Nicole Stempak
Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.
Recovering memories ‘lost’ by Alzheimer’s disease
People with early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can still make new memories, but a lack of sensory input connections prevent them from storing and later accessing those memories. Researchers tested a form of artificial stimulation that helped mice remember, suggesting potential new treatments. Read More » Bad news not necessarily bad for employee engagement
Administrators and executives, take note. Bad news doesn’t have to make employees feel blue, or worse, damper engagement and morale. The way people feel and react to news depends on how the information is presented. Read More » New association for DNSs launches
The American Association of Directors of Nursing Services (AADNS) will offer DNSs in long-term care and post-acute care training, certification and host conferences. Read More » New CMS initiative to improve care for nursing home residents
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will test a new payment model for nursing facilities and practitioners to further reduce avoidable hospitalizations and lower Medicare and Medicaid spending while improving patient care. Read More » Woodbriar residents in ‘immediate jeopardy,’ say Mass. regulators
In the course of an investigation of a resident's death, state regulators determined substandard care resulted in a second resident death and resident fall at Woodbriar Health Center, the latest in a mounting citation list for owner Synergy Health Centers. Read More » A lesson on Alzheimer’s disease
Children at one Denver school study the history of and write about Alzheimer’s disease. The multi-subject curriculum on memory care is designed to make children less scared and confused about what changes might be happening with an aging loved one. Read More » Medicare unveils Diabetes Prevention Program
Older Americans with a high risk for developing Type 2 diabetes may receive preventive treatment from an unlikely source: Medicare. Read More » Moving boxes—and hearts
One young man stopped to play a tune after finishing a moving job at a retirement community. That video has gone viral. Watch it, and you'll understand why. Read More » Allscripts, Netsmart form $250M human services and PAC tech company
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions and equity firm GI Partners entered a joint venture with Netsmart Technologies, Inc. to form the largest technology company solely focused on human services and post-acute care. Read More » The dental dilemma of natural teeth
Aging poses additional health risks to keeping those pearly whites, especially for seniors with their own teeth. Read More » Increased rate of polypharmacy, dangerous drug complications among seniors
One in six seniors regularly takes a potentially deadly combination of medications and dietary supplements, researchers found. Read More » Study: women live longer but lead less active lives than men
Women still have a longer life expectancy but they’re living longer with at least one disability that prevents them from doing at least one normal daily activity. IN comparison, men are living longer and more years without disability. Read More » PA nursing home workers want $15 minimum wage
Current contracts for SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania are set to expire at the end of March, and nursing home workers fair wages, affordable healthcare and improved staffing in their new contracts. Read More » Fla. regulators issue orders of suspension for CCRC
The Office of Insurance Regulation has issued two initial orders of suspension for a Tampa Bay, Fla., continuing care retirement community (CCRC), alleging the facility was acquired illegally and owes more than $4 million in refunds to residents, among other claims. Read More » Children jig for seniors this St. Patrick’s Day
Young Irish dancers remind residents at one Washington retirement and assisted living community the magic of the dance for St. Patrick’s Day. Read More » Girl Scout Cookies for a cause
Girls from one Minnesota Girl Scout troop fundraised to buy and deliver 400 cookies to veterans at a local retirement community. Read More » Time to rethink guidelines for seniors with diabetes?
Researchers found it may be time to reconsider a medication plan for frail older adults with Type 2 diabetes. Read More » One in four seniors leave hospital, enter post-acute care with superbugs
Researchers found the number of seniors with superbugs on their hands increased during follow-up visits, suggesting new practices need to be implemented to curtail the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in nursing homes and post-acute care facilities. Read More » Woodbriar’s plan to address resident death unacceptable, say Mass. state regulators
Woodbriar Health Center must resubmit a plan to the state health department. The facility, owned by Synergy Health, has been making headlines for a resident’s death, scabies outbreak and substandard care. Read More » Champion your leader during Long Term Care Administrator’s Week
The American College of Health Care Administrators commends, salutes and thanks administrators in nursing homes and assisted living centers for a job well done, today and throughout the year. Read More » Reduce Alzheimer’s risk by brushing your teeth
Researchers have found periodontitis, or gum disease, is associated with an increase in cognitive decline among people with early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Read More » Tony Hawk talks about Alzheimer’s disease
Skateboarder Tony Hawk shares his mother’s progression with Alzheimer's disease and encourages others to reach out and connect while there’s still time. Read More » Amyloid distribution different in Alzheimer’s memory and language dementias
Researchers found the toxic beta-amyloid protein is distributed differently in people with primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a rare language dementia, versus the memory dementia in the early stages. That could result in more targeted treatment plans. Read More » Study finds toxic co-workers surprisingly productive, rule abiding
Forget the blabbermouths, brown nosers, con artists and incompetent workers. The worker who could be causing the most harm to your organization could also be one of your most productive workers, researchers found. Read More » Genesis sells home health and hospice business to Compassus
Genesis Healthcare Inc., one of the nation’s largest post-acute care providers, will sell most of its home health and hospice operations to Compassus for $84 million. The company will use the proceeds to repay debt. Read More » Teaching today’s youth about aging
A course at UCLA teaches first-year college students about the aging process, how to relate to seniors and exposes them to new career possibilities. Read More » Post-acute provider expands to home health care
LifeCare Holdings will acquire Haven Home Health as the company continues expanding its post-acute service offerings. Read More » LTC residents at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency
Vitamin B12 is required for red blood cell formation, neurological function and DNA synthesis. B12 deficiency is common among seniors and can cause dementia, anemia and weight loss, among other adverse health effects. Read More » CMS pushes interoperability for LTC
The new initiative allows states to request the 90 percent enhanced matching funds to connect more Medicaid providers to a state health information exchange. Read More » 