Lois Bowers
Lois A. Bowers was senior editor of I Advance Senior Care / Long-Term Living from 2013-2015.
New bill ties 3-day stay waiver to Nursing Home Compare ratings
Under a proposed bill, SNFs meeting certain criteria based on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services quality ratings automatically would qualify to waive the prior hospitalization requirement for Medicare coverage of Part A skilled nursing care benefits. Read More » Exercise benefits seniors in many ways, new research says
Encouraging residents to exercise may help them improve their mental and physical health as well as their fitness for and recovery from surgery, according to results of two new studies. Read More » New model indicates when memory loss is Alzheimer’s disease
Researchers may have found a way for you to let residents know whether to relax or take other action. Read More » 3 ways to prevent bed rail problems
You can use a new poster from the government as part of your efforts to educate employees about the proper use of adult bed rails. It comes in English and Spanish language versions. Read More » Eye doctor may diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in the future
The eye holds clues to Alzheimer’s disease, according to one study. Another study, however, finds no association between a common age-related eye disease and dementia. Read More » Fighting diabetes in the workplace and at home
Preventing or managing diabetes can mean lower health insurance and other personnel-related costs for employers as well as healthier employees and residents. Here are some tips to help combat the disease, in observance of National Diabetes Month and World Diabetes Day. Read More » New research, guidelines affect care of overweight and obese seniors
Three new studies and a new guideline on obesity and health from a government-convened panel have implications for medical, nursing, nutrition and activities personnel in long-term care environments. Read More » Volunteering has physical benefits for seniors
Seniors who regularly donate their time to their favorite causes are physically healthier than those who don’t, according to new research. So think about encouraging volunteerism among residents. Read More » 4 factors linked to heart failure death
Many deaths from congestive heart failure might be prevented if healthcare professionals look for four risk factors, according to new research. Read More » Long-term care-related comedy to air on HBO
You may see some familiar faces on Nov. 24 when HBO debuts a comedy about a “ragtag crew” caring for elderly women at a hospital’s extended care unit. Read More » One medical visit reveals much about Alzheimer’s progression: study
One medical visit is all it takes to gather enough data to predict how long it will be before someone with Alzheimer’s disease needs professional long-term care or dies, according to new research. Read More » LTC workforce needs are focus of new center
A new center at the University of California, San Francisco, will study workforce needs related to long-term care. Read More » Hospice, home healthcare owners paying for fraud allegations
A hospice and a home healthcare agency are facing the consequences after being accused of committing healthcare fraud. Read More » IRS increases tax deductions for LTC insurance
If you or those for whom you care are concerned about how to pay for long-term care, you may be interested to learn that the Internal Revenue Service has increased the tax deductions allowed for the purchase of long-term care insurance policies in 2014. Read More » Dental, heart health linked in study
A new study provides another reason to promote brushing and flossing among residents. Read More » Johnson & Johnson to pay $2.2 billion to resolve off-label marketing and kickback allegations
In what the federal government maintains is one of the largest healthcare fraud settlements in U.S. history, Johnson & Johnson and subsidiaries will pay more than $2.2 billion for allegedly promoting three drugs for unapproved uses in the elderly and others as well as purportedly paying kickbacks to doctors and the country’s biggest long-term care pharmacy provider. Read More » Hospitalization reduction is aim of nursing home resident study
A $13.4 million initiative funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services hopes to improve care and communication within nursing facilities and between nursing homes and acute care institutions so that problems can be caught and managed before it becomes necessary to transport residents to the hospital. Read More » Injuries from falls lessened by exercise: study
Want to reduce injuries from falls in seniors? Encourage them to participate in balance-related exercise programs, a new study suggests. Read More » Don’t let time change wreak havoc on health
As the end of daylight saving time approaches in most parts of the United States, here are some tips to keep you—and residents—healthy and alert in the coming weeks. Read More » Alzheimer’s, caregivers highlighted in November observances
November observances put Alzheimer's disease and family caregivers in the spotlight. Read More » 10 cited for innovation, excellence at annual meeting
Live from LeadingAge: 10 individuals or organizations received awards at the annual meeting. Read More » Tech tool enables remote activity participation
Live from LeadingAge: Technology that would allow seniors to participate in senior living community activities remotely has won the inaugural HackFest. Read More » Needed trauma care often eludes elderly: study
A new study about the way injured older adults are treated has implications for long-term care. Read More » LTC settings would feel the most pain if FDA hydrocodone proposal is approved, pharmacists say
A new FDA proposal to limit access to certain painkillers would hit nursing homes and similar facilities the hardest, one organization maintains. Read More » Sensors, other steps could improve resident sleep
Technology is just one of many ways to help residents get enough sleep, according to recent research, which suggests ways to address staffing level and shift pattern issues that can lead to sleep problems. Read More » Haunted all year
A recent experience reminded me of the haunted houses I attended in my high school days. The occasion was not as fun but was just as frightening, especially considering that 36 million people around the world have similar sensations daily. The memories will stay with me for a long time. Read More » LTC financing is focus of November observance
One organization is using an annual observance to remind the public about the importance of planning for long-term care. Read More » Public weighs in on federal health agencies
A new survey gauges public perception of several national government agencies and departments. See where your opinion fits in. Read More » Proactive healthcare approach reduces senior calls to EMS
A senior housing complex with a reputation for frequent calls to local paramedics saw a one-third decrease in the calls after implementing a new program. Read More » 