-based programs
Alternatives to institutional care are the focus of a final rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Read More » Joint Commission releases updated accreditation guide
The Joint Commission has released an updated guide for nursing, rehabilitation, home health and other care providers seeking accreditation or certification this year. Read More » How to prevent pressure ulcers
Want to reduce the rate of pressure ulcers in your nursing home residents? A new study holds an answer. Read More » CMS proposes emergency preparedness procedures
Four components should be part of every senior care provider's emergency preparedness plan, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Found out what the agency is proposing and how you can comment. Read More » Facility rating, resident quality of life not linked
Certain factors relate to resident quality of life, but the government rating of the facility where they live is not one of them, according to new research. Read More » Website provides long-term care facility information
A nonprofit foundation is offering residents of one state information about the performance and features of long-term care facilities there. Read More » Infection prevention resource available
A new guide with a CD-ROM is designed to help long-term care facilities create and implement comprehensive infection prevention programs. Read More » U.S. spends more on SNF, CCRC care, but home healthcare spending growing faster: report
The United States spends more money for care provided at skilled nursing facilities and continuing care retirement communities than for care provided through home healthcare agencies, according to a new report, but spending for home healthcare is growing at a faster rate. Read More » U.S. life expectancy challenged despite healthcare spending: report
The United States has not experienced the lower mortality rates and higher life expectancy normally associated with higher health-related spending per capita, according to a recent report. Read More » Mexican-Americans could see cognitive impairment 10 years before others: study
Mild cognitive impairment could begin up to a decade earlier in Mexican-Americans than in non-Hispanic people, according to new research. Read More » 9 resolutions for the new year
If you’re going to make a health-related resolution, why not make one (or more) that will increase the odds that you will live to a healthy old age? These habits could add up to 12 years to your life, according to the person who shared them. Read More » Senior care market to grow to $437B by 2018: report
Opportunities to address the housing, healthcare and technology needs of seniors will continue to increase as the population ages, according to a new report. Read More » High-dose vitamin E benefits those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers: study
The amount of assistance needed by those with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease is reduced by about two hours per day when they take vitamin E, according to the results of a recent study, which found other advantages as well. Read More » 2013: Year of the long-term care TV show?
A look back at 2013 reveals at least three small-screen efforts highlighting long-term care. Read More » Most popular social media sites for older adults revealed by research
Looking to reach older adults via social media? A new report details which sites are most popular among Internet users. Read More » Nurses tops in ethics, honesty: poll
A recent poll asked the public to rate the honesty and ethical standards of those in several professions. The findings contain good news for nurses and nursing home operators. Read More » Long-term care staff, residents focus of CDC report
A new report from the National Center for Health Statistics contains some surprising and not-so-surprising information for those working in long-term care. Read More » 